I was admitted to the hospital

I was going to write a “Dear Santa” letter, but didn’t get time.  I was going to write about all the things I wanted.. like, not to have a blue toilet (see funny story below), to finish all my to do list that I prepared for Christmas break with items like finish the babies room (although I’m close), update the registry, mail lagging Christmas packages, etc.  However, at the drop of a dime life brings on situations that become much MORE important. Its funny how one moment you can be singing and playing background dancer while you and your family karoeke together and the next moment you are sitting at the dreary hospital admitting desk getting ready to go in. It teaches you even more to treasure every moment, the good is good, the better is better, but the worst can always be worse, so ALWAYS count your blessings for every moment placed upon you.

Lots happened today at my second sonogram (12/28/11)- 31 weeks and 5 days, 167.5 lbs.

I found out that I have low amniotic sac fluid (known as oligohydramnios), the baby is currently breeched, and the current weight is 4lbs, 2 ounces. They also could not reconfirm the sex of the baby or tell the current length, because he was folded in half?

I have a follow up appointment tomorrow 12-29 at 150pm to see my doctor and get her recommendations on what to do.  I’m worried of course, my fluid is currently measuring 1.5cm and normal but still considered low is 5cm-20cm. Since Christmas Eve I had been feeling a little weak, the mountain cedar kicked in here in town. Prior to my 2:30pm ultrasound, I slept all morning…woke up briefly to eat, but silly me felt so weak, I only ate one piece of cake and drank one mini bottle of water, because I wanted to go back and rest before I needed to be ready for the appointment. This behavior is very unlikely for me, only drinking a small bit of water, not eating, and not being active in the morning? I’m not sure this has much to do with the low fluids, but it could have to do with me becoming dehydrated.

At my appointment, Dr. Gutierrez decided it was best to admit me into the hospital to help rehydrate myself and give some strength to our baby boy. She said most likely the baby will be delivered early as well. And, he may not be able to turn from being breeched if he doesn’t gain enough fluids.

So, to the hospital I went. Went home packed a quick bag, and we were off. It was packing like usual for a one day outing, but sure did not feel like a vacation, I felt dreary and really scared to be going. But, I knew I had to do what was best for our little boy. I've been taught to bring out the positive in every situation; but when it comes to your unborn baby being in distress and me feeling/knowing I am the cause, there is really not much positive to find in the situation. I just want him to have everything, and I obviously am lacking. But I kept my head up and with the support and strength of my family and friends and most of all my loving husband, I managed to make it into the hospital, get dressed in the gown, get my IV plugged in and start the 24 hour wait. Chris had his first day at his new job the day to follow, and that still did not stop him from staying the night and being there for me as long as he could. He also enjoyed the double meat/ double cheese burgers that the cafeteria had to offer. I must of traveled to the bathroom over eight times throughout the course of the night, and even though I think I perfected the art of rolling the IV tree in and out of the bathroom, Chris was right behind me every time. I love him! And, thanks Delia, Jacob and Tina for making it out to the hospital, it was very encouraging to see familiar faces. And, of course my mom and dad, stayed for about three hours on Wednesday and my mom came back to spend a long lunch with me on Thursday. She brought in- my favorite sweet tea from Chick Fil A- gotta love them!

So, At 2am, Steven, the not so talkative, tall, thin, gray haired ultrasound tech came it to administer the oh so awaited ultrasound. Did not expect to see him so early, but was glad to get an answer sooner rather than later. So, his questions began, when was your last menstrual period? Me: thinking, really, its 2am! But, they must follow procedure. Then came the cold liquid jelly squirt on the tummy, and the pushing of the wand in different areas of the tummy. Mind you, Steven remind mute throughout the procedure. Until, I finally started to ask, WELL, what does it look like? He then said well its 1.8 and I’m thinking what? Then, he said its 4.3? And, I’m like what? 1.8 or 4.3. He continued, its 4.3. Me, is he breeched, Steven, “yes, very breeched”. Gee thanks what the heck does that mean? Steven exited the room, then the nurse came in to adjust the baby heart rate monitor (which stayed strapped to me about 15 of my 24 hour visit. She then gave me a recap of Steven’s visit. She said, did you understand what he said, me: well partially considering it felt like he only said five words. She continues, the rate is up, however it could be that the fluid was there all along and it wasn’t found in the earlier ultrasound because of the babies position. Interesting, I thought, but the best thing was that at least it did not go down from the 1.5, I’ll take the 4.3! So, I feel back to sleep.

Dr. Gutierrez came in at 9am to give us her diagnosis. She said it was good news that the fluids are up rather than down. She will start to see me twice a week, next appointment on Tuesday. And, I could be released after my second dose of steroids at 6pm that evening (which they are giving me in order to make the baby stronger in case I have to deliver early. She said they want to keep him in as long as they can, but her goal is to get us to 37 weeks, because then it will be a non premature birth, but they are going to continue to monitor and it could be as early as 34-35 weeks. She said at this point, anything can happen. Its’ all up to how much fluid is gained. So, I will continue to follow orders and pray that fluids increase! She also said I need to monitor the baby movements if they become less than usual, I need to call.  However, I did tell her my more recent visits, that he really hadn’t had much movement throughout the pregnancy. I still have not had huge jabs or flips. I feel the little butterfly flutters and mini punches, but nothing too crazy. I’m still bummed that the fluids are so low, but I have to think about the positive. The low fluids were caught before they were non-existent, the amount of fluids is increasing, the heartbeat is strong, I'm in my 32nd week (could have been much earlier), and he weighs 4.2lbs.

I learned a lot through my very first overnight hospital visit. I learned that steriod shots hurt (there not quite the same as the ones you get when your sick), having an IV stuck to me made me feel very sick and immobile though I really was not that bad. They need to invent something for the wheels on the IV trees, I mean I've been to the bathroom easily over 25 times in my stay here. Maybe they should make remote control wheels. Honestly, the TV has a remote the bed has a remote, the nurse has a remote call button, now we just need another gadget to add to the bed, An IV remote. Kind of like a remote control car, but a remote control IV tree! I also enjoyed the flexi straws and yes, I'm taking some home with me. It was very nice to be catered to by the nurses makes me get a feel of what to expect for the actual birth.

I also learned to pack a bag as early as 29 weeks, and apparently sleeping on your side this far in pregnancy is recommended, if I had been reading the weekly updates I would know this.  I also learned that its EXTREMELY important to remain hydrated throughout your entire pregnancy, no matter how much you have to pee or how tired you are to fill up that water bottle! Especially before ultrasounds and OB visits, but always always is key!

On some more positive, funnier notes:
Interesting thing I also discovered, last week (12.23.11) that my pregnancy hormones are causing the toilet seat to turn blue! Yes, blue! My pregnancy hormones are so wacked out, that my skin does not react well to porcelain (like toilet seats!)- my skin plus porcelain = blue. So, coincidentallly our toilet seats are dyed blue.. and I was blaming it on Chris, but it was me! (I know TMI, but it is actually pretty hilarious) So now I'm on restriction and cannot use the guest bathroom because then it will turn blue and look odd!
We had a great Christmas this year, Lincoln received LOTS of presents and he is not even here yet! He now has a Cubs bib from Grandma and Grandpa Herrberg, another pair of knitted shoes and even the matching gloves from Tia Mary Alice, some cool looking plaid shoes and outfit from Erika, Pepper, and Emme, a Rudolph plush doll and two polo outfits from Evette and David, and some cool new books from Grandpa Jesse and Grandma Helen.  He is one happy kid and he’s not even here yet.

And, last but not least this Runcrazedpreggo is retired for now, until next birth will the runcrazedpreggo moments continue.  I am grateful to have lots of run moments to report and to have made it as far as I did with running. But most important always is the health of my boy. Your thoughts, encouragement, and prayers are encouraged and we thank you for all the support.