Monday was not such a great day. The placenta position is a full placenta previa, resting completely over the cervix. We've known about this for weeks. It's not preventable, as the position of origin seems to be determined at the time of implantation (when lil Cletus chose his spot to 'stick' on the wall of the uterus). It can cause bleeding, sometimes severe, particularly if the placenta has a full previa. I've been hoping it would move up and off of the cervix. Sending it secret messages to move move move up up up!
No dice. I had bleeding and fluid loss on Monday morning. We rushed to the ER, and went straight to Labor and Delivery. There were IVs and monitors, and baby Cletus was hooked up to the NST. I was able to hear his heart beat and they could watch for contractions. The biggest concern was making sure labor wasn't starting and that the bleeding wasn't severe. I was hooked up to an IV with drip insulin and glucose solution to keep me hydrated. I couldn't eat or drink, in case they needed to send me to surgery for a c-section.
Even though I was anxious and scared, it was delightful to realize how often little Cletus had hiccups. From what I can figure, the glucose solution went straight into me, then into the amniotic fluid, and baby boy swallows that fluid to get his nutrients. Well straight sweet stuff gives him those hiccups!! He was also a very hyper guy, flipping and flopping around. It was even hard for the nurses to find him on the monitors, because he was so squirrrely.
They have been taking good care of us. Fortunately the bleeding has subsided and now they are just keeping an eye on things for the next 5-7 days. I'm off all of the monitors, back on my insulin pump, and am allowed to eat and drink. I'm on full bed rest, and will be for the rest of the pregnancy. What happens in the next few days to few weeks will determine if I do my bed rest at home, or in the hospital. We want Cletus to stay in utero for as long as possible. I'd love it if we can stretch the 26 weeks we're at now to 37 weeks. 32 weeks would be okay. Every week we can gain is a blessing to let his organs continue to develop and grow. I'm comforted to know that our hospital has a great neonatal intensive care unit. It'd be even better to skip the NICU altogether.
We are lucky to have wonderful family and friends, coworkers and online buddies. Thank you all for your love and support. Every bit of positive energy is appreciated and welcomed. I apologize if we haven't been able to get in touch in person; it's been a bit of a crazy time. I've been telling you all about this from the Mom-who-is-gestating-perspective, but I can say that Pappa is doing a great job of taking care of me. And taking care of our two dogs, and the house, and communicating with everyone, and bringing me things to keep me entertained while I'm laid up. Even though this situation is less than ideal, we're doing all we can to follow the doctor's orders and stay positive.
There is a lot to be happy for. Hang in there Cletus! You're not done yet, you need to keep on cookin'.
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