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Nothing for something

B is for boredom and bulbous belly,
E is for ever-enormous ennui.
D is for divot I’ve made on my bed,
R is for rolling of eyes in my head.
E is for effort to find sunny sides,
S is for sonogram where my fluid hides.
T is for time, starting week four,
! is for !!!!!!!! Need I say more?

Quoth the doctor: “Another week of boredom!” She was really upbeat about it.

The thing that makes me shake my head is that a mere two years ago, they would have said, “What the hey, let’s just get that baby out!” I’m the first to admit I would have been all over that, readily agreeing out of worry, fatigue, and the desire to get on with life. But then I read this, which confirms what the doctor told me a couple of weeks ago:

Last Weeks Of Pregnancy Vital to Babies’ Survival

The reality is that the last month of pregnancy is especially vital, not only to the survival of the baby, but also for their long-term health. Babies born between 34-37 weeks of pregnancy are six times more likely to not survive the first week after life than those born at 39 to 40 weeks. Research also shows that scheduling a cesarean at 37 or 38 weeks of pregnancy were more likely to have the following complications:

* hospital stays for five days or longer
* respiratory/breathing complications
* neonatal sepsis (serious infection)
* mechanical ventilation (assistance with breathing)
* hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
* admission to the NICU

The last weeks of pregnancy also have many necessary changes, including fat layers being established, organs preparing for life outside the womb and increases in brain cell development.

Goldenberg suggests that expectant mothers discuss waiting until 39 weeks before scheduling any induction of labor or elective cesarean to avoid possible complications. He also recommends that hospitals establish policies that restrict routine inductions or cesarean without an indicated risk.

Source link here

Beatrix and Archie were 36-weekers because of low fluid. Comparing them to my other babies (born from 39w6d to 41w4d) demonstrates to me how the extra time does make a difference. Beatrix and Archie were small, both weighing 6 pounds. They lost weight, too, so I brought 5.5 pound babies home from the hospital. Both developed reflux. They had problems maintaining their body temperatures and a tougher time with jaundice. They were easily fatigued by nursing.

Archie ended up in the NICU with a collapsed lung.

I guess I am giving myself a pep talk that all this nothing is actually for something.

I go back Thursday AND Friday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aidan is getting a new bed. She’s moving from twin to full. My husband, mom, and all the kids are out shopping for mattresses. I could have made an excellent addition to the team. Imagine my know-how, my expert touch, the manner in which I’ve perfected my approach to all-things loungeable. When this is all over, I am going to parlay my bedrest experience into a thriving consulting business.

Business cards: Matte or glossy?

11 comments to Nothing for something

  • Awww Gretchen! I am so sorry! You are definitely finding the bright side, whether you feel like you are or not. ((((HUGS))))
    .-= jenni´s last blog ..Here’s the thing… =-.

  • Inkling

    Matte. You can do this, and it will be worth it.

  • amy

    It is definitely great that the baby gets more time to pack on the pounds and finish up his nervous system and breathing. My doc has been firm for years on not inducing or c-section before 39 weeks, I’ve been so surprised to read and hear from others how blase other docs/hospitals are about the procedure. It just makes sense, the average is 40 weeks for a reason…..

  • You’re doing great! You can do it!
    .-= Kristin´s last blog ..8-9-10 =-.

  • Suzanne Temple

    Glossy. Hang in there!

  • Hi Gretchen! I read your post on 5 Minutes for Parenting last week and loved it. I’m linking my readers to LifeNut on Wednesday because I’ve been thinking that I don’t talk much about pregnancy anymore (it’s been over five years since my uterus saw that action!) and you have enough posts on the topic for both of us! LOL 😉

    Sending prayers your way!
    .-= Jenna´s last blog ..Cest la Vie- Who Is The Real Pet Owner =-.

  • Maria

    Sending my love and prayers your way! Bedrest may be boring, especially for a month, but it’s actually more fun than many other things that could happen, so try to think of it as luck. And when it’s over, you’ll only have a vague memory of it:), because you’ll be busier than ever! Hugs!

  • Hang in there my friend – you have both done so well!!! This guy will come and all that rest will pay off – can you imagine the unbound energy when you launch from bedrest… that wonderful energy will swoop you around your house and your family will not know what has hit them!!!! Just think “S.W.M.P.N.L.O.B.”… (Secret Weapon Mother Person No Longer On Bedrest). Now there is a title to anticipate… their days of freedom are over… And frankly choosing mattresses is really not the most exciting outing I can think of to establish your new “self” inner or outer… I would relaunch with something more um “eventful”!!! Lots of love to you both!!!
    .-= se7en´s last blog ..Saturday Spot- Se7en’s Savvy Storage… =-.

  • You’ve got this, girl. Been thinking about you a lot!
    .-= Heth´s last blog ..Irony =-.

  • Amy

    All this laying around will be worth it when they hand you a perfectly healthy Mr. Baby. Hang in there.

  • Shayne

    To quote Rob Schneider, “You can do it!”

    Hang in there, sweetie!

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