Baby Percy's Impending Arrival

So it's been quite a while since I've blogged.  We actually have had an unexpected turn of events in baby Percy's arrival plan.  I'm currently on bed rest at MGH because I've been leaking amniotic fluid since Friday.  While the past 5 days have been nerve racking, unpredictable, and confusing, Ben and I have become stronger parents even before welcoming our little boy into this world.  I've already learned  what all parents say….. the kid is always in control!  Apparently our little man wanted to meet the world sooner rather than later!

Here is an email I sent out earlier today that gives a little bit of a timeline of what has been going on since Friday:

This past Friday I left work early because I felt like I was potentially leaking fluid.  I immediately went to my doctors office where they tested the fluid and confirmed that it was indeed amniotic fluid.  They sent me right up to the Labor & Delivery unit where they hooked me up to monitor the baby's heart, and to monitor if I was having any contractions.  Baby sounded great and I wasn't contracting.  I got a series of 2 steroid shots that helped to mature the baby's lungs, and they started an IV to administer antibiotics.  With having a rupture in the sac, there is a risk of infection…. so I had 3 days of antibiotics to try to prevent against that.  With a ruptured sac it's inevitable that the baby will be coming before my due date.  The protocol is to wait until the baby decides to come on his own…. or try to get the mom to 34 weeks in which then they'll induce.  On Monday I had an amniocentesis (they use a needle to go in to the sac through your stomach) done to be 100% certain that I was indeed leaking.  Because I have very minimal leaking…. and the fact that there was still so much amniotic fluid around the baby, they weren't completely certain if i had ruptured.  Well the amniocentesis came back positive so we're back on our original plan of meeting the little man early.  They've scheduled my induction for Thursday, November 29th…. so we're really hoping that the little man holds out until then.  I'll be 34 weeks and 2 days along.  While it's been hard to come to terms with the fact that we'll be welcoming a preemie into this world, Ben and I have been getting stronger and stronger as the days go by.  I'm on bed rest until he comes at Mass General which is an amazing hospital with an absolutely amazing NICU so I know that he will have the best possible care.  My mom was also saying that I'll have the NICU doctors in the delivery room with me ready for his arrival, which helps to know that he'll get the care he needs as soon as he comes out.  

So that's the gist of what has been going on.  While it's hard to be on bed rest, I've had so many family members and friends stop by to visit and drop off food or goodies.  It definitely helps the days go by faster and keeps me staying positive.  Also, thank you to those of you that have been reaching out to Ben and I.  We really appreciate the love and support that you've been sending.  It really helps us to stay positive!
So, with Baby Percy (hopefully) arriving after the 29th (fingers crossed!), I've got about a week left.  Over the next week I'm going to try to blog a little bit about what has been going on in the hospital.  We're planning on taking a tour of the NICU in the next couple of days, so I'll try to update you on how that experience goes.  I'm also trying to remember to take "a picture a day" while I'm staying here at the hospital.  Just something else to focus on while I'm here.  I actually have a spectacular view from my room… so I'll try to post some of my first pics soon.


Thanks again for your love and support,
xoxo
Laura