Hypertension Scare Will Give Me Hypertension

Enough already! I think I have gone through enough during this pregnancy - I'm ready to get this show on the road and be a Mama! Here's what happened:

On Monday morning, I went to the Perinatologist for my weekly ultrasound. The Thursday before, they found that my fluid was significantly lower than previously and wanted to monitor it. So on Monday, I was a little anxious that they would find that the fluids were lower. Ends up they weren't - they were the same as the previous appointment. So that was a relief! However, my blood pressure was significantly higher than usual. It's usually 120/65-ish consistently, and on Monday it was 135/85. Also, during the ultrasound, Baby wasn't moving as much as she should have been. So, the doctor decided I needed to go to the hospital and be monitored for potential hypertension/preeclampsia. So off I went for a 24-hour stay. On the walk over, I took a look at the paperwork from the doctor and it said "Recommendation: Deliver for Preeclampsia". WHAT?! Is this the way I'm being told I'm about to be induced?

I was admitted to an L&D room around 11:00 a.m., and was hooked up to he monitors. I was also told that I would need to "save my urine" for a 24-hour period. Ummm - EW! I had to pee in what they referred to as a "hat", and then dump that into this large container. It was really gross to say the least. They use it to test for protein in urine (which is another sign of preeclampsia).

Throughout the day, my blood pressure kept going up - as high as 141/86 - and then back down. Daniel came to sit with me, and we notified our families that the Baby could be on the way!

The next day I got up, took a shower, and got in the right mindset to be induced and give birth. I wasn't being given any information to the contrary, so I figured I might as well be mentally prepared. My 24-hour urine collection test results came back around noon - and then we sat there until 3:30 p.m. waiting for the doctor to stop by with the results. Ends up there was protein in my urine - but at a count of 192. 300 would mean preeclampsia. So the doctor then said - "Ok. You can go home. But you need to be on bedrest."

Wait a second - I sat here for 36 hours just to go home?! No baby?! No induction?! I know it was a good thing that I didn't have hypertension/preeclampsia and there was no danger for the Baby, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that I wasn't going to be delivering that day. After all this time, I thought this was finally it. But it wasn't. It was just a false alarm.

So Daniel and I headed home, physically and emotionally exhausted. The last 36 hours had been such a roller coaster - and it felt strange to be coming home without the Baby in our arms. Luckily she is still in my belly, but we were both bummed. We're READY whenever she is!

I've decided that once I do finally give birth, its going to be a LONG time before I go to the doctor again. I'm tired of people poking and prodding at me without providing information. Doctors don't understand how hard it is for patients - they give us limited information, and then leave us to connect the dots and figure out what it all means. And of course, 95% of the time the patient connects the wrong dots and jumps to conclusions. I used to think it was crazy when people said they were having a home birth, or decided to avoid hospitals. But not anymore. Hospitals stink (figuratively and literally - what is up with the putrid hand soap they have there?!).

I'm not going back to the hospital until I'm in full labor, contractions 2 minutes apart. I can't stand the thought of going back to that place and the lack of information. I know my body, and I need to trust my instincts about what is going on. No blood pressure cuff can replace that. God is the only one who knows when my Baby is going to arrive - I'll wait until he puts it all in motion.

Neighborhood Watch

Let me start by saying that when I was a child, I always dreamed of becoming an FBI agent. The mystery. The suspence. The danger. It was so alluring! That was until I realized that at the age of 17, I was still afraid of the dark. I'm pretty sure you can't be afraid of the dark and be an FBI agent. And even though I'm still afraid of the dark (I blame it on all those scary movies and books I read!) I still think of myself as quite the detective. So, now that I've clarified that I'm not just a crazy, nosey neighbor, but instead a seasoned sleuth, I can move on with my story : )

I've been on "house arrest" since 30 weeks, and have used that time to rest, clean, exercise (relatively speaking), and get ready for baby by watching the overly informative Discovery Health channel. I've also gotten to know some of my neighbors. One in particular fashions himself as quite the Don Juan. He's in his 40s, but thinks he's in his 20s - or I should say tries to act as he thinks someone in their 20s would. Loud parties all weekend, joy riding through the neighborhood in his cool white truck, and blasting bass-thumping music all day long! But the most interesting thing about Mr. Don Juan is his roster of girlfriends that he spirals through his home like a Lazy Susan. I've started to recognize a pattern based on the girls' cars. White Eclipse I'd Sunday and Monday, Gold Volvo is usually Tuesday. GV really fashions herself as the housewife, cleaning up, taking the trash out, putting a Christmas tree up - she must think this is the way to his heart. Then there is Silver CRV who usually makes an appearance on Thursdays, and Friday is left for Black Mazda. Saturday is left open for rest, I guess : ). The funniest thing about this is the fact that they are the only ones who take his dog outside to pee! That's how I started to realize that it truly is 4 different women - not one woman with 4 different cars. Every time I see them outside, each waves and smiles like we are old friends. I wave back. But I am dying to spill the beans! That's why I am doing it here : )

On Monday, there was a close call for Mr. Don Juan. I went to walk Lenni around the block and saw White Eclipse getting in her car to leave. It takes me exactly 12 minutes to walk around the block, and by the time I got back, Gold Volvo was pulling into the driveway! She's the Tuesday girl! Oh what I would have given to see GV pull up with WE still there ; ) Or any of them for that matter. It's my weekly soap opera. More updates to come... Especially when he gets caught! I'm sure I'll be able to hear the gunshots : )

Baby's Favorite Sounds

Some soon to be mamas play Mozart for their babies. They say it helps improve brain function once they are outside the womb. I wonder what the things my baby reacts to will mean for her brain development? : ) I say that because there are two distinct sounds that make my baby wiggle around, and it isn't Mozart! The first sound is my laugh. She loves it! As soon as I start laughing, she goes wild! The second sound is a little more interesting... It's the chimes that ring as I play my new favorite iPhone game - Chain Rxn. As soon as I start playing, she gets sooooooo excited and litterally starts jumping around. Your probably thinking - "well how often do you play this game?" Let me tell you - ALOT! But it's not because I'm a major gamer or arcade enthusiast. It's because I've been trying to become a more patient person. Being patient involves alot of waiting around. And while I'm waiting around - in lines, at an appoinent, for water to boil - I have started to play this Chain Rxn (reaction) game. And I must admit - I am good!! : ) But now my unborn baby thinks the chimes of a big win is her personal dance mix! Don't think I'll have as much time to play once she is here, but I may have to let her hear the chimes at least a few times to see how she'll react! My laugh, now that's not going anywhere, and something she will hopefully be hearing for a long long time!