Bed Rest

Things were getting kind of dull around here, so I decided to spice things up with a trip to the hospital on Friday. When I got home from work that day, I had cramps really low in my abdomen and I had noticed that I was having a lot of contractions. I started timing them and they were a little too regular for my comfort- every 10 minutes and creeping closer. So, I put in a call to my doctor and headed to the hospital to get checked out in Labor and Delivery. Sure enough, by the time they got me checked in, disrobed, and on the monitors, I was having contractions every 2-6 minutes and was starting to dilate. They gave me a shot to stop the contractions and did some other tests to check for infections and they told me that my urine sample was "a little dirty" so they prescribed me an antibiotic and decided to do a urine culture. They discharged me after about 8 hours with strict bed rest instructions.

I spent the weekend doing absolutely nothing, depending strongly on the assistance of my mother and sister to take care of Keira and to keep up my house. This morning I called my doctor's office to check on the results of my urine culture- which was negative for infection. At first I was surprised, until I remembered that when I was about 26 weeks pregnant with Keira, I had a similar trip to Labor and Delivery. When I gave them that urine sample it looked more like fruit punch than pee, but when the culture came back it was also negative for infection. Apparently, during my pregnancies I am notorious for having unexplained blood in my urine with no infection.

I'm not really sure if the mystery bladder ailment is what is causing my issue with preterm labor. I also think I had been on my feet doing WAY too much physical activity in the couple days leading up to my recent hospital visit. Or it could be a combination of the two factors... either way I'd rather not have this baby at only 33 weeks! I have a checkup on Wednesday morning at which time I will be talking to my doctor about his ideas for my future bed rest/activity level. I have a feeling I won't be going back to work, since I have a physical job, but I hope to be able to at least function around home. All I know right now is that I am seriously glad that I did all of the baby preparations in my second trimester. It's going to be all I do to get through the next 7 weeks.

UPDATE 3-28-12

I saw my doctor this morning and he prescribed me some medication to keep my contractions under control and has put me on modified bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy, which means no more work until after my maternity leave.

Neutral

Dialogue between Art and I today...

Art: Do you ever think about how when you have the baby it's going to suck?

Me: What do you mean it's going to suck?

Art: Like, it's going to hurt a lot.

Me: Yeah, I think about that every day. But, what you have to understand is it's like the worst experience of your life followed by the best reward you could possibly get.

Art: So, you should want to have more kids, right?

Me: No... they cancel each other out. lol

Art: So... you're neutral then.

Me: Yup. :)

30 Weeks

I am 30 weeks pregnant today! I haven't owned a scale for quite some time, but I checked my weight on my boss' scale today and I was shocked to learn that I am about 130 lbs. At my last checkup 3 weeks ago I was like 122, so I definitely didn't estimate that I had gained any 8 pounds in that amount of time! Apparently, my appetite is quite healthy, but I'm thinking maybe it's time to cut back on the chocolate whole milk, fruit salads smothered in whipped cream and marshmallows, and maybe even the brownies. Not that 130 pounds is bad, but at this rate I'm going to end up a little heavier than I want to be.

Yesterday, I went to my mom's house for dinner and talked my sister-in-law, Vivian, into taking a picture of me in my pregnant glory out in one of the orchards. I love the scenery, because it looks like snow, but it's 75 degrees and I'm surrounded by blossoms.

After my next checkup on the 14th, I will be seeing the doctor every 2 weeks until delivery. I can't believe there are only 10 weeks left until my due date- and only 8 more weeks of work (16 work days) at the most. This pregnancy definitely seems to be going by quickly, despite being more physically challenging than my pregnancy with Keira. My lower back has been giving me daily grief and I have also had a lot of pelvic floor pain/pressure this time around. These things combined make it pretty hard to make it through my work day, even though it's only 3 hours, and makes it tough to keep up with Keira. I just picked up a back support belt a few days ago and that seems to be helping a little.

I'm definitely glad that I did all of the baby preparations early on so that I don't have to do much from now until delivery. I have my travel crib bassinet set up in my room with my new changing table all stocked, and another bassinet set up and ready in the living room. All this in addition to the closet full of clothes ready to go, and the car seat and other necessities located and ready. I literally only have a couple small things to buy, a couple things to borrow from a friend. Then after I have my diapers, wipes, and formula shower I should be SET. We just can't wait until "Sister" comes!