Tuesday, January 26, 2010

An overnight stay at Labor & Delivery

We thought we were going to meet our boys last night, but they weren’t quite ready for the world just yet! On Saturday K lost her mucus plug, which can be a sign of labor. Yesterday she began having contractions throughout the day while at work and wiped a little blood, so she called the clinic and they had her come in. The ob checked and she was 3 cm dilated (unsure about effacement because her cervix was high), so he sent her over to Labor & Delivery for monitoring. K had contractions throughout the night that ranged from 3-10 minutes apart and would go up and down in frequency. The boys were highly active (“wild” in K’s words) and had great accelerations and heart rates on the monitors.

K stayed at the hospital overnight for monitoring, so they could evaluate her contractions and recheck her cervix this morning. Her cervix was dilated to just under 4 cm this morning, but the contractions overnight were mild. Therefore, the ob took her off work and sent her home on modified “bed rest”--she has shower and bathroom privileges and is allowed to attend her son's P-T conference this week. K didn't get much sleep last night, so she was going to nap this afternoon. Her contractions are irregular, but she's still having the "vagina ache" as she likes to call it. The ob said he’d like to see her get to February 1. Now we just wait and see what happens!

I am in a weird place of high anxiety and confusion. I'd love for the boys to bake a little longer, but I'm also anxious for their arrival. The not knowing when they'll come is extremely hard for me as a Type A planner. You would think that infertility prepared me to be patient, but I guess I've forgotten that lesson! Also, I worry that we've come so far to let some freak event like a cord accident or placental abruption to take one of our babies. This is why I'd rather have them here with us. I know that they would be born premature and I'm not wishing for preemies, but I also know that over 5lb, 34 weekers will do well in the NICU. After having had a micro-preemie under a pound these boys are going to seem giant! At this point they'd be among the feeders and the growers in the NICU. I feel that if they were here in the world we could control more than we can with them inside the uterus. Please don't lecture me ... I know the boys are best in the uterus, but I also know how in the blink of an eye tragedy can strike in utero.

Okay, as I tell my students when they are anxious or rowdy and need to calm down ... breathe in deep and slowwwwly release!

21 comments:

Maddy said...

Wow. I'm so excited for you, but also completely understand your anxiety!!! No matter when it happens, I've got my fingers crossed for you, your husband and K for two HEALTHY boys. Good luck and I'll be eagerly awaiting your awesome news of being a mother again, for the second time.

Tiffiny said...

No lecturing at ALL.. I cna understand you want and need to know that your babies are safe and sound. I had my twins at 34.6 weeks and A was in the NICU for 5 days and B was in for 9.5 days, and came home on oxygen for a week. I can say that they are both 3 and doing VERY well. You are their mom and want nothing but the best for your sons. As a GS I can understand your desire BUT as a mom of preemie twins I understand the conflict. They will be here VERY soon. With K being dilated to 4 already I am sure it will be by this weekend!! So exciting not too much longer to go now!!

Unknown said...

Niki - having lost my son almost a year ago and now being in the middle of another pregnancy, I can completely relate to how you feel about delivering the boys safe and sound. I feel that once I get through the scary IC part of it, I'll have anxiety about something crazy happening later on. I'm so very happy for you!

niobe said...

I know pretty much exactly how you feel. Eagerly awaiting the boys' safe arrival.

The Suburban Princess said...

I have been following your blog for quite some time...I found you on Ashley's (Ruby Baby) blog. I am so excited for you to meet your boys! Wishing you and your family all the best!

Nadine said...

The wait aint easy hun! and I totally totally get it, once you got passed that 34 week mark you could breathe, you are ready for them!I too think that they will be here before that appointment next week - but after the 35 week mark - so weekend babies...
Hugs and know that we are thinking of everyone.

Gina said...

Here's hoping they make it safely within K a little longer, but if not, very exciting! Not being able to plan sure is hard, but it will probably be very soon that you'll be holding your boys!

Meg. said...

Oh Niki, how exciting! Your boys are going to be in your arms before you know it!

I know it would be grand if they stayed put a few more days, but, like you said, they have an excellent chance, should they decide to make their debut sooner!

I will continue to hold K and your babies in my prayers!

Kelly said...

That's a lot to think about. I can totally relate to living on edge. And it is hard not to be in control. Will be thinking of you and hoping for the best whether they come now or later.

Poppy said...

Won't be long now. Missing mucous plug, 3-4 cm dilated. Yikes...I'm so excited for you!

All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Kris said...

I can completely understand wanting them here, but also wanting them to remain in utero for longer. I was in that same place for four weeks before my boys were born. There is something super exciting about waiting for your babies to be born, even though it may be a bit early and there are fears and worries to go along with that excitement!

To K- hang in there! If you need anything while you are on bed rest, please let me know:) I can send you some good magazines too!

Jacinta said...

Niki, I am so excited for you and know only too well the wall climbing anxiety you are probably feeling. The best thing is knowing that it will be over soon and people say the relief is incredible!
Go Myles Little Brothers!

AnGèLe said...

OMG OMG OMG!! Im sooo excited for you guys!! Hang on for a couple more days boys!! (there I said it)..lol
Now for my real emotions! YAY!! You are going to meet your baby boys soon!! I hope K is feeling good! :)

Donna said...

It won't be long now!!! Take a deep breath and relax!! You are going to need all the energy you can get once those little guys do get here!

Kara said...

I've been reading your blog for a couple weeks now, after someone posted it on an infertility board I belong to. I'm very excited for your boys to be born, and I don't even know you! :) I completely understand your wanting them here to be safe. My son was a grower and feeder in the NICU, and even though it was for a short time 2 weeks- (he was a 36 weeker that just wasn't ready to be born yet!) I understand completely.

Looking forward to seeing those boys! You have a wonderful, WONDERFUL cousin.

James, Dawn and Family said...

I'm so excited for you. I know your anxiety in many facets. Praying for your peace!

Bonny said...

Just btreathe

Bonny said...

breathe...

Kathlyn said...

Wishing you all the best of luck (and lots of patience!) over the next few days/weeks.

Bluebird said...

Deep breath, honey - they're in good hands! I can't belive you're already at 34 weeks. You'll get to meet your little guys before you know it :)

Unknown said...

I finally got an account set up so i could respond to your blog. I have been following you since i seen the you-tube video of Myles. I just want to say thank you for your inspiration and you truly show people that anything is possible. I'm so happy that you will soon get to meet your two sons I can't wait to read your update when they make there big arrival. Best Wishes to you ~Sara, NE~