Since my computer is refusing to play any of the darling chick flicks from my hard drive and sleeping is not an option given the circumstances......the blogging shall resume! Aren't you lucky? Hearing from me TWICE IN ONE DAY when the norm has been.....hmmm.....maybe once every two weeks (my apologies, friends)!!!
Let's talk RESTING. The cause of my preterm labour cannot be confirmed 100%, but it has been noted that stress and exhaustion likely contributed to my experience with it. Working about 12 hours a day - on my feet - and then returning home to the most energetic toddler alive, well, these things weren't exactly recommended to continue with the same level of vigor by our OB/GYN here. I was told to take it down a notch - especially after my umbilical hernia and especially after the tiniest Parkinson was deemed not only breech, but a low-resting breech baby. In response to this, I really feel I did lay off a bit in terms of picking up Nory and chasing her around (ah-hem, Phil is THE BEST MEDICAL ADVICE ENFORCER when it involves ME and NOT HIM). BUT. A BIG BUT. In terms of work, I'm an ALL or NOTHING kind of gal and forever have been. No, I can't sit at my desk while I watch my students struggle with density calculations at their desks. No, I can't excite them about new material at my work desk with my little, high voice (a full song and dance is generally required). And no, safety cannot be sacrificed during labs while I rest easy on an office chair nearby. So - this half tilt, minimize standing, only do what you can sort of idea? I don't buy it. So I worked. And worked. And worked. And the hours I've put in preparing for lessons, contacting home, marking, etc. have since reached an incredible tally. But that's part of the job. And that's how I choose to do it: PERFECT or...........NOT AT ALL.
That being said, I'm certain you understand how bored I am already - Day Two in the hospital. And with THAT BEING SAID, this boredom exists despite the wonderful people who came to visit me at the hospital yesterday (for many hours at a time)! I like to keep busy and being isolated in this bed - without any company at all - is not so conducive to that. I have my one English channel on the television (BBC), my iPhone (which is getting old - FAST!), my computer (which, I admit, has opened up the world of blogging again), and the series of nurses and on-call doctors that cycle through my room non-stop. There's also the option of sleeping, but this hasn't been going so well due to the following factors:
1) I am a terrible sleeper to begin with, never a napper, and a complete worry wart. These three things together make for an unlikely sleeping situation.
2) Who sleeps well at 32 weeks pregnant anyways? KICK/KICK/KICK. PEE/PEE/PEE. I mean.....mamas out there get it! (Minus the one or two that make me really jealous because their babies are super sleepers both inside and outside the womb!)
3) I'm on the labour and delivery floor. Night one, I was on the delivery side as no alternative rooms were available. Screaming ladies, crying babies, frantic nurses, alarm calls...........ALL NIGHT LONG. Thankfully I was moved to the "observation" side yesterday morning. But it's directly opposite the emergency triage station. Screaming ladies, frantic husbands, alarm calls.......DAY AND NIGHT! Speaking of which, apparently the last screamer who was admitted was dilated 9 cm upon arrival. After having a C section round one, my eyes have been considerably OPENED UP in the last however many hours. Let's just say that ACTUALLY having a baby seems scary NO MATTER how the baby enters this world!
4) I'm connected to a lovely IV machine that has both spontaneous alarm sounds and planned alarm times. I'm also connected to a CTG monitor that keeps track of contractions and the baby's heart rate. And I admit that it is REALLY nice to hear a lovely stream of thump-thumps from Goose (it means she's doing well!) but due to her activity, the heart beat is not exactly regular enough to be considered a suitable source of "white noise".
5) I must be disconnected from both the IV machine and the CTG when I have to pee. Which is a problematic issue of mine (ah-hem, frequent urination) whilst NOT pregnant, pregnant, and pregnant on an IV that encourages urination even further. Every hour, I buzz my peeps to release me to the bathroom! Lucky them. Lucky me!
6) Nurses and doctors. LOVE ME. Poking me. Prodding me. Checking in on me. Which is all good and fine. Minus when you're trying to get some legitimate shut eye.
7) Meal service. It's delicious at this hospital and the trolley it's served on wins big-time presentation points. BUT. Meal times involve the process of ordering, having your nurse verify your dietary needs, a twenty minute wait period, food delivery, eating the food, having the servers return to pick up the trolley.........It's a 1.5 hour affair that the nurses constantly inquire about. "Did you eat?! What did you eat?!" Ugh.
8) My bum hurts. It's the truth, people! Bum injections make you feel like you've been working out the buttox for hours. And I haven't been. But that's how it feels. It's quite uncomfortable laying here at times.
9) Window washers. The call to prayer. Random arguments in the hallways. Construction. Bedding removal. Replenishing of room supplies. The usual hospital activity that creates a problemo for sleep wishers.
10) To be honest, this is probably my biggest reason for NOT sleeping. My mind. Is the new baby going to be okay? Is Nory okay? I miss her. Is Phil okay? No - he's stressed like you don't even know. Are my students okay? They have a test on Thursday. Are my subs okay - did I give them enough information? What if I can't return to work? What will happen to my position? How much will my pay be cut? Is insurance going to give pre-approval for this visit? When does that insurance lady return to talk to me anyways? Will I be asked to go on best rest when I'm finally discharged? How will I survive that.....HAPPILY? What if I can't play with Nory? Will Nory ever forgive me? (You get the picture.....my mind is a racing one!)
So - there you have it: bed rest at the hospital! The best part is, every time a health professional checks in on me, they ask how I've been sleeping. Or when I'm going to sleep. Or why I haven't already done so....haha.
The last doctor that popped in (the really cool one with blue hair) says that MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, I MIGHT get to leave tonight. But then she proceeded to tell me I will likely need medical leave until Christmas holidays. We shall see what my usual doctor says later today!
I hope you are all enjoying the holiday spirit back home! All of your beautiful, snowy landscape pictures make me feel SO HAPPY INSIDE!!!! XOXO
WAIT - one more thing. I LOVE YOU GOOSE!!!! Keep growing my girl! The thought of your sweet little face makes "sucking it up" so much easier. Love, Mama XOXO
Let's talk RESTING. The cause of my preterm labour cannot be confirmed 100%, but it has been noted that stress and exhaustion likely contributed to my experience with it. Working about 12 hours a day - on my feet - and then returning home to the most energetic toddler alive, well, these things weren't exactly recommended to continue with the same level of vigor by our OB/GYN here. I was told to take it down a notch - especially after my umbilical hernia and especially after the tiniest Parkinson was deemed not only breech, but a low-resting breech baby. In response to this, I really feel I did lay off a bit in terms of picking up Nory and chasing her around (ah-hem, Phil is THE BEST MEDICAL ADVICE ENFORCER when it involves ME and NOT HIM). BUT. A BIG BUT. In terms of work, I'm an ALL or NOTHING kind of gal and forever have been. No, I can't sit at my desk while I watch my students struggle with density calculations at their desks. No, I can't excite them about new material at my work desk with my little, high voice (a full song and dance is generally required). And no, safety cannot be sacrificed during labs while I rest easy on an office chair nearby. So - this half tilt, minimize standing, only do what you can sort of idea? I don't buy it. So I worked. And worked. And worked. And the hours I've put in preparing for lessons, contacting home, marking, etc. have since reached an incredible tally. But that's part of the job. And that's how I choose to do it: PERFECT or...........NOT AT ALL.
 |
| Dana and I chilling in my room. It's quite large! You wouldn't believe the size of my bathroom or lobby way either! |
1) I am a terrible sleeper to begin with, never a napper, and a complete worry wart. These three things together make for an unlikely sleeping situation.
2) Who sleeps well at 32 weeks pregnant anyways? KICK/KICK/KICK. PEE/PEE/PEE. I mean.....mamas out there get it! (Minus the one or two that make me really jealous because their babies are super sleepers both inside and outside the womb!)
3) I'm on the labour and delivery floor. Night one, I was on the delivery side as no alternative rooms were available. Screaming ladies, crying babies, frantic nurses, alarm calls...........ALL NIGHT LONG. Thankfully I was moved to the "observation" side yesterday morning. But it's directly opposite the emergency triage station. Screaming ladies, frantic husbands, alarm calls.......DAY AND NIGHT! Speaking of which, apparently the last screamer who was admitted was dilated 9 cm upon arrival. After having a C section round one, my eyes have been considerably OPENED UP in the last however many hours. Let's just say that ACTUALLY having a baby seems scary NO MATTER how the baby enters this world!
4) I'm connected to a lovely IV machine that has both spontaneous alarm sounds and planned alarm times. I'm also connected to a CTG monitor that keeps track of contractions and the baby's heart rate. And I admit that it is REALLY nice to hear a lovely stream of thump-thumps from Goose (it means she's doing well!) but due to her activity, the heart beat is not exactly regular enough to be considered a suitable source of "white noise".
5) I must be disconnected from both the IV machine and the CTG when I have to pee. Which is a problematic issue of mine (ah-hem, frequent urination) whilst NOT pregnant, pregnant, and pregnant on an IV that encourages urination even further. Every hour, I buzz my peeps to release me to the bathroom! Lucky them. Lucky me!
6) Nurses and doctors. LOVE ME. Poking me. Prodding me. Checking in on me. Which is all good and fine. Minus when you're trying to get some legitimate shut eye.
 |
| Yesterday's breakfast. REAL FOOD! YAHOO!!!! |
8) My bum hurts. It's the truth, people! Bum injections make you feel like you've been working out the buttox for hours. And I haven't been. But that's how it feels. It's quite uncomfortable laying here at times.
9) Window washers. The call to prayer. Random arguments in the hallways. Construction. Bedding removal. Replenishing of room supplies. The usual hospital activity that creates a problemo for sleep wishers.
10) To be honest, this is probably my biggest reason for NOT sleeping. My mind. Is the new baby going to be okay? Is Nory okay? I miss her. Is Phil okay? No - he's stressed like you don't even know. Are my students okay? They have a test on Thursday. Are my subs okay - did I give them enough information? What if I can't return to work? What will happen to my position? How much will my pay be cut? Is insurance going to give pre-approval for this visit? When does that insurance lady return to talk to me anyways? Will I be asked to go on best rest when I'm finally discharged? How will I survive that.....HAPPILY? What if I can't play with Nory? Will Nory ever forgive me? (You get the picture.....my mind is a racing one!)
So - there you have it: bed rest at the hospital! The best part is, every time a health professional checks in on me, they ask how I've been sleeping. Or when I'm going to sleep. Or why I haven't already done so....haha.
 |
| Fingers crossed they let me out of this place SOON!!!!! |
 |
| A decaf hazelnut latte - IN A RED CUP! - thanks to Gem :) xo |
WAIT - one more thing. I LOVE YOU GOOSE!!!! Keep growing my girl! The thought of your sweet little face makes "sucking it up" so much easier. Love, Mama XOXO
No comments:
Post a Comment