Saturday, July 26, 2008

The first 24

Thank you, all, for your kind and encouraging comments. We are hanging in, and doing pretty well. So say I, but also the doctors and the nurses.

Since with magnesium I am not allowed to get out of bed, the jig dancing for making it through the first 24 hours and to the second dose of steroids was mostly virtual. And truthfully, it was a little anticlimactic, due to the complete lack of drama in the preceding many hours. Just the way we like it, of course.

Mid morning the cervix check declared it holding at 2cm and 50%, which bought me clear liquids, including jello. Half way through the day they deemed the contractions slowed down enough to lower the dose of mag. Made it noticeably easier to breathe. The evening pair of docs even suggested that they could consider taking me off the mag entirely sometime tomorrow before the 48 hours are up. But I am not up for living quite that dangerously on account of how fast I progress through labors when they actually happen, so I told them I can handle the mag for the full 48.

The doctors are much encouraged by the even further reduction in contractions, so while they are not making promises, they are talking about the negative fibronectin from a week ago and the reduced contractions as good signs for not expecting labor to resume right away after tomorrow night.

The mag is clearly making the baby quieter than usual, but he is still apparently doing well, maybe even better than what they are used to seeing from most babies on mag. Works for me, you know? And did I mention how much I love the sound of the monitor? I believe I did, rather recently.

It is dawning on us that we might, just might, eventually go home with a live baby. So to prepare for that eventuality, JD ran a bunch of errands today, very efficiently. But guess what? We still don't have any baby detergent, and I didn't remember that until tonight. Nice, no?

30 comments:

luna said...

so glad to hear the excellent news. you keep that little guy warm and comfy for as long as you can! thinking of you.

Julie said...

Don't worry about baby detergent. You can wash the kiddo in Tide just like you do the rest of your family.

(I kid because I love, and because...I don't have any, either.)

k@lakly said...

Thanx for the speedy update, I'm checking in regularly. No worries on baby detergent, it's an easy fix, unlike the drama we have all known, right?
Keep on cooking that little bugger and tell him to stay put just as long as he can:)
xxoo

Ange said...

Have been checking in often to see how you are doing..and it sounds as if you are doing great. Hang in there..both of you.

B's Mom said...

Good luck to you both.

Betty M said...

Glad things are still going well with keeping the baby inside for longer.
Baby detergent? That will definitely keep. I never used anything special for clothes myself and didn't use anything on the babies until they were a good few weeks old.

JW Moxie said...

I'm so glad to hear that you're holding steady and that the mag is doing its job without being too terribly hard on you.

Wabi said...

HOLY HELL ... I went away from the computer for 24 hours and felt all the air instantly squeeze out of me when I read your post title just now.

I am so relieved the first 24 hours of steroids are done. I'm so glad you went to the hospital when you did. I'm praying the next 24 goes well, and that you can hold out even further beyond that, too.

You know, when Little A came unexpectedly in week 35, we had not one stitch of clothing that fit a baby of her size, and were missing all the usual things people usually gather up prebirth (diapers, wipes, baby wash, burp cloths, etc.) And it was absolutely ok. That stuff can be handled after the fact, no problem.

Of course, if writing lists helps you pass the time, then go to it. People are likely wishing they could help. The next time anyone asks if there is somehing they can do, send 'em shopping.

Mrs. Spit said...

Keep on hangin in. Still praying.

N said...

So glad things seem to be going well so far. I'm keeping you guys in my thoughts.

niobe said...

So far, so good. Thanks for the very encouraging update.

a- said...

Good deal! Hang in there girlie!

Tash said...

Back from the beach and I find you WHERE? Baby detergent's overrated. Hang in there, both of you. Hang tight.

CLC said...

So happy to hear all is still well. Who cares about baby detergent! I am anxiously awaiting more good news from you!

kate said...

So glad to hear such a positive update!

I have never used baby detergent myself...

S said...

this is exciting! glad to hear that everything's going smoothly.

Amelie said...

Glad you're doing ok. I hope the next 24h progress just as uneventfully.

Catherine said...

Goodness...miss a day...I tell ya! I'm glad to know things look well. I'm wishing you all the best. {{{hugs}}}

Aurelia said...

Good things to hear considering everything that has happened. FWIW, I use Tide Free, which is unscented and has no funny colors. So it's fine for babies and everyone else.

Cindy said...

What a fantastic multi-tasker you are - updating us while doing a fine job of keeping your little guy in as long as possible. Bravo! And, I must say, I've never used special baby detergent either - never had time to grab any!

Lollipop Goldstein said...

You take two days away from Reader and look what happens. I'm glad things are stabilizing and I hope they have you off of mag soon. Sending so many good thoughts.

Snickollet said...

So behind on blog reading!

So sorry things took a turn for concern, but glad that the first 24h have gone well.

Thinking of you.

Unknown said...

glad to hear it...right down to the needing to buy pricey baby detergent. nitty, gritty, reality.

Rosepetal said...

Oh my goodness, I was offline a couple of days and missed all this.
Stay in there baby - for a couple more days at least!

I am excited and nervous for you. Thinking of you so much my friend.

I didn't have any clothes for Beanie either - and he was just fine in hospital clothes. Plus DH didn't have to wash them!

Magpie said...

baby detergent is overrated.

glad you're holding your own.

Antigone said...

Holy Smokes! I wish I'd been paying more attention to my reader.

sweetsalty kate said...

Wowza, I'm just catching up now after being away since last week. Hang in there my dear, and I'm thinking of you. day by day, as the cliche goes! xoxo

Anonymous said...

I am glad you are hanging in there. Thoughts being sent your way.

Sue said...

Thought I had commented, but I'm apparently insane.

Glad things seem calm enough and that you are in good hands. Hoping your little one stays put for a bit.

Thinking of you, Julia, and your family.

wannabe mom said...

so glad that you and baby are OK. mag sucks, but what we wouldn't do for our little ones.

(sorry i've been out of touch.)