Surprise Hospital Visit - Round 2

May be a little TMI for some :)

I had my weekly doctor's appointment yesterday and was sent to the hospital because my blood pressure was in the 160's. I am measuring fine (also measuring as if he's dropped..so that's a good thing) and the babe's heart beat was 140, so I was sent as a precautionary measure since I'm so close to my due date.

I got to the hospital around 10 am yesterday and was not released until 8 am this morning. Thankfully Nick was with me and I was so glad to have him there, and my friend Brooke was able to take care of Dexter for us. I met Dr. Domingo for the first time and I really liked her because she was straightforward and no nonsense - very matter of fact and to the point. She checked my cervix (ladies..for those of you who have never had this done, it is quite possibly the most pain and discomfort I have felt in my entire life and it was done 5 times in 2 days...can't wait for labor!) and I was completely closed. The babe and I were monitored for several hours, and by 5 in the afternoon, my blood pressure was much better, but still had a few spikes. The decision was made to try cervidil, a drug that could soften/thin out my cervix in order to prepare it for labor. This was also quite uncomfortable going in (it is basically a $500 piece of long string with a hormone on it that is put against my cervix) and then left in for 12 hours. I was told not to get my hopes up, that it might not work at all, but where I am almost 39 weeks it may help to get things going. I did not have any expectations of it working. I also had an iv put in just in case and bloodwork drawn - unfortunately I was poked several times for bloodwork until a vein was found - and people wonder why I don't like having it done. The nurse that did my IV was amazing, minimal pain and I hope she's on when I deliver because I adored her.

Sleeping at the hospital was very uncomfortable, and my cervix started to tighten/cramp up, and in the tiny bed, no position was a good one. I woke up the following morning and had the cervidil removed, only to find out that there was no change to my cervix. Dr. Domingo waited for the next doctor on, Dr. Bass (also the first time I met him and really liked him as well), to check me as well and then the decision was made to release me. I'm glad I wasn't put on bed rest, but I was completely wiped out from the experience. In the morning I started crying - not because of pain, but just from tiredness/worry I guess. Apparently that set off an alarm and sent nurses running in - I was mortified, but they were so nice and kind and made me feel a lot better. I really really love Lowell General and don't understand people that said they "would never go there" and would only go to Boston.

One more exciting piece of news - I had an ultrasound and he is measuring about 7.5 pounds, give or take a half pound. If I don't deliver for 2 more weeks, my guess of him being 8 pounds will be right! His head (although I didn't want to look) measured a little over 12 cm...oy! ;) The ultrasound tech was super funny and didn't want to scare me since this is my first baby, but I'm not afraid. He said prior to me he did an ultrasound on a women with triplets...I can't even imagine!

I have a follow up on Monday with Dr. Bass in the morning, so I will keep everyone posted. If we didn't contact you about this, please don't be offended. Not knowing what was going on, we really didn't want to worry/concern people unless the baby was coming or if there was a serious problem.

Love to all!

Crystal