On Wednesday at 5am, my water broke. Wade rushed me to the hospital, both of us praying hard that this baby girl would be okay and hopefully stay put for a little while longer since she's not supposed to make her debut for 7 more weeks! I'm not going to lie. I was scared, really scared. I have too many friends and family who know the NICU all too well, and I was aching inside wondering if our daughter would have to spend months there as well.
The amniotic fluid test came back negative, but my doctor said he's seen this before, and it still sounded like my water broke. So they gave me a steroid shot to strengthen the baby's lungs and took other precautions just in case she does arrive early. My contractions slowed down thankfully and after being monitored for 6 hours, he sent me home on bed rest. The next morning, I returned to the hospital for another steroid shot, and after much discussion, they thought it could have just been a tear in the upper part of the membranes rather than a full rupture. And if it sealed itself back up, then our baby girl could be safe for another few weeks. Only time will tell.
I feel deep gratitude to my Heavenly Father for protecting our daughter. I don't know when she'll arrive. I just know she'll have a greater chance if I stay down and rest. Since I was 28 weeks along, I've been on semi-bed-rest because of pre-labor contractions. I've tried to have a good attitude about it and just take it easy. But it's very difficult to rest when my kids and I want to go out and play with friends and family. I feel so helpless at home sometimes that I just want to scream. I play a ping pong game in my head and heart of self-pity vs gratitude. It's all about perspective. I could say "I HAVE to stay home and rest all day" or "I GET to stay home and rest so that my baby remains safe and growing strong."
I feel lonely and want to get out. But I'm tremendously grateful that this baby is safe thus far. And if I need to stay on bed rest for another 7 weeks, then I will. I'll read, watch my favorite movies (like Anne of Green Gables), listen to music, sleep, cuddle with my kids, and try to accept help from others when offered. My mom is in town for one more day, and after that, a sweet friend is coming over twice a week to help with laundry, dishes, and cleaning. And of course, I have my Wade. He's been an amazing support. How lucky I am!
12 comments:
Catherine, I am so sorry to hear about the scare, but am thankful that everything is okay! I completely understand about it being hard to be on bedrest. I was on partial bedrest with Zoe for the last month or so and it is so hard to do with Sophie being so little. I hope and pray that everything goes well!!!
I can't imagine how hard it would be for you to have to be on bedrest, you are such a doer. But you are right, look at it that you GET to relax for a while. I had a similar situation happen with Madelyn about 7 weeks before she was due, too, but they said the hole must have sealed, and everything ended up being fine. I know things don't always happen how we imagine, but everything will be ok. Wish I was closer so I could come hang out with you! I would love it! Call me anytime!
I had no idea you were pregnant. I'm so sorry. I hope everything is okay with your baby. I will sure pray for you.
Wow, How scary Catherine! I am so sorry that you are having these complications and I will pray for your cute little baby and you! Take advantage of this time to rest. Once that little girl comes out you will be running and working hard to take care of your little family. Rest while you can and have fun making up different ways you can play with your kids while you are on bed rest. Have someone take your kids to the library so that they have a lot of different books that you can read them while you are down.
We were 33 weeks when that happened with our son but it turned out I had 2 bags of water and one did break. I spent a week in the hospital and then another week at the Ronald McDonald House since they thought I was going to deliver on I80. Then I had to stay on complete bed rest for the rest. Ugh!
So glad everything worked out for you! I know it is hard to be down and feel guilty and all of it but it is the big picture. Like suffering here on this earth is only temporary. I wish you the best!
Live up the bed rest! No house work!!:)
Good luck! Keep her cooking and accept help...it's the only way to make it through. {Just remember, it's your babies health that is the MOST important right now}
We'll be praying for you
Congrats, btw, I didn't know it was a GIRL...how fun :)
I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. I pray that the baby is healthy, whenever she is born. Good luck with everything!
I hope everything turns out ok with your baby! Keep it cooking as long as you can please! and let me know if you want someone else to come over and watch Anne of Green Gables with you... :) Or maybe even watch While You Were Sleeping and we could play Life. :)
Oh Goodness, be careful and stay in bed. Next time we can bring you over lunch instead of making you come to the park when you should be resting. Let me know a day that you don't have help and we can come tire out the kids and keep you company!
I'm rooting for you and understand that ping pong game! Hang in there and know she'll be worth all the mixed emotions.
Holy Cow Cathrine!!! I couldn't believe this post when I read it. I have been out of the blogging loop for a while and today was catch up day. I am so happy that your little girl is still in the oven and safe! I have to tell you what just happened to us because it is very similar!
At 27 weeks I started having some spoting, my doctor said not to worry unless I started having pain with it. The next week I was cramping and even more spotting, I was sure that I had lost my mucus plug as well. My doctor had me go to the hospital and get checked out. Everything looked good and they gave me the shot to help baby's lungs grow as well. Bleeding contiued off and on for the next couple of weeks and I went in to the hospital every week for non stress tests to check out my little guy and make sure he was ok. Everything was going great and then on July 24th at 3:30 am I woke up soaked, my water had broke, I was 33 weeks and one day! Long story short, Gabriel was born at 5:36 pm and then spent the next 24 days in the NICU. He just turned a month today and has been home a week. We can't get enough of him and have been blessed more than we ever imagined possible.
Accept the help, take the advice and stay in bed, do whatever it takes for that little lady to grow a little stonger. I am so happy everything is working out for you. When it seems to much to bear, go to our Lord, He will provide the help you need. I love and miss you tons, I can't wait to see pictures of your new baby when she does make her arrival!!!
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