Yesterday we had a great appointment with Dr. Tabor, perhaps the best we’ve had in weeks. This time, all of the babies performed on cue. My vitals were fine, and he said my blood sugar was “perfect”. So, I was sent home for another week of freedom.
As usual, I was totally exhausted when I got home. I tried to take a nap, but never got comfortable enough to rest well. By early evening, I was getting increasingly uncomfortable and had sporadic contractions. As the evening progressed, so did the contractions. They eventually ramped up to a pattern of occurring every 10-15 minutes so we called Dr. Tabor who instructed us to head to labor and delivery. By the time we got to the hospital, contractions were two minutes apart and intense. Once we checked in, I was attached to a Toco monitor to check the contractions and a fetal heart rate monitor for two of the babies’ heartbeats (it was too difficult to get all four so we settled on two at a time). Dr. Tabor ordered for me to increase fluid intake and prescribed Vicodin. At first, I was uncomfortable, but not in pain so I didn’t know why I needed Vicodin. Well, two hours after having contractions every two minutes cleared it up for me. That many contractions becomes painful! The Vicodin literally couldn’t start working fast enough. My nurse, Katie, checked my cervix and it was unchanged, but we were in it for the night.
Lucky George got to sleep on the sofa in jeans with what he called “denim sheets” and “diaper pillows”. My bed was fairly comfortable, but I was hooked up to several monitors, there were lights from the monitors and I could hear everything in the hallway. Needless to say, sleep was somewhat elusive. At 6:00 sharp, Dr. Tabor stopped by to check on me and my cervix. That was a fun wake up call! My cervix was still unchanged so we just had to wait for the fetal fibronectin (ffn) results to find out what would happen next. My ffn was negative meaning labor would not likely occur within the next two weeks so we got to come home. Whew! This is becoming quite the roller coaster!
After spending the night at the hospital, George is now tweaking a few things so it is better next time (we know there will be a next time). He is packing a “go bag” for himself with a toothbrush, pjs, and bedding at the least. Plus, he got the neighbors phone numbers so we can call them to care for the dogs if needed.
This is the computer screen showing my contractions, the hills are contractions and the lines between show one minute intervals. Below is what the Toco monitor looks like from my perspective.
Since we got to stay the night, I was served a delicious hospital breakfast in bed. I bet you wish you had some too. George refused to have any of it and I choked down the toast and hash browns. I have no idea what that bacon looking stuff was.
Hugs,
Amber
29 weeks, 3 days
Four to Adore 
Amber, you poor thing! I was just thinking of you this morning and was going to check in and see how things have been going… what a night! Hopefully you won’t have a repeat of this for a very long time. Good news that the doc appt went well and the ffn is negative. Tell George he is a trooper! Keep up the GREAT JOB of cooking your babies! Praying for you!!
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It was a rough night, but I have a feeling it’s just the first like that. George is such a great rock, I could not go it alone!
When is your appointment? Thinking of you!
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Still praying for you all! 29+ weeks… That’s awesome!
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Keep up that praying, it works 🙂
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I think you might just make it to 34 weeks! Wouldn’t that be something?
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It sure would, after last night 34 seems daunting again. I had a second wind last week, but last night killed it.
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That was one heck of a roller coaster ride. Don’t they tell preggo moms no rides! So glad you were sent back home and a neg fFn is awesome. I can not believe you are so close to 30 weeks! I keep thinking about packing a go bag but if I packed any clothes I would have no clothes left to wear! Have a QUIET rest of your week at home.
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Hummm… It sounds like your doing good at home and then when you go see the doctor you get too exhausted and have contractions. I think your doctor should come to you for check ups! 😀 Of course I dont know how much that would cost ya, but has to be less than an overnight stay in the hospital! …… (in the middle of this comment my mom called – she agrees, but suggests a home health nurse instead of a doctor. lol. I dont even know if these things are options, but hey, worth a try.) 😉
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Ohhh man, seeing that photo of your contraction monitor and the screen brings recent memories flooding back!! I recall watching my monitor SO MUCH in my final two weeks, had contractions like yours nearly every day. Ugh. Very very glad your test came back negative, girl you are hanging strong! Welcome to your final weeks, it will be like this through to the end. Don’t forget to pack an eye mask for when you are admitted, those lights from the machines at night bugged me to no end and I loved wearing my mask for peaceful sleeping! (It also keeps nurses from assuming you’re awake all the time and they come and go more quietly!)
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Being there one night made me amazed at how long you were there. I would have crumbled! I actually had an eye mask in my go bag and was so glad I had it! It helped me get the few hours of sleep I managed. I was still wearing it when my doc came in at 6!
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