I've never really shared my "birth story" so I felt I'd write a daily blog post documented that days that led up to TT's birth. It will be a long read.
A year ago today, everything in my seemingly normal pregnancy changed! But And changed dramatically. It scared me to death. I was 32 weeks, 2 days pregnant.
Around Midnight 7/20/2010, I woke up to an excruciating headache. I had never had a headache that bad. I got up, went to the bathroom, drank a huge glass of water and took several Tylenol. I was miserable. Twinkle Toes was not awake and moving, which was fine with me.
I got an ice pack to put on my forehead, laid back in bed and tried to go back to sleep but the headache wouldn't budge. Around 1 am, I move to the couch and sat upright with the ice pack on the top of my head. A half hour later, still no relief from the ice pack or Tylenol. I drank more water and still nothing. I started to wonder about Pre-E but just figured the headache was due to being a bit dehydrated or sinus related and I brushed it off at that point.
Around 3 am, I started looking up Pre Eclampsia in three different books. I knew and had had the feeling for a few months that I had Pre-E. I just really felt deep in my heart that I had it. Don't ask me why but I did.
During my last few OB appts. I had asked and complained about the swelling that I was experiencing, especially in my ankles and feet. I hadn't been able to wear my wedding ring since about 18 weeks. If I had only known! I had read a few times about the symptoms of preeclampsia but never worried that I had it. Every OB appt I had left urine specimens but nothing ever showed up that was indicative of Pre-E. They always told me it was due to my age and the heat of July.
At 4:30 am Mister B woke up to get ready for work and told me I didn't look good. I knew I had a half day of work since I had my first Gestational Diabetes class. I knew that I had to stop by the OB's office for a BP re-check anyway since it had been missed at my last appointment. The OB's office and GD class were just doors down from each other! I knew I'd just mention the headache then.
I knew I could work till 11 am and then leave for my GD class, piece of cake. I was just really focused on banking PTO so I could spend the time with TT after her arrival, which was 7 weeks away.
The headache was still there while at work. I wrapped up my day, drove the 45 minutes to the OB office and was escorted back to the exam room where they took my BP. And then it all changed and felt like things were crashing around me.
I was told to immediately lay down on my left side, don't talk, don't move, close my eyes, relax and think peaceful thoughts and they'd be back with the DOCTOR in a few minutes. Umm ok but Holy Shit, why or you over reacting? My BP was 221/113!!!!
The doctor rushed in and told me not to move and asked me questions in a very calm fashion. Some of them were: How did I get to there office, Is anyone home to come take me to the hospital, Where is my husband, How do I feel, How long has the headache lasted, and How long as the swelling been that bad? Well, doc, I've mentioned it to all of you numerous times! I was scared. Things started to just swirl around me. Like "labor and delivery", "deliver now", "prematurity", "steroid shots", "Seizures", "Stroke", etc.
At this point, my husband was out of state for his job but on the way back. His job requires that he drives a hazardous materials truck and breaking this kind of news, "you're wife is being admitted to L&D" is not something I wanted to just casually break to him. I chose to wait to call him for a bit.
My BP didn't change while in the office. So I was wheeled over to Labor & Delivery and put into a special monitoring room. I was in tears which spiked the BP even more. My parents were called and asked to come down. It was the scariest day yet. The stupid nurse told them that I was in jeopardy of having a stroke or seizure. It was a very stressful drive for them!
I had known from reading various blogs that it is vitally important for steroid shots in cases where an early delivery could be imminent. So when asked I immediately said yes. I was hooked up with an IV, and numerous monitors. I could hear TT moving around a ton - kicking at the monitor from time to time which made me laugh in a otherwise crappy moment. A 24 hr urine collection was started.
After I was settled a bit, I called my husband and told him to safely pull over and call me back. When he called me back, it took everything I had to remain calm and quietly and calmly explain the situation and ask that he come to the hospital. He was scared shitless, needless to say!
Once he arrived, they administered the Steroid Shot! Holy pain batman! The steroid is administered into the muscle which when immediately poked with the needle will seize up and cramp. And there was blood everywhere. My husband passed out watching this - Wuss!
By 8 pm, I was moved into an Antepartum room to spend the night. My husband was on his way home to pick up some clothes and other necessities for me and to get a good nights sleep. It was official, I was on hospital bed rest with a goal of sticking it out for at least 5 more weeks in that room. Ugh - but I was willing to do it to help our daughter grow and develop.
To be continued tomorrow.....
Momma J
July 20, 2011
July 6, 2011
July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July!!
Twinkle Toes would like to wish each of you a Happy Fourth of July!
Enjoy your day,
Wear your Patriotic swimsuits,
enjoy from good libations and yummy BBQ,
and lounge around today!
And please be safe with all of your fireworks displays!
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