33 weeks and our road is getting bumpier

Warning another rambling but information filled post



At my 33 week appointment both babies were extremely reassuring during their non stress tests my blood pressure was still slightly elevated but came down quickly if I lay down which is supposedly reassuring and more reason for me to maintain at least modified bedrest at home. I am still very swollen in my feet and legs and my hands are definitely getting there. In fact my lower extremity swelling was so impressive a student nurse at the office was even called over for a quick peak. Oh the joys of being on the other side! Anyway I was sent home Monday afternoon feeling pretty good, took it easy on Tuesday and then Tuesday night about midnight I started having some fairly regular contractions at 12:30 I took some medicine to try to slow them down, an hour later that hadn't affected them at all so I got up and got a drink and a snack hoping that would stop them, it didn't so I tried another big glass of water and a warm bath that seemed to make things worse because when I got out I was more uncomfortable and they were about every 5 minutes. If I was full term this would be good and I could stay home and continue to start the early labor process but at 33 weeks this was bad. I mustered the courage to wake my poor, hardworking, sleep deprived (no he was not awake with me at all during the night) husband to take my 45 minutes to the hospital. He did so kindly and after driving 85 mph to get there even with constant reassurance that the babies would not be born upon arrival we were admitted to triage. Sure enough I was contracting, they gave me some fluids to see if that would slow them down and a double dose of the meds I take at home and then they started to get more painful, great. About 7 in the morning my doctor decided to admit me and give IV hydration and scheduled meds to hinder contractions. This seemed to help because the contractions definitely slowed but then the nausea and shakiness set in from the extra medications so I was given something for nausea and a sleeping pill since I hadn't slept at all that night. By 2:30 in the afternoon I felt much better, my doctor came and checked my cervix and said I was still 1 cm dilated which is good and that if everything stayed looking good I could go home that night. Well my heart rate continued to be high between 120 and 140 so I got to have an EKG which came out normally they suspect the high heart rate is from me being smaller and having 2 large babies and twice my normal blood volume and that it will correct itself after delivery. So I behaved myself for the rest of the evening and was sent home around 7 pm. I am now on bedrest at home and taking medication at home around the clock to hinder contractions and feeling pretty good today just bored and frustrated at all the things I want to do but can't from the couch. Thank goodness we got a laptop a while ago it has been a lifesaver. On the upside Tanner installed the carseats last night and after the carpet cleaner comes tomorrow he plans to put the swing and pack n play together so we should have some more updated pics this weekenAnyway the babies are doing well I had to have 2 shots of steroids to help their lungs mature in case they are born early but I am still optimistic that we can hold out just a little longer. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.