Preterm Labor

This weekend was one of the scariest weekends I have been through in a long time. The thought that my little Bentley could be coming into this world, so small and so vulnerable, scared me to death.

Wednesday, the 15th, I had a high risk doctor's appointment in Phoenix. We had an ultrasound and met with the doctor. Everything looked GREAT. Baby was head down and riding low, but the doctor didn't seem concerned. Bentley was measuring on track, two pounds already! :)  My Mom and I stopped at Babies'R'Us on the way home and got some goodies. While we were shopping, I kept having abdominal cramps. I wrote it off to stretching and growing pains.

The "cramps" continued for a few hours, having about two an hour. I started timing them to be careful, but never had more than two or three within an hour. I woke up the next morning and was having them about every ten minutes. I called my OB and she said to go into Labor and Delivery.

I got to L&D about 9:30 am. I was hooked up to the monitors, had a UA, and they ran my blood. The doctor came in and told me that my contractions were every two to three minutes and getting stronger. My UA came back with a kidney infection, and my blood showed that my potassium was very low. Dr. Ohanesien gave my tributaline to stop the contractions, it didn't help. So then they gave me two shots, don't remember the name, and again it didn't help. They checked my cervix at this point and said that the baby had dropped into the canal and that they were flying me to Phoenix.

I told David and he got off work and met me before I was loaded on the helicopter. At about 3:30 I was at St. Joseph's hospital in Phoenix. They then gave me potassium and steroid shots to help the baby's lungs in case of delivery. My contractions stayed the same. They then did an ultrasound and said that my cervix was short and soft. I was there for three days with continuous monitoring. The contractions didn't fully stop, but because there was no change in my cervix or dilation, I was sent home on bedrest.

It was so scary feeling so helpless, and worrying so much about my baby. Now, I'm just taking it easy and trying to keep little Bentley in there as long as I can. Everyone showed me so much support through all of this, I can't even put my gratitude and appreciation into words. It means so much to me, thank you.

I need to specifically thank David and my Mom. They were there for me at a drop of a hat and stayed with me the entire time. They were so supportive and understanding, I don't know what I would have done without them. David has gone above and beyond to help me get through this, he is so amazing. Thank you baby.

Bentley has so many people who care about him and love him. He is going to be so spoiled rotten when he gets here, let's just hope that's not for a while :)