Post by santoki77 on Mar 27, 2015 2:18:27 GMT -5
I'll post later about the doppler results but right now. ..as of 3AM EST...I'm back in L&D...primarily bc his NST is not where they want it and the MFM wants to continuously monitor Elliott. Unfortunately, the high risk unit doesn't have the night staff to continuously monitor us so that's why I'm back down in L&D.
Even though it's "just to monitor," I'm back to being a wreck end can't stop crying. This whole thing is so frustrating and I can't wrap my head around it (short version is...i had a really good doppler today. His blood flow had, again, slightly improved from last week and the MFM was happy with the results). His could I have 2 good NSTs earlier today, with a encouraging doppler, user note be back in L&D for continuous monitoring? They haven't said delivery yet and hinted it's only bc of staffing issues but still....
OMG...i just lost that whole update...
here's what I could get together:
UPDATE:
The high risk unit has 13 beds. Since my time here, the max "occupancy" has been 9 out of 13 beds (including me). Last night, there were 5-6 of us total with 2 nurses. when there are more patients, more nurses are assigned. Because of the needs of some of the other patients, and the MFMs wanted me on continuous monitoring, they transferred me to L&D because they have A LOT more nurses down there, and the drs (including the MFMs) that are on overnight/on-call are in L&D so if anything happened, the nurses and OR delivery room is right here. I called my DH but since the MFM assured me that I was being transferred primarily for monitoring, I just let him know and I would call him if it became more serious.
After about 8 hours of monitoring...we were cleared and I finally got back my room around 11 AM EST. Amazingly, I was able to squeeze in a few hours of sleep despite everything. I think it's because I was too exhausted. FORTUNATELY, after the introduction of IV fluids (I don't mind needles but I really dislike the IV needle...once he perked up, Elliott had the best NST tracing they have seen so that's a positive sign. the MFMs decided that, at this point, Elliott would still do better inside v. outside of me so we're back, more or less, to the regular schedule of NST monitoring.
Last night happened...SUCH A F-ING ROLLER COASTER and makes me so frustrated. I had hoped for at least a day or two of just 'regular days' and then last night happened.
The MFMs don't really know what caused Elliott's HB to drop a few times and to remain steady (remember, variability is good, steady, not so good). The only thing that was different was my blood pressure. Lately, my BP has been running a little high (120-mid140s/80-90s) even with medication. HOWEVER, yesterday afternoon my BP was lower...like low 100/110s over 50-75..that's BIZZARE...nothing i've done has been different. Even when I was getting upset in L&D, my BP did not increase. Apparently babies can become accustomed to their mother's physiology, i.e. BP, etc., and if something changes, it can affect the baby. So while the MFMs don't know for sure...they are going to give me BP medications on a dose by dose basis. They're going to monitor my BP, especially before my next med dosage and if my BP is under a certain number (which i believe is 130/90), they will not give me my meds for that time.
So my next NST is going to be after lunch today. The MFMs said that Elliott looked good before they released me back to my room and while there's no guarantee that it's a "permanent fix," we are truly living NST to NST. They said if they want me continuously monitored again, I may be taken down to L&D again and once they're satisfied, I'll come back up.
So here's to Day 15 and tomorrow is Week 29. I'm meeting with the neonatologist this afternoon to discuss NICU stays and baby progress should Elliott be delivered in the next week. I'll probably meet with them next week once I'm close to week 30 to discuss prognosis, possible defects, delays, etc.
Even though it's "just to monitor," I'm back to being a wreck end can't stop crying. This whole thing is so frustrating and I can't wrap my head around it (short version is...i had a really good doppler today. His blood flow had, again, slightly improved from last week and the MFM was happy with the results). His could I have 2 good NSTs earlier today, with a encouraging doppler, user note be back in L&D for continuous monitoring? They haven't said delivery yet and hinted it's only bc of staffing issues but still....
OMG...i just lost that whole update...
here's what I could get together:
UPDATE:
The high risk unit has 13 beds. Since my time here, the max "occupancy" has been 9 out of 13 beds (including me). Last night, there were 5-6 of us total with 2 nurses. when there are more patients, more nurses are assigned. Because of the needs of some of the other patients, and the MFMs wanted me on continuous monitoring, they transferred me to L&D because they have A LOT more nurses down there, and the drs (including the MFMs) that are on overnight/on-call are in L&D so if anything happened, the nurses and OR delivery room is right here. I called my DH but since the MFM assured me that I was being transferred primarily for monitoring, I just let him know and I would call him if it became more serious.
After about 8 hours of monitoring...we were cleared and I finally got back my room around 11 AM EST. Amazingly, I was able to squeeze in a few hours of sleep despite everything. I think it's because I was too exhausted. FORTUNATELY, after the introduction of IV fluids (I don't mind needles but I really dislike the IV needle...once he perked up, Elliott had the best NST tracing they have seen so that's a positive sign. the MFMs decided that, at this point, Elliott would still do better inside v. outside of me so we're back, more or less, to the regular schedule of NST monitoring.
Last night happened...SUCH A F-ING ROLLER COASTER and makes me so frustrated. I had hoped for at least a day or two of just 'regular days' and then last night happened.
The MFMs don't really know what caused Elliott's HB to drop a few times and to remain steady (remember, variability is good, steady, not so good). The only thing that was different was my blood pressure. Lately, my BP has been running a little high (120-mid140s/80-90s) even with medication. HOWEVER, yesterday afternoon my BP was lower...like low 100/110s over 50-75..that's BIZZARE...nothing i've done has been different. Even when I was getting upset in L&D, my BP did not increase. Apparently babies can become accustomed to their mother's physiology, i.e. BP, etc., and if something changes, it can affect the baby. So while the MFMs don't know for sure...they are going to give me BP medications on a dose by dose basis. They're going to monitor my BP, especially before my next med dosage and if my BP is under a certain number (which i believe is 130/90), they will not give me my meds for that time.
So my next NST is going to be after lunch today. The MFMs said that Elliott looked good before they released me back to my room and while there's no guarantee that it's a "permanent fix," we are truly living NST to NST. They said if they want me continuously monitored again, I may be taken down to L&D again and once they're satisfied, I'll come back up.
So here's to Day 15 and tomorrow is Week 29. I'm meeting with the neonatologist this afternoon to discuss NICU stays and baby progress should Elliott be delivered in the next week. I'll probably meet with them next week once I'm close to week 30 to discuss prognosis, possible defects, delays, etc.
