Hospital Day 2 - 23+ Weeks

Well, for now, I have taken up residence at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. I felt great relief that my admission day finally arrived, and we have made it to another milestone. We checked in yesterday morning around 11am, and it was a good, but taxing day with evaluations, consultations, exams, and more consultations. It's obvious to me that I am in great and capable hands here. I saw a wonderful team of doctors, who covered as much as possible. I know I've explained this, but the fact that I have made it 7+ weeks with ruptured membranes is amazing, but a double edged sword. It's incredibly encouraging that I could continue to carry, yet a matter of great concern of the dangers it poses to me and the baby should a problem arise. The doctors are guarded as they repeatedly describe the detriment to baby when there is little to no amniotic fluid. I won't list all the horrible complications they have described beyond saying that a 23 week old baby has a 1-6 chance of surviving... and in my case, being ruptured it's much worse. The primary concern being pulminary hypoplasia which is incomplete development of the lungs. I'm not trying to dwell on the negative, just continuing to be aware of what's "probable" so that you know how to pray specifically for us and our baby. I did however feel a bit more encouraged today after speaking with the Neonatologist and another main attending that I hadn't met yet. He said "You've already beaten the 'odds' by making it this far." My blood pressure ran low all night, but has come up today. Seems its likely a result of inactivity and bed rest.

The "plan" or next goal right now is to make it to 24 weeks, which will be on Sunday. At that point I will receive a steroid injection to aid his lung development and a round of IV and oral antibiotics. We had to weigh the timing of the steroid injections. Generally, they like to do the injection within 7-10days of delivery for the most benefit, however, in this precarious situation, not knowing when that will be, they feel there is very strong evidence that this will be a great benefit to him, even if I'm able to carry much longer. The 23rd week is still a very "gray period" of pre-viability where they don't have much to go on that says it would be significant in aiding or increasing his life expectancy or survival if I were to deliver this week. Here's where our faith comes in once again... faith, that we've made the best and right decision to wait until Sunday for the steroids. Hope, that remaining fluid, no matter how small is ENOUGH for his precious lung development, and enough to prevent chord prolapse, chord compression, or limb deformity. Amazing the role even ONE more week plays in this. For now, they will continue to monitor me and baby's heart tones, and I will continue to pray, hope and try and remain as positive as I can... catching up on some sleep would be nice too!

So, all in all, it's been a good couple of days all things considered. My parents and Stella helped me get all settled in. We're making the room as "homey" as possible. My mom will be staying in town most of the time to be available and keep me company. Ryan will continue to work and keep things as normal as possible for Stella... normal that is, given the situation. He'll bring her up on Saturdays after work and stay till Sunday evening. We'll work out other arrangements for visits with her during the week as well, so that I can be with her more than just on the weekends. I just don't think I could handle only seeing her on weekends.



What I'll miss about bedrest at home.... There is a song that I have begun listening to and thinking about repeatedly. It's called "You Are My Strength." I remember when I picked this song out to have my worship team learn, and how at the time, though I loved it, I had no idea the significance, meaning, and impact it would have for me. Here a link where you can hear it... hope it will be uplifting to you as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGMOKBki56k
You are my strength, strength like no other
Strength like no other reaches to me
You are my hope, hope like no other
Hope like no other, reaches to me
In the fullness of Your grace In the power of Your Name,
You lift me up... You lift me up
Unfailing love, stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans, reaches to me
You're love oh, Lord, reaches to the heavens
You're faithfulness reaches to the skies
By Reuben Morgan © 2007 Reuben Morgan/Hillsong Publishing)Adm in the US & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)ASCAP

With love,
Kristin