Our Five Ring Circus: A Trip to Labor & Delivery

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Trip to Labor & Delivery

We are officially back from our first visit to labor & delivery. Here's hoping this isn't one of many! This pregnancy has been every bit as exciting as my other two, and not exactly in a good way!

It was really hot outside yesterday. I woke up feeling really nauseous from the morning sickness, and my Braxton Hicks contractions felt a stronger. Dylan had a baseball game after dinner, and the heat was suffocating. While watching the game, I began to get stronger contractions every 2.5-4 minutes. I mentioned to Grant that we may have to go to the hospital, but I wanted to hold out a bit until I was certain.

After the game, we went swimming with our friends again. I started to feel a bit better as I cooled off in the water. By the time we got home, I figured it was a false alarm.

Around 5:00 this morning, I woke up with bad abdominal cramps that got worse with every contraction. After 2 hours of tossing and turning, I attempted to lay in a warm tub for a half hour, and it did nothing to relieve the pain. By 8:00, I knew there was something more going on.

I had an OB appointment scheduled for later in the day, but after speaking to a nurse at the office, she instructed me to head to the hospital ASAP. My dad quickly came over to watch the kids, and Grant and I left for the hospital.

Once I arrived in labor & delivery, they hooked me up to everything and observed the baby and the contractions for about an hour. Finally, the OB came in and said I was having regular contractions. After a quick check, he determined that I was just over a fingertip dilated. At last check, I was just over 1 cm, and I was thinking it was the same today, but I realize now that it's probably around 2 cm. The good news was that I wasn't effaced and the baby was still high.

Over the next hour, they pushed fluids and continued to observe the contractions. I noticed that the pain began to ease, and when the OB rechecked me, there wasn't any more progress. All good signs! My Braxton Hicks contractions are still regular, but that's the norm for me. I usually get 2-3 every 10 minutes, but they don't hurt.

As of right now, I'm not on bed rest. Had I been effaced or dilated more, I'm sure they would have done so. When I went into preterm labor at 30 weeks with Dylan, I was effaced as well as dilated, which is why I was put on bed rest for a few weeks. They have learned, though, after two pregnancies, that bed rest does nothing to slow my contractions or dilation. Even on bed rest or partial bed rest, I dilate at the same speed and have the same frequent contractions. So for now, that's being put off.

I was released with strict orders to take it easy, spend as much time off my feet as possible, and to drink "buckets" of water. With contractions as frequent as mine in this heat, it's (obviously) incredibly easy for them to quickly get worse.

As Grant said, we "dodged a bullet" this time, and I'm officially going to be duct taped to the couch!

As for my little Nugget, he/she is doing fine! I feel bad that his/her heart rate jumps up with each contraction, even the mild Braxton Hicks contractions, but Nugget is tolerating them well. All of those who have guessed girl may be onto something. ;) Nugget's heart rate is in the exact same range as Lexie's heart rate was!

I can't wait to meet my baby, but I'm praying that Nugget stays put for at least another month! One early trip to labor & delivery was plenty!

17 comments:

  1. I'm glad it was not real labor and your little Nigget is doing well!!!

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  2. Oh I am so happy to hear everyone is doing okay! I know that would be so hard to take it easy with two little, busy ones to keep up with!

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  3. I'm glad everything is okay and that you're back home. How scary!

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  4. Take it easy girl!! try to relax as much as possible!!

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  5. I would imagine dehydration is what did it! Keep those fluids coming!!!!! I even got dehydrated yesterdat at the water park and was down in bed most of the day. Take care of yourself!!!!

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  6. glad to hear everyone is doing well...and that little Nugget stays put for a little while longer!!

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  7. You poor thing! All the puking doesn't help the dehydration aspect of it all! Yes, drink, drink, DRINK! :)

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  8. that is so scary! i hope you are able to take it easy-- keep that nugget cookin' a little longer :)

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  9. Hoping you make at least another month! Push the fluids :-) Glad Nugget is doing well!

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  10. I am so glad that baby is staying put for now.

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  11. Oh! It is good that you are so in tune with your body, and know what to watch for! Stay put a bit longer Nugget!

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  12. Whew! Thank goodness! Stay put little nugget, just a few more weeks and you'll be out soon!

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  13. I'm so glad that you and Nugget are okay! I hope that you don't end back up in L&D until Nugget is big enough and ready to come for real :)

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  14. Oh mama you are having quite the adventure! You are so brave, I would be a wreck. So glad you guys were able to get it all under control! xo

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  15. Hope you can take it easy! Not sure how far along you are but it's never fun to have these kinda scares. I'm 3 weeks away from my due date and I feel like a ticking time bomb, lol :)

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