So we reached a milestone today that has been discussed from the beginning...28 weeks. I don't think anything magical happened as the clock went past midnight last night, but I do know that our baby is in much much better shape than he was when he entered the hospital almost eight weeks ago.
As Brad and I were talking to our doctor this morning, we got a little better perspective on how unusual our journey has been. He let us know that chances are if we had gone to a different hospital in Nashville, lived in a different country that operates under a different medical philosophy, or possibly even had the same experience a few years later under a different healthcare plan in this country, that our options would have been radically different. We would probably not be sitting in this same position at 28 weeks.
When I think about all the care I have received over the last 2 months, I am amazed and thankful that this place even exists. Thankful for high risk OB doctors that believe that every life is precious and worth fighting for, thankful for health insurance to cover all the care, thankful for a workplace that is supportive and affirms life at every stage, and so thankful for many prayers offered up to God for this unborn life. Thankful all around.
I truly believe that God knit together this baby in my womb and that he is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) and am getting very excited to meet him! While we have reached this milestone, every day continues to matter and we still have a journey ahead for which we covet your prayers.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Update
The nurses have told us that on this floor sometimes their most stable patient becomes their most critical overnight. Well Tuesday night, we got to experience that firsthand.
About 11:30 pm I woke up with some pain and called the nurse who put me on the monitor just to make sure everything was ok and ease my mind. Less than 10 minutes later, nurses were barging through the door, turning on lights, and putting me on oxygen and fluids. It seems that Timothy's heart rate had plummeted for about 7 minutes...not what you want to hear. His heart rate did go back up pretty quickly, but the staff was concerned that I might be in back labor, which rarely shows up on the contraction monitor.
Mom, Brad, and I spent all night and most of Wednesday trying to get all this under control. Over the next several hours, I was given multiple doses of different medications to try and stop contractions. I was also given morphine for pain control. While I know people react differently to different drugs, morphine and me don't mix well! The combination of all the medicines made me very shaky, weepy, nauseous, and feel like my skin was on fire. I've also been on continuous contraction and fetal monitors, and the contraction monitoring will continue for now.
Most of the side effects wore off when they decreased the medicine dosage, but I still look I have a nice little sunburn and my face constantly feels hot, but I'll take that compared to all the rest. We just spoke to the doctors and my blood work did show some high levels today that can signal infection, so they are keeping an eye on that and I'll stay on continuous antibiotics for now.
Thank you for your continued prayers. Here are some specific ways you can pray:
About 11:30 pm I woke up with some pain and called the nurse who put me on the monitor just to make sure everything was ok and ease my mind. Less than 10 minutes later, nurses were barging through the door, turning on lights, and putting me on oxygen and fluids. It seems that Timothy's heart rate had plummeted for about 7 minutes...not what you want to hear. His heart rate did go back up pretty quickly, but the staff was concerned that I might be in back labor, which rarely shows up on the contraction monitor.
Mom, Brad, and I spent all night and most of Wednesday trying to get all this under control. Over the next several hours, I was given multiple doses of different medications to try and stop contractions. I was also given morphine for pain control. While I know people react differently to different drugs, morphine and me don't mix well! The combination of all the medicines made me very shaky, weepy, nauseous, and feel like my skin was on fire. I've also been on continuous contraction and fetal monitors, and the contraction monitoring will continue for now.
Most of the side effects wore off when they decreased the medicine dosage, but I still look I have a nice little sunburn and my face constantly feels hot, but I'll take that compared to all the rest. We just spoke to the doctors and my blood work did show some high levels today that can signal infection, so they are keeping an eye on that and I'll stay on continuous antibiotics for now.
Thank you for your continued prayers. Here are some specific ways you can pray:
- Continued health for Timothy
- No contractions at this point
- Strong lung development for Timothy
- Decreased side effects from medication for me
- Strength and perseverance for family who spend so much time here
- Doctors and nurses to have wisdom and make good decisions
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