Week 35~Oh what a week!

Well today is technically what online Mommy-to-be blogs refer to as my "35/35" day which means I am 35 weeks pregnant and have 35 days to go. However, after the last few days, I doubt I will last for 35 more days. To fill everyone in on all of the recent excitement, I will start from the beginning.

A week ago, Atlanta experienced some terrible rains and storms and many homes were flooded or had some water damage. Our sweet Schnoodle, Sam, was scared by the thunder and managed to push down the carpet in our master bedroom underneath the baseboards and soil the carpet pad. Now that is one place you just cannot reach to clean. Sunday morning I woke up with Spencer trying to cuddle and the room smelling of doggie pee. Spencer does not have a sense of smell so he did not find this to be near as big of a problem as I did! Needless to say, we had new hardwood floors put in on Thursday and Friday. Well, this did require some moving of heavy furniture and against Spencer's recommendation, I chose to help move the furniture- some by myself since Spencer was away on business.

On Saturday, my family all attended the Georgia Tech football game which was so exciting, but a lot of walking for me. Between the game and the moving of furniture, I apparently exerted myself a bit more than my doctor liked. Saturday around 3:30pm I realized that my feet, legs, hands, and now arms were swollen quite a bit. As my doctor had instructed, Spencer and I went to a CVS and checked my blood pressure. It was somewhere around 163/90 whereas the Monday before is had been 120/70. We called the doctor and she asked that I rest, retest, and call. Still, I was testing at 154/83 so she had me report to Labor and Delivery at Northside Hospital for testing.

What I didn't realize is that "report for testing" doesn't just mean stop on in and give some blood. I was admitted, changed into a gown, and given a room in the high risk area. After about 2 hours my test results came back about perfect, but by then I was having contractions about every 3-5 minutes. They immediately started me on fluids and for about 5 minutes my contractions occurred every 60 seconds. That's when I got the shot of Terbutaline to stop the contractions. A little while later my contractions stopped, but one side effect of the medicine is that it makes your heart race like crazy! WOW! But at least I got released that night.

Well Sunday I took it easy, but on Monday I began having very painful contractions so I went to see my doctor again. My blood pressure was high again and I was having contractions, but I was not dilated at all. In order to keep the baby inside until I'm 36 weeks, the doctor gave me more Terbutaline (as a pill this time) and put me on bed rest. BED REST! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS INVOLVES? NOTHING! THAT'S WHAT I'M ALLOWED TO DO NOW! NOTHING!

So today is Day 2 of Bed rest and I seriously have checked out of reality now. I lay down on my back or side for 24 hours a day minus the multiple bathroom breaks (and a quick shower). I do nothing. Even typing on my computer right now I have to sit up which is not allowed, but come on...I need a break.

Because Spencer has some delusion that I am stubborn and hard headed, he has not left me alone since we left the doctor's office. Spencer has been working from home for 2 days now and brings me food and water and cares for the dogs and house since I am unable to do so. I know it has to be hard on him, but he's been such an amazing caregiver! I can't complain that God's giving me too much to handle because I know He's giving Spencer so much more. It's unbelievable how strong Spencer is!

Well the ultimate goal now is to keep my swelling and blood pressure down and to stop the contractions. The doctor said that as of next Tuesday though whatever happens they will let happen. So this means Baby Shell could arrive as early as next Tuesday. If I have any mother's intuition already I'd say he's going to wait for awhile though. I think the constant uncomfortableness that I'm in might be God's way of teaching me some much needed patience that I will use for the next 18 years of Baby Shell's life. Ugh- that doesn't make it any easier though!

Tonight Spencer suggested that we start packing our hospital bag just in case our doctor's appointment tomorrow has any surprises. I seriously doubt anything has changed, but I'm hoping that I've done such a good job of bed resting for the last 48 hours that the doctor will decide to let me go back to work and life. Oh the optimism!

And that is the crazy last week we've had. If you can, please keep us in your prayers. We just want our little baby boy to come out safely (but keeping my sanity would be a great bonus!)

I'll update tomorrow if there's any change! Love, Teresa