Now that I can see and think clearly I thought I'd document this past week.
There are many things in our lives that happen for a reason and guide us on the path we, and the ones we love, and are meant to love, are supposed to be on. When we first made the appointment for an ultrasound on Monday May 16th, it was done because it was the only day that my schedule at HyVee worked with Tony's schedule that week. We had originally wanted to do it on Friday May 20th, a day that would have been 3 weeks from our last appointment. That might have been disastrous as I started having contractions on Friday night May 13th and to have waited 7 days after that with a cervix that went from 3 cm to 0.7 cm in 2 days. . . I don't even want to think about it. Friday the 13th...
Monday was our nineteen week detailed ultrasound and I was going to push it back later in the week because Tony's flight got held on the runway in Baltimore for 4 hours because of a storm in St. Louis, the airport he was supposed to connect in to get to Omaha. Tony encouraged me to keep my regular appointment as I had been in the hospital Friday night, May 13th, and on bed rest for the weekend. Turns out it was a good thing I went in as scheduled as right after the ultrasound was completed. My doctor sent me directly to the hospital to be admitted. My mom drove me to that appointment so my car, my lunch for that day and everything was still at home ready for me to start another work week as usual - instead, I was admitted to the hospital.
Monday at the hospital
I was checked by the doctor soon after I was admitted and was told I would be on bed rest and scheduled for the cerclage, the procedure to extend my cervix and keep it shut, the next day. I was able to go to the bathroom on my own, otherwise I stayed in bed. Tony arrived early in the afternoon from Omaha.
Tuesday at the hospital
I started having frequent contractions around 5 AM with no signs of slowing down. When the doctor rounded that morning he explained that having surgery today would be too risky as the surgery could make the contractions worse, or the contractions would cause the stitches not to hold putting me at risk for a cervical tear. The doctor was very calming and confident in his explanations and took the time to answer questions Tony and I had.
I was then put on a 4 gram dose loading dose of magnesium sulfate and then on a continuous infusion at 2 grams per hour. However, the dose needed to be raised to 3 grams per hour because 2 grams an hour did not do enough.
I should have know this medication was serious stuff as there were 3 nurses in my room when it was started and my vitals were checked at least every four hours. I was also told that I could no longer get out of bed and was taught all about the bed pan. Dr. Hwang knew I was worried about work and he gently reminded me that it would be a struggle to get to week 28 now and that I would be on bed rest from now on. I tolerated the magnesium sulfate fairly well. The worst side effect was the facial flushing and all over hotness. Although the temperature in my room was 65 degrees and I had ice packs on my face at all times and asked for a fan to help keep me cool.
Wednesday at the hospital
Things started to get bad at midnight into Wednesday morning. While you can sleep at the hospital, there is something that seems to be done every 2 hours. Tony was next to me as I was pretty out of it but knew I was getting sick. I threw up at almost exactly midnight and then again around 9 AM. I thought most of the nausea was because they had to switch my GERD medication and I was having awful reflux. Turns out it was more than that. When the nurse came in around 7 AM she knew something wasn't right as I had declined fairly quickly and ordered a stat mag level. I could no longer urinate on my own and was catheterized, and when I could open my eyes my vision was blurred and double at times. Apparently between 7 and 9 my vitals were taken and reflexes were tested and were terrible but I don't remember any of this.
The babies were drugged as well and their heartbeats were in the low 100's. I remember trying to get my eyes open so I could see the doctor when he came in around 10. He ordered my magnesium to be shut off and went to see if he could get my surgery scheduled ASAP as my contractions were currently ranging from 0-3 per hour. The nurse came in to tell my mom and I that we would be heading to surgery in 30 minutes. At this point I was feeling better as the mag was not at a toxic range anymore. I was put into the surgery waiting area and waited longer than anticipated as there was a C-Section still being finished and the anesthesiologist was needed for 2 other women in labor.
Finally, it was my turn. I was brought into the OR and my back was injected six times with a numbing agent so I couldn't feel anything from my waist down. My legs were then put into stirrups high in the air and my head was tilted towards the floor. My body was numb but I could still feel some of what was going on. I could feel the stitches as they were tightened and I felt a lot of pressure.
After I was out of recovery the mag was started again but at 2 grams this time. I did ok the rest of the day and had to wait till Thursday morning to find out the results. I wasn't allowed to sit up in bed so my mom fed me my dinner. Tony in the mean time is a wreck and I wished that I could have done something to ease his pain. I'm sure it wasn't easy watching his four girls going through all this and not being able to help.
People would ask me how I was or tell me how strong I was. Really I didn't think about myself through any of this. I have three girls that I am doing this for.
The medications I took today:
Protonix (pantoprazole) eventually changed to Prevacid (lansoprazole) - a proton pump inhibitor used for acidic conditions such as GERD
(Note:Prilosec (The Purple Pill) is not a good choice for pregnancy)
Pepcid (famotidine) - an H2 blocker, also used to help with acidic conditions, were standard of care before the proton pump inhibitors came along
Zofran (ondansetron) - a powerful antiemetic, used to help my nausea
Mag Sulfate - see previous blog
Cleocin - (clindamycin) - an antibiotic used to prevent infection
Zithromax - (azithromycin) - an antibiotic used to prevent infection
Lactated Ringers - a mixture of fluid used to replenish burn victims usually, however, very useful when someone is dehydrated
Folic Acid - vitamin B9 - important vitamin for pregnant women to help insure proper brain development
Colace - stool softener as Mag Sulfate is very constipating
Milk of Magnesia - used to try to help settle the stomach
Sometime today I learned that I was dilated that baby A's membranes were on their way out. The doctor was able to push everything back in without anything rupturing before he stitched me closed.
Thursday at the hospital
I had a vaginal ultrasound to determine my cervical length and how well the surgery worked. I saw immediately on the monitor that the results were good and started to cry. I went from 0.7 to 3.2! The doctor came in later and I was warned that I still had a long road ahead. He said it would still be a challenge to get to 28 weeks and I would remain on bed rest. I remained full bed rest but was able to decrease the magnesium to 1 gram, and was told that I would have to have a bowel movement today one way or another. I was finally able to use the bedpan successfully and really grossed out. I told the nurse I didn't know how she could do it but I appreciated her help. I was still seeing double so spent most of the day just laying in bed resting. The babies heartbeats increased today and I could feel them move again.
Friday at the hospital
I became a free woman today. The magnesium was shut off, my IV was taken out, my catheter was taken out, and I was allowed to get out of bed. The doctor wanted to make sure that getting up and moving doesn't change my cervical length so I will stay the night tonight and have another ultrasound in the AM. If there are no changes I will get to to home!!! Today I have gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom and I took a real shower. I didn't want the shower to end but knew I shouldn't stay out of bed too long. Tonight Tony and I are are having movie night and going to watch, somewhat appropriately,
Little Fockers, a story about a male nurse, his wife and their twins.
General comments
Tony- I know it isn't easy sleeping in a hospital and I really appreciate you staying with me each night!
To all the wonderful nurses and PCT's. Thank you so much for getting me through this tough time and for the great care you have given me.
To everyone who sent well wishes and included us in your prayers - thank you! God definitely had a hand in our recovery and the encouragements helped me stay strong.
To my family - thank you for visiting and helping get our house ready as I get ready to come back home.
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| Gracie posing, ready to get to cleanin' (then finds Netflix more entertaining) smart cookie, she knows how to work Netflix on the Wii and she's 5. Geez! |
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| Gracie workin' so hard it's a blur (that's a mop, not a quarterstaff, though she wields it like one) |
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The Midwest Support Team
Mickenzie- Happy graduation! I'm so sorry I won't be there to watch you walk across the stage. |
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| Hoping Mindy will graduate from the Hospital! |
Nic and Diana- We were looking forward to our trip to see you this weekend. Guess this means you'll have to come up soon. Tony said we could watch the game and get all decked out in our Cards gear and pretend we are at the game.
