I'm waiting in line at my local Target Pharmacy to pick up my medication refill. Thinking man, it sucks they've had to up my meds...oh well, we all knew it would happen...but WOW-my back is really hurting all of the sudden. Maybe it's time to switch lead at work to something that fits a bit better...
Refill in hand, I begin to browse through kitchen clearance (a favorite of mine) when my back spasms in a way that is NOT my normal back pain.
Driving home, back is a bit better....I decide I'll get a pedicure and use the lovely massage chair...owner tells me it will be a 5 minute wait, and my response is "Perfect! I'll use the bathroom and be right back!"
Pee, go to wipe, and cue freak out: I'm bleeding. And not the "touch of brown" or whatever, BRIGHT RED BLOOD, from my vagina (I checked). shit, Shit, SHIT!
I flush, rush out of the bathroom, tell the lady (who now has a chair and water ready for me) that I can't stay, pointing to my belly and saying "baby problems". I hop in the car and head to my house, calling my OB's office on the way.
**ring ring ring**we're sorry, all of our operators are busy currently assisting other callers, please wait and we will answer your call in the order it was received**ring ring ring** FOR SIX MINUTES! By the time someone answers, I'm a mess...they connect me with the nurse after I answer a few questions, and she tells me to go straight to the L&D unit. I grab my bag (which I'd packed the day before), pet the dog, and walk out the door.
Once there, things went smoothly (mostly). I was checked in promptly, but the nurse was helping in an emergent c-section. Still feeling little girl kick, I was OK with waiting for a few minutes, though I was still a mess. By the time I got into the room, the bleeding had all but stopped. Still, 25 weeks is way too early to go into labor, and way too late to have vaginal bleeding, so I still got the whole shebang-especially considering my high risk factors. I got labs, another sono, and constant monitoring for three hours before it was determined that I could go home so long as I promised to come back if the bleeding returned.
The bad news: It was a SUPER stressful ordeal.
The good news: I got a practice run of the hospital, and I learned a few things. Also, I know my cervix, placenta, labs, and baby are all looking good. I've had no bleeding since, and have spent the day chilling with the pup (which he is loving) and watching Dr. Who.
This weekend I'll be doing a post on packing the hospital bag, but here are a few random things I learned from yesterday's experience:
#1- You may want to think about buying a longer phone charger. I'm single and my mom lives 3 hours away, so I wanted to keep her up to date and let her know if and when she needed to get up here. Naturally when I arrived at the hospital, my cell phone battery was a whopping 9%. I plugged it in, but all of the outlets were behind the bed, making it so I couldn't charge and use simultaneously. They make long (6 to 10 ft) charger cords. I now have one purchased.
#2- Bring your own pillow. Yes, this seems pretty basic, but I know the hospital I'm delivering at advertises "premium linen". Malarkey...it's the same sheets and pillows I put on the exam table where I work.
#3- Prepare yourself and your info, and even then...prepare to be patient. I recommend you look at my post over prepping your papers, as this well help tremendously with check-in and initial triage. Even with all that done, I still felt like everything was taking an eternity, though it was kind of reassuring to hear little girl on the continuous monitor (which she kicked the crap out of).
I hope this helps! Happy Tuesday! 25 weeks today!!
#1- You may want to think about buying a longer phone charger. I'm single and my mom lives 3 hours away, so I wanted to keep her up to date and let her know if and when she needed to get up here. Naturally when I arrived at the hospital, my cell phone battery was a whopping 9%. I plugged it in, but all of the outlets were behind the bed, making it so I couldn't charge and use simultaneously. They make long (6 to 10 ft) charger cords. I now have one purchased.
#2- Bring your own pillow. Yes, this seems pretty basic, but I know the hospital I'm delivering at advertises "premium linen". Malarkey...it's the same sheets and pillows I put on the exam table where I work.
#3- Prepare yourself and your info, and even then...prepare to be patient. I recommend you look at my post over prepping your papers, as this well help tremendously with check-in and initial triage. Even with all that done, I still felt like everything was taking an eternity, though it was kind of reassuring to hear little girl on the continuous monitor (which she kicked the crap out of).
I hope this helps! Happy Tuesday! 25 weeks today!!
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