Bed Rest..

So, Monday of this week I went into my OB's office for a regular prenatal visit and my blood pressure was high (139/96). My doctor was concerned and had the nurse check again. It was still high. He decided to send me to the hospital for a non-stress test (NST) and some blood work. I got all hooked up to monitors, one to monitor baby's heart rate, one to check for contractions, and one to check my blood pressure every 5 minutes. Baby was fine, her heart rate was perfect and she was super active during the whole test, but my blood pressure stayed high. My doctor had some blood drawn and they tested it. I was sent home and told I was to be on bed rest until Thursday (oh, and I got to collect my pee for 24 hours!), at which point I was to come back in for more blood work and to see whether the bed rest would be permanent.

This isn't me, but it's pretty much what I looked like:



I went back on Thursday and when the nurse took my blood pressure, she said it was 120/76! I was so excited. I thought for sure that meant I wouldn't have to be on bed rest. Then the doctor came in and looked at the results from my 24-hour urine collection--and said my protein levels were too high. The diagnosis: mild preeclampsia. So then he said, "Looks like you're on bed rest." I'm pretty sure my face turned red and my eyes got teary and I asked him if it was permanent. He said, "No, once you have the baby you'll be off of it." So not funny. So then he detailed my restrictions; luckily I can still get up, I can shower and come down stairs to get myself something to eat, I just can't do much else. Also, I have to go in once a week from now on to get an NST and have my fluid levels checked, which means I'll be seeing a lot more of baby. My doctor said that I will probably end up delivering around 36 or 37 weeks.

So life has taken a crazy turn. And even though I know it will be hard for me, the baby's health and mine are the most important thing at this point.