It was a typical Thursday. I started the day like every other one. Which was with my vitals/meds/fetal non-stress test/breakfast then TV, Bob's parents visited me that afternoon (along with more meds and fetal non-stress test and Bob was coming that evening so I was in a good mood. Then it was about 6:30 and Bob arrived. I was in the bathroom because I just didn't feel right. I was having some cramping. We called the nurse which was of course during shift change but she came in and I was crying because I knew something was off. She put me on the monitor and within a few minutes was back in the room and told me that I was having contractions 2-3 minutes apart. Then the on call doctor came in. She checked me and I was 4 cm dilated and she also did a FFN test, fetal fibronectin test. Fetal fibronectin is a "glue" like protein that bonds to the developing baby. If it comes back positive it can be a sign of preterm labor; the body breaks the protein down naturally when it is ready to deliver. The doctor than said that it was time to go over to labor and delivery.
I was so scared. The next morning I would be 29 weeks, 11 weeks early. When I got to L&D things moved pretty quickly. I was put onto a fetal monitor, given an IV and a catheter. I was started on magnesium sulfate. Which is commonly used for preeclampsia or to help slow down contractions and to prolong/delay a delivery. I tolerate meds pretty well typically, but magnesium was the worst ever. The nurse would come in every 45 minutes-1 hour too check my vitals. I felt like such crap. I was having horribly painful back labor along with contractions. I couldn't get comfortable and the magnesium made me so sick. I lasted until 6:00 am (again during another shift change) and then I got very sick and ended up throwing up. Which then made my water break. It was about 6:30-7am at that point. 12 solid hours of active labor trying to be stopped by meds which were unsuccessful. Shortly after my water broke I received my epidural (thank GOD for that) and Warren was born 3 1/2 hours later.
Looking back one year later that day seems so surreal. I remember bits and pieces but in general I remember being so incredibly scared. I was in so much pain, but because I was so scared the pain was just something in the background. I guess Warren was ready. I am so thankful that Warren is doing so great now. At the time it was the scariest day of my life and now 1 year later, it still is the scariest day of my life. Lately I have been on an emotional roller coaster, I think that I am finally starting to realize everything that has happened to Bob and I in the past year. While going through the entire bed rest stay and the labor and delivery its like I was on auto pilot, going through the motions. Now its time for me to acknowledge everything that I went through and move forward. I am thankful for what I went through but I hope to never have to experience it again. It has made me a lot stronger, more patient and more appreciative of every aspect of life. Watching Warren grow and get stronger every day is so amazing. It's still very emotional for me but I have an amazingly strong, beautiful healthy little boy that I get to share my life with. 10:37 am on May 21st, my little monkey man will be one. Happy Early Birthday Warren, I love you!
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