As my bed rest time draws to a close (a week or two depending on my doctor’s appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday), I have a few thoughts:
- The first few weeks were the hardest, particularly emotionally. Emotionally it was hard to go from running around and doing everything to doing absolutely nothing except what I could do from a side-lying position. Thinking about the possibility of delivering a 23 week old baby was stressful beyond words. Dave kept reminding me that my only job was to be still and keep this baby in!
- Physically it was hard to adjust to inactivity. Every part of me ached for a few weeks. The Terbutaline made my heart pound out of my chest for the first few days. Thankfully, I got used to the medication and have only dealt with a slightly higher heart rate and hot flashes.
- Regarding Carmen, I found it very hard to no longer be Carmen’s primary care-taker during the day. Particularly the first week when she was really sick. I can suction her but have to ask Dave or someone else to change her diaper, start her day feeding, give her medication, reposition her, etc.
- Lauren has thoroughly enjoyed having me on bed rest. I am a captive audience!
- I initially thought that I would read and read. I found that my attention span for reading is very, very short. Before bed rest, I would read a book in a day or two. For the past 11 weeks, I don’t think I have gotten through a single book! I will pick one up and then put it down.
- I also thought I would watch every great movie I ever wanted to see. For some reason, I found watching TV/movies to be tiring. I have watched a few good movies here and there.
- It takes a village. I’m not sure my sanity would have stayed intact without a super-duper husband, in-laws always willing to jump in the car and drive 7 hours to help, friends bringing meals and running errands, friends helping with the girls, an online bed rest buddy, a nurse to call 24/7 with any questions or concerns, and friends to call/email when everything seemed overwhelming.
- It takes a lot of grace on the part of the healthy spouse to deal with the bed-ridden spouse! Thanks, Dave.
Yesterday, I suddenly realized that this baby might be born and we will have no pregnancy pictures except for a few we took at 20 weeks. So, Dave got out the camera. This is the most accurate depiction of the past 11 weeks, ha!
Me at 34 weeks and 5 days.
Looking good! We all applaud you. Something like that is much more mental and emotional than anything else, I think, so I’m glad that you’ve been sticking it out! You’re an inspiration, and it’s good to know you didn’t do it all on your own.
Hi Tina, thanks!
Tina is right, you ARE an inspiration. I’m in bed now in post surgery at day 24 and going nuts. I don’t have to protect a baby though. It WAS hard, as first, to sit still … and now I’m doing projects – hey, I was even served legal papers while in bed! It threatened jail time too! Divorce…. ugh. Thank God for your fabulous family! I’m sure Laren is a big help. Don’t worry about Carmen – she knows your love, and you and Dave have given 100% to her from day one – no regrets. You’ve all done an awesome job. This is temporary. You’re at 34 weeks, and you still look beautiful. Hang in there. xo nan
Hi Nancy, I’m sorry for all that you are going through and hope that 2010 is a big turning point.
Hi there Lana, If I may say Dave your wife looks great. You know when Then First Lady, Hillary Clinton wrote the book “It takes a village” I scoffed and thought “No it takes good parents”. Hate to admit it but I was wrong. If not for the many, many, good people in my life and my sons’ life things would be far different, worse. We are very fortunate to live in a country full of so many compassionate people and I am glad you are surrounded by lots of them. Hope you have a great day. God bless. In Christ, Joe
Hi Joe, thanks and I am glad you have many good people in your life!
Lana, I first met you over on a.com (my dd is from Guatemala too) and have been following your journey and praying for ya’ll for quite some time now. Wanted to pop in and tell you that my oldest son (and you know boys are much “wimpier” than girls as new borns…..medical fact!!) was born at 34 weeks 3 days. (I spent 2 weeks in the hospital on mag sulfate with him before he was born)He weighed 6 lbs (monster child) and never needed a wiff of oxygen. He pulled out his feeding tube at 1 1/2 days and has been going like crazy ever since. Now he is 9 1/2 and an unbelievable sweet crazy big brother.
Hope will be FINE even if she is born now….but you never know what God has in store.
With my younger son I was on strict bedrest (and BOY do I remember the achiness!!) from 28 to 37 weeks, stayed dialated to a 4 from 32 weeks on and finally got up, walked around (even played duck duck goose!) for a week and delivered him at 38 weeks.
So….start smiling. Lift some arm weights. Hope is doing GREAT and so are you. Can’t wait to “meet” her, and know you have prayers coming from Missouri!
Shannon (shanpine)
Hi Shannon, thank you for sharing your story!
What a beautiful mom, holding Hope and staying strong. Praising God for all of this. It’s so remarkable…. there He is in every posting, every pic, every video, every description of meals and help. You don’t need to go anywhere beyond your sofa to spread the Good News of Jesus. Hard work, but nothing’s impossible when God is in it. Love you all…..
Hi Lana,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog — and even more, thank you for putting things into perspective for me. I am thinking a lot about your comment. I am sending many prayers for you in this pregnancy and for your entire family.
Blessings, Michelle