A Visit to Labor and Delivery

Well, I thought I would update...as an update is MUCH needed.

We picked up Addyson on Friday night from Abilene and stayed the night in a hotel (there was no way Adam OR I could turn around and drive back 6 hours at 11pm!) When we got there to pick her up she started giggling uncontrollably and was on the floor with her hands over her eyes! LOL. It was so cute! We had a good trip back...it was long and very uncomfortable for me...and very cramped for poor Addyson. My mom went a little crazy on her shopping trips with Addy...and also sent us back with Christmas presents...so our little Toyota Camry was quite full! Just confirmed to Adam and I that we DEFINITELY need a bigger car after Annslie gets here! LOL.

Yesterday, Adam unfortunately had to work for 6 hours in a town about 30 minutes away. Addyson was SO cooperative the first half of the morning...but after nap time it was a different story. My poor little girl was no doubt TIRED of being cooped up in the house...confined to mommy and daddy's bedroom...and she definitely let me know! I was already in quite a bit of pain...and having pretty regular contractions (7-8 minutes apart) so....being up and down chasing around a toddler was definitely not easy! Around 5, I noticed that something was a little different and talked to my mom about it. She encouraged me to call my doctor and see what he said. Sure enough, my doctor wanted me to come in to L&D for monitoring. Obviously, I needed to wait until my hubby came home...so I actually didn't get up to the hospital until 7!

When I got to the hospital they checked my cervix first...and thank the Lord...I hadn't dilated any further, however, I was 30-40% effaced. The nurse thought she felt my bag of water bulging from my cervix...so she had another nurse come in and check me. The second nurse felt something odd too...but wasn't convinced it was my bag of water. I was hooked up to monitors to track contractions and Annslie's heartrate. Annslie looked great! However, we soon found out that I was having contractions 1-2 minutes apart and lasting for 1 minute! Many of my contractions were peaking pretty high. Definitely a diagnosis of preterm labor. I am happy to report though...that I used breathing techniques through many of the hard contractions...and managed to make it through them! My doctor decided to give me a shot of Demmorall w/Phenergan to try and bring the contractions down...and also help with the pain. Unfortunately, the contractions kept on coming in the same pattern. SO...the dreaded Breathine was brought out! :( I just have to mention that this medication makes you feel HORRIBLE. Really shaky, heart racing...etc. I had a dose...and within about 15 minutes my contractions were only lasting 20 seconds and weren't as intense. However, I was still having them 1-2 minutes apart. The nurse checked me again, and luckily...I was still at the same dilation...but it appeared that my cervix had thinned out even further.

I was sent home and had to go in today for a cervical ultrasound to make sure my cervix hadn't shortened any. Unfortunately, it has. Ideally they would like your cervix to be between 3-5 cm. Mine was 2.92. LUCKILY it wasn't too short. I am waiting on one more test tomorrow before we know where we go from here. Adam and I are prepared for strict bedrest...but are still trying to figure out the details! Bedrest is a completely different story when you already have a kiddo!

On a positive note...Annslie weighs 3lbs 4 oz. :) She looks VERY healthy. Now...we just need to keep her cooking for ATLEAST 4 1/2 more weeks!

Thank you for all the prayers! I am still having really strong contractions that I am timing at 6-7 minutes apart (however...its apparent that I am not feeling all of them!) and just that process is exhausting and painful. All completely worth it for the end result!