This morning I woke up around 7:30 with some tightening in my stomach. Since I am already at such a "high risk" point in this pregnancy, I immediately started to think that something was wrong. One of the warning signs they had told me to watch for was contractions.
I tried to tell myself I was over-reacting, so I lay back down and decided to just monitor things for awhile. Scott had scheduled business meetings all day long and I hated to think about calling him to say that he was going to have to reschedule them... he was already making such sacrifices by working from home anyway-- I wanted him to be able to attend some meetings as usual for a change.
As I lay in bed in my completely quiet house (Luke is with my parents), I just talked to God. It is so hard to know what to pray for in this situation. Obviously we ask Him for healing and for a safe delivery for our little one. But, what if she does come too early? It is hard to admit, but I have told Him that if she is destined to be born early and forced to suffer for months in the NICU and fight physical challenges her entire life-- then, wouldn't it just be better for her to go ahead and join Him? Maybe I am just being selfish because I don't think that I could handle it...
At about 9:30 my stomach tightened up in a ball. I had experienced this many times toward the end of my pregnancy with Luke--- I was sure it was just the typical Braxton Hicks contractions... But-- now, nothing seems "typical" in this pregnancy, so I was worried.
I called my doctor and spoke to Jeannie my favorite nurse who has looked out for us some many times over the past several years. She said that if I was worried that I should just head into the triage center and have it checked out.
I am usually one to analyze and over-analyze any situation before acting... but now my first priority is to get our little girl as far as I can in this pregnancy before she decides to be born. I decided that it was worth going in. If it turned out to be nothing, then I would still feel better knowing than wishing that I had done something after the fact.
Scott just happened to call in the midst of my panic. He was adamant that we go to the hospital. So, he cancelled his meetings and came straight home.
We got to the hospital parking garage, said a prayer, and then headed in. All the triage rooms were full with women actually in full labor, so we had to wait. When we were finally taken to a room, it wasn't the typical triage room, but a large private birthing room. At this point I hadn't felt anything in over an hour.
She hooked me up to the monitors and asked me a million questions (the same ones I had been asked before my surgery on Thursday!). When she finally revealed the monitor, I could tell that the contraction line looked good-- I have gotten pretty good at reading those things at this point! Her heartbeat sounded and looked good as well. I began to breathe a sigh of relief.
After an hour and a half of monitoring later, they decided that it was a false alarm! :)
My doctor had come by to check on me and she confirmed that I was right to come on in. There is just no way to know and in my situation, I have to err on the side of caution.
So-- we are thrilled and relieved to no end that the outcome today was not more tragic. In my heart I feel like this is just yet another hurdle we will have to jump before we have our little one home safely... but... one day at a time.
Thanks for all the support, love, and encouragement! Scott and I feel the indescribable peace that we know comes from all the prayers being lifted up on our behalf.
We are blessed.
Luke is blissfully unaware of all the drama and is having the time of his life with Pa Bob and Ma Betz!
I tried to tell myself I was over-reacting, so I lay back down and decided to just monitor things for awhile. Scott had scheduled business meetings all day long and I hated to think about calling him to say that he was going to have to reschedule them... he was already making such sacrifices by working from home anyway-- I wanted him to be able to attend some meetings as usual for a change.
As I lay in bed in my completely quiet house (Luke is with my parents), I just talked to God. It is so hard to know what to pray for in this situation. Obviously we ask Him for healing and for a safe delivery for our little one. But, what if she does come too early? It is hard to admit, but I have told Him that if she is destined to be born early and forced to suffer for months in the NICU and fight physical challenges her entire life-- then, wouldn't it just be better for her to go ahead and join Him? Maybe I am just being selfish because I don't think that I could handle it...
At about 9:30 my stomach tightened up in a ball. I had experienced this many times toward the end of my pregnancy with Luke--- I was sure it was just the typical Braxton Hicks contractions... But-- now, nothing seems "typical" in this pregnancy, so I was worried.
I called my doctor and spoke to Jeannie my favorite nurse who has looked out for us some many times over the past several years. She said that if I was worried that I should just head into the triage center and have it checked out.
I am usually one to analyze and over-analyze any situation before acting... but now my first priority is to get our little girl as far as I can in this pregnancy before she decides to be born. I decided that it was worth going in. If it turned out to be nothing, then I would still feel better knowing than wishing that I had done something after the fact.
Scott just happened to call in the midst of my panic. He was adamant that we go to the hospital. So, he cancelled his meetings and came straight home.
We got to the hospital parking garage, said a prayer, and then headed in. All the triage rooms were full with women actually in full labor, so we had to wait. When we were finally taken to a room, it wasn't the typical triage room, but a large private birthing room. At this point I hadn't felt anything in over an hour.
She hooked me up to the monitors and asked me a million questions (the same ones I had been asked before my surgery on Thursday!). When she finally revealed the monitor, I could tell that the contraction line looked good-- I have gotten pretty good at reading those things at this point! Her heartbeat sounded and looked good as well. I began to breathe a sigh of relief.
After an hour and a half of monitoring later, they decided that it was a false alarm! :)
My doctor had come by to check on me and she confirmed that I was right to come on in. There is just no way to know and in my situation, I have to err on the side of caution.
So-- we are thrilled and relieved to no end that the outcome today was not more tragic. In my heart I feel like this is just yet another hurdle we will have to jump before we have our little one home safely... but... one day at a time.
Thanks for all the support, love, and encouragement! Scott and I feel the indescribable peace that we know comes from all the prayers being lifted up on our behalf.
We are blessed.
Luke is blissfully unaware of all the drama and is having the time of his life with Pa Bob and Ma Betz!
Luke sitting in Pa Bob's computer chair!
2 comments:
Amazing. Yes, it's better to be sure than to wonder. That's why there are doctors and health insurance plans!
Keep your chin up!
Don't ever feel guilty about being cautious with your health or the health of your children. And praying honestly before God is wonderful. He knows your fears & requests anyway, so just spend time unloading if you need to! I'll be praying for you & your baby!
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