Monday, Monday

I haven't provided the full story yet, posted just a little bit of what happened on Facebook, but my blog deserves more details and explanation.

So Monday morning, around 1 AM I started to experience some really bad pains in my front tummy and back, enough that I had to get out of bed, walk around, lay on the couch, recliner, sit up, stand, whatever I could do to help the pain. It would not go away. I finally took some Tylenol around 4 AM and woke up Kyle to explain the pain. I had schedule my 28 week appointment for Monday so I thought if I could hold off I would just call in the morning and see if they could get me in earlier, well when I explained the pain and the nurse relayed it to my doctor I was given orders to head to the hospital. This sent me into a blank panic!

Luckily Kyle was around and we had just dropped off Ella at daycare, so off we went to Sanford Medical Hospital. I registered and was escorted to OB triage at 11 AM. My first nurse Chris was a very nice lady and seemed to sympathize with my pain and aches. Never going into labor with Ella, I have no clue what contractions feel like, all I know is that my pain was killing me and it hurt from the front of my tummy down the sides and along my back and spine. I could not get comfortable. Chris did a exam and took blood with both procedures indicating no infection and no signs of going into labor.

Next came the second nurse- Cindy, she was also very nice. At this point it is early afternoon and the decide to give me a pain pill which all but knocks me out. I finally fall asleep with Kyle watching a movie. The hospital has On Demand movies for free- nice bonus. And while sleeping the notice I am having a series of small contractions, so I get a shot that makes me shaky!!! Next is a ultrasound that is painful. I feel like my insides are stretching out. I tell the tech exactly where it hurts but nothing comes up on the scan. For this I am thankful that junior is save and his environment is sound, though it is killing me with pain.

We wait patiently for my OB to come by and around 6:30 she comes in to tell us she want to admit me for the night. This send me into my next round of tears and stress. Poor Ella is at daycare having a great time while i sit in this gown and uncomfortable bed being poked and tested and all I want to do is go home. Around 7:30 I get moved to the OB wing and have a big room that is for delivery but being used for high risk pregnancy observations. I use the whirlpool bath tube and find it relaxing. i ordered a sandwich since I had not eaten anything since breakfast at home, but my appetite is gone by the time the food arrives. Kyle stayed with me till about 8:30 PM and then headed home to get Ella from daycare and get her ready for bed. 

My new nurse, Sandi is another nice lady, and attempts to get a IV started. Cindy tried twice and failed prior to my move to the OB wing. Sandi gives it two tries and fails. She recommends Marilyn, a lifelong nurse. At this point I do not care, just get the IV in. Well it too Marilyn two more attempts before success. At this point I am crying steady tears and begging them to stop because it hurts so bad. It does distract me from the other pain I am experiencing.  After the IV is in place Sandi gave me some crackers to help with my stomach pains and a sleeping pill. I try to find a nice position and begin to settle down. 

I made a few calls to family and friends and check in one more time with Kyle before I let the sleeping pill take effect.

Tuesday morning I am feeling about the same and my OB arrives a little after Kyle to let me know they ruled out any organs being infected or preterm labor, but are believing my pain to be associated with rounded ligament pain. I am given a second opinion by another OB that morning and they suggest some pain medication, sleeping pills and some physical therapy from a consultant that provides stretches and moves to help me. 

I was checked out of the hospital just shy of 11 AM and Kyle drove me home and I took a long nap and later was greeted by Miss Ella. It was a nice homecoming. My pain seems to come and go. The first few days home my lower legs and upper arms were really sore- like when you start a aggressive exercise program, and it was painful to walk or get up out of bed or a chair. However, it seems to be getting better, I only take the pain pills at night to help with sleeping  and use Tylenol during the day if I need it. I am taking it slow and not doing too many activities.  My doctors indicated the round ligament pain comes during the 20th weeks of pregnancy. I am starting my 29th week so I hope it is going away soon for everyone sakes. 

Junior continues to move around and it was nice to hear his heart beat for most of the day on Monday and know he was safe. I pray the pain will ease in the days to come and I don't have to take the pain pills, but they are helping and put me in a better mode than being upset and in pain. 

So that is what happened this past week, has made it a long week for me, but I am glad it was something we can manage and Junior is save.