The Green Monster

My last post was created early Thursday of last week, before Friday came to pass. I mentioned that Fridays are always exciting, and mine did not disappoint...

All day Thursday my uterus seemed a bit more active than usual, in spite of the Nifedipine. I was skating the line of breaking the "4 or more contractions in 2 consecutive hours" rule, but eventually was able to fall asleep around midnight or so.  I woke around 2:45am to use the restroom and noticed that my contractions were quite frequent; I had six in the first hour and four in the following 45 minutes. So we got up around 4:30, called the doctor and were on our way to the hospital for more monitoring. When we got there, the nurse informed me that my contractions were actually closer to about five minutes apart and relatively regular. They were not painful - I could carry a conversation normally through them, but they were far too frequent for medical comfort.  So I received an injection of a strong medication to stop the contractions, terbutaline, followed by a tiny green pill I can take by mouth called Indocin.  Gratefully, they were effective at essentially stopping the contractions.  And more gratefully, our little one showed no signs whatsoever of distress; to the contrary she was showing off her mad martial arts skills for most of the time.  (Maybe she was trying to do her part to show the contractions who's boss...?)

So, I was sent home Friday night on Indocin, my new contraction-bashing monster. Like the Nifedipine, it has to be taken every six hours, so no changes there. Unfortunately it has a well established side effect of decreasing the amniotic fluid in the uterus. So I now need to have an ultrasound weekly to ensure the fluid levels are ok. Additionally, it can only be taken up to the 32 week mark, so after that I will have to switch again.  However, by that point, while still suboptimal we will be at a much better place if things weren't able to be stopped and the baby came early.

For reassurance, the doctor's exact words were that indocin is like the "atomic bomb" for preterm contractions. He also said it's nearly "a guarantee" that we will make it to at least 32 weeks. I am also grateful that the Nifedipine lasted as long as it did, otherwise it may have been necessary to start Indocin much earlier.

Since coming home, the contractions have noticeably improved. I still feel some uterine activity every now and then, especially in the evenings. However, I have not lost sleep due to contraction counting in three days. I don't know how long it's been since I could say that!   I have received a bit of a sanity break; in fact on Saturday I found myself truly and unabashedly enjoying being pregnant. It dawned on me that maybe that's how other women get to feel the whole time, how I should strive to feel every day.  No contractions to remind me of the precarious nature of the situation, no doubts or lingering dread over my week number, no struggle through hour after hour, no countdown. Just simply being pregnant, being normal.

As I write this, I lay on my side with the computer propped up on my hip and leaning ever so slightly against the side of my belly bulge.  She keeps using the computer as a brace to push her head into my bladder.  I wonder if it's her way of reassuring me that she will be fine, and not to worry so much, to laugh more at her because she is so silly. Or maybe she is just annoyed at the computer taking up her precious space.  Either way, she seems lively and happy as ever. And today, I am enjoying every moment.

Week 27

A few noteworthy tidbits from week 27:

Monday:

•  Michelle came to visit, tossed me in her car, took me out for McDonald's and drove me to get a mani-pedi. 
• Don't worry, Jason made certain to remind me to request a well ventilated chair, or at least a chair next to the door so the fumes wouldn't get to me. Good fortune placed the only spa chairs by the door, but because it was raining they remained closed the duration of the time at the salon. Did I still fulfill his wish? 
• while attempting to pay for my mani pedi and discovering that a two dollar tip is indeed NOT 20% of a $40 bill, nearly forgetting my card and then my ID at the counter, and then forgetting that I needed to sign the receipt instead of put it in my purse, I decided I can no longer be counted as a fully functioning member of society secondary to preggo brain (plus or minus the fumes due to the closed doors, I suppose...)
• but my nails look super cute. :)

Tuesday: 

• we attended our last childbirth class - the month of classes seemed to go so fast! In a few weeks we will do breastfeeding and newborn care classes, too.
• while hanging around 12 other pregnant women, most of whom are further along than me, I realized that I, too, have mastered the pregnant waddle.

Wednesday: 

• Wednesdays are always movie day for me, it's something I established very early on to look forward to mid week. This time I watched a movie I had seen multiple times in music class as a youngster - Amadeus.  I knew we had watched the censored version in class because my teacher always fast forwarded through a flirting scene. But I was surprised to see a later scene with full breast nudity.
• Yes, breast nudity in a movie is noteworthy to me. Consider it symbolic of how boring the rest of the day was.

Thursday: 

• Today the crib bedding and our car seat and stroller arrived! 
• While showering, I discovered that my nether-regions have officially disappeared from view.
• I think I may have shaved my legs for the last time this pregnancy - the belly is just getting in the way too much!

Friday:

• Well, Friday has yet to happen, but Fridays are always noteworthy, no matter what!

And just like that, I have completed 28 weeks of pregnancy. And the (initially) daunting countdown to the ever important 32 week goal is now only 4 weeks away, and the bigger countdown to term and cerclage removal is suddenly in the single digits at 9 weeks away. Eyes on the prize, eyes on the prize...

Arrivals

So we've just gotten back from our 26 week appointment, which included an ultrasound. Our little girl is growing, growing, growing and weighing in at about 2 pounds now. Again, she measured just right.  I hope this isn't early signs of a perfectionist in the making (like mother like daughter?), but either way we are very happy. Also no cervical changes noted, so that is great news!  Contractions are overall improved on the pills, not much change there, guidelines remain the same for what to count and watch for. Next appointment is in a couple of weeks. Bosley has been very supportive.

Maya Clarke

Other great news is that this past Thursday Arati and Jordan, some dear friends of ours, had their little girl named Maya; a week prior to that Tonya and Ryan had their little girl, named Sage. The former live in California and the latter in Kansas, so I've decided that our little one is going to have two best friends, one in each state. I have it all figured out. :)  We were able to visit Jordan and Arati and their little Maya this past weekend which was very exciting and so special. What a little beautiful blessing! It made me think of all the times the six of us will share together. So much life splayed out before me in my imagination. So many laughs and great times to be had...

I received my little sundress, purchased last week, in the mail; during our trip to Orange County this weekend Mike and Maria presented us with another adorable lacy dress. Angela, my older sister, reports that she's sent a large box of hand me down goodies which should get here this week.  The crib is expected in under two weeks, and the bedding set by the end of the month. Jason's birthday is on the 29th (probably shouldn't forget that!).  AND some good friends from work are planning a small shower for us April 8th; a larger family and friends shower is scheduled for April 16. It's giving me some new things to do and plan for. I love it! Usually I don't have the luxury of time to devote to these things! I have never been known for my decorating/embellishment/SuzieQ Homemaker skills, but this is bringing out a whole new side of confetti and streamers and table glitter and pink napkins and, well, fluffy frilly stuff I just usually am not into. But these days I find myself welcoming it with open arms.

That's it for now. Best put a water bottle in these hands instead of the computer, lest I get dehydrated and contract.

Magic Little Pill

Last Thursday, after another trip to the hospital for monitoring, I was put on Nifedipine to try and help stop the contractions. Fortunately, it has helped tremendously. I still have some aching and cramping from time to time as well as contractions, however everything seems to be less frequent and less severe. I have to take the pills every six hours, which means waking up at 4am to take one, but I am glad to do it as it has helped so much. Apparently I am quite fortunate because only about half of women put on it for help with contractions respond. So I am starting to be able to relax a bit more.  I do still need to count contractions and call if I have 4 or more an hour for two consecutive hours.  Paradoxically the counting is actually more stressful, I guess because I strongly want to avoid the other available medications, which have poorer side effect profiles. Another change I am going to try is increasing my water intake by a half liter per day. I already drink at least 2 liters, but I'm going to try to fit in another half liter, just to ensure that I don't get dehydrated.

This all has been a little bit of a wake up call that I need to continue to take things one day at a time instead of getting wrapped up in the countdown and the anticipation of things to come. Additionally, I decided that maybe doing some online shopping and preparation, which I haven't really done thus far, may help me to enjoy this time and feel more involved. So, I bought our little girl her first mommy-purchased outfit today from JC Penny.  I hope their clothes don't stay this cute, though, or else I may develop a shopping problem!  I have to admit, I'm glad my little one is being born in early summer - those pint-sized summer dresses are adorable!

Other good news: I am happy to say I passed my second glucose test with flying colors - no diabetes here!  AND my sisters and brother are ALL coming in May; my parents have confirmed their trip for June. I am looking forward to these visits so very much!!

I will put up some new belly photos this weekend; I also have an ultrasound in one week so I will put up some updated photos from that too.

Stuff

So I'm lying on the couch in a crooked S shape and Bosley has found his niche nestled in the bend of my knees. I'm trying very hard not to turn the TV on for 40 more minutes, so this is me just passing the time. A few things keeping me occupied are my crochet, my study materials (which I picked up for the first time yesterday, ugh) and the distant idea of writing a song to our little girlie.  I wrote a song long ago (for my then crush, who turned out to later marry me!) with the lyric "...And I know that you are more/than I dreamed could ever be..." I was recently singing it in the shower and looked down at my belly and had a tender moment with our unborn child. It all goes along with what I read in a book this weekend - that I should try to cherish these pregnant days because in three short months they will be a thing of the past. With all the concerns of the pregnancy, it has been difficult to do that, so I am going to make a better effort at relishing the next 12 weeks. But before I do that, let me just vent out my frustration at the "no sex of any kind" rule.  (Nobody gasp that I wrote it here - we all know I got pregnant somehow.)  Next to the contractions, it has been the most challenging part of this bedrest sentence, for both myself and Jason.  And that's that. Now I will magically be happy as a clam. ugh.

Last night was the first of our childbirth classes. They had a bed for me to lie in, and of course I felt like something of a spectacle, but at least I was comfortable. It was a nice class and I like our teacher a lot. She's 76 but looks and acts 50, and she birthed seven children of her own!  Impressive.

I was disappointed last night to find out that I failed my glucose tolerance screen. :(  I will have to go back this weekend to do the 3 hour test. Hopefully it will be negative!!

So Blessed...

First off, I happily updated my previous "Milestones" blog below, scroll down and review for details.

Secondly, I am sooo overjoyed to be able to write that I have successfully made it to 24 weeks, the point at which the medical field considers a baby "viable" meaning they would do all things necessary to try to help a baby born this early. Prior to this time, usually not much is offered as the survival rate is so low. Of course we are hoping for a solid 16 more weeks, but I am still somehow reassured by this medical tidbit. Also, things are looking very much downhill from my perspective at this point - my bedrest will be halfway over next week (at 25 weeks), and every week from here on out holds a milestone or something else to look forward to greatly, in addition to the knowledge that this little baby is safe and secure in my belly and getting closer every day to the healthy transition to my arms.

Third, I am ecstatic that I received news from some family members that, God willing and all things working out well, I will be getting some visitors sometime in the next three months! My older sister, Angela and her baby boy Waylon are planning a visit sometime this spring; and there is a chance they may be joined by my younger sister, Tenae and/or my sister in law Tera!!  Congratulations to me and our baby, I have a wonderful family!

Fourth, speaking of family, ours is growing in more ways than just our little one. Jason's brother Brian and his wife, Naoko, gave us news of their pregnancy just this past weekend. We are delighted that after nine months of working with some stubborn ovaries they can finally look forward to new things beyond the "getting pregnant" part of making a family. In addition, I am excited that our baby will have a cousin so close in age and proximity. Being near cousins was a huge part of my childhood, and I am beyond glad our children will have that as well.  They are due in October, 2011.

Finally, the pregnancy updates. As I've written before, contractions started for me around the 16 week mark, came and went, then came and stayed since around the 19 week mark.  There have never been more than four per hour, but recently some have been more intense. In the past few weeks, there also has developed what I call "uterine background noise" like little mini contractions that feel more like pressure without lasting for too long or without my uterus getting too hard. Up until now, I haven't really counted them. Well, after the more intense ones started this past weekend I called the doc (they know me by my first name by now) and they wanted to have me come in for monitoring. I was at the hospital for several hours, and my uterus did it's thing. An ultrasound done the next day demonstrated no change in my cervical length (whew!!).

Apparently my "background noise" is actually uterine irritability. Most of these "mini" contractions don't last longer than 30 seconds or so, but after reviewing with my doctor, he wants for me to count ALL of them when I have them. He agrees it's a bit on the aggressive side, but given that I only have half the usual amount of cervix to work with (2cm instead of 4cm), he wants to know right away if there is any chance that it could be decreasing even more.  It sounds more stressful, and admittedly has led to more clock-watching on my part, but I am reassured that he takes it so seriously. I find it very helpful to know he has now "seen" what my uterus does instead of just trying to deduce what's going on from my descriptions. All that said, he did not want to start any tocolytics (medications that would stop contractions) at this point - he strongly conveyed that he thinks all will be well.  He did add that this incessant contraction counting should only have to last up until 32 weeks - after that, if I went into labor and it were to late for medications to stop it, the baby would be ready enough to be born.  (After some reading I found that many OBs don't start anti-contractions medications after 32 or 34 weeks, because the baby is so close to being term.)  So it's only about 8 more weeks of counting and clock-watching.  I find that "do-able". But I guess whether I find it "do-able" or not, that's just how it is.

Walk and Roll

After a whirlwind weekend back in Orange County to help our good friends move before they give birth, Jason, Bosley, and I returned home on Sunday evening feeling quite under the weather. Jason called in sick Monday and took me to my latest OB appt. Things look good, the baby is about 1pound and 1 ounce now and growing along perfectly. She measures just a few days bigger than dates, very healthy. I also have officially passed the 10 pound weight gain mark, yay for me! No stretch marks yet, and my belly button is flattening, but you can see we are both busy growing...

22 Weeks 

22weeks

22 weeks

While I am very happy with our growth, after visiting Jordan and Arati, who are due at the end of this month, I realized how very far I have to grow.  Arati is a petite little lady with a very pregnant belly, and when I consider that I need to get that much more belly into my body, I honestly get a little curious how it will all fit!!

My contractions continue. I had been having better days - seemingly fewer or anyway less noticeable contractions, until I got ill. On Tuesday of this week Jason again called in sick, partially because he was still not 100% feeling well but also because I woke up with a throat so sore I couldn't swallow my own saliva. I hadn't had one that bad in a super long time, and I was worried so we went to the primary care doctor. They tested us for strep which was negative and although I was in worse shape, Jason made the haul of antibiotics. Go figure. I went home and read the "ok in pregnancy" medication list my OB provided and decided to get some Robitussin and Hall's lozenges. MISTAKE. BIG MISTAKE!! Within an hour, I felt like I was going to throw up. I gagged down half a yogurt cup for dinner and was just plain miserable! I was in bed by 9:30, but around 1am I woke up to use the restroom and couldn't get back to sleep because I was having 3 or 4 contractions an hour for the next three hours!  Misery!!  I don't know if it was some mild dehydration, the illness, the robitussin, the fatigue, or just a bad night, but I will not take robitussin while pregnant ever again!!  Fortunately, yesterday and today have so far been much better, but the contractions do continue - in fact, there's one now....

On the brighter side, February has brought with it more visitors. It has helped the month go by so much faster!  I am very blessed! The weather has also been better this month, and Jason has taken to pushing me around the block in the wheelchair on nice evenings when he gets home early enough. We are making it, one day at a time, and we are grateful for each and every one of them!