We're In the Hospital Now

Well you know what  they say about well laid plans.  M and I are making ourselves at home here at the hospital.  We are hoping to me here (believe it or not) for the next two months.

We were admitted on Thursday night. When I came home from work on Thursday I had some unusual symptoms. I felt no pain though.  M convinced me I should call the doctor, and the doctor said I should go to nearest hospital.

We were admitted upon arrival at the hospital.  They did tests on me and the baby, and everything at first seemed fine. The last test they did showed that my water had broke or there was a tear. We were of course both shocked.  I said, but I am only 26 weeks.  The nurse assured us that they had just delivered a 23 weeker, and everyone would be in place if I started contractions.

From that point on they made it clear that we weren't leaving until the baby was born, no matter when that is going to be.

We were told that the first 24 hrs are the most critical. They started me on meds to prevent contractions, meds to prevent brain aneurism if baby was born that night, and gave me a heafty dose of steriods to jolt the babies lungs to grow faster. The second dose we were told was to occur 24 hrs later, and that would be the end of the first milestone.

At about 10:00 p.m. doctors and nurses from the micro premie nursery came in to tell us about the protocol and about what they could do if the baby was born now. "Team of 6 specialists with specials skills to incubate and put IVs in the smallest of veins, a special incubater etc." Was about all I could comprehend.

By midnight I had so many tubes in me it was hard to move.  The monitors were on most the night, dinging almost every hour.  I was told I couldn't move at all and needed to lay on my back.  Of course M and I hardly slept.

On Friday, we met with our new obgyn since my ob is through a different hospital and we will be with the new hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy.

8:00 a.m. the new OB performed an ultrasound. Relief all good news.  I had no contractions through the night and the fluid around the baby was still in the normal range. Apparently, the baby makes the fluid and can replenish what has been lost.  Baby's heartrate and vitals were also good. The doctor suggested there may be a small break in the amniotic sac, and best case scenario it could heal. However, even if it healed, I would still have to stay in hospital, but I would be given some more freedom. Meaning I could take a shower and get out of bed to use the bathroom. (Small pleasure for most... Huge pleasure for me)

Friday afternoon we spoke to the high risk pregnancy specialist from the USC Group. He performed another ultrasound. Said baby was on target for weight and size about 2lbs at this point.  He looked over my vitals and he said that the biggest thing they worry about is infection after barrier between mom and baby has been broken.  As of now, they said that there was no indication of  infection, but to prevent infection they would start me on a antibiotic cocktail for the next 48 hrs.

He gave us a printout of the ultrasound:

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The specialist gave us a milestone timeline.  Although he reiterated that everyday from this point until 28 weeks was important. He gave us a breakdown of millstones to look forward to. 

First milestone was that night when I would get my last steroid shot for the baby.

Next milestone could be next week if all goes well, they could take me off of some of the IVs, I could take a shower etc.

Next milestone, September 26 (28 weeks) if baby born lungs would be more fully formed.

Next milestone, October 24 (32 weeks).

Next milestone, November 7 (34 wks) baby coming out, risk of coming out less than benefit being in.  Baby would only need short time in hospital.

So far no contractions still, so that is good.

Xoxo,

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