Sunday, July 15, 2012

Bed (AR)Rest

It was a Saturday and I started my day early, woke up at around 7 am and left home around 8:30.

1. met up with a client in MRT Ayala Station, Makati where I had to go up and down the stairs several times as I need to pee (restrooms were located at the basement)
2. waited for hubby to arrive and check out baby stuff in the nearby department store (walking the mall for about an hour or so)
3. went to Concepcion-Carrier in Sucat to check on their air conditioners in their bodega sale, realized their prices where quite steep (plus they don't offer warranty for service and parts, all items are working but have dents, discoloration, etc. pulled out from stores, they are either class A or B)
4. decided to go to Festival Mall in Alabang to check on the prices in the appliance store. walked some more and did some grocery shopping)
5. went home and arrived by 5:00 p.m.

I felt tired but nothing really unusual except for my achy feet from all the walking. I went to the living room and decided to watch TV. After a few minutes, I felt an urge to pee and realized that my crotch was a bit wet. I hurried to the bathroom and peed. As I wiped, I noticed the tissue became pinkish. I looked at the toilet to check for any unusual discharge but there was nothing. I was wearing dark panties so I couldn't decipher whether it was stained. I grabbed a tissue and wiped it on my undies and it caught a reddish spot. It was freaking me out so I called hubby and showed the tissues to him. I saw his face turned pale and asked me if I'm feeling ok. He told me to call my OB right away. Good thing my OB replied in a jiffy and advised me to relax, observe and take Duvadilan every 4 hours. My hubby rushed to the drugstore, he was really worried but I know he was trying to keep his calm to pacify me. 

That night I could hardly sleep. I was so anxious. We prayed. That was when I was able to get some sleep.

I woke up the next day to pee in the chamber pot (arinola). When I got up, I noticed a drop of blood with my urine. Again, I felt blood shooting up my head and I was nervous. I woke my husband up. I texted OB once again to report what happened. Told her my tummy felt cramped, occasionally bunched up and tightening. I have some pain in my pelvis. And mostly what made me really bothered was I haven't felt my baby move that day. She must be worried with my text message because she called me in an instant. She asked if I had taken my breakfast and that I should lie on my left side and try to feel the movement. While we were talking, I felt a kick! Thank, God! She told me to just relax and keep calm. She ordered a urinalysis and do some self check down there to test  for possible infections.  I should also take note of cheesy textured discharge, pain or itchiness. Lab results confirmed I had urinary tract infection and she prescribed Co-Amoxiclav 550mg to be taken 3x a day. Plus I need to finish a pack of 6 of Canesten suppository to clear the bacterial infection.

Because we only see my OB once a month, we were glad that she's amenable to answering questions over text messages and calls. I just text her my questions and she would most of the time readily reply to my queries. She would even give prescriptions thru text.

And because of all those things that's been happening to me lately not to mention I still have the endometriotic cyst and adenomyosis, eventually made my OB decided to put me on bed rest. I was on my 22nd-24th week then.  I've been experiencing intermittent contractions, which made walking difficult, I had to put a hand under my belly every time I stand  as if my pelvis would drop. The cramping was radiating from my belly to my hips down my thighs and legs. Though there was no unusual discharge aside from leukorrhea, my OB said it would be better if I take a leave from work and rest at home for at least 2 weeks. I should also continue with Duvadilan once every 4 hours. She issued a medical certificate that my hubby picked up from her UPMC clinic which says "pregnancy uterine, 22-23 weeks in pre-term labor, placenta previa", advised to take 2 weeks bed rest."

Being confined to your bed is not a nice feeling. I couldn't do anything but lie around the whole time. Good thing I was allowed to get up from time to time to use the bathroom and take a bath though I had a plastic stool with me so I can sit under the shower.  My hubby would bring me breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner to bed.  On the contrary, it made me productive as it was during those times when I got to jump start this blog. I was able to feel more relaxed and composed as I kept account of this journey thus far. Though it was a challenge to type and surf the net lying down, I managed to finish a couple of post but delayed publishing them. 

Every day of those 2 weeks, I talked to my baby. I told her to be strong for mom and dad and hold on for a couple more weeks.  I played music for her and my husband would read her poems and stories. I told her it is indeed beautiful outside but she can mostly enjoy it when she's ready. We are eager to see her but we are willing to wait until it's time. We felt she's responding to each touch and caress with her constant movements. Her squirms and gentle kicks seemed to say, "Hey, mom and pop! Don't you worry. I'm A-OK. See you in a few weeks! I love you!"

Two weeks seemed so long without much to do.  But I realized how fast time flies that when I went back to work, I miss not having to do anything but lie around and talk to my babe.  Nevertheless, I was thankful I got to take that break from all the hustle and bustle and had a chance to bond with my sweet little one. I felt it brought us even closer.  It also made me realize how precious a gift was given to us.  I couldn't risk the dear life inside me.