12-10-2008 - Bed Rest!

My mood while writing this blog: sad and worried

Well Ladies the fun is over. I have officially been put on bed rest at 29 weeks. It all started Monday morning. I woke up and felt like there was something in my vagina, it felt like I had a tampon in. I have known the entire pregnancy that I was carrying my son very low. He has been sitting right on top of my cervix and at times has caused discomfort. So on Monday I kinda tried to work with the uncomfortable feeling but by 11 a.m I called the doctor. They said get to the office as soon possible. So I left work and went in for an exam. He said that the baby was still sitting on my cervix and that my cervix was soft. He looked at my ultrasound from 4 weeks earlier and said that my cervical length was 4 (not sure if that is cm or what). He told me to go home and lay on my left side with my hips elevated. I had already had an appointment for Wednesday afternoon to get another ultrasound. The doctor wanted to see what my cervical length was going to be then. So I went home and rested. I did go to work the next day because he said if I did feel better I could go, but I had to try to be off my feet. So that is what I did. On Tuesday night I went and bought one of those support bands to wear under my belly. Wednesday was a fantastic day, that band felt great! I highly recommend the belly support band, don't wait until it is too late to get one like I did. So great day on Wednesday, went to ultrasound and the baby looks great. He weights 3 lbs 4 ozs and was measuring at 31 weeks 5 days ( I was only at 29 w 2 days). So all was well, until I asked her to measure my cervical length. She said since he was sitting so low on my cervix the only way to get an accurate measurement was to do an internal exam. I said OK and she left to get the doctor. When they measured my cervix it was 2.36. The doctor said they do not want it below 2.5 and left the room immediately to call my doctor. I was then sent over to the hospital to get monitored for contraction. This was all very overwhelming. I am over an hour away from home and not at a familiar hospital. While being monitored the baby did a great job, his heart rate was good and I did not have any contractions. So the doctor sent me home with strick orders of bed rest until Friday when I saw my regular doctor. So on Friday my doctor said I am officially finished working. I was also sent to the hospital to get steroid shots to help develop the babies lungs. Not sure what this means. I guess he is being precarious, but there is a part of me that is worried that my baby is on his way now. So that is where we are at right now. I was at the hospital this morning to get a shot and I have to go back every 12 hours for a total of 4 shots. I have been feeling a little uncomfortable today so I called my doctor and asked him if they could examine me when I went back tonight, just to be on the safe side. He said he would call it in. So ladies this is where I stand. The doctor wants me to get to 34 weeks which would be good, or if I can make it to 36 weeks that would be even better. I did ask the doctor why does he think this is happening to me and he said it is because of my job. Being a Physical education teacher and bouncing around and on my feet has caused the baby to drop. So for the time being I am stuck in bed or on the couch with my hips up.

Sorry it was such a long post. Now that I have time on my hands I will try to update more. On a brighter note, we did get the babies room painted. One less thing to worry about. Now only if our furniture would arrive!