We saw Kathleen (our midwife) again yesterday and finally got some good news. The results from the fetal fibrinectomy were received yesterday and the results were negative. This means I have only a 5% chance of going into preterm labor in the next - well, week now. (This test can be performed every two weeks as necessary to see whether things chance.) This, coupled with how good my cervix looked, makes my midwife think I still have a low-risk pregnancy, which is great.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful for this good news, however, I unfortunately am still frustrated. We have no definite answer as to why I am contracting so much. More frustrating still is the fact that Kathleen can't really give us much guidance in what to do except to "take it easy." I am not to exercise, walk much, lift anything. I have no clear cut answer on how many contractions is too many contractions. I am officially off of bed rest, but have to take each day carefully and cautiously.
Our best guess at this point is that because of my Endometriosis and Adenomyosis I have an "excitable uterus." My cervix is good for now, but if I push myself too hard that could change. Or we could, as Kathleen was so kind to point out, go to 42 weeks constantly contracting and never going into active labor. I know David was frustrated by me last night as we left Kathleen's office because we had gotten the best news possible for our situation and all I could focus on was non-stop contractions for the next 10 weeks.
Additionally, Kathleen couldn't really give me an answer about going back to work. She said the ideal would be for me to stay home (duh) and rest as much as possible. If I do go back to work, then I can only sit at my desk (no rooming patients, which is a big part of my job), and then if I am in too much pain I need to go home. I am still waiting to hear whether my employer is okay with any of that.
So that's where we are right now. David is relieved. I am thankful and frustrated by the lack of direction. Sammy is kicking harder than ever. I cannot thank everyone enough for the amount of prayers, encouragement and offers for help we have already received. I definitely felt the prayer coverage last week in the amount of peace I felt in waiting. I plead now for your prayers for peace with the answers we have received, as they were not quite what I was expecting. I ask for prayer that my job situation would be resolved quickly - whatever that outcome may be. I beg for prayers for discernment in my daily activities and to know when to stop and rest. Not knowing whether I can or should clean my home or cook is extremely frustrating. I ask for prayers for strength and grace in the contractions; after two weeks the pain is already wearing on me.
Again, with words much more simple than what our hearts feel, we thank you.
David, Emily and Sam
At the risk of sounding ungrateful for this good news, however, I unfortunately am still frustrated. We have no definite answer as to why I am contracting so much. More frustrating still is the fact that Kathleen can't really give us much guidance in what to do except to "take it easy." I am not to exercise, walk much, lift anything. I have no clear cut answer on how many contractions is too many contractions. I am officially off of bed rest, but have to take each day carefully and cautiously.
Our best guess at this point is that because of my Endometriosis and Adenomyosis I have an "excitable uterus." My cervix is good for now, but if I push myself too hard that could change. Or we could, as Kathleen was so kind to point out, go to 42 weeks constantly contracting and never going into active labor. I know David was frustrated by me last night as we left Kathleen's office because we had gotten the best news possible for our situation and all I could focus on was non-stop contractions for the next 10 weeks.
Additionally, Kathleen couldn't really give me an answer about going back to work. She said the ideal would be for me to stay home (duh) and rest as much as possible. If I do go back to work, then I can only sit at my desk (no rooming patients, which is a big part of my job), and then if I am in too much pain I need to go home. I am still waiting to hear whether my employer is okay with any of that.
So that's where we are right now. David is relieved. I am thankful and frustrated by the lack of direction. Sammy is kicking harder than ever. I cannot thank everyone enough for the amount of prayers, encouragement and offers for help we have already received. I definitely felt the prayer coverage last week in the amount of peace I felt in waiting. I plead now for your prayers for peace with the answers we have received, as they were not quite what I was expecting. I ask for prayer that my job situation would be resolved quickly - whatever that outcome may be. I beg for prayers for discernment in my daily activities and to know when to stop and rest. Not knowing whether I can or should clean my home or cook is extremely frustrating. I ask for prayers for strength and grace in the contractions; after two weeks the pain is already wearing on me.
Again, with words much more simple than what our hearts feel, we thank you.
David, Emily and Sam
Emily, it might just be the way your body is. I start having contractions at 17 weeks. And basically they never stop until I produce a baby which has for me been anywhere from 11 days early (Charlie) to one day after my due date (will). So just keep your chin up and go on. Trust your midwife. You probably will carry the baby to full term and just be miserable along the way. ;-) And besides, I don't think that getting them to stop is going to be likely. Especially as you get closer to the end of pregnancy. Your body just starts "practicing" and you will probably even have more. bummer, huh? :-)
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