The Results Are In

Ok, so the 24 hour test results are back and there is more protein than the last time, which was expected. The doctors have told me that this test is not indicative of when they would deliver and the nephrologist told me that it still isn't in the danger zone. Due to my history, they cannot say with certainty that the increased protein is due to preeclampsia itself or kidney disease with pregnancy. Either way, they will continue to monitor me the same way.

The great news is that my blood pressure was much better controlled today. It has been down in normal levels for almost the entire day. What an answer to prayer! I walked down the hall to the ultrasound room for the first time this morning; usually they would bring the machine to me or take me down to them in a wheel chair. After walking, my blood pressure didn't go much higher, which was encouraging.

The Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine came in today and said that delivery could still be any day. She wants us to be prepared mentally and reminded us that every extra day that Miss Baby M stays in makes a difference. They will continue to delay delivery as long as the baby is doing well and I am doing well. We are both monitored practically 24/7 and they are looking at everything to assess any type of decline in either of us. What they want to see baby girl M doing: breathing, moving, having a heart rate pattern with accelerations and very little decelerations, strong blood flow in the placenta, umbilical cord, and cerebral artery. They are not seeing many accelerations in her heart rate, and it would be a reassurance to everyone if they started seeing that soon. What they want to see in me: controlled blood pressure, continued kidney function, good liver function, and no new signs of preeclampsia.

To help everyone understand what all this means might be best explained by what one of the resident's told me today. She said "Right now things look ok, and in today's ultrasound the baby looked great. What we are predicting is that the delivery date will be based on changes in you, which can occur quickly. We are hoping for a gradual path of change in you before we make the call on delivery, but we are walking a fine line with you."

This new information is a bit scary. All of this is scary. We know that I am in good hands here, and we pray for protection and peace. Also, I am a little anxious about having a new IV put in tomorrow since they always have trouble finding my veins.


I'll close tonight with a photo of me and my mom. We are so thankful that she is able to be here this week.