Week 32 contractions!

So there I was thinking Braxton Hicks contractions were rearing their ugly head more these days, when someone mentioned I might want to call my doctor. ME? Call the doctor? That couldn't be farther from the truth - I felt like a call to the office put me in the "overreacting" first time pregnant lady category. But with gentle words I was convinced to call. The first nurse I spoke to told me to head to triage. Well, triage to me meant MASH 4077 - with blood and dying people all over. No offense Nurse lady, but I wanted a second opinion. You always call the person who will give you the answer you WANT, right? I dialed up our laid back fertility nurse and gave her the rundown. She was reassuring, and told me to get my blood pressure taken at school and then call her back. Blood pressure was fine, and I was feeling good. UNTIL, she answered the phone and told me the doctor was calling the hospital and I was to report to triage. Ugh. Seriously?

So off I went, shaking my head the whole way.
Parker met me in the parking lot and in we went. We were registered, taken to a waiting room for 10 minutes, and then placed in a room where I was hooked up to belly monitors. They began to track the fetal heartbeat along with the contractions that were occurring. Yup, they were real. It was almost as if my body knew it was being watched. I had one contraction that took my breath away and lasted for 6 minutes! After a few hours, and a dinner for Parker of Funions and cupcakes(thank you vending machine), we had a visit from a man I had seen before. He reported that we were waiting on my doctor to arrive (Really? This can't be good...), and that he wanted to see if I was dilating at all. If I were a betting girl that day, I would have lost miserably. Again, to my surprise - I was 1cm along.

Around 9:30pm our doctor came in to tell us we would be staying.
I would be given magnesium through an IV to slow the contractions, steroid shots to prepare baby lungs 'just in case' he was to make an early appearance, and we would be monitored 24hours "for a few days". DAYS?

Within the hour I was wheeled up to labor and delivery. IV's were placed, blood drawn, shots given, and catheter placed. I was not allowed anything - no water, food, etc. for the next 16 hours. Have you seen a pregnant lady who hasn't eaten in that long?

The next 5 days were spent at the hospital. I got to know the wonderful sensations that come with magnesium. Not only the ones that naturally come with such a muscle relaxer, but also the ones that come when the night nurse hooks you up to a double dose on accident!! Think 16 Candles wedding scene when she takes the muscle relaxers and rubs her face. I was a comedian in the making trying to make words with no use of my tongue!

My room was next to the C-section delivery room, so I spent many an hour listening to women being wheeled in and out with their bundles of joy.

I enjoyed endless cartons of cran-grape juice and boxed scrambled eggs.

By Friday afternoon(we arrived Tuesday) they decided to unhook me from all the things that were keeping me immobile. The ability to walk again was outstanding! They continued to monitor the baby and contractions - which had most definitely slowed and lessened in intensity. It was Sunday afternoon when the real saving grace walked through my doors. I was offered the chance to leave. I was overjoyed! Sleep in my own bed? Eat real food again? I knew it was safe to go, or it wouldn't have been offered. I celebrated inside as the doctor went over the rules. I was to maintain bed rest for the most part - showers, brief walks around the house, etc. were ok. If the contractions got over 6/hour I was to call and return.

We took a tour of the NICU before leaving - we had signed up for it so that we could see the options just in case. I knew at last check our little man was 3lbs 4 oz - and I just had no idea how big or little that really was. The NICU there was amazing. 40 spots for premature babies to be cared for. I was awed and reassured by what I saw.

So home we went. Since then I have been very good.
I'll spend 15 minutes sitting in a chair outside each day just to breath in the goodness of the fall air. I feel a million times better now that I am home. Contractions are down to about one an hour, and the little man is still kicking around like crazy.

Tuesday afternoon we went in for an ultrasound. We are thrilled to report his growth now stands at 4lbs 11oz! I will get ultrasounds twice a week from here on out. We will look to cross one hurdle at a time. 34 weeks being the next one. I see the OB next Thursday for another update.

Phew!
What a week.
This little one is truly a labor of love. We continue to realize how very blessed we are, and know that we will do whatever it takes to ensure his safe arrival into our lives!