Tis the Season to be Holly, Jolly, and Bedridden

My doctor decided to give me a Christmas gift today – it wasn’t a fancy package by any means, and it was dropped in my lap with a thud.  She gave me bed-rest, and she didn’t even try to pretty up the news with any sort of festive embellishment.  I’d rather have been given coal in my stocking, thankyouverymuch.  So what happened?  I’ll tell you……

I had my ultrasound this morning, which admittedly I was nervous about after the last ultrasound two weeks ago and the fact that I’ve been extremely uncomfortable and haven’t gotten much sleep the last two nights.  But much to my surprise my cervical length actually increased again – above 3.5.  Just as I had gotten my hopes up and breathed a huge side of relief and was ready to pat my back over being such a good girl and taking it easy, I saw Pat’s face fall (she’s my ultrasound tech).  She’s such an optimistic lady and is always looking at the bright side of everything so I’ve never seen that look on her face.  When pressure was applied to my abdomen, the cervical length dropped down to 1.7 (HUGE decrease – remember two weeks ago it dropped from 2.9 to 2.6 with pressure) and this time there was …. dum dum dum….. funneling.  (Cue the horrific screams).  What is funneling?  In really generic terms, it’s basically when the cervix takes the shape of a tornado (funnel cloud).  This is a sign of premature labor, and doctors get much more alarmed about funneling than they do cervical length.   Had my cervical length decreased when pressure was applied and there was still no funneling, I’m guessing I wouldn’t be on bed-rest right now. 

My doctor was all business today.  I had a whole slew of questions I was going to ask her about a variety of things, but I didn’t even get to the list.  Dr. said I was to go Labor & Delivery to be monitored for contractions and to get a steroid shot.  When she said I was to be on bed-rest effective immediately, I asked if it was possible to work shorter work days or to work from home, and she said I wasn’t too work at all.  I could get up to go to the bathroom, take a shower, sit at the dinner table for meals, and am allowed “minor Christmas activity”.  That’s it.  Geesh, if that’s limited bed-rest what is the full-fledged bed-rest – sponge baths and a bed pan?  EEEEEK! 

So I went to Labor & Delivery (got choked up walking past Adalynn’s old hospital room in the NICU) and got hooked up to the monitor for an hour.  Thankfully, I wasn’t having any contractions so I wasn’t expected to stay at the hospital.  Whew.  They gave me a steroid shot in the rear, and I go back tomorrow for another.  That’s not a pleasant experience, but it’s to help Lil Mac’s lungs develop and function sooner should he come along in the near future.  (In general, boys don’t always fare as well as girls when born prematurely and take a bit longer to “learn” how to breathe on their own).  The good news is that when Pat took a look at him on the ultrasound, she noticed that his chest was rising and falling, which is a sign of lung development so he was making progress in the right direction even before the shot.  He’s also head-down and doesn’t have the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck or anything else out of the ordinary; so if he does decide to take a nosedive like big sis, he’s in good position.  He’s at a good weight (2 pounds 13 ounces) which puts him in the 58^th percentile so they view that as a positive note too.  And aside from all that, Pat also pointed out that he has a head of hair, which explains the terrible heartburn.   Anyway, I go back on Tuesday for a stress test and then again next Friday bright and early in the morning for yet another ultrasound.  (Apparently I’m still allowed to leave the house as long as I am at the hospital).

I know it’s that time of year to spread good cheer, but right now I am in the bah-humbug-corner with Scrooge McDuck.  (Thanks to my darling daughter, I know the Mickey Christmas Carol characters way too well).  Starting tonight, I won’t even get to sleep in my own bed.   Our bedroom is downstairs, and I shouldn’t be taking the stairs too much so the more I limit the trips up and down to our room, the better.  Admittedly, this may be a good thing because I haven’t been able to get comfortable anyway, and I’m sure I’m driving poor Eddie crazy.  We’re also tossing around the idea of getting a laptop because, again, our computer is downstairs so that limits my internet activity.  Let’s face it;  I can only watch so much TV or read so many books before I  will have to journal from time to time and read pointless Yahoo stories.   I’m hoping we can work out some way of me being able to do some computer work from home because I know I will be stir crazy, and I feel incredibly guilty for not having anything prepared and ready to go for my coworkers should this have happened.  As long as my feet are elevated while I’m on the computer and at home, I’m not breaking any rules so I’m keeping my fingers crossed we can work something out.  I also feel bad because my husband is now currently out doing all my errands that I can no longer do.  I feel as if I’m indebted to everyone for picking up all my slack until this is over.

But the fact of the matter is, in order to take care of Lil Mac and be a good mom to the little guy I must do what the doctor says.  Every day that goes by while he’s still in the womb, he has more chance of having good eyesight, being able to breathe, and avoiding the heart surgery that Adalynn had.  So while I’m grumpy at the moment, I am well aware that I’m doing the right thing as I sit around and twiddle my thumbs. 

Here’s hoping you all have a Merry Christmas!  While it’s a hectic time of year, be appreciative of the fact that you can get around to accomplish what you need to.  Have a wonderful time with your family and friends, and remember the true reason for the season.  (I’ll take my own advice and dwell on that last part, and I’m sure my spirits will pick up soon).  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Awwwww.....I think he looks like Eddie's side of the fam in this photo

Apparently it takes a mother's love to view this photo correctly.  While I think he looks like my side of the family here, others think he looks like a cat or a bunny.  Sigh.  Try to focus on those adorable chubby cheeks, people!