6 Months and into the hospital I go!

HOSPITAL BOUND!

Here's my story...

On Wed. July 2, 2008 I went to the Triage (labor and delivery) unit of the hospital because I was having back pain...My Mom made me go just to check it out. As the doctors were doing their 360 degree check over my body and the baby, they didn't discover a bladder infection which I suspected, but they did discover something else that was very scary. My cervix measured at 2.7 cm. A normal cervix at 6 months is supposed to measure 5cm. It was also soft and shortening which are all signs of early labor. At this point I was directed to quit work and go home to lay on bed rest. My next check-up was schedule for two days later.

On Fri. July 4, 2008 I went back to the Triage unit to check my cervix. In only 2 days, my cervix shortened to 1.8 cm. At this point the doctors gave me a shot of Celestone- a steroid to develop the babies lungs and told me I was not going home this time! I had to stay at Guelph Hospital until they could get me into a hospital that specialized in premature babies. They could not predict when I would go into labor, but it was their goal to get me at the right place just in case the baby decided to come.

On Tues. July 8, 2008 I got transferred via ambulance to McMaster Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario (40 minutes from our home). This hospital is a level 3 hospital. They specialize in Neonatal Care (Premature baby care). I was quickly assigned a Perinatal doctor named Dr. Brennan. We thought that was quite the coincidence that my new doctor has the same name as my husband. I thought this was my good luck charm.

On Wed. July 9, 2008 Dr. Brennan decided to attempt to insert a suture into my cervix to keep it closed. The medical term for this in a Cervical Cerclage. It was unknown as to whether or not she could stitch the cervix due to the short amount of cervix there was left. Luckily, during surgery she saw a little more cervix than the ultra sound showed and was able to do the procedure. The goal at this point was to keep me on bed rest and get me to 28 weeks before I delivered.

On Aug 1, 2008, three days before my discharge (at 28 weeks pregnant) Dr. Brennan decided to do one more ultra sound before I left. Sadly, the results were not too pleasant. My cervix looked to be Dynamic! It was opening and closing above the stitch. This was not good. Two doctors got together and decided it was too risky for me to give up my spot at this amazing hospital and go home. My discharge date at this point was unknown. I was crushed, but I knew I was doing what was best for our wee son. He weighed 2 lbs and was 15 inches long at this point. Dr. Brennan decided to give me another series of Celestone- the steroid shots to develop the baby's lungs. My cervix measured 8mm below the stitch at this ultra sound. The waiting game continues into August!