A surprise visit to labor and delivery

On Tuesday, during my regulary scheduled appt, my BP was 150/100.

Cindy, the midwife for that visit sent me across the street to Labor and Delivery for monitoring.

One hour later, I was undressed strapped to a fetal and contraction monitor, having preeclampsia blood panels, bp monitoring every 15 minutes, and a 24 hr urinalysis.

Jim met me at the hospital.

Baby passed the stress test with flying colors ( of course, it got a 100% on its first test).

My BP came down to the 130's over the high 80's.

My blood panels came back fine.

My urinalysis came back with an odd reading.

My midwife on call, Pam, said that she thought I would be going home within the hour.

Jim left for training.

10 minutes later, I was fully admitted for further testing, suggested by Dr. Williams, the head of my OB practice.

I called Jim, said "change of plans", ordered dinner from the hospital menu, and settled into a new room.

No reason for Jimmy to stay with me and stare at the ceiling on a very uncomfortable love seat, so I told him to stay there at home and take care of Molli.

I tried for some sleep. The bed was terribly uncomfortable. Plus, I had people checking on me each time that I had just gotten off to sleep.

The nurses were very nice.

At 4 am, I was starving. Diane, the nurse on shift, brought me a turkey sandwich and fruit cup. It is funny how when you wake up at an abnormal time, how hungry you get.

At 7:30 am, they ran another blood panel for preeclampsia and hooked baby up to the monitors.

Baby got another 100%.

I was tired, but ordered an omelet and bagel for breakfast. The food is quite good at CRMC.

My blood panels came back a bit elevated.

At the same time, 4 people came into L&D, a busy day for the doctors and midwives and nurses.

I tried to nap as much as I could.

Jim came at lunch time, while I was scarfing down a hamburger and ff. He brought my body pillow, glasses, and library book.

I was wondering why nobody had seen me yet.

Jim fell asleep on the love seat and eventually left for home, not knowing if I was going to be discharged or continue my stay.

The nurses made it seem that I may be staying and that Dr. Williams may be inducing.

Erin, the insurance and billing specialist, brought the estimate for my stay in. My eyes bulged. $687. Yikes...but whatever...as long as my kid is ok...I don't care.

At 4 pm, I let Jim know that I had not yet met with the Dr. and that it seemed the midwives had dumped me. He was angry. I didn't want to spike my blood pressure, so I had to hang up.

At 5 pm, Dr. Williams came in to go over my results.

My urinalysis was "odd" and not readable. So, he ordered the lab to run it again.

My second blood panels were a tiny bit elevated.

I was staying overnight.

I might have the early onset of preeclampsia. My cervix was favorable at 3 cm and I may be inducedthe next day.

Well, here it is the next day.

I slept much better last night, thanks to my body pillow.

4 other people have had their babies.

I enjoyed more food. The french toast was Killer!!!

My 3rd blood panel was normal.

My 2nd urinalysis was still "odd" but not worrisome at all.

My Bp's are still fluctuating, but not within the "scary" zone.

Dr. Williams is sending me home. I have to come back on Saturday for a BP check.

I have my regulary scheduled appt with Pam on Tuesday.

My cervix is favorable at 3 cm and 50% effaced, so he says that we will see if labor can come naturally. If not, he is good to induce me next week, should any red flags pop up.

I thought for sure I was staying and being induced. Turns out, god has other plans for me this weekend.

I hope that Jimmy learned how to take care of me from the nurses here at CRMC. They were all just wonderful! It was nice to have pleasant ladies helping me.

At home, I can't do much!

So, for now, we go back to waiting. :)