Still here

Well, today begins day four of my hospital stay. The internet connection at the hospital is sporadic, which is why I haven't posted before now. I am waiting for the Dr. to come around this morning.

When I got here they put me on Magnesium which stopped the contractions. After 24 hours they took me off an put me on oral meds. They weren't really happy with how I did during the night on Sunday, so the Dr. decided to keep me here on Monday and see what happened when the oral meds got into my system. Around noon, they gave me an injection of Terbutaline because the contractions had gotten back up to every 4 or 5 minutes. That shot almost stopped them. The nurse said they would give me another one if I got more than 6 contractions in an hour. At 4:00 am they gave me another shot. The meds in the shot are the same as what is in the pump they may have to put me on.

Although being in the hospital is never fun, I am thankful that I am not feeling the contractions and that I am able to get up to use the bathroom and move around a litttle. They have taken out my IV, so I am only hooked up to a contraction monitor. Really, it is not that bad!

The Dr. just came by and decided to try and increase my oral medication before putting me on the pump. So, they are increasing it to every 4 hours instead of every 6. Hopefully that will keep me stable. If not, they will either up the dosage or put me on the pump. I am hoping to avoid the pump as long as I can, since my body will eventually get used to it an the only option after that is back in the hospital with an IV for Magnesium.


So, it looks like I will be here at least another day. I have an ultrasound scheduled this afternoon at 3:30. So, if the internet is working-I may be able to post again this evening.

Contraction Action

Well, I have ended up back in the hospital with contractions. I had been feeling something on and off for a few days-but wasn't sure if what I was feeling was contractions. My Dr.s instructions said to call if I had more than 5 or 6 an hour and I really couldn't tell. I asked about it during my regular OB appointment on Wed. and they told me to call if something didn't feel right. Although I knew what they meant in theory, never having been pregnant before-especially with three-nothing really "feels right"! So, I called the High Risk Dr. on Friday just to be sure everything was okay. They put me on a contraction monitor and checked my cervix. They said the cerclage looked good and was holding-but that I was having contractions and they wanted to admit me. When they got me on the contraction monitor in the hospital, I was having contractions every 4-5 minutes. They put me on an IV drip for 24 hours and the contractions have just about stopped. So, they are stopping my IV and are going to see if they can be kept away with oral medication. They are going to see how I do over the night and decide what to do from there. Hopefully, I will be sent home on Sunday or Monday. We are just taking it one day at a time!

Glad to be home!

We arrived at the hospital a little after 6:00am. The procedure started at 8:00 and it was finished by 8:30. They said everything went well. I appreciate everyone's prayers regarding the spinal block-it was much better than I thought it would be. It wasn't bad at all. The procedure was strange because I could feel them touching me and could wiggle my toes etc. but it didn't hurt. I was taken to recovery and monitored for contractions. Although I didn't feel them, my body was contracting. The first medication they gave me didn't work, and they decided to keep me over night and gave me two additional medications. They monitored me and sent me home this afternoon with two antibiotics and more medication for contractions that I will take till tomorrow/ I am so glad to be home! Brent was great and stayed by my side the whole time!

I go back to my regular OB this coming week and back to the specialist the following week. We appreciate everyone's prayers and warm wishes. Although the doctor has not officially put me on bed rest. I plan to be staying off my feet as much as possible!

Cerclage tomorrow

At our Dr. appt today we saw that my cervix has continued to shorten and funnel. So, tomorrow morning they will be performing a cerclage. They will give me a spinal block (yes, I am pretty scared about that part) and then the Dr. will stitch my cervix closed. They said it is a pretty easy procedure and the Dr. who will be doing it has done many. They are hopeful that since we are doing it early, we will have good results. We have to be at the hospital at 6:00am and the procedure is scheduled for 8:00am. Hopefully, all will go well and it will be out patient.

Home Again

I am sorry it has taken me a while to get this post up. Things have been busy since we returned.
We had a very nice trip to Massachusetts. We were able to visit with my family and see some of Brent's family. I was able to take Brent to see Dublin (where I went to HS). I had wanted to do that for some time and it was nice to look around again. My mother and sister were VERY generous with the baby clothes and accessories! We came back with our minivan loaded with stuff for the kids!
When we got back, we went to the Dr. on Monday. Overall, the ultrasound looked good. Baby B has some cysts in the brain which they say are pretty common and will hopefully go away between 26-28 weeks. We are praying that will happen. The two boys weighed 13oz and were measuring at 20 weeks and 3 days. Anna Kate weighed 11 oz and measured at 19 weeks and 6 days. They were all within the normal limits.
I have had a lot of back/rib pain which they say is normal for the size that I am. I am growing quickly, my stomach circumference has grown 1.5 inches in the last week! I am really beginning to feel big and waddle. I can't imagine what it will be like at the end!
We go back next Monday. They said the length of my cervix was normal, but it may be starting to funnel. So, I may end up having a cerclage. I am pretty scared about having a spinal block for that procedure, and am praying that it won't be necessary.
Brent's sister, Beth, and her family arrived on Monday. My nephew, Kristopher, flew in from MA on Wed. He was supposed to be here on Tues., but they missed his flight. When he was 4years old, I told him he could come see my in SC when he turned 10. He flew by himself and loved it! Beth has two boys who are 9 and 10 and they have been having a great time! As I type this, Uncle Brent has the boys on the four-wheeler and is driving around in the mud somewhere! Beth's family leaves tomorow and Kristopher goes home on Sunday. It has been fun to have them here and Beth has been a huge help! She has sorted baby clothes, done laundry and picked up! It has been wonderful!

Northern Bound

We had an appointment yesterday and today. All looks good. One of the boys had turned and was head down pretty low, causing a lot of pelvic pressure. But they said everything was fine! My cervix hasn't changed and we go for our big ultrasound on Monday June 23 (our 2 year anniversary).

Tomorrow morning we are headed up North to see my family. It will be a long slow trip-but we are looking forward to it!

I will post again when we get back!

We went to the Dr. yesterday and had another good report. My cervix hasn't changed-so that is great! He said if all goes well next week, we should be fine to drive up North. The babies looked good. One of the boys has turned, so they are both looking to my left and Anna Kate is still stretched out on top! The said they will most likely stay where they are at this point.

The doctor said everything looked good with my weight gain. I have gained about 14 lbs so far and my stomach is 38inches around. Besides the back pain, I really feel good!

Yesterday was the last day of school for the teachers and I work another 5 days. We are getting ready for a yard sale on Sat. Many of our friends have been generous and donated things for us to sell. We are planning on using the profits to help furnish the nursery.

We go back to the Dr. next Thursday!