Quick update: I'm back at Rochester Methodist Hospital. I'm still pregnant, and somewhat stable.
Long update:
I had my appointment on Friday, and Dr. Larson noticed that my cervix had gone down significantly enough that he wanted to re-up my steroids for the babies' lungs. I had the option of having this done in Mankato. The way steroids shots work, they are administered 24 hours apart and takes 48 hours for the full effects to take place. Dr. Larson did warn me that I most likely would be transferred to Rochester this weekend because of the condition and 'high-risk pregnancy' behind my name on my medical record. I chose to just get ahead of the game and come right to Rochester for the steroid administration.
We got to Rochester around 6:00 on Friday (after a McDonald's stop). I was put into an observation room and the doctor came in after awhile and she decided to do a dilation check, since I hadn't been checked since when I got discharged here on December 23rd. She did the exam and she sighed and said, "You're not going to like what I'm about to say." I, obviously always quick to open my mouth, I said, "I'm dilated." She shook her head said and said "5 centimeters. We're going to have babies tonight" I was a complete basket case. She told me that there was no time for the steroid administration and barely any time for the magnesium to protect the babies' brains, but she kept reassuring me that everything will be okay and there are more 'fabulous' outcomes of 28 week births than not. I've been preparing myself for this moment for weeks... and it was here, and I was a mess. No matter how much preparation done, it never prepares you for the actual petrifying moment and hearing the words, "You're going to have extremely premature babies... tonight."
I got moved to a a labor and delivery room, and like before, teams of people kept filing in. We had lab in to draw my blood, anesthesia come to talk over our options, the labor and delivery doctors, neonatology.... it's kind of a of haze now. They did start the magnesium, hydration, and penicillin.... and I did get a shot of steroids. They told me that basically we were in a holding pattern until we reach 7-8 centimeters before we get rolled into the operating room for a c-section (too many potential complications to 28 weekers for a vaginal attempt).
I was monitored every 30 minutes to 1 hour Friday night. I was checked for further dilation throughout the night, and nothing had changed.
Yesterday, all the doctors were still on edge with an impending delivery. I've been having a lot of contractions, some up to 2 minutes apart, and as far as 7 minutes apart, and I've been having insane back pain. They won't give me the 'good stuff' for pain anymore because I'm not in 'active labor' anymore.... just 'labor'. So many intricate terms... but I really liked the good stuff when I was considered to be in 'active labor'.... I want to be as far away from 'active labor' as possible... but I had some good pain meds then!
We got to our second dose of steroids last night, which is HUGE. The girls now have everything they need to have the best outcome when it comes to respiratory issues. I also got the full dose of magnesium for protection against a potential brain bleed, which is also common in preemies.
Great news: It's Sunday and they're still baking!! I was checked this morning, and still dilated to 5. Once again, my doctor is baffled, but they are very quick to say "It might to be two hours, it might be two weeks." They don't know how long I've been dilated... if it happened over night or over the course of weeks.
Sorry for the overwhelming update. The plot of this journey has thickened. Any extra prayers would be welcome... especially for a healthy and successful delivery of these two precious girls. We are at a great place who will take great care of them and are at the top the technology advancements to have successful outcomes of 28 weekers.
Thanks for the prayers everyone! God is good and is working overtime!
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