Pre Term Labor

Well, I wish this was a post about something fun or exciting, but instead it is about our adventure this last weekend in the hospital. Friday I worked and came home and noticed the little man wasn't moving. I ate dinner, had a snack, laid down, did everything I could to get him kicking and... nothing. I called the Dr and they said to go straight to the hospital. We rushed in at 9pm and got hooked up to the monitors in Labor and Delivery. His heartbeat was fine. I was relieved. They watched me for a while and then the nurse came in to tell me I was having contractions. She asked if I was in pain and I said "well, ya, I'm pregnant" What nearly 7 mo pregnant woman isn't in pain. Apparently the back pains I have been experiencing were contractions. They weren't very big or consistent so she called my Dr and he said I could go home as long as I wasn't dilating. She checked me, no dilation, but 50% effaced. They sent me home anyway, on bed rest, with instructions to see my Dr on monday morning. So we got home around 1am. I took some tylenol for the minor contractions and got 4 hours of sleep before they woke me up and were really hurting. John left for work and I debated all day how long to wait to go back to the hospital. Finally I called Labor and Delivery and they said come right in. So I drove myself since John was still at work. The baby was still doing great, but my contractions were now consistently 9 mins apart. My Dr. came in to see me, assess my situation, and did an ultrasound with a bio-physical profile. They baby was doing great, but my contractions needed to stop right away. I'm only 30 weeks! I got steroid shots (ouch) for his lungs and brain in case he was coming way to early. Then we waited a while and the nurse came rushing in to give me a shot to stop the contractions that were now only 4 mins apart. That was scary. Luckily it stopped them, they hooked me up to an IV, started me on an antibiotic, checked my cervix one more time, and then told me we were staying the night. I got an Ambien to help me sleep, though they come in every 2 hours to take your vitals, so you don't really sleep anyway. The contractions started up again in the night, but stopped on their own. We stayed in the hospital all day sunday. I had to get a second steriod shot 24 hrs from the first. After I got that, and no consistent contractions on sunday, we were finally able to leave. So, now I am on bed rest. Probably for the remainer of the pregnancy. No more work, cleaning, cooking, shopping for baby... The saddest thing was that we were supposed to leave on wednesday for Palm Springs to have thanksgiving with my family. Tanner has his mission call and is waiting to open it with the whole family. I was devastated when the Dr said no way was I getting on a plane, or going anywhere more than an hour away from him or my hospital. It was incredibly dissapointing, but better safe than sorry. I didn't get this far into my pregnancy to put it all at risk now. But, my family, being as amazing and supportive as they are, within 24 hours all changed their travel plans to come here instead of Palm Springs. I feel terrible they are missing out on what would have been a very fun vacation, but they all wanted to be together to open Tanners call and have Thanksgiving. So, they come in tonight and will stay until Sunday. All in all, I feel very lucky that I have such a good Dr that takes every precaution. We are so blessed that things were able to get under control and hopefully will remain that way for at least another 6 weeks. So, anyone who is up to hanging out on my couch and watching movies and eating is more than welcome to come visit me! Keep our little guy in your prayers.