So Jillian is on bed rest indefinitely. Our little girl may want to come very early, but at only 32 weeks, we're hoping that she wants to wait to join our family for at least a little while longer!
Jillian is making a habit of seeing her doctor 2-3 times a week now. After a week of bed rest and some very encouraging blood pressure measurements, Jillian wasn't feeling so well on Wednesday, and just as I was coming home from work, she called to say that she was going in to the doctor. When we got there, her blood pressure was 186/98!!! Needless to say we immediately went to the hospital for another evening of monitoring, and again all of her test came back reassuring and the blood pressure dropped to normal levels. But Dr. Hall told us that he was squashing any hopes Jillian might have of returning to work--it is time to focus on making sure that our baby girl is as strong and healthy as possible when she enters this world, and every day counts now.
Dr. Hall also decided to give Jillian steroid shots to help develop the baby's lung, a very standard procedure if the baby will delivered pre-term-not a huge vote of confidence. But the most worrying news came when the results of her platelets came back. She had dropped from 172 to 155 in 1 week. They said not to worry about it until they drop and stay below 150.
So we came home and got Jillian on bed rest right away.
I talked to her sister, Amanda, that night and we made arrangements for her to come stay a week with Jillian to help get things ready for the baby and to help keep her occupied during the days while I work. She has been here for two days now, and I can not tell you how grateful we are that she is here!
Well, this morning, we went back to the hospital for more monitoring, and Jillian's BP was the picture of good health. Her diastolic pressure (the bottom one-I think that's what it s called!) never went above 80. I guess this is the number that they watch the closest because this is the measurement of the pressure when the heart and arteries are at rest. We were WAY excited! And then the labs came back. Jillian's platelets had dropped to 122. If it's not one thing it's the other. Dr. Hall said he is not overly concerned yet, but officially declared that Jillian no longer has a normal pregnancy, and she is going in to see him again on Monday.
And so we are back at home and Jillian is back on bed rest indefinitely. And she is such a good sport about it. I love to steal a glance at her while she is laying on the couch reading, or sitting in bed coloring and catch her patting her belly. She is going to be a terrific mother!
And so we are very anxious to get the house and our lives ready for our baby. We hope she can wait while we tear the wood panelling out of her room and get in the new baseboards, casings, texturing, and painting. We hope she'll hang on until we can decorate and set up her furniture and install her fixtures. We hope, but we are preparing ourselves for the wonderful day any day now, and are excited to share our home and add another member to our little family.
3 comments:
My husband is Jared Nowland. I found your blog from Becky's. I wanted to comment because I had toxemia with both of my pregnancies. Ben (our first) was born at 33 1/2 weeks. I went in for a check-up at 31 weeks and they put me in the hospital for 24 hour observation. I didn't make it out for 3 1/2 weeks. For two weeks I was on bed rest in a hospital an hour away from our house. Just keep resting, I know it feels like you might go insane, but that is what your body needs. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or just want to vent about bedrest. I am glad that your sister came to help. My mother-in-law came to help us, and it was a huge blessing. You are in our prayers.
Getting that little room ready is the best thing ever! When I had Kristie's done while I was pregnant, I'd just go in there and sit on the recliner and look around and daydream. So fun! Are you going to have a certain theme or color scheme goin' on? You better post pictures!!
Such a bummer about all the darn issues! I was on blood pressure medication (and still am) during the pregnancy and thank goodness everything turned out ok. No fun to be on bedrest, I'm sure. That's nice that you have help though! I don't know if they have this anywhere else (maybe Barnes & Noble?) but I saw these little kits at the BYU-I bookstore...Crochet kits, knitting kits that included all the supplies to get you started and teach you how to do it. That might be something fun for Jillian to do while she's not working! And she can crochet a little blanket for your little girl!
Keep us updated!!
Congratulations mommy and daddy! I can't wait to see my new little niece! At least you'll be able to go home, recover and get everything ready for your little girl to come home. We love you guys and send you our best!
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