Friday, January 16, 2009

Preeclampsia and Modified Bedrest

All right, here's the skinny. (Warning, this may be long and boring. Continue at your own risk...) On Monday, I went in to my OB for my regularly scheduled check-up. My blood pressure had been high enough 2 weeks ago that they'd made me do a bunch of tests, so I anticipated that it would be high because I was anxious. Unfortunately, it was too high for Dr. Petersen to excuse due to nerves, and she sent me over to the hospital for further tests and monitoring. I don't know how any of you would feel in this situation, but I flipped out. Luckily, OBs are pretty used to hormonal/emotional pregnant women, so they let me wait in the check-up room (rather than out front in the waiting room) for Tyler to come get me and take me over to the hospital.
We went over to Crestwood (for you locals), and after 2 or 3 hours, Dr. Petersen decreed that I needed to stay in the hospital over night. The next day she came to see me, and so far my blood work etc was normal, so we were just waiting on the results of one more test before she let me go with a clean bill of health (or really, a diagnosis of pregnancy induced hypertension, but without any severe restrictions). When the nurse came to let me go, she told me to head straight over to Dr. Petersen's office to discuss my results with Dr. Petersen, and she said I was ordered on bedrest. So, like a good little girl, I went over to talk with Dr. Petersen. The results of the last test were NOT negative. I had a protein level of 353 (where 300 is the maximum acceptable, and I'd had a level of 6 two weeks ago). She said if it gets to 5000, she'll deliver the baby right away. She also said she wants to deliver the baby by 37 weeks, which means we have a lot less time to prepare than we anticipated. I'm 37 weeks on February 4, but I'm not sure which day that week she'll want to schedule the delivery. My birthday is the 3rd, my sister-in-law's is the 4th, and my sister's is the 6th. So the kid only has 2 days that week that wouldn't be sharing a birthday. Somehow I think he'll adapt, though. :) In the meantime, I need to go in each Monday to repeat the tests and check the new levels. I'm allowed to work 4 hours at work and the rest at home BUT I'm not allowed to drive (apparently if it progresses, preeclampsia can induce seizures). Since it becomes a whole production to get me anywhere, I was lucky enough to arrange to work from home full-time.
I confess that I live in fear that when she gets the test results back on Monday night or Tuesday morning, she'll order me to the hospital for full bedrest, or that my protein will be so high she'll want to deliver the baby right away. I'm trying to be good and stay off my feet, but the only real cure for preeclampsia is apparently the delivery of the baby. So right now I'm just trying to take care of myself and the baby for a few more weeks. We have good support from family, and Tyler's basically the best, so at this point, please just pray for us!

Tyler wanted to record the event for posterity, so this pic was taken with his LG phone.

8 comments:

Hilary said...

Kelli-

You are a trooper! Bedrest is NO fun, but totally worth it when you get your baby in your arms! Your baby is so lucky to have you and Tyler as parents! Please call me if you need to talk 801.822.9228.

Love, Hilary

Erin Noel said...

(((HUGS))) I know all too well about bedrest. And next to I get pregnant my dr has already told me it'll start at 16 wks. Wahoo! Not! But, hey, if it gets the babies here safely, I'm all for it. I say you convince your dr to deliver your little man on Feb 9 - then he'll share my birthday! =) Keep us posted on you're doing. Be a good girl! :D

Leslie@leserleeslovesandhobbies said...

Geez, that really stinks. Hope everything gets better. Good luck!

Mr and Mrs Smith and Co said...

Thanks for explaining things to me... It helps :) And hang in there. At least you can kinda move around a little bit! And keep us up to date!

Kelli @ WhimsiKel said...

You guys are too sweet. It could be WAY worse (at least I can walk SOME), so I really wasn't trying to whine. And I really appreciate you not saying, "Suck it up, Kelli, and count your blessings!" :) But I really do appreciate your empathy. I'll repost on Monday or Tuesday (hopefully) to let you all know how things are going.

Mana said...

yes trooper for sure. hang in there :) im glad tyler got the picture for posterity...you know me....put a camera within 5 miles of me and i'll put myself in front of it :) and remember, feb 5th is my bday....let me know if you want me to send a wish list :)

Becky said...

Kelli,
I am so sorry for you. I did besd rest with Hope for 11 weeks. That is great with you work, it will give you something to fill your days. I watched a lot of T.V. Good luck.

Shapiro said...

We'll pray for you Kelli! And huge hugs to both of you and this little one! You guys are going to be such super duper parents! We are excited for this blessed little baby to be born and will pray for all to go well and smoothly! Love you guys!