Things Have Been Crazy

I know it's been a while since I blogged, I have good reasons though and much to talk about.

Friday I had a regular OB check up. I also had my vbac counseling during this appointment. My blood pressure was a bit high before my appointment when the nurse took my vitals, so the dr had her retake it after my appointment and it was even higher. So he then directed me to go to the lab for a blood draw and urine sample and also that I was to pick up a 24 hour urine catch kit. Then I was to go right up to Labor and Delivery for them to monitor me for a little bit.

So I did all of the above. Two and half hours later I was allowed to leave. My blood pressure went down, there was trace protein in my urine sample and the dr up there said I am anemic. Which explains the ice chewing I want to constantly do.

I had to do the 24 hour urine catch Sunday...of all days. The day our team played in the Super Bowl and we were having a house full of company. Thank goodness we have two bathrooms and the jug I had to keep the urine in wasn't clear. And no one really went in the fridge, as the urine had to be kept refridgerated. I had it pushed way in the back anyway so it was out of sight.

Monday morning I went back up to the hospital to return my 24 hour urine catch to the lab and then I had to go back up to Labor and Delivery for a blood pressure check and for them to monitor the baby a bit. My blood pressure was actually very good, the highest it got was 115/70 I believe. Which is excellent, the nurse had said all 3 checks were lower than hers were that day! But then my results came in from the 24 hour catch and the doctor came in to discuss things.

Apparently, my protein level was extremely high in the 24 hour catch. Also I've had some other things going on that I experience but they come and go on their own. The dr said I was being diagnosed with mild pre-eclampsia and I was now going to have a whole mess of appointments and that I was being induced in two weeks at 37 weeks pregnant. Two weeks. I then had to have blood drawn, he scheduled all of the appointments I was going to be having the rest of this week and for next week and then he scheduled my induction. Now instead of having 5 weeks left, we only had 2 to finish preparing. He also did an exam to check if I had any progress going on inside. He said I was a fingertip (1 cm) on the outer part and barely open on the inner part so they were calling it closed overall. My cervix was high and I was 70% effaced (which seems like a lot for being only 35 weeks). He also said he didn't feel baby's head so she's not down in my pelvis just yet.


The appointments I was going to be having in the next two weeks were 2 NST's (non-stress test) this week and next week, a lab stop next week for blood draw, a high risk ob appt next week and also fluid checks after my NST's, which those are done via ultrasound.

So the next day, Tuesday, I had my first NST. My blood pressure was down, which is great. The baby was fine. They did a quick ultrasound after to check fluids and my levels were perfect. I got to see her hair and also see her practicing breathing. My next NST is tomorrow (Friday) and I also have a fetal growth ultrasound afterwards to check her size. Then next week, another two NST's, lab work and my ob appointment.

My induction date is February 21st, 2011. Ironically that is also our 5 year wedding anniversary! I have to call between 5:30-6 am to find out what time to come in to get things started.

I had asked the dr about the induction process since I am doing a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). He said they will use pitocin along with the foley bulb, which is a catheter that is inserted and blown up (like a little balloon) and it basically manually dialates you to 3-4 cm. He said if I am not dialated at all they would use pitocin until I am enough to get the foley bulb in, but hopefully I am dialated a little bit so both can be used from the start.

It's been a whirlwind since finding out all of this stuff on Monday. I haven't even had time to let it sink in and get excited that she'll be here in 11 days from today. There's many things to finish doing and buying that we thought we had much longer to get it all done in. Plus getting things in place for having care for Dillon too while I am giving birth. I am hoping things go smoothly and quickly and that my VBAC is successful and we can both come home 24 hours after she's born.

I won't lie, I am getting nervous and having a lot of anxiety the more I think about it all. I am sure we will both be fine and things will go well. But I am nervous of her lung development since she will be born 3 weeks early. If I will be able to have a successful VBAC or not. If she will be of a good weight and be able to regulate her own body temperature. Just so many things. Also...the thought of my VBAC itself is giving me anxiety. I haven't had a vaginal birth before, I don't know what that is like. Frankly, the unknown is a bit scary in this situation!

But I am trying to remain positive. I am trying to get things done but also get the rest that the dr said I needed to be getting. It's been hectic since the news, but hopefully things will work out fine in the end.