Bed Rest- 33 Weeks

I knew Bed Rest was coming my way, I just didnt think this soon. I went up to my specialist Thursday morning for my bi-weekly stress test. They also measure the fluid surrounding baby, check baby's heart, my high blood pressure, placenta aging and other issues we are keeping a close eye on. Baby was very active and healthy. Placenta looks the same, not any better but didnt get any worse which is really good news. Baby heart still has a leaky valve and birth weight is still low. Baby Ryan is also breech at this point which most likely wont change. Theres only a 4% chance he flips, but if hes meant to flip he will otherwise C-Section I go. With as much energy little Ryan had they didnt see a reason to do a stress test since they noticed enough kicks during the ultra sound. Due to my high blood pressure doc put me on partial bed rest. He wanted me to lay low more often then normal hoping to allow placenta to nourish and feed baby more effectively.

What's partial bed rest when you have 3 active little boys. I headed home and dived right into Mommy gear, trying to find an equal balance. Shortly after returning home I started experiencing irregular Braxtin Hicks. I figured maybe it was the excessive sitting I did in the car ride up and down and the pressure of baby being jabbed and moved around during ultra sound. My mom took the two younger boys during Tylers school time and I kicked my feet up. After getting Tyler we headed to McDonalds to get their wiggles out. My braxtin hicks became pretty frequent and uncomfortable. We came home and I continued working into our dinner and bedtime routine. We had dinner brought to us last night form my visiting teacher which was really nice and much needed.

Perry had to work late so I preceded to bath the kids and get them ready for bed. Before I knew it I noticed my milk was starting to leak and come in and the Braxtin Hicks all the sudden moved into pretty heavy contractions. I monitored them throughout the evening and they had become consistent every 5-10 minutes. Perry returned home and took over for me while I laid in bed to see if relaxing would help. My two younger boys are not used to Mommy being down and out so after their bath they both came and snuggled with me till bedtime. As much pain as I was in those moments of snuggles were way overdue. I dont think I have ever taken the time to stop during the bedtime rush and just snuggle my clean babes. It was the greatest most warm feeling I have felt in a long time as a Mother. Trevor, bless his heart snuggled right into my tummy and wrapped his tiny arms around my arms and was nestled so tight I didnt want to let him go. He.... just has a way of touching my heart when I need it the most. Spencer's little giggles and energy made me laugh and filled my soul with joy and peace. I love the giggles that come from kids. Its so sweet and innocent.
After kids went to bed I headed up to the hospital to be checked. I figured you can never be to cautious when youre a high risk pregnancy. I needed to humble myself and do what was best for Baby and I. I was hooked up and monitored. The pains and discomfort was indeed contractions like I had suspected. Nurse told me they were pretty Strong ones too. I would have rated them a 4-5. Not so much painful as it was extremely hard to breath through them was my only complaint.

Luckily I have not yet dilated and no sign of pre-term labor at this point. I think we caught it early enough to manage it hopefully. We discovered at the hospital that the more I laid on my left side the less frequent and weaker my contractions became. If I sat up or tried walking around they would arise again fierce and painful. This was confirmation to Doctor and nurses at the hospital that I need to go on complete bed rest or Baby Ryan will make his entrance sooner then we want. I am to stay down in bed and on my side till Christmas Day marking my 37 week. Then its fair game. They are hoping that if I do my part and take bed rest serious that baby will hold off. Still no guarantees specially with all the circumstances baby is facing. We will continue to monitor and do stress test twice a week. If baby and contractions get worse he will have to be delivered. I am extremely nervous for delivery if he doesnt flip. I have never had a C-Section and Im afraid due to the fact that my body doesnt react to the epidural normally. How would I stay numb for delivery? I dont want to miss his entrance into this world, but if I have to be knocked out then i guess thats the nature of the beast. I just dont know what to expect at the time of delivery. I dont know the kind of health he will arrive under or if he will even make it through the process as Docs have mentioned. I would hope I could be awake to experience such an uncertain delivery. Thats my prayer is that we can make it long to be full term, that I will be awake during delivery and of course I woul be able to hold and nurture a healthy strong baby.

This morning we had a good long talk with the 3 boys. We told them Mommy went to the hospital last night and found out baby Ryan wants to come and play sooner then hes allowed to. Doctor told Mommy that she has to lay down and let Ryan take long naps all day long. We explained to the kids that its time for us all to pitch in and help Baby Ryan and Mommy rest. Time do more service for one another and play and act kinder and softer in the house. We need to manage the chaos a little more with Baby Ryan and Mommy in mind. Its been so nice to see the effort the boys and Perry are putting forth to help keep me down. Perry fixed a really yummy breakfast this morning while the kids and our giant puppy snuggled and loved on Mommy. Just the perfect medicine I needed.

I couldn't help but reminisce the days of old. I remember being on Bed Rest with little Spencer right around the time of Trevor's 1st Birthday. CLICK HERE. I remember the struggle it was to stay down, but I remember the moments I cherished snuggling with my two older boys during that time of waiting. I think Heavenly Father finds ways to keep us still and focused on whats important. I am looking forward to this time to ponder and feel the spirit through this peek of uncertainty.