I had this great blog forming in my head this past week. It was titled "Home" and talked about how I was DONE traveling for at least 3 months - how this would be the longest time I would be at home in at least 6 years - how much I was looking forward to just being at home nesting, being with Tony, getting the nursery ready - you get the picture.
Well, my travel pattern in the past 8 months has pretty much been travel a week and home a week - gone every other week. And that's about as long as I made it this time - almost a week.
My water broke a few days ago - Friday morning at 9am and now I find myself in a lovely hospital room at the U of U hospital. In a nutshell, I am 32 weeks along (out of 40) - I guess 30 weeks is a good marker to pass, but we're still definitely in the preemie stage.
What I didn't know is they can try to keep the baby inside the mom for weeks before it's born. And that's what they are doing with me.
So here's what happened. Like I said, my water broke. I was sitting at my desk at home, talking to my boss on the phone and suddenly a gush of liquid comes out of me and I think, "am I peeing my pants?" I knew I wasn't, but I couldn't figure it out for a bit. I yell for Tony to bring me a towel and it keeps gushing. It was really quite weird.
So Tony packs up some things for me and we head to SL Regional Hospital. I'm there for a few minutes (long enough for Janelle to take, oh, 50 pictures or so) and they transfer me by ambulance to the U because I'm so early and they have better facilities here (which really are amazing!).
The first day I was hooked up to a bunch of wires for 24 hours monitoring to see whether I would go into labor or whether I would develop an infection. Little baby Smart did great - great vital signs, lots of movement, he's head down which is good since he doesn't have a soft amniotic sack to help him move as easily. I'm doing great too - in spite of being poked and prodded.
We've now past the 48 hour mark. They are giving me steroids to stimulate the baby's lung development - which is the biggest concern right now. And they are hoping I can stay in this holding pattern for 2 weeks until the baby is at 34 weeks at which time they will induce me.
The amazing thing is I haven't had even one second of panic or fear. Even when my water broke. I feel completely at peace and am very calm. Tony and Uncle Keith gave me a Priesthood blessing which was very comforting as well. I feel like we are blessed and considering the circumstances, are in the best possible situation - both in terms of how my body, how our baby's body is reacting and the amazing level of care that the hospital and staff are giving us.
I do feel totally unprepared for the birth and our baby though. Our birthing class is scheduled for August 21st so I'm hoping to google some on-line birth classes. Any advice from anyone?
Mom and dad are flying out in a few days to help Tony shop and get the nursery ready. We don't have a mattress for the crib, bedding, diapers, car seat - all the necessities, but thank goodness for wi-fi and on-line shopping!
As always, Tony's been amazing. I tear up when I think of how good he is to me and how lucky I am to be with him. Yesterday I told him that I'm glad he's still alive. When he had a puzzled look on his face, I reminded him that he fainted several months ago when we were both sick with the flu and when I couldn't revive him, I had the thought, I finally get married at 42, he knocks me up and now I'm going to be a single mother. So yes, (it's an understatement), but I'm glad he's still alive.
I'm on complete bed rest with bathroom privileges which is a bit of a drag, but I have a lot of work to do to keep me busy and Tony takes me on wheelchair dates down to the lobby, to the parking lot to see the sun and get some fresh air, and just cruising the hospital.
Thanks for all the notes of support and for your prayers. They are much needed and appreciated!
Love to all,
Tony, Natalie and our little Smart baby
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