Not According to Plan

Friday, December 12, 2008 was supposed to be my last Belly Watch post. Exactly 1 month to due date. But sometimes things don't go as planned.

I had a hunch something wasn't right after my regular check-up on Tuesday, Dec. 9 when protein showed up in my urine sample. I tried to be optimistic, but couldn't get pre-eclampsia off my mind. By Thursday I was convinced. I had mentioned before how swollen my legs and feet were, but suddenly they blew up even more. Coupled with the urine sample and borderline blood pressure readings and I had textbook symptoms. Then came the contractions. As had been typical, I didn't sleep much Thursday night. Although, instead of back pain and just all-around discomfort, I was having contractions. And they were close together. Although, not intense and not in a regular pattern so I chalked them up to good old Braxton Hicks. When Drew woke up Friday morning around 5:30 I had him officially time the contractions for a few minutes (imagine his surprise when he awoke to me saying "Honey, get your watch. I'm having contractions.") Again, not regular so I got dressed, painted my toe nails (after all, I had a hunch something big could be happening and I wanted to be prepared just in case) and I went to work. I did; however, call my doctor. It was a Friday and if something was indeed wrong, I had no intentions of waiting through the weekend. After explaining my symptoms they told me to come right in.

I left my office an absolute wreck. Paperwork in piles, e-mail on the computer screen, a spreadsheet half complete, etc. I told the girls I'd see them in 20 minutes and headed across the street to the doctor. Before even completing any tests or exams, the doctor (my regular doctor was not on call in Lawrence that day) told me that since I was almost 36 weeks along, if indeed they saw any signs of pre-eclampsia they would just enduce and we would have this baby today. I can't say I was totally shocked to hear that, but coming from the doctor the reality of it did take a moment to sink in. Sure enough, my blood pressure was high, the 24-hour urinalysis still showed proteins and my swelling was of concern. It was pre-eclampsia. Because I had been contracting the doctor decided to do a quick exam as well. To my complete and utter shock, I was 4 centimeters dilated. Those Braxton Hicks contractions were the real thing after all. He asked me if there was someone who could take me to the hospital and said he would call my doctor and tell her I was on the way.

At this point the shock set in. My desk was a mess, my bag wasn't totally packed, I still had a whole month...things weren't quite ready! I asked if I had time to go to my office first to which the doctor replied, "Heidi, you need to go to the hospital. Now."

I grabbed my phone and text messaged Drew, who was waiting to hear the results of the visit. The text said "I'll call you shortly, but head home now. We're having a baby today." I grabbed the necessary paperwork, headed to the car and called Drew. He was stunned. We pulled into the driveway literally within seconds of each other. He tended to Ruby, I grabbed my almost packed hospital bag, we hugged then stared at each other in disbelief and got in the car.

Exactly one month early...and we were having a baby.