Preeclampsia, take 2

I was prepared with all sorts of questions for my midwife – questions about preparing my home for our planned home birth. I’ve never gotten this far in pregnancy before.

But the first step at the midwife’s office, before I even talk to the midwife, is to take my blood pressure and weight and temperature in the bathroom – and to pee in a cup. I dipped my urine, counted to sixty, and checked the dipstick.

A bright green strip at the bottom of the stick told me what I hadn’t at all expected to see. I was spilling protein again, majorly.

I had preeclampsia, again.

My questions about home birth went out the window. I knew that was no longer an option.

We had our visit. The midwife confirmed high blood pressure and protein in the urine. She called our OB and we arranged for another hospitalization.

We went home to pack our bags and then on to the hospital.

With Tirzah Mae, we entered the hospital at 30 weeks, 6 days, already with severe preeclampsia (defined by very high blood pressures and/or a range of other abnormal lab values.) We didn’t even fill out paperwork before I was receiving IV magnesium to prevent seizures. I had a shot of steroids to help mature Tirzah Mae’s lungs. The first 24 hours of our hospitalization was intense, with monitors going off all over, with lines into my veins and around my belly and all over everywhere. Tirzah Mae was born eight days later, at 32 weeks, 1 day.

With this baby, we entered the hospital yesterday, at 33 weeks, 4 days. I had preeclampsia – have preeclampsia – but without severe features at this point. I’ve gotten a shot of steroids, but no magnesium. I’ve been on monitors here and there – but have also spent hours on end just lying in bed or sitting typing or reading.

We just finished talking with the maternal-fetal specialist after lunch.

We are on hospitalized bed rest until this baby is born. At the very latest, we will go to 37 weeks (considered full term) – July 10. More likely, I will develop severe features that necessitate immediate delivery. Until then, we wait.

As we wait, we pray. If you will, please pray with us:

• …that God would be glorified through the events of this pregnancy, as well as through our thoughts, words, and attitudes
• …that God would grant us patience and trust with the process of bedrest, especially with a toddler around
• …that God would grant the doctors wisdom to advise us well and us the wisdom to weigh their advice carefully and make clear-headed decisions
• …that we would have the help we need (and be able to coordinate the help we need) to care for Tirzah Mae throughout my and/or baby’s hospitalization
• …that we could have conversation that is full of grace and seasoned with salt as we interact with the dozens of medical staff we encounter daily
• …that this baby could stay in the womb as long as possible
• …that baby would flip to a head-down position and stay there in time for a vaginal delivery

But most of all, pray that God would be seen as glorious. For He truly is glorious and worthy of praise.