Yes, you read that right. After 27 horribly boring days, we only have 12 days of bed rest left. I do not know whether to be excited, or go in to full, knock-out, drag-out panic mode. I think it is a little bit of both!!!!
That's right, on Sunday, January 8th, we will head to Labor and Delivery in the evening to begin the induction process. I will be exactly 37 weeks, and they obviously were not kidding when they said they would not let me go a day past 37 weeks due to preeclampsia. The risk for seizures is way too high after 37 weeks. That night, we will begin with medications to soften my cervix, then Monday morning we will try to start the contractions. Since I will just barely be considered full term and showing no signs of labor, this will more than likely be a very long process, since we will be trying to force my body into labor. They expect Avery to make her presence in the world late Monday night, or the wee hours of Tuesday morning...so it looks like we will have a January 9th or 10th birthday! WOO HOO!!!!
Until then, I am still on bed rest, obviously, but knowing a date makes it seem so much more real. I have so much that needs to be done. Our perfectly clean and ready for baby house, now has Christmas decorations and presents scattered everywhere, hospital bags from Christmas night thrown on the floor....complete disaster zone. My poor husband is about to have a very long "Honey-Do" list....
The past few weeks have been somewhat of a roller coaster. I cannot sleep. I cannot get comfortable. And since about Dec 5th, I have had the worst head congestion. What's worst, is a simple little pseudoephedrine would make my life so much more enjoyable, but due to my high blood pressure, I am not allowed...so instead, I am milking it with Benedryl, Tylenol, and a Neti Pot....Not working!
My amniotic fluid has been hovering around 7.0 each doctor's visit. Avery always looks wonderful, once they can wake her up. This chick loves to sleep, and she sure does not like to be messed with. Blood pressure varies...some good days, some bad days...same ole juggling act we have been doing for a few weeks now. Nothing better, nothing worse.
We were given orders to not go all out for Christmas. Dr. Miles who we love so dearly did not want us traveling and did not want us participating in big family Christmas gatherings, as it would probably send my blood pressure through the roof. So, Mike and I stayed home and had a little quiet, cozy Christmas. He cooked a turkey breast (which turned out amazing), we made a few casseroles, Wendy brought over a pecan pie...and I napped most of the day. That night, Mike and I were sitting around playing Yahtzee when I noticed my ankles were awfully puffy...which was odd, considering I have been laying down all day. I had him check my blood pressure. 156/114. TOO HIGH!!! With my preeclampsia, anything 160/110 and they want me to head straight into Labor and Delivery for fear of having seizures. We took an Aldomet, laid down for an hour, taking it every 15 minutes and it still was hovering at the dangerous levels. We called, and Dr. Miles was on-call at the hosptial, said to come on it. Mike and I both jump in the shower, pack bags (you would think we would have been prepared!!), and hurried off the L&D...of course, by the time we got there, laid me on my left side, and let the medicine run it's course, my blood pressure was dropping. They monitored us for 4 hours, watching my blood pressure continue to go lower, and we waited out the swelling and the headaches. Once gone, we were allowed to go home.
Since then, we have been back to our easy, breezy, same ole, same ole routine. We had an ultrasound and doctor's appointment today, and guess what....our amniotic fluid is back up to 10.11!!!!!! We are no longer considered LOW, just the lowest ACCEPTABLE level....but hallelujah, we can say we are in the NORMAL RANGE!!! I guess it is a fact, if you drink up to 12-14 glasses of water a day and are on bed rest, your fluids WILL go back up! GO AVERY!!!! And, Avery is in the 30th percentile weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs. Healthy as can be!!! By our induction, she will probably be around 6.5-7 lbs.
We are so excited and it seems so much more real now that we have an induction date, but I ask that you all join us in praying for an easy, short and not too horrifying induction. People always say they would not wish an induction on their worst enemy, which is making me super nervous about it.
We love you all and cannot wait to post pictures of this sweet little girl. Now, I'm off the write that "Honey-Do" List....
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
We Have Hit 2 Weeks on Bed Rest!!!!
We have officially been on bed rest for two weeks...one week in the hospital, and one week at home. 15 DAYS!!!!
You would think being on bed rest I would have had all the time in the world to keep blogging, but I have just had no desire. Sorry!
I am allowed two outings a week - a Monday doctor's visit for a NST (Non-Stress Test) and a Thursday doctor's visit for an ultrasound.
Every NST you are perfect! You are not a fan of the bands constricting you, and usually get very angry...but at least you are showing them how active you are - which is what they are looking for. Your daddy and I just laugh, though, because you get so upset.
On Thursdays, we have our ultrasounds to check your movement and measure my amniotic fluid. This was a major concern in the hospital and goes hand in hand with preeclampsia, so something we monitor very closely. In the hospital, your initial AFI was 4-point-something. Then it increased to 7.0 which we were allowed to go home. The following day it was at a 7.7 when we followed up at the doctor's. Today, however, it is back down to a 6.0. The ideal number for amniotic fluid is 10. It can be as high at 25, though. Anything below 10, they monitor. Anything below 5, and they induce. We knew this would happen as the preeclampsia progressed, we just do not want it to get any lower. We will check again next Thursday. Until then, water, water, and more water until I feel like I am going to float away.
My blood pressure is slowly starting to creep up as well. On Monday, it was 130/90, then jumped to 144/94. Today, it was 152/90. We take my blood pressure at home, but will monitor it a little more carefully - at 8am, 2pm, and 8pm. We have been taking it in the morning and at night, but we may need to add a 3rd dose of Aldomet in the middle of the day to help control the blood pressure. Again, this is something we expected as the preeclampsia progresses.
We are now 33 weeks, 4 days!!! We went into the hospital at 31 weeks, 4 days!!! I praise the Lord we have made it this far. Although you have already had the two steroid shots to mature your lungs, every day only adds to time you get to be at home and not stay in the NICU. Again, if we make it to 37 weeks (3 1/2 weeks) we will induce....but at this point, you can come at any point and the doctor's feel you will be just fine. Let's lean more towards 35-37 weeks though, sweetheart! How crazy it is to think no matter what you will be here in 3 1/2 weeks....but definitely could be any day, now!!!
The good news about going to the doctor twice a week and having an ultrasound done weekly, is we get to see your precious little self. Today, you were snug as a bug in a rug! The techs orders were to not only measure your AF, but to see how active you were. She had to jiggle you around and wake you up with the wand, but then you were on the move. For weeks, I have wondered what this certain feeling was...it almost felt like you were tickling me or waving your hand back and forth. NOPE, it is you flexing and rubbing your foot around. You were turning you head to the left and right, yawning, and moving your hands all around. You like to keep one hand up by your chin/face! Funny, this is how I sleep, too! Our ultrasound techs are great and give us a few pictures every time we go! We love them for it! It always is a nice little surprise!
(For viewers pleasure, they are not as crisp as some ultrasounds you may have seen. We learned, this is due to my low amniotic fluid. Either way, enjoy!)
Can you see her little face and hand by her chin?
She's got her mama's round little face!
This is profile view...with her hand on your chin....silly girl!
We love you Avery Mackenzie Lane and cannot wait to meet you! You have stolen our hearts, already!!!!
You would think being on bed rest I would have had all the time in the world to keep blogging, but I have just had no desire. Sorry!
I am allowed two outings a week - a Monday doctor's visit for a NST (Non-Stress Test) and a Thursday doctor's visit for an ultrasound.
Every NST you are perfect! You are not a fan of the bands constricting you, and usually get very angry...but at least you are showing them how active you are - which is what they are looking for. Your daddy and I just laugh, though, because you get so upset.
On Thursdays, we have our ultrasounds to check your movement and measure my amniotic fluid. This was a major concern in the hospital and goes hand in hand with preeclampsia, so something we monitor very closely. In the hospital, your initial AFI was 4-point-something. Then it increased to 7.0 which we were allowed to go home. The following day it was at a 7.7 when we followed up at the doctor's. Today, however, it is back down to a 6.0. The ideal number for amniotic fluid is 10. It can be as high at 25, though. Anything below 10, they monitor. Anything below 5, and they induce. We knew this would happen as the preeclampsia progressed, we just do not want it to get any lower. We will check again next Thursday. Until then, water, water, and more water until I feel like I am going to float away.
My blood pressure is slowly starting to creep up as well. On Monday, it was 130/90, then jumped to 144/94. Today, it was 152/90. We take my blood pressure at home, but will monitor it a little more carefully - at 8am, 2pm, and 8pm. We have been taking it in the morning and at night, but we may need to add a 3rd dose of Aldomet in the middle of the day to help control the blood pressure. Again, this is something we expected as the preeclampsia progresses.
We are now 33 weeks, 4 days!!! We went into the hospital at 31 weeks, 4 days!!! I praise the Lord we have made it this far. Although you have already had the two steroid shots to mature your lungs, every day only adds to time you get to be at home and not stay in the NICU. Again, if we make it to 37 weeks (3 1/2 weeks) we will induce....but at this point, you can come at any point and the doctor's feel you will be just fine. Let's lean more towards 35-37 weeks though, sweetheart! How crazy it is to think no matter what you will be here in 3 1/2 weeks....but definitely could be any day, now!!!
The good news about going to the doctor twice a week and having an ultrasound done weekly, is we get to see your precious little self. Today, you were snug as a bug in a rug! The techs orders were to not only measure your AF, but to see how active you were. She had to jiggle you around and wake you up with the wand, but then you were on the move. For weeks, I have wondered what this certain feeling was...it almost felt like you were tickling me or waving your hand back and forth. NOPE, it is you flexing and rubbing your foot around. You were turning you head to the left and right, yawning, and moving your hands all around. You like to keep one hand up by your chin/face! Funny, this is how I sleep, too! Our ultrasound techs are great and give us a few pictures every time we go! We love them for it! It always is a nice little surprise!
(For viewers pleasure, they are not as crisp as some ultrasounds you may have seen. We learned, this is due to my low amniotic fluid. Either way, enjoy!)
We love you Avery Mackenzie Lane and cannot wait to meet you! You have stolen our hearts, already!!!!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Hospital Bed Rest Day #2 and #3
What an eventful two more days we have had here in Labor and Delivery....some very good, some very scary.
Yesterday morning, Friday, Mike woke up from the sleeper, got ready for work and left for the day. My mom was at work, and I knew I would be alone in the hospital until about 5pm. Easy breezy, right? Ha! I paid some bills, called and set up everything with the pediatrician, called Human Resources to request my packet for LOA, blogged on here a little bit, had plans to take a nice long nap....really, no big deal.
At 11am, Dr. Goresch came in and said she was a little worried because the ultrasound we did the night before was showing low amniotic fluid, which although Avery's size was measuring correctly, may mean Avery is in distress and not getting enough oxygen. She said she just wanted to send me down to ultrasound for a second look for some better scans, and we would go from there. She explained, if Avery was in distress, we would induce. I was a little worried, but thought it would be okay, until two seconds after she walked out of the room, transportation came in, RUSHING me down to ultrasound. At this point, I PANIC, call Mike, call my mom and Jimmie, and am freaking out. I am 110% sure Avery is coming TODAY!
However, after the panicked rush, they brought me back up to the room and we waited and waited. Our doctor finally came in mid afternoon and explained she had been consulting with the fetal monitoring doctors in Charlotte. They agreed, as long as Avery and I were not in distress, they would not induce at this time. She did let us know I do have only half the amniotic fluid I should. They want it at a 10, I am at a 4.87.
I did my second and final round of my steroid shot to boost Avery's lungs. We are going to do another 24 hour urine from Sunday morning to Monday morning. If my protein levels have not increased dramatically, I will probably go home on Monday for strict bed rest at home, with 2-3 appointments a week.
The doctor's are aiming for 36 weeks, so 4 more weeks to hold out before we have to delivery, although that may not be an option. At this point we are waking up each day not knowing if today is the day Avery will come, or if we are able to manage the preeclampsia for the day. It makes for a very stressful time.
Grandma, Grandpa, Gigi, Poppy, Uncle Chris and Jeff stopped by to check on us Friday night. They all definitely cheered us up and were just what we needed.
This morning, Saturday, the doctor came by early to let us know that my blood work from yesterday came back perfectly normal, showing that the preeclampsia on that side of the fence has not changed. Praise the Lord! However, every shift change (12 hours) we have to hook Avery up to the montiors to make sure her heart beat is fine, she is active enough, etc. We have to pass 30 minutes. Every time so far, we have been 30-45 minutes and for the remaining 12 hours, Avery does not have to be monitored. This morning, however, Avery had to be monitored for about 3 hours. Mama was freaking!!! Her heart beat was strong and steady, but it was TOO steady, meaning she was not moving around. Usually they sleep/wake in roughly 30 minute cycles, and we were not getting enough movement for 3 hours. They took me off the monitors, let me eat lunch and said we would try again after lunch. If she still wasn't active enough, we would go down for another ultrasound to make sure she was breathing okay and not in distress. After lunch she DID perk up. And by tonight's monitoring at 9am, she was bouncing all over the place, and still is. We believe she was just having a sleepy morning. I was given an Ambien last night to help me sleep, and they believe she may have just been a little too groggy from it. Now, I cannot get her to calm down, so all is well for now.
Today was suppose to be my baby shower in Stony Point with Mike's family. Obviously, I was not going to be able to make it, so they brought the shower to us. After our stressful, mess of a morning, I did not think I would make it through. So glad they came. It is definitely what I needed. We had such a good time and Avery got so many cute little things.
Today, Aunt Shannon, Nana, Granny, Gigi, Poppy, Uncle Chris, Wendy, Jeff, Sarah and Joli came to visit. We had a very eventful day. Mama and daddy are definitely tired today.
The deeper we get into this, the more we feel Avery is going to be a 2011 baby, not a 2012 baby. Either way, we will all be fine, it's just the unknown, play it by day to day that is so stressful. We cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers, calls, texts, visits, and emails....we definitely are blown away by all the love. We love you all so much!
There are 12 rooms on the Labor and Delivery floor...11 are occupied. I am the ONLY one not delivering (or recovering) right now. I am the only one here for preeclampsia and bed rest. Pray, we do not get kicked out too soon, because they run out of room. Tomorrow is Hospital Bed Rest Day #4.....Hopefully we will have a smooth sailing day.
We love each and every one of you,
Mike, Stephanie and Avery!
Yesterday morning, Friday, Mike woke up from the sleeper, got ready for work and left for the day. My mom was at work, and I knew I would be alone in the hospital until about 5pm. Easy breezy, right? Ha! I paid some bills, called and set up everything with the pediatrician, called Human Resources to request my packet for LOA, blogged on here a little bit, had plans to take a nice long nap....really, no big deal.
At 11am, Dr. Goresch came in and said she was a little worried because the ultrasound we did the night before was showing low amniotic fluid, which although Avery's size was measuring correctly, may mean Avery is in distress and not getting enough oxygen. She said she just wanted to send me down to ultrasound for a second look for some better scans, and we would go from there. She explained, if Avery was in distress, we would induce. I was a little worried, but thought it would be okay, until two seconds after she walked out of the room, transportation came in, RUSHING me down to ultrasound. At this point, I PANIC, call Mike, call my mom and Jimmie, and am freaking out. I am 110% sure Avery is coming TODAY!
However, after the panicked rush, they brought me back up to the room and we waited and waited. Our doctor finally came in mid afternoon and explained she had been consulting with the fetal monitoring doctors in Charlotte. They agreed, as long as Avery and I were not in distress, they would not induce at this time. She did let us know I do have only half the amniotic fluid I should. They want it at a 10, I am at a 4.87.
I did my second and final round of my steroid shot to boost Avery's lungs. We are going to do another 24 hour urine from Sunday morning to Monday morning. If my protein levels have not increased dramatically, I will probably go home on Monday for strict bed rest at home, with 2-3 appointments a week.
The doctor's are aiming for 36 weeks, so 4 more weeks to hold out before we have to delivery, although that may not be an option. At this point we are waking up each day not knowing if today is the day Avery will come, or if we are able to manage the preeclampsia for the day. It makes for a very stressful time.
Grandma, Grandpa, Gigi, Poppy, Uncle Chris and Jeff stopped by to check on us Friday night. They all definitely cheered us up and were just what we needed.
This morning, Saturday, the doctor came by early to let us know that my blood work from yesterday came back perfectly normal, showing that the preeclampsia on that side of the fence has not changed. Praise the Lord! However, every shift change (12 hours) we have to hook Avery up to the montiors to make sure her heart beat is fine, she is active enough, etc. We have to pass 30 minutes. Every time so far, we have been 30-45 minutes and for the remaining 12 hours, Avery does not have to be monitored. This morning, however, Avery had to be monitored for about 3 hours. Mama was freaking!!! Her heart beat was strong and steady, but it was TOO steady, meaning she was not moving around. Usually they sleep/wake in roughly 30 minute cycles, and we were not getting enough movement for 3 hours. They took me off the monitors, let me eat lunch and said we would try again after lunch. If she still wasn't active enough, we would go down for another ultrasound to make sure she was breathing okay and not in distress. After lunch she DID perk up. And by tonight's monitoring at 9am, she was bouncing all over the place, and still is. We believe she was just having a sleepy morning. I was given an Ambien last night to help me sleep, and they believe she may have just been a little too groggy from it. Now, I cannot get her to calm down, so all is well for now.
Today was suppose to be my baby shower in Stony Point with Mike's family. Obviously, I was not going to be able to make it, so they brought the shower to us. After our stressful, mess of a morning, I did not think I would make it through. So glad they came. It is definitely what I needed. We had such a good time and Avery got so many cute little things.
Today, Aunt Shannon, Nana, Granny, Gigi, Poppy, Uncle Chris, Wendy, Jeff, Sarah and Joli came to visit. We had a very eventful day. Mama and daddy are definitely tired today.
The deeper we get into this, the more we feel Avery is going to be a 2011 baby, not a 2012 baby. Either way, we will all be fine, it's just the unknown, play it by day to day that is so stressful. We cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers, calls, texts, visits, and emails....we definitely are blown away by all the love. We love you all so much!
There are 12 rooms on the Labor and Delivery floor...11 are occupied. I am the ONLY one not delivering (or recovering) right now. I am the only one here for preeclampsia and bed rest. Pray, we do not get kicked out too soon, because they run out of room. Tomorrow is Hospital Bed Rest Day #4.....Hopefully we will have a smooth sailing day.
We love each and every one of you,
Mike, Stephanie and Avery!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Preeclampsia and Hospital Bedrest.....
Yup, you read it right. Yesterday we had our 32 week doctor's appointment. We were going to check my 24 hour urine results and decide what course of action we would take. I thought worst case scenario they would say bed rest at home. Your daddy and I had plans to go to Boone afterwards and get a Christmas tree. Little did we know, that doctor's office would land us in Labor and Delivery. Your Heart Beat was right on track with 150 bpm. However, my blood pressure was 140/96 and then 136/08. Dr. Fishburne, our favorite doctor, was concerned but we waiting until they could track down my 24 hour urine results....Come to find out my Labs were not done yesterday, so he sent us over to Labor and Delivery, mainly just to be able to get quicker lab results...we could have the 24 hour urine results in 1 hour, and blood work in 2. And this would allow them to monitor you and I for a little bit. No biggie. We still thought by noon, we'd be headed to Boone. Man, did we have different cards dealt for us.
My 24 hour urine came back and did show a protein level of 356. Anything over 300 is considered Preeclampsia levels. Ten days ago, it was at 256, so we definitely are spilling more protein, but, at least it still is not at outrageous levels...not yet, at least. But, my blood pressure, despite the BP medicine I have been on for 2 weeks, still spikes when I stand up and move around. I guess the problem with preeclampsia is it can turn for the worse in the matter of seconds. So Hospital bed rest we go. Dr. Vuong told me this and I just started crying. Not sure what else I was expecting. We are here until at least Monday, then on Monday they will decide if I can be on strict bed rest at home, or if we have to stay on hospital bed rest. We are praying for the home bed rest. But, I must say, for the situation we are in, we definitely have it made. We have the best nurses, great doctors, and this room is nicer than mine and most other people's living rooms. I feel like I'm at someone's house, not in a hospital....which makes it a little easier to deal with. Now, if we could work on the bed.
So yesterday was so long....part of it seems like it dragged on forever (and I have 3 days MINIMUM left here?!?) and other times seems to fly by. We gave blood, more blood, and then gave more blood. We have an IV hookup ready in case of an emergency. You know me and my veins! They could only get a good one in my right hand, which is my dominant hand, so I have knocked it, hit it, and smacked it on everything. We check my blood pressure every 4 hours...and 8 hours at night. I have the compression cuffs on both my legs trying to get my swelling to go down. So far, my legs are looking much better, my feet are still just swollen. All in all, so much better. You have to be monitored every shift change, so every 12 hours, or more if needed. You rock it! You do so well the first 30 minutes, they take you off the monitors and you do not have to be checked again until the next shift change! That's my girl!
You are perfect. They did an ultrasound last night to check on your growth and all that fun stuff. A concern with preeclampsia is the mother's high blood pressure restricts the umbilical cord so the baby does not get enough of the nutrients and oxygen you would need, causing you are not be as developed as you should be. NOPE! You are right on track and perfect! PRAISE THE LORD! It was so funny. The ultrasound tech (who knew nothing about our information), said "Your little girl is measuring 31 weeks, 4 days...with an Expected Due Date of 1/29/2012." THAT IS OUR EXACT DAY!!!! Now, granted, the doctor's are just trying to keep you cooking as long as they can, hopefully until week 37, but so comforting for this mama to know you are doing just perfect in there. You weight right now looks to be 3 lb 14 oz. and the ultrasound tech said you were getting the little round baby belly and packing on the weight for delivery. You are being so secretive of your face though. The tech tried and tried, and you just show us little glimpses. That is the one secret you must be keeping. From the little shots we do get, you look like you have your mama's round face! Precious! Oh and P.S. You are still a GIRL!!!! GROW BABY, GROW!!!!
They did get my first round of steroids yesterday and I will receive the second one toward to go ahead and help your lungs mature in case the preeclampsia shows its ugly face and we have to delivery you early. But from everything we saw yesterday with you and these shots, if you were to come, with a little extra love from the doctors and nurses you look like you will thrive and be just wonderful!
Your Poppy and Gigi came yesterday. Gigi stayed all afternoon/evening. Poppy came for the evening. So thankful and glad they came!!!! Daddy was here for it all, and even spent the night. He has been super!! I know people say this all the time, but I can honestly say, through it all, as it gets worse, he keeps shining and steps up and blows me away with his caring help, positive uplifting attitude, and just plan out going above and beyond in everything to make sure you are I are as comfortable as can be! He really does deserve the Husband/Daddy of the year award!!! We're going to have to do something really special for him.
Everyone is at work today, so I am here by myself for a little while. So, I thought I would blog. I have already called my HR department and requested the packet for my LOA/STD. I am going to call the pediatrician we want to see if they are still accepting new babies. I've got to pay some bills. I have the newspaper, 6 magazines, two books, and a Nook. I really think you and I will be okay, until everyone gets off work.
Your daddy and I love you so much sweet girl. You are so perfect and I fall more in love with you every day. You have tons of people asking about you and checking up on you. YOU ARE SO LOVED!
**For all of our faithful family and friends who have asked about preeclampsia. It is so hard to grasp and explain, but here is a very informative link that explains it a little more easier.
www.preeclampsia.org
My 24 hour urine came back and did show a protein level of 356. Anything over 300 is considered Preeclampsia levels. Ten days ago, it was at 256, so we definitely are spilling more protein, but, at least it still is not at outrageous levels...not yet, at least. But, my blood pressure, despite the BP medicine I have been on for 2 weeks, still spikes when I stand up and move around. I guess the problem with preeclampsia is it can turn for the worse in the matter of seconds. So Hospital bed rest we go. Dr. Vuong told me this and I just started crying. Not sure what else I was expecting. We are here until at least Monday, then on Monday they will decide if I can be on strict bed rest at home, or if we have to stay on hospital bed rest. We are praying for the home bed rest. But, I must say, for the situation we are in, we definitely have it made. We have the best nurses, great doctors, and this room is nicer than mine and most other people's living rooms. I feel like I'm at someone's house, not in a hospital....which makes it a little easier to deal with. Now, if we could work on the bed.
So yesterday was so long....part of it seems like it dragged on forever (and I have 3 days MINIMUM left here?!?) and other times seems to fly by. We gave blood, more blood, and then gave more blood. We have an IV hookup ready in case of an emergency. You know me and my veins! They could only get a good one in my right hand, which is my dominant hand, so I have knocked it, hit it, and smacked it on everything. We check my blood pressure every 4 hours...and 8 hours at night. I have the compression cuffs on both my legs trying to get my swelling to go down. So far, my legs are looking much better, my feet are still just swollen. All in all, so much better. You have to be monitored every shift change, so every 12 hours, or more if needed. You rock it! You do so well the first 30 minutes, they take you off the monitors and you do not have to be checked again until the next shift change! That's my girl!
You are perfect. They did an ultrasound last night to check on your growth and all that fun stuff. A concern with preeclampsia is the mother's high blood pressure restricts the umbilical cord so the baby does not get enough of the nutrients and oxygen you would need, causing you are not be as developed as you should be. NOPE! You are right on track and perfect! PRAISE THE LORD! It was so funny. The ultrasound tech (who knew nothing about our information), said "Your little girl is measuring 31 weeks, 4 days...with an Expected Due Date of 1/29/2012." THAT IS OUR EXACT DAY!!!! Now, granted, the doctor's are just trying to keep you cooking as long as they can, hopefully until week 37, but so comforting for this mama to know you are doing just perfect in there. You weight right now looks to be 3 lb 14 oz. and the ultrasound tech said you were getting the little round baby belly and packing on the weight for delivery. You are being so secretive of your face though. The tech tried and tried, and you just show us little glimpses. That is the one secret you must be keeping. From the little shots we do get, you look like you have your mama's round face! Precious! Oh and P.S. You are still a GIRL!!!! GROW BABY, GROW!!!!
They did get my first round of steroids yesterday and I will receive the second one toward to go ahead and help your lungs mature in case the preeclampsia shows its ugly face and we have to delivery you early. But from everything we saw yesterday with you and these shots, if you were to come, with a little extra love from the doctors and nurses you look like you will thrive and be just wonderful!
Your Poppy and Gigi came yesterday. Gigi stayed all afternoon/evening. Poppy came for the evening. So thankful and glad they came!!!! Daddy was here for it all, and even spent the night. He has been super!! I know people say this all the time, but I can honestly say, through it all, as it gets worse, he keeps shining and steps up and blows me away with his caring help, positive uplifting attitude, and just plan out going above and beyond in everything to make sure you are I are as comfortable as can be! He really does deserve the Husband/Daddy of the year award!!! We're going to have to do something really special for him.
Everyone is at work today, so I am here by myself for a little while. So, I thought I would blog. I have already called my HR department and requested the packet for my LOA/STD. I am going to call the pediatrician we want to see if they are still accepting new babies. I've got to pay some bills. I have the newspaper, 6 magazines, two books, and a Nook. I really think you and I will be okay, until everyone gets off work.
Your daddy and I love you so much sweet girl. You are so perfect and I fall more in love with you every day. You have tons of people asking about you and checking up on you. YOU ARE SO LOVED!
**For all of our faithful family and friends who have asked about preeclampsia. It is so hard to grasp and explain, but here is a very informative link that explains it a little more easier.
www.preeclampsia.org
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