[*kyle*]

I had a gush of bright red blood on last Saturday morning (Oct. 10). I was in Kenosha, WI about an hour from my house at the outlet mall up there when it happened, so I used my GPS to locate the nearest hospital and drove myself there. They admitted me and found that I was dilated 1 cm, and checked about 45 minutes later and I was nearly 2 cm. They also found I was having contractions 6 to 9 minutes apart. I wasn't feeling pain with the contractions, just tightness. Since I was less than 33 weeks at the time it was pre-term labor. They put me on IV magnesium sulfate plus shots of terbutaline to stop the labor. Also they gave me shots of steroids to help mature the baby's lungs in case he was coming out early. THEN I had to take an hour ambulance ride so that I could be transfered to the hospital where I'm going to deliver. I was in the hospital for 4 days... it was brutal. I had an IV drip the entire time, and they insisted on penicillin every 4 hours to prevent infection and/or just in case I delivered... the penicillin burns so bad in your arm going in. I also stayed on the magnesium sulfate and terbutaline for the first couple of days. Then they switched me to Procardia, which is actually a medication for high blood pressure (mine's on the low end of normal) but it also relaxes smooth muscle tissue, stopping contractions. Luckily for me, the Procardia is a pill, not IV drug.

OH... and to top it all off, I developed a really harsh case of PUPPP rash, which is this ridiculously itchy rash that basically means that your placental cells have migrated to your skin and are being attacked because they are "foreign DNA" to your body... so it is like being allergic to your own pregnancy. It starts on your belly's stretch marks, spreads over your whole body at will and there's no cure for it except to give birth. They finally got me onto Atarax, an antihistamine for the itching and within a couple of days, it started to recede a little (I think because I wasn't constantly re-irritating it with my fingernails!).

So I was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and ordered to strict bedrest, bathroom breaks and one shower a day only. Once I got home, I felt a lot better. Just not having an IV in my arm and penicillin every 4 hours was a major relief. They sent out a nurse to set up a home monitoring system for me where I wear this uterine monitor on my belly twice a day for an hour at a time and then wirelessly transmit the results to the hospital. If I have more than 6 contractions in an hour they could re-admit me. Also, I have to have 3 non-stress tests (NST's) every week at my doctor's office. So far so good on those. Only once did I have 7 contractions in an hour on the home monitor. They had me re-test, and the next hour I had 5. WHEW, that was a close call. None of the contractions hurt at all, just some feeling of tightness. Also, my cervix hasn't dilated anymore, it's been stuck at just under 2 cm since the first day in the hospital.

It looks like I'll be on the Procardia and bedrest until 36 weeks. So just about another week and a half to go. DH took all of last week off of work, and this week my MIL is in town to help out. My mom is coming in this weekend as well. But next week I will be more or less on my own throughout the day. DH will probably come check on me during his lunch hour, and make sure I get lunch. Hopefully we get all the way through to 36 weeks. With the steroids, the baby's lungs should be ok by then, about the same as a 37-38 week baby which is considered full term. Also, he's been measuring on the big side all along. He should be nearing or over 7 lbs by 36 weeks according to all of my past ultrasounds. I used to be afraid that I'd go over 40 weeks and have a 10+ pounder... but now I am super glad that he's a chunker.

I'm pretty stressed out about having to leave work so early and unexpectedly. I have all these loose ends left untied, clients and families that haven't been transferred to another therapist... my coworkers are scrambling to pick up the pieces. I feel like a huge burden to them. I KNOW, no one has to tell me that my health and baby's health are more important. I know this. But my job is important too, both to me and to my clients. It is not good practice to just drop the ball on clients like I did. It couldn't be helped, it's just another source of stress. I dread when my supervisor calls because I have no good news to tell her. I probably won't be going back to work before the baby's born, so all of the transitioning of clients/paperwork will have to be done without me. Plus, this time off cuts in majorly to my maternity leave. I'd sneak in for a couple hours but my job is almost an hour away from my house and I just don't feel comfortable being that far away from home... last time I was, all of this started happening.

Anyway, that's my update... sorry to have been so MIA but I just haven't had the energy to spend much time on the internet. I have like 30 emails I can't even look at... it is so overwhelming.

[KatiInCT]

Oh Kyle! Sending lots of healthy hugs your way. I couldn't imagine all that you have been through. I hope your coworkers and clients understand.

I have been slowly making sure my desk is in searchable order, just in case I have to leave suddenly.

I hope your little boy stays put and continues to grow nice and strong inside.

I'll be thinking about you!

[Kiwi]

Oh my goodness - what an ordeal for you. I hope you can come off bedrest soon. Is there any work you could do from home?

Oh wow what an awful ordeal. I hate hospital stays, and yours sounds like it was really cruddy.

I am glad you are doing well on the meds and bedrest. I guess it won't be long now! Be sure to do as your doctor says and take it easy! I'm sorry you have to work stress too. Your roller coaster never ends huh? I think you are doing such a great job with all of it though

[~*sierra*~]

*hugs* i'm so sorry you had to go through such a stressful time. i am sure everyone will understand, especially when they see your gorgeous little boy they will know it was all worth it. xoxo

[~*Bethy*~]

STAY PUT BABY!!! Im glad your ok, Kyle!! Bedrest isnt all that bad, is there anyway you can bring some of your patient transfers home with you to finish?

[HopeWishWait]

That is crazy! Stay in there baby!!

[LisanAndy]

Whoa girl, that's crazy! I'm SOOO glad baby is ok! Sorry about not being able to go back to work ((HUGS))

[CandaceDianne]

WOW! I am glad everything seems to be good now. That baby just needs to stay there for a few more days. I know your job is important, and its good to hear how much you care about it. I am sure your clients and co-workers understand, even if it isn't the most ideal situation. Just hang in there, get plenty of rest, and TRY (yea right!) to relax. KUP!!!!!

[~* Helen *~]

Oh Kyle !!! Rest up hun !!! What an ordeal for you !!

[LaLaRose3]

Oh, Kyle! I am so sorry you are having all these issues. I know firsthand the horrors of IV Magnesium Sulfate, and the penicillin. It really is pure torture! And bedrest on top of it all? *hugs* I am sorry hon.

That said, I went through a lot of similar things at around the same time in my pregnancy, and Alice was born full term at 37 weeks and perfectly healthy! So don't worry!

If you ever need to chat feel free to PM me. I've been there and I know it sucks hard, so I am always around for you! Keep your chin up girlie! You are a strong momma!!!

[bittersweet]

Oh Kyle...what an update! Glad the labor was stopped and seems to have settled for now. I cannot imagine how scary all of this must have been. I hope the rest of the pregnancy passes with little surprises. Thank you for updating us. I was begininng to wonder what you had been up to. I will be thinking of you.

[ScottishBrit]

UGH! Im sorry Kyle! Get your rest now, believe me you'll need it!! Your almost there, just right around the corner!!!

I'm sorry things have gone this way, but holding that healthy happy baby in your arms will make it worth it!

[*krista*]

Oh wow! I totally didn't expect THAT was what you have been up to lately... I've been wondering about you. I'm glad baby didn't make a surprise appearance! Sounds like you went through a lot though. Are you on the stuff that has the awful side effects like Lauren was?

[Chelnae6]

Ohhhhh nooooo!!!!! Sorry you're on bedrest early

[..Christine..]

I hope everything stays good Kyle! It sucks being on bed rest- although I'm only on it for a few days- I'm miserable! So much other stuff to do!! Hang in there!

[*Anna*]

Huge HUGS KYle!!!! I hope and pray your little guy stays put and keeps baking!!!! I can understand about your work... but it will all work out. Just believe in that... everything happens for a reason!!!

Rest up girl!!!

Oh wow Kyle, you're body is not giving you an easy time, is it? Those 4 days sounded awful. I completely understand the stress of having to leave work unexpectedly. I'm sure that everyone else will get stuff handled. You're patients know that you are pregnant and will more than understand if they are told why you had to leave.

Do you guys have a name for your little guy yet, or are you waiting until he is born?

[midnight_starr]

Oh wow! I'm glad you are home now and I hope baby keeps baking a little while longer!!!