Bed Rest Update - day 34

The midwives today had more good news - I am not progressing!! If I am not having many contractions this week, they will allow me one activity outside the house and said Church would be a great option. So, if all goes well and the contractions stay low, then I should see many of you Sunday! They still want me to keep activity to a min and definitely no lifting, or bending. I have had a few rough days Since Sunday, but this weekend was glorious with hardly any contractions. They are definitely still here and come back at off times, but as long as I head to bed as soon as they act up, they think it will keep them from starting back again in a way that will land me in the hospital.

So, as of now one activity out of the house, if I feel good, is all I am allowed. By 32 weeks they will ween me off the meds, and by 34 they want me back to full activity. 34 weeks is so close now, I can make it! Thanks mainly to your visits, prayers, and help! These past 34 days would be much gloomier if it hadn't been for y'all!

Because of this good report Sander will be heading to the country of Georgia March 6-15. I am so excited for him and feel at complete peace with the timing. **We'll post more on this soon!**

Please keep the following in your prayers:

• That I would go to 40 weeks - FULL TERM
• That in labor I would be able to relax and wouldn't worry (in practicing my relaxation techniques I realize I am having a hard time to get my mind to be quiet)
• Safety for Sander

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To the Midwives…again!

I’m off to my weekly visit with the midwives. If all goes well though I won’t have to return for 2 whole weeks. Yippie! Who knew we would become such close, personal friends?

The great news is I am INCREDIBLY happy with the midwife group I am using, the Women’s Specialist of Houston.

The Women's Specialists of Houston consists of seven ob/gyn doctors and four
nurse midwives. The nurse midwives and doctors work together to provide the best
care for our clients. Together we develop a care plans for normal and
complicated pregnancies. If necessary, we will consult or co-manage your care
with one of our physicians. In some cases a woman may need to transfer to a
physicians care. The nurse midwives assist the physicians in gyn surgeries and
cesarean sections.

The nurses up front and the Certified Nurse Midwives themselves are all fantastic. They have spent so much time with me making sure I understand each stage of the pregnancy and letting me know why they are doing what they do. They have even drawn out pictures for me so I understand fully what is going on.

The question I have met from a lot of people is, “well, what if something goes wrong?” I knew the process they had in place, but wasn’t sure how seamlessly it would work until I was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago. As they are located in the medical center, they just put me in a wheel chair at the midwive’s office and then wheeled across the sky bridge to St. Luke’s. There the midwife on call still attended to me until things progressed even further. Then they had the perinatalogist (beyond an OB) consult with me, but the midwives still came by during the day and followed up with my progress and had input into my care.

Now that I am out of the hospital I am back in the midwives care, but should any other serious issues come up they will consult with the OBs in their group (just down the hall) or I will go back under the perinatologist care if I am re-admitted to the hospital.

The personal attention I have received has been fantastic! They listen to me and then believe me when I share my symptoms and concerns. It is such a change from my previous OB where I felt like a number and if I asked a question I was treated like a moron.

So, even though bed rest and hospitalization hasn’t been fun or inexpensive, I am incredibly thankful for the fantastic care I have received! Hopefully this afternoon’s visit brings more good news.

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Bed rest, day 18.

It is getting harder and harder to stay down. The first week I couldn’t get up with the IV and constant ‘contraction monitor’ strapped to my abdomen. Then the 2nd week I had so many visitors I didn’t really have enough time to think about all the things I wanted to get up and do. But, week three has been a little bit more difficult.

Right now Sander and his mom are cleaning the house while I lie here trying to feel like I am ‘doing my part.’ I don’t know why, but I don’t want to look like I’m enjoying myself while others are working for me. I keep saying that I wish I felt sick or incapacitated in some way so that I felt more justified in receiving help. It is hard to just sit back and enjoy life when I feel physically fine.

Sander has been great though and given me the tough love I sometimes need. He will call from work and ask if I am still lying down. When I say yes, he’ll say, “your baby’s lungs and brain thank you.” I know that is what I am accomplishing by staying on bed rest, but it is hard to keep that picture in front of me all the time.

Oh – a big thanks to everyone who came by today with chocolate! I have been craving it every day this week and the spoons of Nutella just weren’t cutting it. Everyone came through – Janice, Victoria, Meredith’s awesome co-workers, and Tonya ALL brought me chocolate this week. Thanks guys!

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Bed Rest - Day 14

*I should have posted this on Tuesday...oh well. I've made it to 26 weeks and 2 days (& 18 days into my bed rest)!

I'm glad to report that it actually hasn't felt like I have been on bed rest 14 days. This means I am 25 weeks and 5 days along, getting closer and closer to those all important milestones of 28 and 32 weeks pregnant!

Since it has been about a week since I last emailed, I wanted to send a quick mass update. Yesterday I went for my follow appointment at the midwives and it was good news all around! Each day my contractions have gotten less, so that on Sunday I was even able to sit up and lie on my back for extended periods of time. The midwife confirmed that I haven't progressed any further than I was when they discharged me from the hospital, however, she seemed confused as to why they were getting better. I
suggested it could be because so many people have been praying for me! I truly believe they have helped me remain peaceful when I would normally be quite stressed, so I also believe they could be healing whatever is mysteriously "wrong" with me as well.

Today I have had more contractions that yesterday. I am not sure why as I am doing all the same things, but they are calmer than a few weeks ago.

So far I have had so many visitors I haven't been able to accomplish too much on my bed rest to-do list...what a shame = ). I have read Pride and Prejudice (I am ashamed to say this was my first time to read it) and have begun my Rosetta Stone Spanish
lessons once again. Thanks to friends I have a great stack of books to work through and crafts and food to keep me content for at least the next week. = )

Just wanted to pass on the good news from the midwife. I go back again in a week, but if things go well at that appointment, I will be able to wait 2 weeks for my next appointment. When I think of the possibilities we were facing in the hospital, compared to the good news we are now receiving, I am astounded. There has been such a change in tone from all the midwives and doctors! Praise the Lord!

Much love,

Whitney

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