Saturday, June 03, 2006

Hooked up and unhooked

Look! Internets!

Between my husband and my mom, I’m hooked up. Well, technically this is my stepdad’s laptop, but he’s used it maybe 5 times since my mom gave it over to him. I think he’ll be okay with me using it for a while. I’m on dialup, but even with dialup, I’m online, dangit! Woot!

Oh, wait, y’all probably wanna hear about Ace. Well, he’s grounded and mean. He kicked me really hard on Tuesday, and I stood up and started… well, flowing. I’m blaming this solidly on him. As much as I love him, he is in so much trouble, as soon as he gets home.

I’m off the IV (yay!), off the constant fetal heart rate monitoring (down to only 30 minutes per nurse’s shift), and can move in bed as much as I doggone well please. The doctor on call said I could get up to go to the bathroom and shower (oh, sweet, sweet precious joy). I took a shower today, and by George, I have never felt better. Bedpans, sponge baths, and having to maneuver myself over the side of the bed so my mom could wash and dry my hair was NOT FUN.

I will be here till I deliver a baby. Crazy, right? My doctor said she won’t let me stay pregnant after 34 weeks because it’s just bad for the baby to be up in there without any fluid, but the nurses are saying that I’ll probably deliver before then. I’ll most likely be able to deliver vaginally because his head is down right now. He’ll have to stay in the NICU for a little while, which is okay, because they are an incredible team of people. Met ‘em today.

Despite everything, I am absolutely blessed. I have a husband that’s willing to work a bedpan for me, sponge bathe me, jump up in the middle of the night to bring me water, get me crawfish po-boys when the food around here gets a little tense… I have a mom that’s willing to wash and dry my hair, spend the night in the hospital with her daughter, and cup her hands over my stomach and yell at her grandson when he’s not doing what he should… I have a sister willing to drive 6 hours and spend the night (but she couldn’t, since she’s around lots of sick folk) and another sister who came up to visit me today and wants to come up Tuesday on her day off. I have a best friend willing to drive 6 hours to see me for 5 hours. I have friends and family willing to pray for me constantly, visit me, call me, help Drew set up the baby’s room, send me things. My baby has remained safely inside me, with no amniotic fluid to drink, breathe, or pee. He is growing as he should, moving as he should, and running away from fetal heart monitors as much as he possibly can. Who wouldn’t feel blessed and happy in my situation?

I’m gonna get my COPS on now, and continue to acquaint myself to daytime television. Thank you all so, so much for all of your prayers, they helped me out so much. God is keeping me patient and my baby safe. Keep ‘em up, if you don’t mind.

10 comments:

Christine the Soccer Mom said...

Stacey,

Thanks for the update. I'm linking to it for those who have checked on my blog and are praying for you both.

Anonymous said...

You know i will keep you guys in my prayers. I am praying for ya'll night and day. Keep us all informed. Thanks so much for the update and make sure you tell your mom thanks for the laptop to keep us all informed :)

Anonymous said...

Stacey,
Just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you. Please don't be scared. In 2000, my cousin delivered a healthy little girl at 28 weeks. We had everyone we could praying for her and little girl was 3lbs 4oz. at birth. She stayed in the NICU for three weeks but now she could not be healthier. She is robust, energetic, completely normal (75 percentile on height and weight)and totally spoiled rotten. She gave us a good scare, but we made it through with the help of the Lord and all of the prayers.
I know you and Ace will be "just ACES". Sorry for the bad pun-couldn't help it!
I know exactly how wiggly little boys get when you put those monitors on them. I spent one night with one before my doctor made the decision to do a c-section. Every time the nurse would find him and get the monitor in place, he would kick, and it felt like he did a somersault to get away from the noisy thing.
God bless, you and your hubby and little one.

The DP said...

Grounded, I tell you. And I might sue him when he has some money. So glad to hear from you.

Anonymous said...

I am glad to hear that things are good. You seem to be in high spirits despite the bed pans and sponge baths. Does everything smell funny because of the medicine. That drove me crazy when I was in the hospital. Everything smelled so gross....especially when they mopped...

Waterfall said...

Ack! I stay away from your blog for a few days, and look what happens. So glad you (and baby!) are OK!!

Reformed Mama said...

Hi! I stumbled on your blog today.

I wanted to offer you a bit of encouragement. I had the opposite problem -- too much amniotic fluid. It started leaking and I started contracting and dilating at 28 weeks.

My son was born at 29 weeks and 2 days. I was terrified. However, one thing kept going through my mind -- Psalm 139. God knit my son and yours in our wombs. He knows exactly what he is doing.

My son weighed only 2 lbs 13 oz and was in the NICU for 6 weeks. The NICU staff will tell you that statistically speaking, white males tend to fare worse than other children. They call them wimpy white boys.

Remember that is just a statistic. My son is anything but wimpy. He's 10 months old now and doing just fine.

A little piece of advice, if I may, start looking at your options now for a hospital grade breast pump. You may need one if you don't make it to 34 weeks and if you intend on breastfeeding.

Please, if you have any questions, look me up and ask. I know it's crazy to be going through pre-term labor.

My son's story is written in my blog if you want some info.

I am praying for you.

Unknown said...

Stacey, I'm so glad Ace is staying put for now and all is going well despite this complication. I hope you find lots to keep you occupied while enduring the bedrest.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to hear you are doing fine and that you have a connection to the outside world!

Keep us informed as to status, and things. :)

Much love from NYC!

Jennboree said...

Hello! Found you through babes in blogland.

My prayers and best wishes to you and your little troublemaker :)

At least you know that you are monitored 24/7 with a great team of docs and nurses.

Squeeze in as much sleep as you can! (yeah, I know, that sounds ridiculous)