I am on bed rest.
This is not where you think to yourself -- "I wish someone would tell me to sit on my ass in front of the tv for weeks." I promise. It's not anywhere as glamourous as your imagination has you believing. For someone who pushes themselves to all limits, it's torture. BUT. I do so willingly to bring my son into the world safely. It's the best for us both. Duh.
A little 4-1-1:
I have mild preeclampisa. My blood pressure leaves little to be desired and I'm ready to deliver this baby by natural standards; fully effaced and 2cm dilated at 35 weeks.
With Nash, I was on bed rest (full-on, don't leave the couch, don't blowdry your hair, don't move bed rest) for 6 weeks. I slipped into a depression. My muscles atrophied. I was miserable. So, this time around, I'm praying to the OBGYN Gods that I get to stay on "sprained ankle" bed rest with the hopes of my water breaking and I get to live at least half of my "normal" labor and delivery dream. Here's hopin'. If that doesn't happen, she'll induce me in 2 weeks. Oddly enough, I had a dream 3 months ago that Knox ended up being born close to the Fourth of July. Uh huh... I sure did!
My doc said I can move to shower and dress, make small meals, float in the pool, go to the movies, etc. Essentially, acting as if I have a sprained ankle. Not so bad when you consider it could be worse.
I've spent a total of 29 hours under Labor & Delivery observation and look like a pincushion. I've slept in the awful discomfort of the hospital bed, refused their food, and given my share of dirty looks to that nurse I hate. She knows who she is.... Saturday night I slept under an Ambien haze (not so shabby after 8 months of not a drop of liquor... I miss my margaritas and gin!) and suffered some pretty painful contractions (see pic below). They came so often that I was given a shot of Terbutaline to halt their intensity. Worked like a charm. :)
In terms of all those projects you've read about and followed over the last 6 months or so... yeaahhhh. They are not done. KILLING ME. But, such is life. Gretchen will stay half "dressed". Nash's bed is having to be re-done. GUH. And so it now lives at Grandma and Grandpa's as they try to finish it for me.... and me? Working hard at being content on this bed rest. Thankful I'm getting to at least sit and savor Nash's nuances from the couch. Thankful I have a Mother and Father who are willing to set aside what they want and need to do to help with the boys and working hard at praying often for patience, understanding, calm and health. God knows what's best and he already has the plan worked out. I'm just waiting to see what happens in the end.
:)
Cheers to a healthy little guy and an even healthier Mama!
