My update: 36 weeks & 1 day getting CLOSE!!!

Nov 19, 2009

My update:

36 weeks & 1 day

Pregnancy was a smooth ride up until 31 weeks and 3 days. That was my FIRST trip to the hospital maternity ward for elevated BP, swelling and headaches. It was the day I found out 10/17 that I was officially diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and the course of treatment was bed rest. Wrapping my brain around  that word and all it entailed was not easy! I was taken out of work on medical leave (about 8 weeks prior than anticipated)…. CHALLENGING!  All the best laid plans could not prepare me for that statement…..No driving, cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping etc….Learning to let go, accept and RELAX  was my treatment! Also allowing others to do all the things at home and work I was accustomed to….

So for 5 weeks on bed rest I am working on those goals. I have been back to the hospital several times since with BP issues, some for a few hrs others overnight frustrating  and scary  at times.  I made it past the crucial 34 weeks happily as it is now safer to deliver w/ baby girl’s lungs are mature.

The latest was my OB apt this week (Wednesday 11/18); had a non-stress test which is a 20 min test of fetal heart rate, activity then ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels. Baby is well and lively! My BP has been steady at 140/80 (none of those scary 170/100’s!). Decision to not induce this coming Tuesday 11/24 was made due to my cervix not being ripe at all and that would put me at increased risk of C-section if induced so plan is to induce the following Tuesday 12/1 at 37 weeks 6 days gestation. This has given me some more certainty in the process. Still excited and scared! But they will induce me at any time before then if BP rises again, if I get headaches, visual changes, right upper epigastric pain, nausea/vomiting, labs that indicate (blood/urine) an increase in pre-eclampsia or just do not feel ‘right’; or if on my next non-stress test this Friday (11/20) there is concern or at my next ultrasound/OB appointment (Wednesday 11/25) off to induction we go….

My bag is packed, we have bassinet set up in our bedroom with changing table and supplies/clothes. The car seat is in Gene’s truck all ready to go. So that is my update just here home on bed rest, relaxing and waiting! J

LESS THAN 2 weeks to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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