Day 1 - Admitted - Wednesday, July 23, 2008

At 22 weeks and 5 days we came in for our regular weekly appointment. Always starting with the ultrasound first to monitor my cervical length. Cervix measured a little below 2 cm, down from 3 to 4 cm that it had been measuring all along (and what it should be). Also, could see and measure funneling on the uterus end of the cervix. Neither good, we knew something was going to change. Then we moved to the Dr's office. All the other regular checks were good (blood pressure and pee stick). The appointment was with the midwife, MaryAlice. She checked the ultrasound and conferred with Dr. Hendricks, then came back in and told us I was headed upstairs for hospital bedrest due to my short cervix. What?!?!? We were definitely not prepared for this and were crushed. Thought maybe I would be on bedrest at home for awhile, but not immediate admittance tot he hospital! We are in the middle of planning showers, registering, and preparing the nursery. At least we have carseats and a stroller, but what about everything else? And we are still trying to get health insurance straightened out after Bill switched jobs. There was too much to do, this can't be happening now! How about next month? I cried most of the rest of the day. When will I see my dog, Mimi, again? I was admitted in Triage because a room in the AntePartum unit was not ready yet. Through the whole process people kept asking, "Weren't they up here last week for a tour?". Last week after our appointment, when they told me just to stay off my feet as much as possible, we took a tour of all the areas of the Bronson Birthplace. We told the AntePartum nurses we didn't want to see them anytime soon. I think that jinxed us. Finally we got to my room, which isn't too bad as far as hospital rooms go. Just the thought of going from a lot of freedom to none really crushed me. All I had were the clothes I walked in with and my purse. They had me change into a hospital gown and I layed in the bed that would confine me indefinately. I was told I could get up to go to the bathroom and to take a shower, but that was it. Also, I needed to lay flat and not sit up very much. Don't get me wrong, we knew this was the best thing for the babies. We just couldn't believe this was happening. After we ate some lunch, Bill headed home for supplies. Which is a good 1 1/2 hours round trip. I was able to get a hospital loaner laptop right away, so I sent a few messages to family and friends. Bill called from home and asked what I wanted him to bring back. Still in shock and not thinking straight, I told him a few things - comfy clothes, underpants, music, books, magazines, and the dog. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the hospital. So, who knew when I would see my precuous Mimi again. Bill is so thought ful, he returned with all kinds of things to help me feel at home - pictures, cd's & a stereo, pads of paper to write notes on, plus all the things I had asked for. Unfortunately, Bill had to leave because he had to work the next day. By this point I was so exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Maybe I would wake up in my own bed, like it as all a dream?!?!