in and out and back in the hospital...TILL BABIES ARRIVE!!!!

The odds were there and sure enough, I have developed it.  What is preeclampsia?  I think WebMD can explain it better than I can, "preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women develop. It is marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine...If undiagnosed, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk, and in rare cases, cause death. Women with preeclampsia who have seizures are considered to have eclampsia."  Nobody really knows the cause of it but with multiples, the odds are just increased and the only way to 'cure' it is to deliver the babies. 

So, back on October 16th, we were at our regular appointment and the nurse practitioner came in and said the protein in my urine had dramatically increased since last week and they wanted to admit me for testing.  While monitoring the preeclampsia, it was also discovered that my hematocrit (number of red blood cells) was only at 23%.  An average woman (let alone someone NOT prego with quads) should be in the 35-40% range!  So two units of blood later, the transfusion only took it to 24 1/2% when it should have brought it at least to 26 or 27.  Now the hemotologist got called in.  Lots of blood and lots of tests later, they ruled my iron was just so low it was preventing my body from making these red blood cells and that our babies were eating up everything I had!  The next day they gave me an iron infusion, which is simply an iv bag full of karo-syrup like liquid pumped right into my veins.  This was hopefully going to get my body going so I could start making my own again.

By now we were at Friday I was officially diagnosed with mild-preeclampsia.  Dr. Silver felt as long as I took my blood pressure a few times a day and again stayed off my feet, I could go home.

That next Tuesday morning I was scheduled for another iron infusion and check up and both went great.  My hematocrit was at 27% so we were headed in the right direction.  Friday's appointment came along and decided to shake things up on us.  First we went in and got measurements for the babies (see 'babies are growing' entry!) then went to clinic.  Dr. Silver walked in and said that mild-preeclampsia wasn't behaving very mildly.  Protein levels are up, blood pressure is up and the fact we are now at 29 weeks, babies could come any day.  Charlie and I look at eachother...BREATH, HE'S NOT SAYING THEY'RE COMING RIGHT NOW (but if they did, it really would be okay.  We've passed some major developmental milestones plus I forgot to mention I gotten the steroid shots that stimulate lung and brain development during our last visit).  He asked how I felt about being admitted until the babies do arrive and honestly I didn't feel too horrible about it.  I feel fine but I've never done this before.  What if babies decided to come while Charlie is at work and my sister is at the store?  Better safe than sorry!  So, we committed to being admitted. 

Charlie really has been a champ!  I definitely have my on and off days and I know it's not easy for him to be cooped up here but to say the least, I have been humbled and reminded reminded of the reasons I married this man!

Plus he keeps me entertained playing with hospital equipment

 


AND he brings me flowers




 

Looks like the beginning of the end (which is really the TRUE BEGINNING) is fast approaching!!!