Bed Rest and a Hospital Visit

Hello Babies!
      Mommy is typing from her hospital bed at PVH. It is Tuesday morning and I have been here since Sunday night. But let me go back a little further.
      A few weeks ago the doctor looked at my cervix and was worried that it was funneling and getting a little bit shorter. This means that you are very heavy babies in your mom's short little body, but that also, you could possibly come early. We want you to stay in and grow big and stron,g so I have had weekly appointments to check on everything. Last Thursday I went in expecting to hear, "Everything looks great. Still no changes in your cervix." But instead my cervix had shortened and the funneling had increased. The doctor said I had to stop working. Luckily I made it back to school after the appointment in time to say a quick goodbye to my third grade students. The doctor said it would be about two weeks of moderate bed rest so I wasn't worried. I told them I'd see them soon.
       On Thursday and Friday I was given a steroid shot for your lungs, just in case you happened to arrive early. The steroids would give you a better chance of being able to breathe on your own even though you aren't fully cooked yet. The doctor also prescribed some medicine to help my contractions stop. I took the medicine Thursday and Friday and suddenly felt a tight, hard belly and I couldn't take a deep breathe in. I couldn't get comfortable and I couldn't sleep. On Saturday, I went to a lovely shower with my teacher friends from school. They got you all kinds of wonderful gifts! I came home a little warn out and rested on the couch all afternoon, but still I was getting an off and on tightening in my belly. That night we went out to dinner for your Daddy's birthday. Dinner was delicious, but every 10 minutes or so I was getting the tightening and cramping. I started worrrying I was having contractions and should probably call the doctor. We went home, I took a bath, and I tried to go to bed. I didn't sleep well through my worry or with my tight, uncomfortable belly. I knew you were both fine though, becasue I could feel you moving. Sunday I felt the same: yucky, uncomfortable, and a very heavy, hard belly. I didn't take my medicine and that helped with the breathing. Your Mammy and Pappy came up to help me around the house so I could truly rest. Sunday evening I just felt there was something not right, so I called the doctor and they admitted me to the hospital.
      They have run some tests and put me on new medicine and the contractions have all stopped. Daddy was bummmed that he had to spend his birthday in his least favorite place: a hospital. That's okay though. He had an awesome birthday last year and next year you two will be almost a year old celebrating with us! Anyways, it seems like you both are going to stay put for at least a few more weeks which is good, but I am hoping for even longer. You both were very, very wiggly and excited last night. I'm so glad you are still in there and are doing well. We are all going to get extremely uncomfortable in the upcoming weeks but we need to do our best to stay with it. Daddy says St. Patrick's Day or sometime that week before would be perfect for you to come. I think if we all make it to March, you will be fine.
      Yesterday a couple down the hall had a set of boy/girl twins. I heard their cries throughout the night and felt comforted. It made me think of you both and the weeks ahead when I will be waking up to feed and comfort you in the night. I can't wait!
      They are running a few more tests on my bloodwork today to double check that everything is okay. Your mom really wants to go home and be in her own house with her stuff and her pups. Hang in there...we will all get to meet each other soon enough!  I love you both so much and I am getting excited!

Love always,
 Your Mommy