26 Weeks Along: 10 Weeks of Bed Rest

We are now 26 weeks which is awesome!  It has been just over 3.5 weeks since we were admitted to Sanford.  Certain days are longer than others but when looking at the big picture time has gone fast and we continue to strive to give this baby a fighting chance at life.  We have had some small scares or hiccups along the way where we have been bleeding and lost large amounts of fluid.  We have been below 1 cm at one time due to this.  But so far after each hiccup we have been able to hold off for a few days before another one occurs.  We usually are lower in fluid obviously when this happens but some how we keep regaining some of it back.  As our doctor says - you have to be maintaining some fluid in order to keep losing fluid so we will take it. 

We have done a few white blood count tests and to everyone's surprise they still continue to go down.  I was in the 8's which is awesome. This week I also took my glucose test.  I passed with flying colors which probably does not come to a surprise to most of you considering how much I enjoy sweets and how normal it is for my body to process them!  We also went ahead and did our second round of steroid shots.  I have now received all of those and they will not give anymore.  The reason we did the two dose series again is because there is not enough evidence to show how productive they would have been at 23 weeks when we did them first and they know that they will help if they can after 24 weeks. 

We had another growth ultrasound today.  These are always something to look forward to because it is exciting to see how big our baby is.  Baby is still in the 68% range and weighs 2 lbs 4 oz!  We were thrilled.  Everything still measures as though I am a week ahead and anatomy all looks great.  They are starting to think that maybe both feet are clubbed or turned inward now.  Could just be the way the baby is positioned but we won't know for sure until delivery.  Once again this is very fixable especially if it is being caused by our low fluid amounts.  We had just under 2 cm  of fluid which Dr. Boyle seemed okay with.  He keeps saying that as long as the baby has some fluid it is a positive.  The fluid is not as crucial now as it was between 17-23 weeks when the lungs are trying to develop so it is better to have lower amounts now than what it was then. 

We want to thank everyone that has been in contact with us, visited, sent cards or things for me to occupy my time.  We appreciate your continued prayers as we continue to put our trust in God and be witnesses for Him during this process.  Andrew is now into crop dusting season which takes its toll normally and is going to be even more stressful this year.  We obviously do not know what God's timing holds but we know that if things continue as they are we will not be seeing very much of each other during the next few weeks because of the long hours spray season involves.  Please pray that he can accomplish a lot at work but also for safe travels back and forth as well and if he would need to get up here quickly when things start to happen.  Our other prayer request would continue to be time.  We are hoping to get to a point where the only big thing we need to worry about at delivery will be the baby's lungs.  We would love to have minimal worries concerning bleeding on the brain, eyes not developed, and size/weight.  This improves every day but if we could make it to the 28 week point doctors would be very pleased.

(To Makinley) We are getting to spend lots of time together baby girl.  I love listening to you during our monitor sessions.  You scare me sometimes when you heart rate drops.  I am sure you are just moving positions but it still makes my heart skip a beat.  I hope you continue to stay head down.  Most importantly we want you to have an easy delivery but mommy has hopes of a natural delivery so try your best to stay the way you are.  I love to feel you kick around inside of me.  You definitely have "awake times" and you don't like to be monitored but we know it is important to make sure you are happy.  Mommy got to see you suck your thumb during an ultrasound this week.  It was so cute to see some detail in your face.  This is a rare occurrence since our pictures aren't as great due to low fluid levels.  We love you soo much!!

Taking Pleasure in the Small Things

Taking pleasure in the small things is something I have become very accustomed to lately.  Bed rest is just a reminder to never take anything for granted.  Here are a few examples from the last week in the hospital....

1. We got to change rooms!  Although this may seem minor it was a big deal to Andrew and I.  We were able to pick a room that was more spacious, had two large windows instead of one, a better view, and most importantly a better thermostat.  The first room we were in was always really warm.  We would leave the door open just to get air circulation which also allowed all of the hallway noise into the room.  Now we can turn the temperature cooler and get a way better sleep at night.  My view is now WAY better.  Before I got to look at boilers on the roof and now I can watch helicopters come and go, view people who are walking through the sky walk, and see cars in the parking ramp.  Seems simple but at least it is better than what we had before.  Here are a few pictures of my new "home" for an undetermined amount of time..... 



"My Couch" - this is where I spend a majority of my day.
I watch TV, eat my meals, and get monitored here.







"My Bed" - we kept the couch flipped

into a bed because it slept better.






 





 





        

This is my view of helicopters & the skywalk



 



Other side of my room - note my "closet" of a suitcase and
the super small TV I had to watch for eight weeks.



 



2. Wheelchair rides - it is a love/hate relationship.  Doctors do not want me to walk a lot which may cause me to go into labor quicker so therefore if I want to go anywhere besides my room - I have to be wheeled around.  Andrew took me outside and around the hospital today to give me some fresh air and new scenery.  I love the rides but I hate the stares from random people.  I will never again look at someone in a wheelchair the same way.  Not that I ever judged them for their position but now I know what it feels like even when people are trying to be nice or subtle.



3.  Haircuts - I want so say a big thank you to my friend's sister Michelle.  You made my night by giving me a simple haircut.  When I started bed rest I thought it would only last a few days maybe a couple weeks so I didn't worry about my hair.  When we kept making it farther I had planned to get a haircut before being admitted to the hospital but then that changed with our emergency room visit and being admitted by ambulance.  After two weeks in the hospital I really didn't think I would be getting a haircut anytime soon.  But that is when my friends stepped up.  THANK YOU for making me feel "normal" again and for creating a makeshift salon in my hospital room.

 



4.  Chiropractors - Don't take for granted that you can visit them when needed.  I am someone who relies heavily on my chiropractor to keep my back adjusted and me pain free.  Once again that luxury is gone when you start on bed rest in a hospital.  But....I have an amazing chiropractor....Trent & Kara are not only in the business but they have become great friends.  THANK YOU for visiting me on your personal vacation and for being so kind as to adjust me in a hospital room as well.

 5.  Cinnamon Rolls - Since I am staying in a hospital the main source of my food is the hospital cafeteria.  Most people get by with hospital food because they know they only have to have it for a few short days during their visit.  I have been at the hospital now for 2.5 weeks and I keep ordering the same things because that is all that I like on the menu.  This week, after talking with my cleaning ladies,  I learned there are many things that are "good" to eat that are not on the menu.  I was quickly informed to order cinnamon rolls.  What a TREAT!  I finally felt like I was eating some food that didn't belong in a hospital.  I thought I would include a picture of my makeshift pantry.  I have to have some goodies on hand :)







6. Take Out - I appreciate restaurants that offer take out meals.  When Andrew and I are at the hospital we try to pick up food from somewhere else for supper.  We order from the room, he kindly leaves to go pick it up, and then we eat it in the room.  It is so nice to have a change of flavor in my diet.  This baby has made me crave a lot of BBQ Ribs for a while.  So we tend to order a lot of Outback & Applebees!









24+ Weeks Along: Week 8 of Bed Rest

We have made it past 24 weeks!  Thanks be to our heavenly Father for watching over all three of us during this entire process and allowing us to still be in a "waiting" position. Thankfully we have had an uneventful week since we updated you last week.  My parents were up over the weekend and Andrew and I were able to enjoy the fireworks from the 4th level parking ramp on Monday night.  Andrew did go back to work this week and the plan is that he will continue to work as long as we are stable and return to Sioux Falls some nights to spend time with me. 

Dad & Mom came to visit for a few days over the holiday weekend.

Below is a picture from the 4th of July Fireworks.

We joined a few other families on the Sanford Hospital roof to see (couldn't really hear them)

the firework display at the fairgrounds.  The nurses were so kind to make popcorn for us too.





We had an ultrasound and white blood count early in the week.  Surprisingly we had 4.3 cm of fluid at that point and my blood count was in the 11's. Both great numbers for us since that is the highest fluid level we had since 16 weeks and a normal pregnant woman usually isn't in the 11 range for blood count.  Dr. Boyle informed us that they don't start to get alarmed with a white blood count until it is 18 or 19 which is higher than what we were thinking originally so they will continue to watch mine twice a week.

  

We also want to update you on our ultrasound today.  If we were not in the hospital we would have had another appointment in Sioux Falls today so this was another big ultrasound with growth measurements.  Our baby is currently 1 lb 10 oz.  This is great to hear and the tech said that is in the 68 percentile for babies at this stage.  Our fluid level was down to 2.6 cm today which I don't think we were expecting since we haven't been losing a lot of fluid this week.  On the flip side, at the beginning of the ultrasound our baby had a large pocket of fluid by its mouth and when the tech went to measure fluid levels the second time that pocket was gone.  Baby had swallowed the pocket and we could see that its stomach was now larger and its bladder was full.  So that does give hope that baby is getting to swallow some fluid at least.  And the tech's measurement of fluid was the same not including that big pocket the second time.  So fluid levels are fluctuating but we are still above two which our specialist said he would be more than thrilled with for the entire time in our situation.  After our ultrasound we were given a tour of the NICU.  We are confident that no matter what happens God will be working through great nurses and doctors.  It is amazing to see technology at work and the various sizes of babies they are treating.  They currently have 51 babies in the NICU department!  On our tour, I asked out of curiosity what was the smallest baby they have ever had survive....14 oz.  Just a reminder that God is good and He can work miracles.

  

Thank you to all of you who have visited, sent emails, brought care packages, or offered to help with anything we may need.  We greatly appreciate your offers and will let you know if anything arises.  I knew, Lord willing, I would have a hospital stay of some kind so we were prepared with some stuff to keep me occupied while at the hospital. 

  

We ask that you continue to pray for time.  We have set a new goal now of 28 weeks.  This is another month away but it is considered a big milestone for the baby again.  Every day is so important for the baby to grow and develop.  Also we ask for patience and safe travel.  Mentally I know I can sit up here as long as we need to but it is still not the same as waiting at home.  My day begins at 6 am and ends at midnight which makes for a long day when you have to try and keep yourself occupied.  Andrew will be driving back and forth a lot and with crop dusting season right around the corner he will have some long days ahead of him as well. 

  

23 Weeks along: Trip to the Emergency Room

This update is a little late in coming but we have been on quite the roller coaster the last few days. As you know, we had a really good report last Friday and things were looking hopeful that we would be able to stay at home until at least 24 weeks and then take each week at a time after that.  Unfortunately on Tuesday, God had different plans.  He keeps reminding us that we can "think" we know a direction but only He guides it :)  My sister and our friend Tori randomly decided to come and visit from Monday night to Thursday just to help around the house and anything else we needed help with.  We had a good day together until mid Tuesday afternoon when I began to feel my stomach tighten and then release again.  Not frequent, but along with the fact that we had been losing some fluid Monday and Tuesday, we decided to go to Orange City to get it checked out.  Upon arrival things looked okay but as they monitored me they concluded that I was having mild contractions.  Next thing we knew, Andrew and I were riding in an ambulance to be admitted to Sanford.  Tuesday night is kind of a blur since everything was happening quickly, I was hooked to a lot of monitors, and they began giving me fluids & antibiotics.  Luckily, even though they said they stop contractions in less than 20% of women....once again God worked a miracle and by early am hours on Wednesday I had nearly stopped contracting.

Wednesday was spent with a lot of the same monitoring and talking to more doctors.  We were stable enough that Andrew was able to run home and pick up a few things for us that my sister had forgotten in the rush.  He also had to break into our house by drilling out the lock since Dee & Tori accidentally locked the door on their way out.  I think he secretly enjoyed doing it and was amazed at how easy it was to get in.  Thanks to our friends & family in Sioux Falls who allowed them to spend the night on Tuesday & Wednesday.  On Thursday we moved forward with more drugs both to keep contractions stopped or minimal as well as drugs that could potentially help  the baby.  Normally they do not start these until 24 weeks but since baby has always looked good and we stabilized we all decided we may as well do them and give every effort possible.  So I received the first of two steroid shots to help further lung development and a 12 hour dose of magnesium to help strengthen the baby's blood vessels and minimize a brain bleed if I were to deliver in the next few days. This is another reason you didn't get an email yesterday since the drug makes you kind of dizzy and out of it.

Where we are at now:  We wait - we continue to rely on God and pray that HIS will be done.  It is amazing how many times we have been told "no" or less than 5% and God continues to prove everyone wrong.  I am not hooked up to anything at the moment.  They completed the two days of IV antibiotics and will continue five days of oral.  We monitor the baby and contractions three times a day and for an hour each time.  I am also still on an oral drug to help minimize contractions.  We have been told that currently I have a few minor contractions once every few hours or once an hour later in the the evening but for the most part everything they pick up is just considered irritation which they can control for weeks.

Prayers:  We ask that you pray for time. We are currently 23 weeks and 2 days. Each day is so important for this little baby to keep developing.  We are thankful that the drugs have been in my system long enough to at least helped in some way if something were to happen.  We were also welcomed with great news by our ultrasound tech this morning.  We were told on Tuesday night that we had lost all of the fluid around the baby but this morning the tech was able to get a reading of 3.7 cm again.  (The same as we had on Friday at our appt!)  We also were able to see that there was a nice pocket by the baby's mouth, fluid in the stomach which means swallowing, and a full bladder which means its still getting nutrients and producing its own urine/fluid.   This is yet another thing to give praise!  As we move forward please continue to pray for Andrew and I as we may have to face difficult decisions for me and the baby.  As of now we are trusting God's plan and we will continue to leave things in his hands and pray that we make it to 24 weeks or more!

God Bless all of you this 4th of July weekend- thanks for being such a great support system through this entire process for us.  It is a long journey but we are happy to still be traveling on it!

(To Makinley) We are almost there baby girl.  You have almost made it to the 24 week mark that doctors think is the viable stage and that is when they agree to use all means possible to save you.  We have fought for you little one.  We were so frustrated upon arrival at Sanford when they told us if we deliver we should not use any means to try and save your life.  It is not easy trying to convince doctors that you could make it at this stage as well.  A few days are not going to stop us from fighting for you.  We know that God is in control and we are going to let Him determine your outcome if we deliver soon.  We have not based any of our decisions on statistics yet and by no means do we plan to start now. So keep fighting!  Keep proving everyone wrong!  Keep being a witness for God!  Mommy and Daddy are walking along side you!!!

You got your first ambulance ride on Tuesday along with mommy and daddy. Mommy got to watch out the back window the entire way but the gurney was far from comfortable.  Lets make a pact right now to never need an ambulance ride again :)