the scare at 33w 1d

I was in the hospital on Friday 11/7 being monitored. Everything is ok now, but here's what happened...

I woke up at 4:30am (nothing new) but I had a really bad headache. I went to work and it got worse. I couldn't stand to look at my LCD monitor...it was so blury and bright. Took 2 Tylenol extra stength and it wouldn't go away. My eyes hurt, my face hurt, my head hurt, my hands and feet still hurt (swollen like melons), and I just felt down in the dumps. So after freaking out worrying about these symptoms of pre-eclampsia, I called and got an appt for 2pm to see my OB.

My OB, Dr. Kaldas, was off so I saw Dr. Schluzelberger. Not sure how to spell her name, but she was very nice. Turns out I had gained 5 pounds of water weight in the past week (not good), my blood pressure was ok, but considering my other symptoms, she wanted to do some tests and monitor me to find out what was going on... So they sent me up to the 3rd floor (baby floor). On my way, I lost it, again. I called Tom, who was home raking leaves with his nephew Ryan helping, and I could hardly speak through sobbing tears streaming my face and trying to catch my breath. I was scared of what the outcome might be, I wasn't scared we'd be having the baby, but I was worried for his health, my health and the fact that I just couldn't stand the thought of possibly being put on bed rest. I can't! I just can't! Can't afford it paycheck-wise, can't stand it sanity-wise. There's so much we have to do yet before the baby comes and time is ticking. Being put on bedrest would be the worst possible thing that could happen to me right now. So Tom was on his way.... And then I called work to tell them I wouldn't be back. My boss could tell how upset I was, sensing my previous sobbing and all, and she was very supportive and encouraging.

So I got on the elevator and pushed the "3" button. I just felt so drained emotionally and energy. I had none left. They got me set up in a room and just as soon, Tom came in. I instantly felt better having him there with me. They took my blood to run tests and hooked me up to some monitors. One on the baby's heart rate, and one on my uterus. The baby was doing perfectly - very energetic, excellent heartbeat, "textbook-perfect" the nurses said. But I was contracting. Had 4 in like 10 minutes. But they didn't hurt, I didn't even know!! Once I watched the machine and concentrated on my body, I could associate what I felt with it being a contraction. Weird, but not good. If this was baby #2 or #3 for me, then fine they would probably go along with it, but not for the 1st and at 33w 1d, so they had more tests to do and were able to rule out pre-eclampsia which they did, so that was a relief. What they did find is that I have a bladder infection, my cervix is 50% thinned out (not common for 1st time and this early) but my cervix is definitely closed. I got set up on an antibiotic for the bladder infection and they gave me a shot to stop the contractions, which worked. Oh, and they had given me a narcotic to get rid of the terrible headache, which worked like a charm.

All in all, I was there from 2pm and didn't get home until 7pm. Once my headache was relieved, knew the baby was fine, and pre-eclampsia was ruled out, I felt 100 times better. My next regularly scheduled OB appt with Dr. Kaldas is this Thursday, so I will go to that and see what he says. We need to keep the baby in as long as possible. He has lots of growing to do yet in these final weeks, and being in the womb is the best place for him. Mommy and Daddy have lots to do yet to get ready for his arrival!

In fact, my friend Nikki came shopping with me at Babies R Us to get items on our "absolutely-need-before-baby-comes-home-list". After $450, the only two things I need yet are the breast pump and the pack-n-play. I want to make sure breast feeding is going to work out for us before I buy the pump cuz it's like almost $300, probably more after all the accessories for freezing, etc... I have a couple 15% off coupons that I can use the end of this month and into December, so we'll hold off on those two items for now. As of this moment, I have yet another load of baby stuff in the wash. It's drying now, so I'll start putting those things away... a nice sling to carry baby and still have use of 2 hands, a peanut shell for nursing, 0-3m white onesies, changing pad covers, boppy covers, lap pads, crib mattress pad, etc... I happily fold and put away baby's beloved laundry; I just love the smell of Dreft baby detergent!

How am I feeling now? I am much better. My happy, energetic self is back and baby is happily bouncing around doing his normal aerobics. Oh, and I'm hungry... time for lunch!

Love,
Roxanne :)

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