Waiting on God's timing

Well, it has been quite some time since I updated. Those of you who know Brent, know he doesn’t know how to turn the computer on-never mind update the blog! I kept thinking I would update after the next appt. Well, much has happened since the last update.

I went to the doctor on July 30. We decided to try me on the terb pump. I had been hitting my contraction limit of 5 per hour and they didn’t want to keep me on motrin because of a potential risk to the babies. My cervix was a little shorter, but still looked good. I started the pump on Thursday and all was going well. I had an appointment on Monday, August 4 for a growth ultrasound. That morning I didn’t have a good monitor strip and they had me remonitor due to the number of contractions I was having. I finished my second monitor strip at 2:00 and had a Dr. appt at 3:00. The ultrasound went well. All three kids weighed aprox. 2lb and were all measuring on target for growth. However, my cervix had shortened a lot since my last visit five days ago and I was feeling the contractions. They decided to admit me to the hospital and consider giving me steroid shots to mature the babies lungs. I was 26 weeks 2 days.
Mon day night was a scary time. They admitted me and at first I figured it would be like the last time I was in. They didn’t know what they would do regarding medication and my pump was almost empty. So, they sent Brent home to get some meds (the pump is done by a different company) in case we needed them. While he was gone, they started me on Magnesium and then told me I couldn’t eat incase they had to do emergency surgery. They were having a hard time getting the contractions under control and if one of the kids was in distress, they would do a C-section. They put me on the highest dose of Magnesium they could, and checked me out. I wasn’t dilated, so that was a good.

We didn’t leave the Dr office till after 5:00pm. When we thought we were settled in for the night, one of the neonatologists from the NICU came by to talk to us. He discussed the survival rate of babies born at 26 weeks as well as the potential complications and life long difficulties babies who are born that early may experience. Despite how early they would be, he told us the survival rate was 85%. He also told us about a lot of other potential complications. It was a lot to think about and pray about after he left.
On Tuesday morning they moved me from labor and delivery to a high risk room and reduced my Magnesium level from 3grams per hr to 2 grams per hour because my blood work came back with levels that were borderline high. They also decided to give me the first of the two steroid shots to help mature the babies lungs. They also told me to plan to be in the hospital till the babies come.

I am still on 2grams and I am really kind of groggy. I am contracting 6-8 times per hour and although they aren’t painful per se, they are getting stronger. They said they will continue with the Magnesium as long as they can and as long as I don’t start bleeding or leaking fluid.
We are praying that the contractions will not change my cervix any more and that they will be able to “stay put” for several more weeks. Each day is precious and we know that God will not allow them to come before the time he has determined.

We appreciate everyone’s prayers and support. The meds. are making me really weepy and groggy. So, I am not doing much e-mailing or talking on the phone. Brent is going to work during the day and staying with me at night.

I think that is everything for now. I just remind myself what an awesome gift God is giving us and that He is in control. I am reminded of the words of the hymn “Day by Day”:

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,
”This the pledge to me He made.