Well here I am. It is day 4 in hospital. I am sharing the ward with a woman who happens to be at our same dog training classes also with ridgebacks, also at 29 weeks pregnant and biding time with ruptured membranes...so we are pretty much in the same boat. How bizarre is that? It is great as we can share notes and support each other through a similiar experience. She is a Dr, and really fab! And as a bonus, she can explain medical things to me!
Yesterday was a hard day...I was almost taken in for an emergency caeser! The day started with the expectation that I could possibly be sent home on bedrest, to finding out that my protein test was 3 times higher than it should be, to a poor non-stress test result for our little girl, to being told not to eat anything more as I could be taken in that morning!!! It was a huge shock to me, realising that this is exactly how fast things happen. I was extremely emotional and cried most of the day as I got to terms with adjusting my whole outlook on how this is going to play out. I truly believed that I would go home, chill with my feet up and make it to 34 weeks. But the universe has other plans, as it often does.
Pre-eclampsia is a placental disease and my body is effectively reacting to our girl's placental function, causing my high blood pressure and therefore my kidneys to leak protein. If left untreated, I would effectively develop full blown eclampsia and my liver and kidneys would fail and I would have seizures and a stroke...Her blood flow is not perfect, but the Dr says she has enough capacity for about another weeks growth, so at the moment it seems as if it is a waiting game to see who goes into distress first. She reckons we may have a week, but thinks I will give in before the baby. So everyday is a blessing - one day on the womb is worth 3 days in neonatal NICU.
It seems destiny that we are to have prem babies and a long road of at least 7-8 weeks on NICU, spending as much time with them as possible and hoping for no complications. There are a pair of twins in the unit now who were born at 28 weeks weighing only 650g or so and 1kg, and they are both doing really well. But there will be ups and downs. I really didn't believe this is how these babes would arrive, but I am slowly preparing myself for the inevitability.
The hospital is our world for now...and will be for the next couple of months....next milestone...30 weeks on Thursday....praying we get to 31 weeks next Thursday.....
My ward-mate and I have named our room... the naughty mommies ward!!
Thanks for the update. I'm sorry that the tests didn't work out as you'd hoped. Every single day does help, but at close to 30 weeks the outlook is already very good, especially because you're already under observation and you've had the steroid shots. I remember when I was anticipating delivering early, my ob said to me at 28 weeks "You've made it!" You must still be in shock and worried sick, I hope you aren't feeling awful physically too. Thinking of you and your babies all the time Cam, I still can't believe that you're having to endure this on top of everything that you've been through to get this far.
ReplyDeleteAwe man that must be so stressful for you :-(
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and praying your little ones stay put for the next week at least and that you all have a healthy and safe delivery xxx
Oh Cam...this is beyond stressful my dear. Hang in there!! So glad you've got a good ward mate to hang tight with. LisainSK
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry to hear that the pre-e is ramping up on you! I really hope that you are able to get at least another week of baby baking in there! But I'm so glad to hear they are keeping you and watching you so closely! Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteOh Cam, I have been so worried about you.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say except good for you for keeping your spirits up and let's hope that you can still incubate them for a few days. I am sure that both babies will be fine and they will be well taken care of, everybody is now prepared for the arrival of the twins so at least it will not be a surprise (anymore).
Please keep us updated, the whole fertilicare is rooting for you!!!!!
I'm giving you all of my positive thoughts right now and hoping you can bake those bunnies as long as it's possible. Take care!!!
ReplyDeleteShoo Cammy. Thinking of you every step of the way and holding thumbs that your treasures will stay put for as long as possible! xx
ReplyDeleteCammy so hoping for you that your precious babies stay put for as long as possible. Sending you lots of love. CalT xxx
ReplyDeleteHey Aunty Cam. All I can say is how much respect I have for you, for being so brave and positive!! I am so happy to hear you have a friend in the naughty mommy's ward who you can relate to. So so so looking forward to seeing you again, next time as a happy mother of a boy and a girl!
ReplyDeleteCam, thinking of you and those precious ones. Stay strong you're doing GREAT!
ReplyDeletexxx
HI Cam!!! Hang in their little twinnies!!!!! good luck with the bedrest!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat...ruptured membranes at 31wks, 2 days. I've been here for 1 week so far. Cheers and keep cooking those babies!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and those little babies, Cam.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, little babies! We've still got some cold winter ahead in Cape Town. Spring is a much nicer time to come, you hear?
xxx