Bedrest

Just to keep everyone updated, I have been put on bedrest again. Last Friday, we had a normal appointment, which I expected to be very routine. I have been having contractions since 26 weeks, but they were getting more painful, but still not regular. I probably have 4-6 contractions an hour, with only a handful that take my breath away a day. I have been dilated 1cm since 30 weeks, and still continue to be only 1 cm dilated. At my appointment, while my doctor was measuring me, I had what was a typical, non painful, contraction. However, apparently that contraction was pretty strong, so she sent me in for observation.

They hooked me up on a heart monitor for the baby and a contraction monitor. I was having contractions about every 10 minutes, so they started giving me shots of Terbutaline. Terbutaline helps slow the uterus from contracting, but it also makes my heart rate increase. My doctor's plan was to get my contractions to slow, give me two doses of steriods, then send me home on bedrest and oral Terbutaline. The steriods were a really painful shot administered 24 hours apart. They are meant to help Peanut's lungs mature, in case he does want to make an early appareance.

All of this was preventative. It is hard to know what is normal for me and what is really going to happen. So, I got to meet a lot of the labor and delivery nurses, stay in a labor and delivery room, stay overnight in the hospital (for the first time ever), and really get know how things are going to go on D day! As stressful as the hospitalization was, getting poked every 3 hours, feeling like I was on speed, and poor Jason being horribly uncomfortable, it turned out ok. I was released at 5:30 on Saturday and have been laying on the couch or in bed ever since.

The plan is for me to continue on the oral Terbutaline until Jan 16. At that time, I will be 36 weeks and my doctor feels that that would be a safe time for me to go into labor, if that is what Peanut has planned. I will also get to come off of all my restrictions then (get to go back to work, shopping, etc). I suppose we will see what the next few weeks will bring! Peanut is loving the bedrest - it means more time for him to practice his karate!