Day 30: Stablity

At my doctor's appointment today, Dr. W. found that everything is still stable and Baby Boy is still hanging in there, and we're all happy about that.  Even the more frequent contractions lately haven't caused any real cervical change, so that's even better.  She suggested a maternity support belt to ease abdominal pressure and uterine irritability, especially since I am carrying so low, so I'll see how that works.  Besides that, Dr. W. just wants me to take it a week at a time, and we'll go from there.  32 weeks is a huge milestone because most of Baby's development is stable by then, and then it's mostly a matter of lung maturation (which I had shots to help the little guy with and can get another dose of if labor occurs before 34 weeks) and weight gain (which can occur outside the womb).  So only 4 1/2 days to go until then, and that's doable, and we'll go for the next milestone from there.

I had a routine Non-Stress-Test (NST) to monitor contractions while there and Baby Boy sounded good on the monitors and I only had some minor uterine irritability, without having any contractions, which is our goal.  Knowing things are stable gives me some peace of mind and the confidence we can make it another week.  Stability in this pregnancy also allows me to focus on B and J a little more.  Now I can better support J who is having major anxiety while he prepares to take his state nursing boards next week and is currently applying for a job in his unit.  I can also provide B a routine to help him cope with the changes he's experienced.  So I'm very grateful for the blessings stability brings, and I pray it continues.

I found the following mantra on a fellow bed rest blog, and I liked her thoughts on stability so much I thought I'd share:

 

As long as I am in a stable state, I need not worry.
As long as I am not having contractions, I can relax.
As long as I am not feeling pain, I can remain still.
As long as I focus on the likelihood of making it further, I can find hope.
As long as I have faith, I can find peace.  
-- Ashley Potter, Bedrestboutique.com