Yah...monday will make it 18 weeks. Not necessarily a great milestone week but I love counting down the weeks. This week has been relatively uneventful and yet there is some news. Last week I had more cramping and contractions than this week but as a result and because they are so early in the pregnancy the doctor decided to start me on 17P shots. I start next week on these shots and they are once a week for the rest of the pregnancy (or until 36/37 weeks). 17P is Alpha Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate which is the naturally occuring hormone progesterone that a women normally has and so it shouldn't have too many side effects on me or the baby. For some reason, which doctors don't even really understand, this hormone seems to calm PTL (pre-term lanor) and prolong a pregnancy in about 40% of the cases in which it is used to treat these symptoms. I have done lots of research on it and have prayed about this decision and feel that it is the right thing to do. My doctor has suggested that if I continue to have PTL symptoms he will likely put me on hospital bedrest after about 24 weeks and so if I can avoid that and stay at home with bedrest then almost anything is worth a try. It may not help at all or it might be just the thing I need. Here's to hoping this might do the trick for me!! :)
For the rest, as long as I take it very easy, which is not being up and around for more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours at a time and laying down for the rest then things seem great. Sometimes (not so surprisingly) I push it a little because I feel good and then I remember why I should be laying down :) Oh well, I guess little reminders are good.
So for me, I have decided that things like grocery shopping and shopping in general :( are quite off limits. Walking seems to be what aggrevates me the worst. I avoid lifting and try not to do too many light chores in a row. If I've been up for an hour or two then generally I lay down for the rest of the morning...afternoon or evening depending on what time of day it is. I try to drink lots of water because dehydration can also be a cause of PTL. Obviously our lifestyle at home has changed a bit...but it also makes for a generally more relaxed environment...doesn't seem to be much rushing around and busyiness so that's kind of a nice change. I am very thankful this time around to have a laptop and wireless internet...what did I ever do without it ?!?! :) I can still shop from the couch...catch up with friends and organize photos. I sometimes have days where I feel like I've accomplished more than just incubating but hey, even if I don't do much more...I feel I've done a pretty good job at what I should be doing ;) As I said to DH (dear husband)..."There is no way you could do my job right now!" haha...lol! He agreed with me 100%.
Speaking of 100%...my Dear Aunt reminded me as she has in the past that I am doing a very important job right now and we like to remember the book about Horton the Elephant (who I generally feel like when I am quite pregnant) :) ....An Elephant is faithful 100%...read the book sometime...it's a great reminder for me why I am doing what I am doing !!
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