Preeclampsia

In case some of you would like to know more about Preeclampsia, here's a very informative website: http://www.preeclampsia.org/about.asp

Day 5

We had quite a scare early yesterday morning. The monitor showed that I was having contractions and I was also feeling some cramping. The nurse immediately contacted Dr. Tan and she advised that they move me to labor and delivery right away! Dr. Tan came in immediately and checked my cervix and ran a couple of tests. Fortunately, I was not dilated and the tests came back negative. They kept me in labor and delivery the entire morning for observation. The contractions were initially 5 mins apart when I felt some cramping. Then, they gradually became sporadic, and I no longer was feeling any pain. My BP readings were also measuring a little higher than the past couple of days. Luckily, it settled down later on in the day and they sent me back to maternity ward for more bedrest. It's amazing how bedrest really helps a lot!

Day 4

My BP reading this morning was really good! It was in the 120s/64, which is the best BP reading I've had since I've been in the hospital. However, the readings throughout the day rose to the 130s/79 and the last reading was as high as 149/94. I'm not sure what caused it to climb up. I suspect and Dr. Tan thinks it's because I had a shower this morning. So, no showers for me anymore until further notice. She said to minimize it, maybe once a week! :( The only other thing I can think of is the massage therapy that I got today, but I don't think that could have raised my BP. It was actually the highlight of my day! Anyway, tomorrow I'll try not to move around too much.

The baby continues to be very active. He has been kicking a lot and his heartbeat is very strong! The hospital plays this lullaby everytime a baby is born. I can hear it each time, and so far I've heard it about 14 times now since I've been here. It makes me teary eyed sometimes when it comes on as I can't wait to meet our baby, but it's not that time yet.

Day 4: New Schedule

Christine is doing well her BP this morning was in the 120s. She's getting comfortable new routine. Wake up at 8:00am for Breakfast in Bed, 12:00PM Lunch, 6:00pm Dinner. She's been eating healthier than we usually eat, I am too for that matter. I suppose when you focus on the little things such as nutrition meals you want to make sure everything is balanced. Christine has tons of reading materials, thanks again everyone!

If I've missed sending this blog to any of our family or friends please foward it on.... i sent the e-mail list out really quick as I left the office.

I think we actually watch less TV since we've checked into the hospital. Probably because there's no TIVO in the room and the channel is limited. I kinda like it, maybe we'll downgrade our cable service when we get home and spend more Quality Family Time :)

Day 3 in the Hospital (continued)

We were hoping that the doctors would be releasing me today and let me continue the bedrest at home since my BP has stabilized (recent readings these past couple of days have been in the 120s-130s/70s-80s. However, they decided it would be best to keep me here so they can keep a close eye on me and the baby in case my condition takes a different turn. The nurses check my blood pressure every 4 hours and monitor any possible contractions along with baby's movement and heartbeat every 8 hours for 1 hour. As you can see in the picture that Tom posted above, they've attached "leg warmers" (as Tom calls it), which is actually a device that regulates blood circulation in my legs to prevent blood clotting since I'm lying down practically the entire day! I can only get up to go the bathroom and if I'm lucky and my vital signs are okay they allow me to take a shower!

It's actually not that bad being here in the hospital. I admit, it sucks being confined in the hospital bed, but it's what's best for the baby! Being confined in this bed is the only way we can make his environment suitable for him to stay in my womb as long as possible. We understand that the doctors are just taking all extra precautions and we're in good hands! They have injected me with 2 steriod shots to speed up the baby's lung development in case we need to deliver the baby early. Dr. Tan tell us that 1 day spent in the hospital equals to 1 week less the time the baby needs to be in the hospital if ever he comes early. So, we're taking it 1 day at a time.

I've been keeping myself busy by reading the magazines and books that some of you have given me during your visit! (Thank you so much!). I have a TV, DVD player and internet access too! So, it's not that bad at all! I have plenty to do!

Hospital food is okay. The portions are adequate, but like I said...it's okay! It's kind of like airplane food, but maybe 1 notch below airplane food. It's not that bad, but I know I'll probably get tired of it by next week after I've tried everything in the menu. Tom has been a very good husband and daddy-to-be and he has been bringing me food from home! Today he made some steamed vegetables, fish and some eggplant omelette (filipino style w/o the salt). Tomorrow he said he'll bring me salad and pepper steak! Yumm...

Day 3 in the Hospital

During Christine's last doctor's visit, she was diagnosed with Pregnancy Induced Hypertention (PIH) also known as Preeclampsia. There is no known cause of this disease, but it happens 5-8% in pregnancies. Obvious symptoms of this disease is raised blood pressure. Christine's previous BP readings early on in the pregnancy has been pretty steady and just spiked up recently. Her BP reading was pretty high, measuring at 156/103 last Friday, which alarmed our doctor, Dr. Connie Tan. Dr. Tan immediately took Christine off work and put her on strict bedrest and only gave her bathroom privileges as reason to be up and about. Other symptoms are swollen hands, feet and face, which explains Christine's swolleness in the last month or so. We suspect that this probably started early in June. Luckily, our doctor caught this on before her condition worsened as high BP could cause her to have seizures, which is deadly for mom and baby. The only cure is to deliver the baby, which we don't want to happen yet at her stage in the pregnancy. She is only 28 weeks along her pregnancy, which means that there is 12 more weeks to go until baby is scheduled to arrive. Average weight of babies at this stage in the pregnancies is only 2.5lbs. and approx. 15 inches. Obviously, we want to keep the baby in the womb as long as possible so our doctors decided that it's best for Christine and the baby to stay in the hospital until it's time to deliver. This way they can monitor her and the baby regularly.

So, it looks like El Camino Hospital will be our new home for the next 3 months hopefully! It's now day 3 in the hospital and we're getting accustomed to the routine and environment here. Christine has her own small private room complete with a full bath! It's equipped with a TV, DVD player and internet access! I have managed to set up a little office in the corner of the room too...so I can do some work from the hospital.