It was my turn to hang out in L&D

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

I failed my 34 wk visit. BP was 140/90 and they couldn't get it down. I have protein and glucose in my urine, hypertonic reflexes blah blah blah.

Sooo off to L&D where my options weretesting and at-home bedrest (completely unrealistic) hospital bedrest or delivery. She said to plan for everything.

She wasn't at all worried about the baby, said she was glad we made it this far.

Leave to ANOTHER set of Dr's to completely freak out trying to figure out what is wrong. I know what's wrong, I've been through this TWICE before, conservative treatment doesn't work. Delivery does. They send me home and within days I'm back.

So from Weds to today I was watched and ignored. :

I didn't have enough protein in my urine, enough swelling, enough nausea, enough headache, high enough blood pressure to warrant induction. Apparently, I need to be on death's doorstep before they will intervene..SOOOOO

I am home and go back on Monday for an NST and to check fluid levels as apparently I have "polyhydramnios". There is no physiological reason for it though. They did a Level II u/s yesterday and the baby had no cleft palate or GI obstruction which can be a cause of the poly.

I'm not even on "bed rest" just "light activity" so I will likely "flunk" on Monday and end up in there for an induction anyway.

I am 1-2 cm dilated, soft and long. Baby is just happy as a clam and has LOADS of hair!!!!

And so I wait.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Aw, bummer all in all. I hate the waiting...

The way they explained it to me last time was - each day, each minute they can wait to deliver, all the better for the baby. Even if mama is miserable and possibly about to have eclamptic seizures. Mmm, didn't make me feel real good. But a 34 week baby is different than a 35 week baby...etc. I know we had a LOT of problems with our 34 week baby (jaundice, failure to thrive, etc) and didn't get to go home for a long time. I'd rather take the modified bedrest for a few days than have to spend them in the NICU, but that was based on our crappy previous NICU experience, and as long as I wasn't about to die...

But Pre-e is terrifying (what you've got - right?) all in all. So faced with the same choice (or lack of choices provided), I'm not sure what I'd do...

[Awaken]

Oh, man. So sorry you have to go through this

So this happened in your previous pregnancies, too? How many weeks did you go those times?

How great that at least you got to see the baby out of it, and that s/he has lots of hair!

Please keep us updated on how you're doing- maybe you'll be our first mama to have her baby?

[flapjack]

Oh, hugs. I don't know what else to say, really.
But hey- 34 weeks is really good, isn't it? Isn't this the week that baby's lungs really start developing so s/he can breathe without help? At least you made it this far.
Seconding what flyingspaghettimama said- I think given the choice, I'd rather feel ill and miserable at home than in an uncomfortable chair in a NICU.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Oh, hugs. I don't know what else to say, really.
But hey- 34 weeks is really good, isn't it? Isn't this the week that baby's lungs really start developing so s/he can breathe without help? At least you made it this far.

I think that's right...and even a few days can make a difference, apparently. Ours was born at 34 1/2 weeks, and they said (although who knows, really) that if she'd been born a few days earlier, they'd have to use the steroid (?) injections for her lungs to develop properly (?).

[AmyGirl28]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I had Pre-E last time with DD. I had a rare form of it called HELLP. Hopefully you will be able to manage it for a little while longer until the baby's lungs are mature. Hopefully the doctor's will be able to act in time, as Pre-E can move pretty fast. I know it is a bummer to keep going to L&D and sit there and be monitored, have your urine checked, blood taken, etc. Trust me I am hoping I don't have to do it again. I am praying for one trip to the hospital, at around 6-7cm dialated would be nice. Good luck!

[*Amy*]

Oh, SGM - I am so worried for you!! What is this poly....thing?

I am with the other mamas, if you can stay at home and rest and keep the baby in, so much the better for her.

Please rest and take care of both of you!!!

[averymybaby]

Polyhydraminos is a big reason my daughter was born at 30 weeks last time. Sometimes, there is just no cause. There wasn't with me either. I'm on the high side of normal again this time and they are watching it very closely. Sorry you're feeling frustrated but I'm jealous you're 34 weeks :LOL... I'm just creeping up on 32 and I'm ready to give up on this bedrest/light activity crap.

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

Thanks ladies. I had it with my last two babes, both induced at 36 and 35 weeks. They told me each day in the womb saves 3 days in the NICU, so I am good with that. I tried to compromise with them (because we also have NO at-home support and my husband just happens to be delayed with his current job site due to an inspector delay) and go with Sunday induction, but they weren't having it. I KNOW I will end up sick and I just didn't want to go into labor ill, but whatever.

The Maternal Fetal Medicine MD said that either you have sick moms or sick babies with Pre-E, apparently I have healthy babies. My 35 weeker was perfect and didn't spend ANY time in the NICU. That's kinda why I just gave in and came home. I don't want my baby away from me for any amount of time if we can help it. So I'm willing to risk being sick.

How bad could a few more weeks be right?

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by SoggyGranolaMomma

How bad could a few more weeks be right?

Knock on wood! Here, I'll do it for you. Knock-knock!

And another one for hoping you don't go on the mag sulfate...(knock) and aren't tooooo sick.

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

Yes, please. I hate hate HATE Mag Sulfate!!

[zjande]

Oh, man! What a bunch of complicated suckiness! I hung out at L&D all day today myself, & had the stupid Terb shot. My dd was born at 35 weeks & had no lung or other preterm baby troubles at all. She was 6lbs 12oz. I wish you tons of luck! I hope everything turns out well in the end, & that you don't end up sick or uncomfortable (bedrest=yuck!). And you just may be our 1st Nov. mama to deliver!

I agree with what you said about not wanting to be away from Baby at any cost possible. That's what I would probably choose to do- whatever would most likely allow me to take Baby HOME with me!

Good luck SGM!

[dziejen]

Kristina,
You are in my thoughts Hoping that you and baby are safe and sound no matter what happens!

[Gunter]

to Kristina!

So many good thoughts and prayers are being sent your way right now, mama! I hope your fam takes good care of you in the ways you need it. Just think of all the reading, journaling, daydreaming, and MDC posting, etc that you can do without feeling like you need to be doing anything else! Rest is best it sounds like...I hope you can relax and actually enjoy some down-time.

The mom of my god-son is Christina and she had pre-e with him. He's a thriving toddler now who I am in love with and that my dog loves to gently chase around the yard. After his stay in NICU when they lived 5 hours north, I cherish him so much and am glad they bought a house in my 'hood this year!

[MelW]

Kristina- Nothing to add, but just my best wishes over the weekend. Take care, and keep us updated on Monday! Hang in there mama and baby!
(using baby dust as anti-pre-eclampsia dust)

[*Amy*]

Just wanted to let you know I've been thinking about you today Kristina. I hope you are doing OK. Update us when you can!!

[3for3hb]

I hadn't read this thread until today... I guess I sort of skipped it somehow. Sorry for the difficulties you're going through. I really hope that everything turns out alright! Yeah, looks like you probably WILL be our first mama to deliver!!! Yay!!! That'll really freak the Dec. DDC out!!! :LOL

Sending you and the babe lots of love and positive, healthy vibes

[MamaFern]

[kroonkles]

hugs and hope all goes well with you! I had ptl and bedrest with my 1st (the only realistic time you can do bedrest...), who was born at 36 wks and weighed 7'7. hang in there...

[MelW]

Kristina, I've been thinking of you all day. I hope your appointment went well. Update us when you can!