Pumpkin Update

Well, I never thought I would say this, but I am officially on “BED REST!” Late yesterday afternoon I had another doctor’s appointment. I knew that I would once again be tested for group B strep (should know the results next week) and that my doctor would check me.

So she checked me and immediately asked me, “Have you had any contractions?” I wasn’t alarmed at first b/c she asked me the same thing the 1st time she checked me with Caroline. At that point I was dilated between a 1 and a 2. Well, last night I was dilated to a 2 and 80% effaced. You got it. 80%. And I am only 36 weeks and 1 day. So basically I can go into labor at any point. (BTW, I couldn’t help but think of my sweet friend Rebecca T last night, I’m wondering which situation would be worse at the time: the baby won’t come out or the baby is a little too anxious to come out! Ha) Needless to say, my doctor was very concerned. She said that the sac was “bulging” and that she could feel it. However, the baby doesn’t seem to be as low as Caroline was at this point, but I am much more effaced. My doctor was also concerned that we don’t know the sex since the lungs of little boys generally develop later than little girls.

She then gave me very clear instructions: bed rest for 2 weeks. No picking up Caroline, no exercising, no cleaning house, no working, and no Duck Duck Goose this weekend. Needless to say, I was shocked, devastated and scared all at the same time. She told me to elevate my hips above my heart (and just how am I supposed to do that?) and rest.

She did a quick ultrasound just to make sure that Pumpkin is head down, which he/she is. She tried to determine the sex, but wasn’t able to b/c the cord and legs were in the way.
So…I have another appointment scheduled for next Thursday and this time she will do an ultrasound to measure the baby and determine its weight, which is typical for all her patients at 37 weeks.

I originally had my appointment scheduled for today, Friday, but she had surgeries all day so I had to reschedule for either yesterday or next Tuesday since their office is closed on Mondays. I am soooo thankful that I opted for yesterday.

I have had a few good cries, talked to family a lot these past few hours, am working through details with my boss about possibly working from home some the next couple of weeks, and basically trying not to freak out about not being in control and accepting help from others (which I NEVER ask for help!). Besides the obvious fear that my sweet child will come too early and that something might be wrong with him/her, I am downright devastated as I am now certain my parents will miss the birth of this child. It breaks my heart. But all I have prayed these last few months is that Pumpkin would come in God’s timing. I felt like a while back I had to accept the fact that Pumpkin might come while my parents are on vacation, but knowing now that my body is potentially close to having this baby, it just adds to the stress and worries.

Please pray for our family. Pray that I won’t drive Patrick crazy as he is such a servant to me, constantly propping pillows under me and getting me anything and everything that I need, while taking care of Caroline at the same time. Please pray that Caroline will adjust well to being a big sister. I think she finally understands that there’s a baby in my belly and she will rub and kiss “the baby”, so sweet. Please pray that I won’t lose my cool, and above all else, that God will be in control of Pumpkin and his/her entry into this big world, and that we will have no complications. I trust in the Lord with all my heart, and I know he hears our prayers.

We will try to update this blog more regularly in the coming days.

Love, The Hallums