Greetings from Tufts Medical Center in Boston! Not exactly where I anticipated ending up over Spring Break, but I am praising God for good news and a relatively speaking positive experience!
As some of you know, I took a bit of a spill yesterday. I got up to go to the bathroom around 7 AM (and 5 AM... and 3 AM, haha), and fell down the stairs. I missed three steps entirely and landed face flat-- or as I saw it, directly on my stomach.
The worst feeling of my life so far was laying in the hallway thinking that I'd seriously hurt my baby boy. Fortunately, my mom was a few feet away at the time and was able to help me pretty quickly. I didn't sustain any injuries from the fall and was able to get up right away, but needless to say, I was completely panicked. I rushed to wake Matt up and we headed to the ER pretty quickly.
The people at Falmouth Hospital are fantastic. Seriously. I couldn't have hoped for more helpful and encouraging people. They got me back right away and confirmed that Declan's heart was still beating strong-- music to all of our ears! They sent me to the labor and delivery floor just to further confirm that he was okay.
When I got up there they hooked me up to monitors and noticed I was, in fact, having contractions. My blood pressure was also dangerously high. They continued to monitor these things for a few hours, hoping both symptoms would resolve themselves, but no such luck.
They checked a few things out and were at least able to confirm that it didn't seem my body was attempting to actually deliver Declan-- more good news. The doctor explained, however, that my blood pressure was dangerously high. I was getting readings anywhere between 160 and 170 over 110. Definitely not normal. He explained the sort of risks this could present to me, and said that if they couldn't get the levels down they may have to deliver Declan.
Declan is a big boy for his age, but he's still only 26 weeks old gestationally. His lungs are still not sure how to breathe on their own, and the doctor said that while he was seeing some signs that Declan was practicing this reflex, it wasn't for any sustained period of time.
Falmouth Hospital, though a great place, does not have an intensive neonatal care unit, and so to ensure that Declan was in the best hands possible should we need to deliver, the doctor decided to send us to Boston.
They gave me antibiotics for Declan, in case we'd have to deliver, magnesium to prevent seizures caused be high blood pressure, and a shot of steroids to beef Little Baby up-- so Declan and I are both on the juice now. I'm expecting another shot of steroids soon, haha.
Ironically enough, as soon as I got into the ambulance my blood pressure started coming down. The nurse and EMT also noticed that I was becoming dehydrated and started a fluid drip for me. This alone did wonders-- it even slowed my contractions.
Though the nurse told me she wasn't a Christian, she asked if I'd read some Psalms out loud to her, which was really cool. Sometime after that I fell asleep and was pretty much waking up in Boston.
My blood pressure continued to be high upon arrival, but has lowered tremendously! My contractions continued to slow and eventually stopped all together. Praise be to God! They monitored Declan all night, which meant that I was hooked up to this belly band type thing. Between my tossing and turning and Declan's, the nurses were in every hour begging us both to be still and stop disconnecting the monitor, haha.
With the help of some benadryl I finally got some much needed sleep, and Matt was even to catch a few winks on the hospital cot. I cannot tell you how helpful and supportive he has been. I am blessed that he is my husband.
They're holding me here until at least 5 PM to do some testing; they're checking for pre-eclampsia, which the doctor said he does not anticipate my having. We'll have more of an official diagnosis around then, and may have to stay the night again if the tests go late.
Praise Jesus for his always enough provision; He truly is the Great Healer. My son's life could not be in better hands, and I praise God for the wonderful doctors, nurses, and prayer warriors He has surrounded us with. Matt and I cannot tell you how much your prayers and support mean to us. They have truly made all the difference!
Thank you all, and we will keep you updated!
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