Week 23 Update

Well, let's really start with week 22...last week. The ultrasound I had done while in the hospital finally came back with a report to my OB and showed the cervix was shortening and starting to "funnel" (which is what it does right before it starts to dilate). Long story short, OB put me on bed rest right away to try to stop any dilation from occuring. If dilation starts, the risk and likelihood of bleeding from the placenta is very high. None of us want that. We want this baby to have a good many more weeks or months to grow inside of me and not in the NICU.

It took me a few days of gradually slowing down to get me actually off my feet, but I am doing it, with the help of a "borrowed" oldest daughter of 7, who has helped me the last 2 days while my husband and older boys are working.

This isn't a "in bed flat on your back" type of bed rest at this point. In my room, off my feet, not doing much, is what we are doing for now. If anything more starts to change, or if I have any spotting, it will be the flat on your back type of bed rest. The type I'm doing right now is hard enough...for me. I have to mentally take myself out of everything I ususaly do and find new ways to get it done, or let it go. It's all worth it for this little one!

My ultrasound and appt. went well today. Praise the Lord, nothing has changed. Meaning the cervix hasn't made any further progress in dilation or effacement (thinning). It also means, of course, the placenta is still completely over the cervix, but we really are not expecting that to change at this point. My doctor is pleased that taking it easy and staying off my feet is "working", keeping things calm and stable. So, this is the continued plan till the baby is born.

I asked if I could attend church, and he hemmed and hawed, but said I could for now (as long as nothing changes, no contractions, spotting, etc.) as long as I stay sitting during worship and go lie down on the couch in the nursing mom's room during the sermon.

I go back in for my next OB appt. in about 2 weeks, see him every 2 weeks till 30 weeks (Sept 8th ish), have another ultrasound at 30 weeks (providing nothing has happened before then, like contractions or spotting) and then see him every week till we deliver the baby around 38 weeks (Nov. 3rd ish).

My right kidney that had the infection appears from tests to be infection free, yeah, but on ultrasound it is enlarged and fluid is backing up in it. It does get uncomfortable at times, so that is probably what I am feeling. They want me to try to only lay on my left side to help the right side "drain" better and lay on my side a few times throughout the day too (I have spent most of my bed rest days sitting in the recliner in my room). Just need to help that kidney as much as possible so that it doesn't get infected again.

We continue to take everything one day at a time, praying that bed rest will be enough to keep things calm until 38 weeks. That would be a great miracle from God! And, if bleeding starts, we will deal with that as it happens and know God is with us there too.

Thank you all for your prayers for us...keep them coming!