33w2d Update

Today I had a busy day scheduled of tests and appointments. I was doing a repeat glucose test. This time it was a fasting 2-hour test. My OB explained to me (at my last appointment last Thursday) that the guidelines for the test had recently changed from the 1-hour non-fasting test or the 3-hour fasting test to a 2-hour fasting test. My blood pressure was also a bit elevated at my last OB appointment, so she ordered another 24-hour urine collection test to check for spilled protein. She suggested I do it on Sunday and just bring it to my glucose test on Monday morning. I did as she suggested and brought it to the glucose test. The test itself was boring. I did get a bit shaky towards the end, but that was it. After the test I ate a peanut butter sandwich that I had brought with me and a bunch of almonds. I felt much better after the food/protein.
I then headed over to MFM for my weekly NST and a cervix check u/s. My blood pressure was high in the NST room- 139/82. They suggested I lay there and relax during the test and then we would re-check. The boys did great for the NST this time. They then re-checked my blood pressure, and it went up again to – 145/91. At this point they ordered a urine test to check for protein, and I explained that I had JUST dropped off the 24-hour jug but went ahead with their test as well. (No protein was found in this test) I then had the cervix check, and it is shorter, but not concerning at this point. The boys looked great on u/s- had the right fluid levels, heartbeats and all the other good stuff they check for. They kept asking me the classic preeclampsia questions and the only one I could say I did have was a headache. I’ve had a headache since Saturday afternoon. It’s been pretty bad, but my blood pressure at home hasn’t reflected a rise, so I wasn’t that concerned. The u/s tech left, and I waited for a Dr to go over results and send me on my way. But then the tech came back and told me that the Dr (not my regular one- she was out) wanted a bio-physical profile u/s to double check on the boys because of my headache/high blood pressure. So… I had that done. The boys both passed with flying colors. The Dr then came in and told me she was concerned about me (not the boys) and wanted to admit me to the hospital for a couple of days for observations, but that she would check in with my primary OB and get back to me. WHAT?!? I mean, I know my blood pressure was a bit high, but it has been MUCH higher than this. She didn’t get a hold of my regular OB (off duty) but spoke with her partner and they agreed to admit me for the purpose of monitoring the babies, monitoring my blood pressure and administering steroid shots to help the boys’ lungs mature.

So, for now I am in the hospital. My test results came back, and my glucose test had 2 values that were in the normal range and one that was out of the normal range, but the Dr wasn’t concerned. My 24-hour test was *barely* over the limit. They want it under 300 and it was at 340. My blood pressure has been much lower in the hospital. At admission it was 132/80 and at the most recent check tonight it was 123/74. I’m hoping after my second steroid shot tomorrow, I will be discharged. Also, my regular OB will be back tomorrow so I can go over all the results with her and figure out her plan.

Luckily, we have great insurance that will cover all of this hospitalization. If it didn’t, I would be a bit upset and stressed. As it is, I’m trying to roll with everything and stay calm. So far – so good. The biggest relief is that none of this seems to be affecting the boys. Hang on babies… just 2 more weeks and we’ll be at 35 weeks, and you’ll have a much higher likelihood of coming home with us with no NICU time.