37 Week Appointment and Hospital Stay

Tuesday we went in for our normal prenatal appointment and as always, they first get me hooked up to the fetal monitor and take my blood pressure. Now, since becoming pregnant my blood pressure has been on the high side, but I have had every lab test done and even done a 24 hour urine collection and all has come back that I just have maternal hypertension and I'll be fine. Well, my blood pressure was through the roof both times they checked it, so the doctor told me she wanted me to go right to the hospital and be admitted for a 24 hour observation and also do another 24 hour urine collection to rule out the possibility of me having preeclampsia. They kept asking me if I had a headache or blurred vision or felt bad, but I felt fine. I was more worried about baby then myself, but they assured me that he was fine, it was me that they were concerned about, and if there was any health risks to me, they would take the baby right away.

So basically, I sat in the hospital for 24 hours, collecting my pee, just for them to tell me last night around 10pm that everything came back fine and I was free to go home right then and just go to my regular prenatal visit next week. In a way, I know it was best for me to be in there because if there was a problem then things about be done, but I truly felt like I could have been taking my blood pressure at home and peeing in a bucket at home where I would have been comfortable. I guess a lot of it is because since I was already in the hospital, I just wanted John to be able to be delivered, because I am at the point where I am just uncomfortable and ready for him to come out. Plus, when the did an ultrasound on him, he is already at 8 1/2 pounds!!! But they say his lungs may still need to be developed a little more, so once I heard that, I felt better about making sure he stays in here at least another week or so. But more then likely they are going to schedule the c-section for next week.

So now I am home and taking it easy. We are moving this weekend and have so much to do around here, and I keep feeling the need to grab some boxes and just start packing and cleaning, but I am having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions when I do too much, which they said is normal, and plus with my blood pressure I know I have to take it easy and just let Phil handle everything. The best news today though is that my doctor's office just called and they are faxing a note to my work letting them know I missed work yesterday because I was in the hospital, and that I am on restricted activity and will not be able to return to work through the remainder of my pregnancy, so I am officially on maternity leave!! Another thing I don't have to worry about, just as long as we can get through this move and then bring this baby into the world and home where he belongs.