25 Hours and Counting

Here's what has happened so far. It is no picnic and not what we expected. Everyone says birth plans change and they were right!

We went to our appointment with the doctor yesterday morning at 10:30am and after taking my blood pressure and looking over my tests, she sent us to the hospital. She said it was likely that they would induce, but I needed a full work up because I have preeclampsia. It's a condition only found in pregnancy that affects the mother's liver, kidneys, and can cause seizures. The only treatment is to take the baby out.

So at the hospital, the doctor came in and said we are absolutely inducing because the baby is full term (37 weeks 5 days) and the high blood pressure is worrisome. I got the nicest and biggest room, which is great. They started me on a magnesium drip to calm my muscles to prevent a seizure and to lower my blood pressure. I have to stay on it until 24 hours after the baby is born. It also means I'm completely confined to the bed because any activity will boost my blood pressure.

I was not dilated at all so the doctors gave me medication to jump start that, however, it did not work. So, although I'm having contractions, my cervix is not dilating. At about 4am, the doctors decided to insert a balloon to try to get it to open. I had been begging for food since all I had eaten was a bowl of cereal at 8am and they finally have me chicken broth. It was the most wonderful thing ever at the moment. I got an epidural before to minimize the pain, but getting the epidural made my blood pressure bottom out and I almost fainted. They got me stabilized and inserted the balloon which was ridiculously painful despite the epidural. Then my pressure bottomed out again and I vomited up the chicken broth. I have never been so mad about throwing up. That was the one thing I had in my stomach and the one thing that was a perk of the whole day and it was gone.

Justin and I have been trying to sleep when we can, but nurses and doctors come in every hour so it is really hard. We are both exhausted, sore, and so ready for this to be over. No change as of yet, so we will see what the plan is next.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this. Thank you all so much for all the well wishes via text, Facebook, email, and calls. We will keep you all updated.