Thursday, March 8, 2012

Hurry Up and Wait

This post is coming to you live from the American Fork Hospital mother and baby unit. Things have been the most boring kind of exciting the past 24+ hours.

I woke up at 3am yesterday having contractions. The doctor asked me to call in if I had more than 6 in an hour. I had 6. From 4-5 I had 9. From 5-6 I had 9. And so on. They didn't hurt at all, they were just strong enough to get my attention and make me uncomfortable enough to keep me awake. I woke up Cam around 4 just to let him know. Neither of us went back to sleep. I went about my day, tried to sleep again and managed to take a 2 hour nap from 9-11. Cam went off to work. (trooper).

I called my sister and my mom and after listening to me breath hard through a couple contractions they convinced me to call the doctor. I just really didn't want to cry wolf if I wasn't in labor and they weren't very painful, but I also wanted to give the doctor a chance to stop labor if he wanted to. These boys definitely aren't done cooking yet.

I called the dr. and was told to come in for a labor check. I am 2 cm dilated at 80% effaced at this point. They also took my blood pressure and a urine sample. Blood pressure was 170/110. Not. good. and there was protein in my urine. Add the swelling that's been going on and we've got ourselves a recipe for toxemia and/or preeclampsia (still not sure if those are the same thing...) The dr. sent us right over to labor and delivery at the hospital to be monitored.

Once we arrived, my blood pressure had dropped to a much better 140/80, but I was having contractions every 6-7 minutes. The doctor said that since I was past 35 weeks he wouldn't do anything to stop labor if it really got going. This was at about 2:30. I had only eaten breakfast and was starving, but because of the potentially dangerous situation I wasn't allowed to eat anything. Stupid.

We waited around until 7 when the doctor came back to check on me. He checked my cervix again. Still 80% effaced and *maybe* 2+ cm dilated. Not terribly encouraging. I was still having pretty normal contractions, and they were coming about 5 minutes apart (some were 4) but they weren't hurting and if I didn't watch the monitor I didn't even know they were happening. There were maybe 1 or 2 that really got my attention.

The dr. was still concerned about the other symptoms I have of toxemia and said if I didn't improve drastically by the time he came back to check me again that he would have to induce me to avoid a terrible situation for me and the boys. He said that if that happened to count on a NICU stay and to be induced in the morning.

After talking to the dr, I asked if I could please have something to eat since things weren't progressing and he said yes. Off Cam went to get me a veggie sub and a red mango. Genius. Food has never tasted so good. While he was gone, I had a grade A meltdown. I need these boys to stay put. It is too early for them to come. I don't mind being uncomfortable for a while longer. It's really nothing when you think about it. I have had no complications up until this point and all of a sudden I need to be induced? It all fell apart so quickly and I felt like a failure as their mom. My mother reminded me that I have done everything I possibly can for these babies and if my body is done, it has done its job. And the boys will be fine. A NICU stay does not mean months on end. A NICU stay does not mean the boys will not be OK. It just means they'll need a little extra help because they ran out of room a little early. And honestly, me having toxemia makes complete sense. It comes from the placenta and I have two of them, double the chance for an issue.

The dr. had 3 deliveries at another hospital to attend to and assured us he would come back to check on me again. He is extremely concerned about the toxemia. At around midnight he came in and my blood pressure was perfect and the contractions had died down completely. I was really hopeful that we'd get to go home, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. They checked us in to another room to do a 24-hour urine collection (yuck) and more monitoring today. The doctor came in this morning around 7:30. My blood pressure is elevated again. I have contractions every time I move, be it rolling over, sitting up or walking to the bathroom. I can feel my feet filling up with water when I stand up to brush my teeth. Clearly, there is a problem.

From the looks of things, we're hoping to buy me and these boys as much time as we can without endangering my life. (sounds dramatic to me too...not my words). And I got visited by the case worker for longer term hospital patients this morning, so I'm pretty sure I'll be on bedrest here until the boys are in our arms.

Things could definitely be worse.

I have never been so grateful to wake up and still be pregnant than I was this morning.

Thanks for giving us a fighting chance, body!

20 comments:

  1. Jax was in the NICU at American Fork, and the nurses there are UH-MAZinG! Your boys will be in good hands whenever they decide to make their grand entrance. Best of luck for a smooth delivery.

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  2. Glad you went in to be checked! Scary and no fun! I've been on bedrest before, though not in the hospital...but you have my condolences! The constant off and on contractions are so annoying and stressful! Good luck!

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  3. hang in there kristin! you're a trooper, too. do something great to distract yourself, like...checkers...or watching the long version of pride and prejudice...or knit something? i don't know, but being in bed all day worrying is a beast.

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  4. Kristin! So many thoughts. First of all if they try to restrict your eating again you need to show them the evidence. Restricting eating is archaic. The idea is that if there is an emergency c section they don't want you to aspirate food. The issue with that thought is that 1. general anesthesia is rarely preformed anymore so you won't loose control of your breathing. 2. If it is preformed there are new precautions that prevent aspiration of your own throw up. and 3. If somehow aspiration does happen it is more dangerous to breath in your own bile than it is food. If you are in labor you need food! Restricting your eating is making your situation worse not better!
    Next important issue. If they do decide to induce you try and buy some time (an hour maybe) and try nipple stimulation and any other natural induction techniques you can. If natural birth is what you want avoid pitocin at all costs.
    Pitocin makes contraction more intense and blocks oxytocin/ endorphins so it hurts more and you don't get the natural happy drugs. Also your uterus never completely relaxes on pitocin so the placenta never completely fills with oxygen which is why you see the fetal distress so often with pitocin induction.
    Of course the safety of the babes is most important and you do whatever you have to to get them here safe but consider these things and call me if you have any questions you think I can help with. I know we never had a prenatal meeting but the offer still stands if you want any help with comfort techniques in labor I'm there. GOOD LUCK!

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  5. Good luck girl! You will do great, and I will be thinking of all FOUR of you!

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  6. Ashley Flake DilsaverMarch 8, 2012 at 3:09 AM

    So glad you are okay! Keep us updated.

    Ashley

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  7. Kristin! Hang in there, girl. We will be praying for you guys! I went through some similar things just 1 week ago. I became pre eclamptic suddenly and didn't have any issues with my blood pressure before that day at the dr and hospital. Did the 24 hr urine test and everything. They induced me since I was just barely full term at 38 weeks (one baby, though, so of course full term is different for you) and the risks of staying pregnant were higher than if we were to go ahead and induce. Trust your feelings and have confidence in your dr. Sounds like he really is doing a great job. And please don't even worry about being induced vs not. I have had 3 babies via induction. Sometimes your ideal labor situation just doesn't work out, and that is okay! Heavenly Father is the one you can lean on- He has a plan for you and it will all work out! Lean on Him and your husband (and family). I hope you find some comfort knowing that I just experienced very similar situations and emotions! It is a different kind of scary that really requires you to go on faith. Wish I could give you a hug! You are doing a great job, mom!!

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  8. Love you guys and we are praying that what is supposed to happen will happen :) Hope those guys stay in a little longer but we are here to help no matter what!

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  9. I can't believe you are updating us from the hospital! That is the greatest! I bet later on you will be happy to go back through and read these posts from the hospital and remember exactly what it was like since you were writing pretty much as it was happening. Thinking of you guys, and wishing you and the boys best of luck on the delivery <3

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  10. Positive thoughts! What happens will be what's best for you and your baby boys!

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  11. You can make it! Whatever happens all will be ok. You've already given your little guys 35 weeks and that is awesome! Your little family will be in my prayers. Good luck for a safe delivery, I'll be thinking about you!

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  12. Banish all thoughts of failure - things not going according to our plan doesn't equal failure, just the Lord working on our plans in ways we don't understand. Prayers from NM.

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  13. I second everything Stacey Said! All great points (and the best C-section I had was when I had recently eaten). I also second what Shannon said, this does not equal failure, just a change in the plan. Good luck nad we will be sending prayers your way.

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  14. Hey guess what? I'm waiting in your room waiting to brush your hair and paint your toes. Shower time rocks. Pedicures are for awesome mothers who pass the 37 1/2 hour mark.. Not that I'm counting. We'll watch some Steve Carell and Oprah and eat oranges. The party keeps on rockin:)

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  15. Oh Kristin! I couldn't be more excited when I started reading, and more frustrated for you when it was over! You are so wonderfully patient! Dave and I will be praying for all four of you! :)

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  16. Miss Jessica, you rock. Everyone should have a sister like you - genetically related or otherwise!

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  17. Kristen,
    I gasped when I read your comment about how you have failed as the boys' mom! My goodness! You have already put your body through the ringer and now you are hoping to stay pregnant!!! You are a trooper! Give yourself some, no lots, of credit!!!! If you need to be induced just remember it'll all be over soon and you are in the hospital with people who know how to take care of babies! And speak your mind!!!! Ask questions!!! I had pitocin with all three of my babies also, and we all turned out fine (perhaps that's debatable haha). Thank you for the update and goooooood luck! You too Cam!!!

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  18. Kristin- you are such a trooper! We are sending prayers your way. Please let me know if you need anything! Excited for these boys to come (after they cook as long as possible, of course)!

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  19. Gosh! read the whole post without breathing (it seemed) You are doing such a remarkable job it is AWSOME :-) You just make sure you take care of yourself & don't worry (too much) It sure does sound like the boys are just in too much of a hurry to meet their mum & dad.

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  20. [...] Alexia from Lexi Rae Photography was so fun. I was actually smack in the middle of her design when I had to go to the hospital for emergency monitoring. Two days later our sweet boys made their entrance into the world, so she kind of got the shaft. [...]

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