We had thought long and hard about having another child after Alex and felt that we were prepared for anything that could happen. Plus, as doctors had said, the odds were in our favor that we could have a healthy, full-term baby. As 24 weeks drew near I did have concerns but everything checked out. Little did I know or could have ever fathomed that we would be going down another scary road.
On Wednesday, April 12, I decided to get a doctors appointment. I had been having some pressure that I thought was related to potentially having another bacterial infection, which I also had at 22 weeks. My appointment was at 2:45pm - they got ready to swab me and instead completely surprised me by saying that I was dilated. I was wheel chaired up to labor and delivery at Trinity Bettendorf. My doctor came in and checked me and let me know I was dilated to 5 cm.
My heart sank. I was 27 weeks and 2 days. I thought this couldn't be happening again.
From there it was another whirlwind - reminiscent of our time 3.5 years ago with Alexander - IVs, magnesium, a catheter, doctors in and out, and nurses in and out. This time they prepared for labor because they didn't think there was enough time to get to Iowa City. They would have to life flight our baby to the University of Iowa Hospitals if it was born. But God was on our side and thankfully my labor didn't progress. Instead, a few hours later I was in an ambulance with a nurse and Dr. Lentz-Kapua (Neonatologist, who came to my rescue on her day off) on our way to the University of Iowa Hospitals - still pregnant.
The magnesium did it's job and stopped my labor and contractions. My body went back down to 4 cm dilated. Unfortunately my bag of waters was bulging through my cervix, so they worried that it could still break. At that point in time it was hour by hour. Then day by day. I received two steroid shots to help the baby. I was able to get off the magnesium after a little over 24 hours. Contractions were just sporadic. I was just feeling thankful for any additional time we could get. We also had an ultra sound to check out baby and do some measurements. Everyone was also thankful to learn that Baby Stop #3 was rather big already - 2 lbs 11 oz. Grow baby grow!!
It is now Wednesday, April 19th. I'm resting comfortably at the University of Iowa Hospitals. I'm 28 weeks and 2 days and plan to make it much longer. The only catch is I'll be resting here, and not at home, for that time. They believe sending me home could be a mistake (they sent me home with Alex and I was back two days later giving birth) and plan to keep me here until our local hospitals can help - likely around 32 weeks, so another four weeks. I over analyze every movement, gas pain, and twinge in my belly. Is it a contraction? Could my water be leaking? I constantly question my body and myself.
While I know this is the place to be it's extremely difficult not to be at home. It's hard not to be with Pete and not to see the boys everyday. We are lucky to have technology that allows me to be "there" for breakfast, dinner and bedtime.
But it's still very hard. I cry every day - just for a few minutes - and then pick myself up, pray and stay positive. My job right now is to take care of this little peanut inside of me. This will be our greatest sacrifice but one that we are prepared to do and strong enough to get through.
I'm staying busy and have had lots of visitors, for which I am so very thankful. We've also had lots of help with the boys so far, which is a relief for me. I hate that Pete has to be single Dad right now. The prayers and positive thoughts from everyone are working!! Every day pregnant is another win, so we just need to keep the wins coming.
My doctor said it's not unheard of for a mother to go full-term 4 cm dilated. So I keep that in mind during this sacrifice and instead focus on the end game of the potential of bringing a full-term baby home!
