A Little Wrinkle in Our Plans

There's been a little wrinkle placed in our plans.

During a routine prenatal check-up on Friday, I was sent to the hospital for monitoring and eventually admitted to the Labor and Delivery unit. I had been having quite a few contractions that morning and wasn't feeling well over all. My doctor could tell something may not be right, so she took quick action. Due to a positive Fetal Fibronectin Test (which means, according to some doctors, I have a 50% chance of delivering Caleb within the next 2-3 weeks), an ultrasound confirming my cervix is thin, and contractions 2-10 minutes apart for several hours (until the medication kicked in), I was welcomed to the "Hotel Brandon" (as nurses affectionately called it :) for two nights.


Once the doctor talked with me that first evening of my stay, I felt like the weight of the world had just landed in that hospital bed. While she is a very caring doctor, she wanted to drive home the seriousness of the matter, so her words were blunt and to the point. After she left the room, I just laid there staring out the window trying to comprehend everything as they monitored my contractions for another hour. I must admit, while my body was lying seemingly calm in that hospital bed, every part of me wanted to get up and start throwing things :) I realize many women are told similar words, but I just never realized how heavy that weight would be when hearing them with your own ears. To all those precious women who've been given the difficult news that their baby may possibly come too early, I'm so sorry.

My doctor stated that if Caleb were to come now, there would be major complications. I am now on strict bedrest at least until 32 weeks at which point she may be able to lift a few restrictions.  No riding in the car unless going to and from the doctor (sitting up for too long can put added pressure on one's cervix), no driving, no staying home alone with the kids (she even suggested putting Hannah in daycare). I can get up to go the bathroom, eat with the family, or walk to the couch. They gave me steroid shots to help ensure Caleb's lungs are more fully developed in case he comes early, and I am taking medication to try to slow the contractions. She stated that there is a possibility of being readmitted to the hospital and staying there until sweet Caleb arrives.

I try not to linger on the reasons for my bedrest as worry and stress seem to bring on even more contractions (is this medication really working or just giving me major headaches? :). So let me just share about my amazing husband :)...and others that have already blessed our lives.

I've been so worried about Brian. His plate is so full with things at work, writing assignments for Lifeway, preparing for his last Doctoral seminar, and all this while having extreme back pain (which he's going to the doctor for in a few days) and now needing to care for the kids on his own.  But he has been more amazing, gentle, and strong than I could have ever imagined. Never once has he shown me the stress he is under (although I know he's under tremendous stress). He has been an amazing rock throughout the last few days. Everytime I called him from the hospital to give him updates throughout my stay, he was always extremely reassuring already figuring out how we were going to manage everything. He realizes stress and anxiety seem to contribute to my contractions, so he's keeping the bedroom calm and as relaxing as possible. He is absolutely amazing with our kids.....loving on them, caring for them, being patient with them, laughing with them (and Joshua and Hannah are absolutely loving their time with Daddy). I wish I could put into words what an amazing servant he has been. My Brian is definitely mirroring the love, servanthood, grace, gentleness, and strength of our Lord and Savior.

He set up this beautiful corner in our bedroom (some friends brought the flowers)...my favorite smelling candle, and he and the kids came home today surprising me with these awesome, soothing lights!








 

 
He set up a table by the bed so we could all eat dinner together (the last time I tried to sit at the kitchen table to eat, I began having contractions so he surprised me and organized things for dinner in bed :)



Being that all our family lives out of town, I was very nervous as to how we would manage everything. But that nervousness has subsided. Some sweet friends brought us lunch (and a few frozen meals for the rest of the week) the day I arrived home from the hospital, and another dear friend came to watch the kids so Brian could get my medication from the pharmacy and get a few groceries. Many others have offered to bring food and help where they can. We are also so very blessed that Brian's boss is a dear friend who is allowing Brian to work from home when needed as we navigate the upcoming weeks.

We have divided up the next month or so between my in-laws and my parents who have so graciously offered to stay with us to care for our sweet kiddos and help with household responsibility. I'm so thankful for our families being willing and available to put their own lives on hold, drive 12-15 hours to our home, and help us during this time. That really says a lot about their hearts and willingness to serve when needed. Thank you, parents!!

I am blessed. I am so, so blessed and thankful. God may have different plans than our finite minds can comprehend. But His plans, His direction, His "wrinkles" are always far better than we could ever imagine. So while I pray that Caleb stays in his little home for the full pregnancy, I also pray that God's most perfect will will be done in our lives. We see how He's worked and continues to work in and through our sweet Hannah's differences...we trust that His ways are perfect.


Thank you in advance for your prayers. I will see my doctor again tomorrow, so who knows, maybe some things have changed for the better.....