Because I like to be different, I guess...

I am back home!!  Bubs is still where she belongs!!  And I honestly do not know what the hell happened.

Thursday night I was told to go to the hospital in the big city because there was protein my my urine, so I packed and cleaned and waited for the Moose to get home (he was a little late), and eventually we got down there about 9:30pm.  They took my blood pressure (it was high, I don't remember how high but not obscenely so), took some urine, took some blood, and hooked us up to a CTG to hear bubs heartbeat, and then medical students took down my history and checked my reflexes.  About 10:30 or 11 I was taken to my room (the first roommate was awesome but was discharged the next day...hoping for her that her cervix stays tight, she is a week or two shy of 30 weeks).  I didn't sleep all that well from the noise of the place, the uncomfortableness of the bed, the blood pressure checks throughout the night, and what was going to become a nasty sinus issue (which makes answering the question "Do you have a headache?" fun, because, yes, I do, but it goes from my nose through my jaw and into my ear, so I think I'm good thanks). 

The next day (Friday) they did all the tests again.  The anesthesiologist came to go through paperwork with me (he had time and they figured it is better to get it done when it isn't an emergency, I guess...also, he was about 12 years old and scrawny and seriously had the mustache of the monopoly man).  I sent the Moose home because it appeared likely that I wasn't going anywhere, and someone needed to take care of the cats (Toffs bladder needs expressing twice a day, though the Moose really struggles to get anything out of her at least it is better than nothing).  Evil roommate moved in.  Not sure what her problem was (something about ketones, I think), but her whole family was there, and she and her husband/partner/baby daddy kept yelling at their six year old (who obviously has some issues) to "shut your fucking face" everytime he got loud, which was ALL THE TIME.  Classy people.  And they stayed for HOURS.  Thankfully the next day she was discharged and I was put in my own room.  I was put on labetelol and fluid restrictions (2 liters...but they didn't decide this until lunch, and guess who was boredom drinking water??  Yeah, this girl.)

Saturday morning they mentioned discharging me in a few days if I stayed stable.  The midwives that night seemed to think I wasn't going anywhere and one was surprised they weren't weighing me, and measuring my urine output, so she started that up.  She really thought I would be in until induction.  I had to ask her if they had forgotten about me, as I hadn't even done a urine dipstick, but she said they had no orders to do one.  So at this point, throughout my stay, I have seen many midwives, a few doctors and students, and everyone is telling me something different.  They all seem to ask "Do you know why you're here?" and "Did someone explain this to you?" but honestly, everyone explained something a little different.  And I had to remind the midwives a few times about my meds being due (they would come to take my blood pressure and sometimes it was a little high, but I was overdue for the next pill).

Sunday the doctor said I would most likely be discharged on Monday.  Either way I needed the Moose to come back because I only had clean knickers to last to Tuesday.  The midwives arranged for us to tour the NICU (it was less scary than I thought it would be, and was actually a really calm, quiet place).  The midwives on Sunday night seemed to be more aware that I would be discharged.  My midwife finally called to see how I was doing.  The Moose arrived and promptly plopped on my bed and decided to take a nap.  And the daughter-in-law of a former coworker checked in to be induced at 38 weeks because her blood pressure was up, so we talked to them a while (turns out we have the same midwife).  By now, as a result of hospital air, my sinuses have reached a critical level of horrible.  What is back in there won't blow out without making my nose bleed, but will drip down my throat all night and make it feel like someone has mashed my lower face in with a bat. 

So Monday my blood pressure was measured (it is now down to about 120/80), and we did another CTG but it took two attempts because bubs was being naughty and hiding from the monitor (she did this Friday morning).  I was discharged.  I asked the doctor, who came to discuss the discharge, if it was preeclampsia (which is what they had been calling it from Thursday night), and she said "yes and no".  Apparently after I was admitted the protein levels in my urine dropped fast and by a lot, which is unusual.  And with my blood pressure now under control, we are just monitoring.  Bubs measuring small is a concern, and they are hoping with the blood pressure meds she will get a bit of a growth spurt.  If she falls behind or they start to see signs of head sparing, then she gets evicted.  If my blood pressure goes up, they will up my dosage (I am on a lower dose).  I suppose if my kidneys start throwing proteins, or any bloodwork turns up suspicious results, then I will be back in the hospital (I am seriously going to pack a bag now so I am prepared...and I may need to get more knickers).

So...I don't really have any clear answers, but the important thing is that bubs gets to stay put and keep growing for now, and I can be monitored from home twice a week.  So long as we are both doing well, all is good, and when things look a bit dodgy, then its bubs time.

And, now free from the hospital, my sinuses are happy(ier).

Also, I have to say, the hospital food was atrocious.  One or two yummy desserts, but honestly, I am not sure what I was eating half the time, but I was so hungry I didn't care.  So...in your hospital bag, always pack a little something to eat, just in case!