We are so blessed by the amount of people surrounding us who are supportive and always keeping us in your thoughts / prayers. I am especially thankful for all of you last night because all of the prayers / thoughts worked!
I woke up this morning after EIGHT SOLID HOURS of sleep with no contractions.
I knew if I could get my body to relax enough to sleep that it would be what it needed to stop it.
For some reason; my body thinks the 30-32 week mark is a great time to try and go into labor. It happened at the same time in pregnancy with both of the boys: with Christopher (my first) I ended up going in twice and they were able to stop it by administering the T-shot (Terbutaline). Now - it being my first baby / pregnancy - I had NO idea ... I didn't even question it! But since then and becoming more health conscious and aware ... I know that it is NOT something you want to be given. Especially not for me (with a heart condition) as it has been known to cause serious side effects in that department.
Check out the link to the website HERE : which also includes a special warning about no longer administering it to prevent preterm labor.
With Ryan I was in the hospital already for high-risk complications when I began experiencing preterm labor (I did NOT have an easy pregnancy with him like I am having with this little girl!) and I honestly can't even remember what they did. I want to say they DID end up administering the T-shot but ... it was such a whirlwind. We went to my high-risk doctor appointmentt 2 hours away and I ended up being admitted (unexpectedly) into the hospital and they were telling me they might be giving me shots to speed his growth because I might be delivering him early... It was a crazy, CRAZY 36 hours.
This time around, after knowing what I know now, I wanted to try to stop labor naturally.
I'd been feeling "off" for a couple days: headache and just in general under the weather (like I mentioned below in the first status update) and I thought it was the flu or something! I had noticed my Braxton Hicks Contractions increased in amount over the past couple of days but thought nothing of it. Then I experienced insomnia (which I've experienced in my third trimester before) for a couple of nights... but just thought it was normal! Then yesterday I woke up in the middle of the night shaky, nauseous, with a terrible TERRIBLE headache, and hot flashes. By yesterday afternoon / evening I didn't have a fever and hadn't been able to get much food down: thankfully my vegan shake mix came in the mail so I was at least able to drink that. I decided to try to go to the pool just to float around and relax... when I was in the pool I started to actually notice that the contractions were a little.... stronger... than before.
After an hour I started to time them out of curiosity...25-30 minutes apart. So I went home, relaxed / lounged with the boys and watched Where The Red Fern Grows... but they kept coming. Not "painful" painful.. but just noticeable. I also had some other unpleasant experiences as a result of the contractions ..... not going to share! haha. But ladies: you know what I'm talking about if you've ever had menstrual cramps: and you know what also goes along with cramping down there.... ick.
I knew I needed to relax. I put the boys to bed, took a bath, used some aromatherapy, played soothing music. When they hit 9-12 minutes apart is when I got a little.... nervous. I called my mom and the Labor & Delivery who wanted me to drink some more water and if they hadn't stopped within the hour; the nurse said with my history I needed to come in. SO: I posted THIS status update:
and .... this sounds funny but it's something I've learned to practice.... is I just asked my body what it needed.
(Yes. Hippie things).
But think about it: the body is this genius, intricate supercomputer that knows exactly what it needs. We just need to learn to turn off our mind sometimes (stop overthinking everything!) and just get in tune with it. I've done this before.... been doing this for about a year... and it usually works.
In order for this method to work you're supposed to "meditate" and then go with whatever pops into your head first. Well... I don't know what they mean necessarily by meditate... I envision people sitting in a dark room with their legs crossed humming "ommm" ... but that's just me! haha.
So for my version I relax (which involves hopping into the tub). I cleared my head and was like: ok. What do I need right now. and I went with the 3 things popped into my head:
1.) sleep
2.) venison snack stick
3.) Tylenol / Benadryl .
Honestly: I didn't even question it.
I was like: ok. You got it chach.
So I got up, unthawed some of the venison sticks in my freezer that Rob had brought, ATE TWO (big deal considering everything all day made me nauseous) and - for whatever reason - I took Tylenol and Benadryl. Don't ask me. I hate over-the-counter meds but at this point: I was going to try anything.
Then I got some essential oils (camphor - always relaxes me) and rubbed it on my shoulders and nose.
I laid back in bed and turned on my positive tunes playlist and put the music next to my belly (you know - so she could hear it and RELAX a little!)
After 2 songs I felt her shift in my stomach. Just COMPLETELY change positions. It was the weirdest feeling... but after that I felt so relaxed and I fell sound asleep.... and didn't wake up until 8 hours later. Ryan must've came in and he was sleeping next to me with his hand on my belly. (he loves his sissy already! It's so, so so precious!)
Called the doc this morning and my appointment has been moved up from Friday; but I'm sure it's going to be the same as it was with the instructions with the boys for the rest of pregnancy:
-- relax
-- drink MORE fluids
-- relax
-- avoid stress
-- relax
.... so I think I can handle that!
Yes it would be easier with someone here helping... but... such is life :)
Instead of focusing on what I DON'T have... I am very grateful for what I DO have.
It helps put things in perspective! I know I talked about that in my other blog from the other day.
Despite everything I am actually very much at peace: with this pregnancy and in general.
I just have a very great sense of calm about everything. It actually surprises me a little!
SO: thank you guys. I will keep everyone posted!
And in the meantime trying natural methods to help calm down my apparently "cranky" uterus.
Things that worked for me in the past:
-- Red Raspberry Infusion
and something I found on the Natural Birth Blog AND something two facebook friends shared with me: Cramp Bark Tincture. It's supposed to be very effective.
Will keep you posted!
I am determined to cook this bun in the oven a little longer.
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