We made it to 32 weeks!!
Saturday we met the goal that was set all those weeks ago...77 days ago to be exact. Now that we are here I can honestly say that the time has seemed to fly by. With every passing week the weight on my shoulders lightens and I breathe a little easier. Although, I am getting greedy for a few more weeks. That has been the pattern, first it was 28 weeks then 32 now I am shooting for 34 weeks (which will probably turn into 36 and so on). My goal is to able to bring our bundle of joy home with us!
Since we are technically out of the woods I am more comfortable talking about the situation. For those of you that aren't on the weekly update circuit and are interested, here is the a synopsis...
The original problem was found in my 21 week ultrasound, my cervix was "funneling". In essence I had started to efface and dilate. The average cervical length of a pregnant women, depending on gestation, is 3-4cm; mine was measuring 2.3cm. By the time I made it in the see the specialist 2 weeks later I was measuring 1.7cm. My midwife explained that many women are also having preterm labor contractions and don't know it. I told her I had been experiencing some tightening in my lower abdomen which after talking to friends I diagnosed as Braxton Hicks contractions. I learned that in addition to those some of what I thought was the baby moving were contractions as well. The combination of short cervix and contractions before 28 weeks is especially dangerous because the baby is so small that contractions alone can cause delivery, not to mention the host of other problems due to the lack of development. All-in-all they said the situation could be managed but was far from ideal. Many people ask how I do it; lay around all day everyday. It's really not that hard when there is a little life counting on you!
I have continued to have weekly checks with the cervical specialist and have managed to maintain a length of 1.0-1.3cm with meds and strict bed rest. This week I had a growth scan, we were pleased to hear that our little one weighs 4lbs 5oz! Because I am almost 90% effaced the doctor has warned me that my water could break at any moment so I received a steroid shot to help mature the babies lungs, just in case. He also added, "No one would have guessed you would have made it this far." I am so blessed to have my Mom who has been here for me every minute. Pat is out of town all week so she has stepped in to fill his shoes and then some. I am certain none of this would be possible without her. She serves me meals (on a platter, literally), tends to the dogs, makes sure I'm comfortable, cleans the house, runs me back and forth to all of my appointments and the list goes on. We would be lost without her!
It took my body some time to adjust to bed rest, everything ached! After about a month I had it down; how to lay, when to flip and where to position the pillows then....I started growing! Now-a-days my expanding waistline makes getting comfortable even more challenging and sleeping - HA! Between the midnight meds, potty breaks, heartburn and contractions I feel like my preparation for baby is getting a good head start! Now I just have to figure out where I am going to find the strength and energy to care for this little one. It will be a slow process but I am looking forward to being able to get up anytime I want and hopefully my left leg (the one I broke) will return to normal size quickly. Pat pointed out that it is probably best I can't go anywhere because between the big belly and different size legs he isn't dying to run around town with me (kidding of course:))!
Bed rest hasn't been a complete drag. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend every second of my days with my sweet pups!
Weekends are always exciting because Pat is home! I can't attend football games but he does his best to bring the atmosphere to me, a TV and recliner set up in the garage!
Simple things like tagging along while he runs errands is a huge highlight for me. I bring a pillow and recline my seat while I wait in the car. Last weekend on an outing to Lowes I noticed Pat standing at the door motioning for me to come inside. I started in at my usual snails pace and I see him coming out on one of those motorized carts! We only went down a few isles but it felt great to be out.
My prayers have turned from tearful, to hopeful, to thankful. I was, and am, determined to make as far as possible and I cannot say thank you enough to all of you that have remembered me in your prayers. The last few months have taught me a lesson in patience. I have always been a get-it-done type of girl and the fact that my house isn't perfect and I haven't been able to shop for anything baby/maternity related would normally have me in a tizzy but I'm fine with it (again, thanks to my Mom!). What's a perfectly decorated nursery without a perfectly healthy baby to go in it anyway?!
...but we glory in our tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
and patience, experience; and experience hope
Romans 5:3-4
