Thursday, November 10, 2011

Bad News

Well, I am in labor and delivery now.  I won't be leaving until our baby has arrived.  I went to the doctor's office and they confirmed I was having regular contractions.  They did an ultrasound and found that the baby was in position and my cervix was totally thinned and effaced.  A quick internal exam confirmed that I was 4-5 cm dilated, so off to the hospital we went.

I've been given Magnesium and a beta blocker cocktail that is supposed to help slow the contractions, which were 3-5 minutes apart for the first few hours I was here.  Those meds seem to have helped, as the contractions aren't as strong or as frequent.  I was also given my first shot of betamethasone, a steroid to help the baby's lungs to hurry up and mature.  The hope is that I will be able to hold off on delivering for another 48 hours.  They like to give a second injection of betamethasone 24 hours after the first, and then wait 24 hours to give that second injection time to work before delivery.  I'm at least 5 cm dilated now and the membrane is bulging, the baby's head right at  the cervical opening.  My water hasn't broken yet, but part of the mucous plug has broken off, so the doctor said it doesn't look promising that we are going to make it another two days.  I will likely be having the baby tomorrow.  But, every second he stays inside is a little more time his lungs are having to get ready for the outside world.  I want to give him as much time as I can.  All I can do is breathe, pray and try to relax.

I'm not allowed to eat or drink anything, in case a c-section becomes necessary.  It looks like we will be able to deliver vaginally, but you never know.  Honestly, the stomach pain from not having any food in my tummy is almost as bad as the contractions right now.  They are going to give me an Ambien tonight, so I can get some sleep in case I need to push tomorrow.  All of the doctors and nurses keep asking me why I'm not pursuing pain medication but the truth is, I'm not really in pain.  I'm REALLY uncomfortable, and there are times that I would like some relief from that discomfort.  But the discomfort waxes and wanes and I can't really justify taking pain medicine if I'm not feeling actual pain.

So...how do I feel about the baby coming out so soon (30 weeks today)?  Not psyched.  I've cried, I've joked, I've gone ballistic about the state of our house, and now I've resigned myself to the fact that I have little control over this so I just need to roll with the punches.  My 2-page, 10 font, Birth Plan is out the window.  I haven't had my doula come, as things are so up in the air right now.  The weird thing is, I really like her, but I'm not even sure if I want her here for the labor.  Things are so far astray from what I had planned.  There will be no holding the baby and bonding with him after he's born.  He will immediately be taken by the NICU team to have his lungs flushed with a liquid that will help him breathe.  Then, he'll have to be taken to a sterile incubator, as he will have no means of regulating his own temperature and little means of fighting off infections.  He won't be able to suck or swallow, so he will have a tube placed down his nose and into his stomach, for feedings.  I will be able to pump breast milk for him, but it is unclear whether he will be able to latch in the next couple of months.  He'll likely be hospitalized for around 8 weeks after birth.  Again...not our plan.  So, facing all of this crisis, there's a part of me that just wants my husband's support (which he is really being great about giving) and no interruptions from anyone else.  We need to get through this as a family.  Maybe I'll change my minds when the labor gets painful and I'll want the doula's support, but for now, I'm just going to go with what my gut is telling me.

Anyways, thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes.  It means the world to me.  I'm not sure how things are going to go over the next couple of days, so I'm not sure how many updates I will be able to give.  I have my laptop with me, so if I'm able to, I'll write updates.  I really appreciate having so many supporters out there.  This would be really scar if I was alone.  But I'm not.  So thank you.  Okay.  Ambien time.

20 comments:

Krystyn said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do. xxoo

Anonymous said...

Prayers are being said!!!!

BeckyT said...

My most sincere thoughts are with you right now. Have faith in God and faith in medical technology. They can do so much for you both. All the very very best to you all. x

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you, and hoping for the best for your little boy.

My New Normal said...

I am sending lots of love and prayers your way.

Natasha said...

Praying for you and your little boy....xx

Dawn said...

My prayers are with you. If you guys need anything I can be there in under 30 min. (((hugs)))

Rosachka said...

My thoughts and prayers are also with your little one to try to stay inside for as long as possible. and when the baby does come out, my wishes are for a speedy recovery.

My brother was born at 28 weeks and he is a healthy 13 year old now.

Endo_Life said...

Thinking of you your husband and baby. I hope all goes well and you are able to hang on the 48 hours x

Anonymous said...

Prayers.. unceasing... and I have added you, anonymously, and your "situation" to a local prayer chain here....

Elphaba said...

I'm so sorry this is happening, but everything will be fine in the end. You WILL get to hold your baby even if it's not exactly the way you planned. Sending you lots of luck.

aliciamarie911 said...

I've been thinking of you ever since I read this post last night. I hope and pray for the very best in this situation.

Lindsey said...

I'll be praying like crazy that your little one can stay in there long enough for the steroids to kick in. I wish I could be there rightnow to give you a hug!

Anonymous said...

Tons of prayers!!! Love u! -Coll

Jade in Seattle said...

Been reading your blog since early spring (I found it doing random searches on fertility when I started TTC) and wanted to let you know you will be in the thoughts and prayers of a reader in Seattle! I know this is not according to "plan", but in the end, the goal is healthy baby, healthy mama. Big virtual hugs!

Anonymous said...

Best wishes and thoughts your way from a stranger excited to hear about the new son you will soon have (if a little on the early side).

Lorelei said...

I will be thinking of you guys tonight and hope you will have the best outcome possible.

DandelionBreeze said...

Thinking of you with all my heart... hope you and bub are doing ok. Love and hugs from afar xoxo

China Doll said...

Oh Princess, just seen your last 2 posts... I know this is far from what you had planned but stay positive (it sounds like you are doing a good job of that). I'll be thinking of you and sending my love and hopes to you all xx

Jo...x said...

Thinking of you and your little man, praying hes a little trooper..xx