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** Rant (lengthy):I'm on Bed rest!!**
The last week has been a whirlwind, and I've caught up on enough rest from it all to write about it. But, last Thursday, I had a bio physical profile at 32 weeks, to check on my baby girl's growth and development, which is similar to a sonogram procedure. Because I developed gestational hypertension around my six month and was put on high blood pressure meds by my OB to control it, she ordered me to have this biophysical profile, since she classifies me as sort of high risk.
I learned after the procedure, that there was low levels of amnio fluid around my sweet pea, and I was stunned, as I seriously drink gallons of water daily, measuring over 100 ounces during my work week. I was told by the fetal doctor, that I need to rest more, put my feet up, and increase my water intake even more! Plus, my baby girl weighed at estimated 3 pounds and 14 ounces, which also surprised me considering sometimes I feel so huge, but they assured me she is growing fine. So, I left feeling a bit at ease--that was until I arrived at work.
After being stuck under ground in between platforms and on the 4 and 6 trains heading to the city last Thursday afternoon, I was disgusted that while on the train, no one saw, (or chose to see) that I was clearly eight months pregnant, with terribly swollen feet. Granted, I was standing by the doors, and instead should have moved further into the train, strategically placing my belly in someone's face just close enough to hit their newspaper, and interrupt their Page six reading! But, at that point, after an hour of MTA delays, I just became defiant and held on.
As soon as I finally reached my office, my cell phone rang and my interim OB (who was filling in for my OB who has been on vacay for two weeks)! The OB notified me that after reviewing my biophysical profle results and chart, plus the fact I've been suffering severe edema with massive swelling in my feet to the point they were extremely puffy, she recommended I go on bed rest right away. It was like I received a jury sentence that smacked me in the face. However, I was told that my interim OB carefully reviewed my circumstances with another OB and they determined that it's not my water intake affecting my low amnio levels, but possibly that my baby girl is not receiving the full blood circulation from me as she should, because my fluid filled feet could possibly be retaining some blood also, which is all linked to having develped hypertension. My first thought was, this can equal blood clots.
So, I found myself in a whirlwind of, tying things up at work with the two temps I was training, notifying my managers and taking care of so many last minute details. Fortunately, my mangers were so understanding and actually admitted they saw bed rest possibly coming with my severely swollen feet and more frequent OB appointments. Luckingly, I had been working so far in advance in getting things in order at work and training my replacements, that it made all those last minute details so much less of a headache that it could have been--and boy were my managers grateful.
Alas, here I am, day 4, week 1 of bed rest and I haven't quite reached the brink of insanity, with frequent calls from friends and family, plus my DH was off earlier this week and around the house. But, after listening to my body and sleeping when I need it, I could tell my body was begging for more rest and refuge from my 9 to 5 grind, plus hour commute. Thankfully, it's not strict bed rest, where I'm confined to bed, but I can still fix myself lunch and snacks, check work email from home, Nest 
, as long as I put my feet up the majority of the time. And, after four days, the swelling has gone down considerably, and part of me feels like I could go back to work next week, as I just had 7 more weeks to go until my last day of June 24th. But, between my mother-in-law, DH and my mother in Illinois phoning me 10 times a day, all barking at me, I'm forbidden to even entertain the thought.
I had planned on taking a total of 10 weeks of maternity leave, resulting in just one week unpaid by my choice. But, I do feel so fortunate, that now, being off 12-13 weeks, I'll be paid thanks to short-term disability with my company and my 6 weeks of accured sick leave. However, it just leaves me 6-7 weeks to now spend with my sweet pea once she's here, so that has me down a bit, but then I realize the bright side that when I do return to work, she'll be in good hands with my Grandmother-in-law, who is the most active 70-year-old who will be visiting from Jamaica and staying with my mother in law for 6 months. The woman gave birth to 11 healthy children, so I have no concerns for her!
My next feat, is now at 33 weeks trying to get through these last few weeks without losing my mind within the confines of my house. But for today, I'm planning on heading out and treating myself to a mani/pedi just before I see my OB, whose returned from vacay. I'll certainly report back what she has to say. Thanks for reading my cries!
Re: ** Rant (lengthy):I'm on Bed rest!!**
Bubblegum Explosion
isn't pregnancy fun?!?!
Actually, bed rest sounds very nice to me right about now :-)
Enjoy the rest, get some good books and good movies and relax!
I agree! Though I'm only looking at it from the "I wish I could take a nap at my desk" viewpoint and not the "worry about baby while staring at 4 walls" viewpoint.
Hang in there and hopefully you can make the best of this quiet time! Sounds like you are on the right track with the mani/pedi.
Oh, I'm sorry you've been assigned to bed rest...but seriously, take your time. Really relax all that you can now, don't worry about work, entertain yourself with books, tv/movies (netflix and hulu are two of my best friends), and nourish your body with healthy food and lots of water.
I'm not going to say the whole cliche that "oh, sleep now because you won't when the baby arrives".....but, rest as much as possible before the baby comes. While I do get lots of good sleep and naps, life is much more of a challenge those first couple weeks. It sounds like you have a great family support group - use them and ask for help. Rest as much as you can now, because you will need the extra energy after the baby is born.
I am sorry no one got up for you on the train. I always try to make an effort to scan for pregnant women. Also, please listen to your doctor and really rest up! don't go around the house doing housework etc. just rest up. Read magazines, watch some cheesy daytime talk shows etc. just get that rest.
Our New Home! Renovation Underway! The Law Nest
TTC Journey
7/2008 - begin TTC
7/2009 - began charting
9/2009 - Dx Endometriosis
10/2009 - HSG/SA (Normal)
12/2009 -6/2010 - Lupron #1 & 2
Sep-Nov 2010- Clomid Cycles #1&2 = BFN
Dec 2010 - Clomid Cycle #3 = BFP (1/11/11);no h/b (2/10/11); D&C (2/23/11)
5/11-6/11 - herbal tea regime = BFN
7/24/2011- herbal tea regime = surprise BFP
Thanks so much for all the well wishes support, and wonderful Nestie vibes! Catching up on reading, movies is just what I've done this week. Next weekend is my baby shower, and I'm sooo looking forward to it and will begin to really prep the nursery and all of my baby girl's clothes.
And I am certainly learning to enjoy the rest now as much as possible, because in just a few short weeks, I know it will be a mere memory! I'll keep you all posted, thanks again!
Oh, I'm so sorry you are going through bedrest-what a pain! You know it is best for you and baby though, so hopefully just knowing that will make it more tolerable. Just rest, it is good practice for giving up some control, which I had to do when b. was born. Did you know babies are terrible direction followers