Plan B, Week 33

Yesterday Plan A stood for Anniversary celebration once Doug returned to town. Plan B stood for Baby, and unbeknownst to us, that’s the plan we were getting for the day! My water started leaking on Saturday afternoon (very small amounts at a time and so it wasn’t an obvious sign) and so I came into the hospital Sunday morning as per direction of the nurse practitioner. They confirmed that it was amniotic fluid leaking (my water broke) and so they have given me:
1. Terbutaline (to stop the contractions I didn’t even feel yet)
2. Magnesium (to do the same)
3. Antibiotics to prevent infection from my water breaking
4. Steroid shots to help the baby’s lungs develop in time for delivery.
Once the steroids have reached their full effect assisting the lungs develop, they’ll eliminate the magnesium and let me go into labor. (approximately 36 hours from noon Sunday which means labor to start probably Tuesday sometime). There is a lot of good news here, though.
The contractions have responded to the medication and have stopped. I have not had the typical nausea from the Magnesium and so have been able to eat lots of food to keep up my strength (even sushi from Whole Foods, cooked crab of course!). The baby’s heart rate remains in the appropriate range, with continued kicking at my lungs and hiccup fits. My amniotic fluid level is low, but we’re cranking in the water orally and via IV. I go to the bathroom probably every 1.5 hours and it’s generally over 24 oz. each time! The baby’s head is still down, which will lend to a vaginal delivery as long as all vitals remain good (vitals being an obvious top priority).
Doug was able to catch an earlier flight back from Dallas yesterday morning and has proven to be stellar in his first on-demand dad-to-be job tasks. He has really been amazing and calm.
We’ll know more after I see my OB today and continue another day of doing what we’re supposed to do. The baby will most likely be in the NICU anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. They say here that 34 week gestational babies seem huge in the NICU which is something wonderful to hear. I am very encouraged and although 34 weeks is not optimal, it is what is meant to be. I have worked with a lot of babies that were born 25-28 weeks and so I know 34 weeks is a whole ‘nother ballgame. Yes, I am anxious, but am in the best of hands and am focusing on relaxing.
My work sites have all been notified and boy, have they been great about rallying the troops and making things smooth. I am amazed at their support and continued kindness to me. I am going to try and round a few things out today, but I’m in really good shape.
I will be posting to our website http://lakebaby.blogspot.com and will be checking my email intermittently as well. Don’t worry about emailing me questions. I will rest if I need to rest and do only what I can. We are at Methodist Hospital and in good hands. Doug is working this morning, but coming over for whenever the docs visit. Easy since he’s just right across the street! I will stay here until I go into labor. If you want to call, please call my cell phone. 332-7866 I do enjoy chatting and the encouragement, but do need to keep it brief as I am getting easily overwhelmed.
Thanks in advance for your continued support, prayers and well wishes!
Maleia, Doug, and Baby Lake


Update at 1:35 p.m.
Doug and I met with my OB briefly and the Perinatalogist for a good bit. The ultrasound puts baby at 4 pounds 13 oz. with restored amniotic fluid and good movement. The head is pretty far down and positioned beautifully. Two issues are prematurity (34 weeks) and infection since my bag of waters broke. They are giving me 2 types of antibiotics, an anti fungal, and good ol’ IV sugar water. They’re monitoring my temp, heart rate, and blood pressure every 4 hours. They are also monitoring the baby’s heart rate and my contractions every 12 hours, but that monitoring will likely increase now. They have taken me off the magnesium which initially stopped the mild, but regular contractions. I am still on bedrest with bathroom privileges. The plan (and our hope) is that I will begin regular contractions again and we’ll work into a vaginal delivery. If I don’t start contracting again, they will likely start me on some Pitocin to start contractions, but they aren’t sure when they’ll do that. Our feeling tells us probably tomorrow as they don’t want to risk infection.
Once the baby is born, it’ll head quickly down to the NICU and probably stay for at least a week; however, that depends on a whole lot as well…. The story is just that, it depends!
We are doing very well, Doug and I. Our spirits are good and we are dealing with the uncertainty as best as one can. I have told my sister Mindy quite often about my favorite prayer by St. Theresa and how it has helped me have faith in the master plan and where I am at this moment in time. Have faith that you are where you are meant to be. Okedokee!
Doug has been amazing at juggling Daddy to be, husband, and informed physician. He has been an great advocate for what I want and for asking very pointed questions of others. He is on call tonight and will probably be staying at home if I am not in labor yet. At least that is what I am pushing him to do. Pray for good sleep for the both of us as we will need our energy soon!
Love to all,
Maleia and Upside Down Baby Lake!