Sunday, December 14, 2008

26 Weeks and Counting

Still in the hospital after four weeks, and still pregnant. Also still not gaining weight, but I'm not eating the Magic Cup anymore. It's too depressing. The doctors are more encouraging these days about a positive outcome. The first couple of weeks they were very grave.

***

My dad said he and my mom were "canceling Christmas" this year. I think that's a bit excessive. I'm not a POW, nor is baby girl.

Today, Steve and I decorated a tiny fake tree our nice neighbor Judy gave him. It's on the windowsill now. I do think I'll skip the "High Risk Perinatal Unit Holiday Celebration" on Friday. I'm not allowed out of my room anyway. The nurses were all about having "Santa" come to me, but, um, no thanks. (I mean, really.)

***

I have my glucose tolerance test (this is a standard test for pregnant women) tomorrow to see if I have gestational diabetes (GD). I really feel like I have enough going on already and I seriously don't know if I could take it if I ended up with GD. I might have to freak out.

When I first checked in here, I had to share a "semi-private" room with another woman for 9 days. She was admitted for preeclampsia, but also had GD, a terrible cold, and (get this) herpes. She was Thai, and had a pretty thick accent, but Steve and I definitely heard her when the doctor said "Any STDs?" and she quietly replied "the herpee." (For a couple of weeks after that, Steve would periodically go totally serious and say: "the herpee." But I had to make him stop because laughing too hard can kick off contractions.)

My roommate was at 31 weeks, and as I listened to her hack up a lung for those nine days, I pondered whether I'd trade conditions with her if I could have a 31-week gestation baby, vs. the 22-weeker I checked in with. Tough choice. Luckily I won't ever have to make that decision.

If I do manage to keep this going to 36 weeks, I'll be in the hospital 14 weeks. Kind of like a semester. Maybe like a semester abroad.

Or a semester abed.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you are still there and baby girl is still growing!! Best of luck with the GD test!! Many vibes coming your way!

Anonymous said...

Yeah for 26+ weeks!!

May said...

A semester abed, eh? Mind if I borrow that line?!?

I did 12 weeks of bedrest, nearly all in the hospital. It was not my favorite experience, but it can be done. I'm full of tips, either helpful or annoying, depending on your point of view!

26 weeks is a great milestone. Congratulations. What prize will you get for reaching the all-important 28 weeks? It's important to plan your rewards in advance so you can get in the full amount of agonizing anticipation.

Mary said...

You are such a trooper. I can't imagine how hard it is to be on hospital bedrest...I don't know you, but I'm very proud of you. Keep that baby in there and keep your spirits up as much as you can.

kgiff said...

So good to hear! Hang in there.

kermitfan80 said...

Keeping my heart and vibes your way... sounds like you still have (mostly) your sense of humor! Hang in there little girl (and mama too). Watch out for the herpee :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 16.5 weeks. 27 on Friday, right?

caramama said...

Wooo hooo 26 weeks!! I'm so glad to hear that they are sounding encouraging.

The little tree on your windowsill sounds cute.

Anonymous said...

I hope "the herpee" stays away for good! That's too funny. Glad to hear you are doing well and sending more cookin' vibes your way!! You are definitely a trooper!

* said...

Hey Chica! I'm glad the Magic Cup is a thing of the past. I'm thinking of you guys and sending lots of love and everything is still crossed! And please, let Santa come and visit :)

dcpeg said...

Been thinking about you while my PC was in the shop.

So glad to hear you and the baby are still hanging in. It's also great to know your sense of humor is still intact!! The herpee -LOL!!!!!

Had To Move said...

just back from honeymoon and catching up on you -- I am so sorry you're in the hospital and bored silly, but VERY glad you've hit 26 plus! on one rainy day in uruguay, i read the entire twilight book...the writing is TERRIBLE, I mean, GOD AWFUL, but if you can ignore that for the first 80 pages or so it is kind of a guilty page-turner. Hope it makes the time fly....