Woohoo! 14 days of bedrest down and the goal is at least 27 more.
Well, the update from yesterday's doctor's appointment...
I went in planning to just get the same "stay on bedrest" lecture. The doctor, who I really liked, asked me if I was having contractions and I told her that this is my first pregnancy to make it this far and that I don't really know what they feel like, so I don't know. She decided to have them hook me up to a monitor and also take residual blood pressure readings. So, they camped me out in the most comfortable chair I've sat in for a long time with my feet propped up and started the monitors. At first they were trying to get a monitor to stay on one of the baby's heartbeats, but the medical assistant couldn't find one that would stay (the babies were moving too much). She kept saying that you would think it would be easier with three. I'm pretty sure my blood pressure was rising the longer it was taking her to find heartbeats. In the end the doctor told her not to worry about that since we had an ultrasound the day before that showed heartbeats were fine.
After a little bit the dr. came in and told me that I was having contractions every 8 minutes and that my blood pressure was reading higher than they wanted fairly consistently. So, she headed down to the high risk doctor to talk about what to do. She came back and said they were sending me across to Tampa General Hospital and that I would be admitted for the night for observation. She also said they might give me the steriod shots to help the lungs mature on the babies in case they are coming right away.
So, Grandma Becky (Mike's grandma) and I headed across the street to TGH. We got checked in and they put me on an IV and monitors. At one point the nurse told me that I was having contractions every two minutes and my blood pressure was still high.
After a little bit, our least favorite resident doctor returned to the room to talk to me. He had the ultrasound results from Monday but still wanted to check that everything was closed and long that is supposed to be. Apparently it was to his satisfaction. I asked about the steriod shots and he started with his usual speech I have heard before about other things..."there is no proof that they help but there is no proof that they hurt" but either way, that is something they wait on until they are absolutely sure the babies are coming. Of course, at least once he stated that he would have to talk to "his boss" about something. That drives me nutso. I understand he is a resident, but it doesn't give the patient much comfort when the provider keeps referring to his boss. I just want to say, "Never mind, SEND YOUR BOSS TO ME!!!" I know this is a teaching hospital and it probably wouldn't bother me so much if he didn't already rub me the wrong way, but it does. The topic is not something like "can you ask your manager if I can have a discount" - then I don't mind people asking their boss. We are talking about the lives of 3 of our children all at once! Okay, so I better get off my soapbox because I really could go on and on about this one. I work to remind myself that God is still in control even when I want to rip out the iv and run down the hall in my "airy" hospital gown when this guy walks into the room.
In the end, they didn't keep me overnight for observation. He came back in and said that since I'm not feeling the contractions, they aren't going to worry about it for now. My blood pressure had come down a little while I was there. They are doing a 24 hour test on me right now to figure out if the high blood pressure is just pregnancy related in general or if it is a sign of preeclampsia.
I have another ultrasound next Wednesday unless something happens before then. The good news is that at least we are to the point in the pregnancy where they CAN give the steriod shot to help the babies lungs develop.
In the midst of all the uncertainty and different reports from different doctors, I'm so thankful for a Sovereign God who knows my babies even while they are in my womb. Each day I carry them is a privilege and an honor (no matter how uncomfortable it gets). :)
7 comments:
I applaud your attitude of being grateful no matter the discomfort! That was my prayer throughout my pregnancy, too, and also for when my trio arrived. I was afraid I would be so uncomfortable or later so busy that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the moments that I had longed for for so long. But God is so gracious! I can honestly say I'm having the time of my life, no matter what challenges I face.
Continuing to pray for you that your blood pressure will come down, that your contractions will ease and everything will stay closed and long, so you can keep those babies cookin' in there. :) (Also that the irritating doctor will get assigned elsewhere, and you can deal with his boss. Seriously, you don't need the stress--he could be the reason your BP is up!)
If that resident drives you nuts you are free to fire him. When I was in labor with Tyler, we fired the resident that drove us nuts. Tell the attending you don't like him and get him off your case.
Happy to hear things are going well.
If that resident drives you nuts you are free to fire him. When I was in labor with Tyler, we fired the resident that drove us nuts. Tell the attending you don't like him and get him off your case.
Happy to hear things are going well.
Thanks for your thoughts, girlies! Mike did straight up ask while he was in the room if we could get a different doctor or if there was a female available to keep doing these checks (or at least someone with smaller fingers). The guy (who is the high risk person on that floor who is there like ALL the time) said that it doesn't work that way and that "normal" doctors are afraid of me because I have triplets and "besides, it is better to have the same person checking each time because they will notice changes (REALLY? you can stick your fingers there and remember the difference in what my specific cervix felt like last week????). So he told me that basically since he was the one who was there the first night that I went in, that I am stuck with him. I told Mike that maybe next time they will just admit me to the other side where the high risk doctors actually do rounds and that guy isn't there.
Tell the nurses you don't want him! Tell the attendings! This guy makes you uncomfortable, go over his head. There is no reason you have to continue to have him see you when you go in. Make it clear to anyone and everyone you don't want him. Demand to see the attending! It is your right. Sometimes you just have to make waves.
I think I'm just afraid that the answer is going to be that we HAVE to see this guy and that by causing a stink it is going to make it more uncomfortable than it already is. You know what I mean?
At your next appointment talk to your doctor about the situation. You might not be the only one who doesn't like him. He is your employee (paid by your insurance). It is hard. I can understand your fear of retaliation. I have fired a resident while I was in labor. The nurse was our best ally.
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