…that two years ago (on September 16th, 2008) I was put on complete bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy?
I remember it clearly. My wonderful cousin (who was my Maid of Honour at our wedding in 2006) was throwing me a baby shower. It was supposed to be a joyous event. It was something I was looking forward to.
On our way to Montreal, where the baby shower was being held, Hubby and I had to make a pit stop in Sudbury for my OB-GYN visit. That was the day that began my very long period of bed rest and the day that made me realize that things weren’t as good as I thought they were. Until then, I thought everything was fine with my pregnancy. I knew the doctor said I was already dilating at 5 months into my pregnancy, but it didn’t really hit me that this was all true. Maybe I was in denial. Maybe I was just being overly hopeful that everything would be fine. I was barely 24 weeks pregnant! That was just over halfway into my pregnancy.
Our vehicle was packed for our trip to Montreal. I happily went to our OB-GYN’s office to get checked out. Life was good. I was happy, pregnant, and on my way to my baby shower and to see all the people I love.
Wrong. After checking me out, the doctor said he was sending me back to the Island. Things were worse than he thought and my cervix was dilating at an alarmingly fast rate. He said my cervix was paper thin when at this point in my pregnancy it should have been almost inpenetrable. The doctor’s orders were for me to go home, be on my back at all times, except for bathroom breaks. No sitting (as it would put too much pressure on the cervix). No standing. No anything. Family members and friends were to do EVERYTHING for me. That included all cooking, housework, chores. I wasn’t allowed to do ANYTHING.
Sounds good, right? Wrong. It was a nightmare. I’m the type of person who always has to be doing something. For the remainder of my very brief pregnancy, I’d be confined to a bed in the living room and having everyone cater to me. This was not how I envisioned my pregnancy to be. Who would have known that this strict bed rest would eventually end up becoming strict hospital bed rest at the hospital in Sudbury within the next few weeks and then ultimately strict hospital bed rest at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto?
This was two years ago. Hard to believe this all happened!
I heard so many things about baby shower and it was look fun.
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Mickey Buarao
It was a bit surreal to be back at Mount Sinai on the 7th floor early Saturday morning. E&I ended up on the 10th floor with Henchel for a couple of days.
You are such a strong woman, Chris.
Cherry:
I know! It was crazy, wasn’t it? With little to do on my back (since I wasn’t allowed to sit or stand) other than blog and surf the net, this time on bed rest actually got me blogging more. In a strange way, the blog world and support network (you guys!) helped me through my high risk pregnancy and my bed rest.
When I think of what I actually went through, I can’t believe it all happened. It *was* a really scary time, but for some reason I think I was in denial. I seriously thought I was going to carry her to term! My OB-GYN laughed and told me “No way”, but I was convinced that I was going to have a 40 weeker and not a 28 weeker!
Your pregnancy tirned so scary so fast and yet you shared it all with us. We would wait on each of your (and Hubby’s) updates anxious for news.
And now look. Look at your beautiful princess. Quite simply a miracle.