By week three of bedrest I fully expected to have settled into our new normal. I've had some anxiety brought on by too much Google and time to overthink, but was feeling calm for our weekly doctor appointment Wednesday. Little did I know we were about to have another eventful week. Dr D started by measuring the babies. Grayson 2lbs and Hallie 1.11lbs...growing so fast! The second half of the exam is the nerve racking part; to see how my cervix is holding up. Unfortunately, my cervix shortened again, this time down to the stitch. Dr. D measured it about 2.1cm which concerned him a great deal. He felt I needed to go the hospital to monitor signs of labor. He wasn't sure if we should go to Harris Methodist or stay in Mansfield. Harris has a level 3 NICU for the extremely premature babies born prior to 30 weeks and is an excellent hospital with an excellent staff. I was 24+4 which was his main concern.... Much too early for their arrival. Dr D was concerned I was going to go into labor within the next two weeks based on his opinion of my cervix, but wanted Dr. Trimmer to do an exam as that is his area if expertise. He has consulted with Dr Taber and Trimmer regularly. After speaking with Dr. Taber who would deliver the babies at Harris and is the top perinatalogist in Ft Worth, he decided to keep me in Mansfield since I was not showing signs of labor. RELIEF. Both Aaron and I stayed calm as I was wheeled from the office over to the hospital although I was shaky like I get when we get unsettling news. I still felt, regardless of Dr. D's concerns that we WILL make 30 weeks or more. Keeping the faith, believing and trusting.
Fortunately, my hospital stay was brief this go round. I was given a round of steroids that will help develop the baby's lungs if they make their entrance in the next two weeks. Dr. Trimmer visited late Wednesday afternoon and gave us a lot of hope. He felt we have a great chance of going the distance (32-36) weeks as long as I don't start to labor. The cerclage is holding in place well. Based on my incompetent cervix he didn't expect my cervix to stay at 4.5cm after surgery. He said it just proved that it's doing it's job and we needed it to do... Holding the babies in place. He said I could head back home and keep cooking!
Thursday, after round two of my steroids I was discharged for home. Dr. D now prefers I see the specialists on Trimmer's team during this crucial time so that we are consistent in who is seeing and measuring me weekly. I'll see him for glucose testing in a couple of weeks.
It's always nice to come back home to my furry kids and my bed. I had a few scares shortly after coming home (lower back pain and fluid leaking). Both made me very nervous as I now know the signs of pre-term labor, but was told to observe and relax unless I started contracting consistently or my issues worsened. Thankfully, they did not! Aaron moved our guest bed into the living room so I could be more comfortable while in the living room. I get very sore from laying down so much so the bed was a welcomed change. We are continually blessed by our friends and family who are helping with cooking, cleaning and loving on us. We have had daily visitors to keep us company and keep my mind from going where it doesn't need to go. Today Aaron's cousin Elizabeth is coming from Sachsy. It will great to see her sweet face. The Supper Sisters are coming Monday and Tracy has been spending the night with me Mondays and staying during the day Tuesdays to help Aaron take care of me. She is an awesome nurse!
I can't forget my weekly milestone... I turned 25 weeks this weekend!! 5 more weeks and we will be out of the 20ies! Each week is so important and with each new week the babies survival rate increases and risk for major complications decreases. Aaron and I will breath a huge sigh of relief when we hit the 30ies!
In other exciting news, Erika delivered baby Jack on Friday! It was very unexpected as she wasn't due until mid September, but her and baby are both doing great. He was born yesterday at 2lbs and 14oz and is as beautiful as can be.
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