Still in the Hospital
Last night the nurse woke me up to give me yet another shot to control the persistent contractions. They were beginning to intensify. A couple hours later, they gave me another shot. I was having 12 contractions an hour.
The drug that helps stop the contractions is called terbutaline. Normally, hospitals only give 1-2 injections to help delay delivery. During my stay, I've had 6. I'm also on a pill that's also supposed to delay labor, though I forget the name.
A specialist came in and gave me an ultrasound. He found that 1.) my cervix is very short, meaning that I'm at a very high risk for early delivery; 2.) Audric has a cute tuft of hair already; 3.) Audric is pushing his hairy head against my shortened, effaced cervix like he wants to come out. Silly baby. For so long I was convinced he'd be like Bryce and be 2 weeks late (even now, Bryce likes to sleep in), but instead, the kid is like me -- completely incapable of relaxing or sitting still, and eager to get out of bed.
75% of women in my category (testing positive for fetal fibronectin, having a shortened/effaced cervix) give birth before term. Most give birth within 2-7 days of the onset of pre-term labor. I'm on day four. So, the odds are very good that Audric will be here within the next few days. Again, we're still trying to keep Audric in for as long as possible.
Even though I'm worried about the possible health implications that an early delivery will mean for Audric, prospects are very good for him.
Well, the nurse just told me that sitting up time is over. Got to go.
The drug that helps stop the contractions is called terbutaline. Normally, hospitals only give 1-2 injections to help delay delivery. During my stay, I've had 6. I'm also on a pill that's also supposed to delay labor, though I forget the name.
A specialist came in and gave me an ultrasound. He found that 1.) my cervix is very short, meaning that I'm at a very high risk for early delivery; 2.) Audric has a cute tuft of hair already; 3.) Audric is pushing his hairy head against my shortened, effaced cervix like he wants to come out. Silly baby. For so long I was convinced he'd be like Bryce and be 2 weeks late (even now, Bryce likes to sleep in), but instead, the kid is like me -- completely incapable of relaxing or sitting still, and eager to get out of bed.
75% of women in my category (testing positive for fetal fibronectin, having a shortened/effaced cervix) give birth before term. Most give birth within 2-7 days of the onset of pre-term labor. I'm on day four. So, the odds are very good that Audric will be here within the next few days. Again, we're still trying to keep Audric in for as long as possible.
Even though I'm worried about the possible health implications that an early delivery will mean for Audric, prospects are very good for him.
Well, the nurse just told me that sitting up time is over. Got to go.