Pre... what?

Today started off normal. We had another visit to the doctor scheduled. Chris couldn't make it because he had to work. I figured no big deal since all our other appointments have been very routine. Of course today it would not. It started off with my blood pressure being high...somewhere in the upper 140s so the nurse had me lay on my left side while I waited for her and the doctor to come back and check it again. My next reading was lower but still a little high. When the doctor came in she was pretty concerned about the pressure and then the nurse came in to say my urine was plus 3 with protein. The next thing I know I'm being sent to the hospital for further monitoring for preeclampsia. Just like that, routine goes to unusual.

We don't start our childbirth classes until next week so we haven't had our tour of the Labor & Delivery ward at the hospital yet. All I had was instructions to go to the third floor at Riverside. So I left a semi-composed voicemail for Chris letting him know where to meet me and headed for the hospital. The doctor's office called aheaad so they were ready for me when I got there. My appointment was at 11:20, by 12:00 I was at the hospital. After registering I was changed into a hospital gown, told to lay on my left side and hooked up to a fetal monitor, contraction monitor and blood pressure cuff. My first reading was still pretty high but what do you expect when suddenly you find yourself at the hospital. Chris arrived not too long after which made me feel much better. The nurse came back in to take blood and explain a bit more about what preeclampsia is. Basically they don't know what causes it but it's not good and the only cure is delivery! That was a little scary to hear. Although I had just read that at 34 weeks the lungs are fully developed and 99% of babies born at this age survive outside the womb. Even knowing that I still wasn't prepared to deliver yet. The nurse also explained that sometimes your reflexes become hyper and tapped me on the knee to demonstrate. Imagine my surprise when my leg reflexed so much I almost kicked her in the face! After that it was a waiting game to see how my blood pressure would respond and to get the blood tests back. I had Chris call work to let them know I wouldn't be coming back to the office because I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my composure. Then Chris had me call my mom to let her know what was going on just in case we had to deliver. She was ready to jump in the car and head south but I told her to wait until we knew more. Over the next two hours we waited and listened to Peabo's heartbeat and movements which were steady and strong. A nurse came in a put a thing on my belly that made loud buzz. Peabo didn't like that much and started moving around which is exactly what they wanted. My blood pressure dropped and my blood work came back within normal ranges. My next urine test also showed only a trace of protein. About 2:30 they called my doctor and sent me home with instructions to collect my urine for the next 24 hours (luckily they provide the jug) and put me on modified bed rest. Basically I'm only supposed to be up to take a shower and use the bathroom. Chris said that's not too different than a normal Sunday for me (other than the collecting my urine part). The urine collection will allow them to do a more accurate test for protein and we go back to the doctor on Friday for the results and to find out where we go from here.

Until then I will be laying on my left side on the couch with Chris taking my blood pressure every hour. Why the left side? According to the nurses it takes pressure off your major arteries and allows blood to flow better to your organs and to the baby.