Baby Update

[Shellie]

Im currently on "modified" bed rest for pre-eclampsia. It was something that we were watching for, but we were hoping later rather than sooner. It's a mild case so far, but I am being monitored very closely, and I am now on leave. The Dr's don't know how it will go..it could stay mild for a long time, or it could get worse quickly. At the first sign of deterioration I will start taking steroids and probably go into the hospital for monitoring until they have to take the baby, since that is the only cure for this. They basically let it go as long as they can before it starts affecting mine or the baby's health.

I'm hoping things will be fine. Im 26 weeks currently, so even if he came tomorrow, there is a chance for survivability, and each week increases that chance, especially with the steroids.

[Tessian]

Hope everything goes well Shellie

Oh and... you mind explaining to us child rearing/bearing people what "pre-eclampsia" is??

[SineSwiper]

Dammit, Tess, you have an entire library and research tool at your disposal.

http://tinyurl.com/nbaexc

[Tessian]

I was kinda hoping for a 1-2 sentence explanation, not a 5 page wikipedia article, but thanks anyway.

[Zeus]

Shellie, I hope all goes very well with you. Sounds like something that you can get through with some relaxation and a tiny bit of luck. That seems to be the key: relaxation.

Keep us updated

[Imakeholesinu]

Hope all goes well shellie. Keeping you and Sine in my thoughts.

[Shellie]

Just updating. 29w now and things are still fine. Getting bored of bedrest. I basically get up in the morning, take a shower, and hang out on the couch most of the day. Im actually below the threshold for pre-eclampsia(high BP, and high protein the urine) now but they are keeping me on bedrest because once you cross the line, you have it and the further along you get the chance of it getting really bad goes up.

Pre-e is basically the irritation of the nervous system during pregnancy. They arent sure what causes it, but they think that the placenta, which has a combination of the mom and dads genes is sort of being rejected by the body. The symptoms can come on like a mack truck, or stay mild for a long time. The only cure is to deliver, so its really a race against time. The symptoms start as higher BP, elevated protein in the urine from the kidneys not functioning as well, then on to kidney damage, liver damage, brain swelling which causes a severe headache and visual disturbances, then if left unchecked it can causes seizures. To the baby it can cause a decreased amount of bloodflow, or death if the placenta shuts down. The placenta can abrubt (tear away) causes blood loss to baby and mom, and can cause death to both).

But Im no where near any of the bad stuff. Im only getting a slightly increased BP, and a slight increase in protein. Its stayed that way for over 3 weeks now, and they are monitoring me very closely. As soon as I start getting any other symptoms, that's it, I will be in the hospital.

Most people only get the bad swelling, bp, protein, and once they hit the headache and visual stuff, theyre induced or have a csection.

So we're in good hands, and at worst, I will deliver early. My goal was 30 weeks, but I will pass that no problem. Our new goal is 34 weeks. (Out of 40)

Yeah, that was long..Im bored

[Kupek]

Pre-e is basically the irritation of the nervous system during pregnancy. They arent sure what causes it, but they think that the placenta, which has a combination of the mom and dads genes is sort of being rejected by the body.

That is both fascinating and terrifying. Glad to hear you're okay, but it sucks you have to do almost nothing and be bored all day.

[Imakeholesinu]

Glad to hear everything is moving along smooth Shellie.

[SineSwiper]

I keep telling her she needs to find a game to play. I would never be bored at home.

[Zeus]

Hold on, you're FORCED to be stuck on the couch all day? You're living out every male's dream (and weekends :-)

In all seriousness, it's awesome that everything's great. In a couple of months all this will be in the past and you'll be in full mommy mode. Exciting ain't it?

[Shellie]

lol Zeus, it's not as nice as it sounds, especially when you have an uncomfortable couch. It was really nice for a while, but it gets boring quick.

I do need a game to play, but I have hardly any attention span anymore when it comes to games.

[Zeus]

I have a comfy couch. It's sounds like a dream come true :-)

Then what you need are the quick and easy, pick up and play games. Get the Namco Virtual Museum or Sega Genesis Collections for the 360. You can play those games for 10 - 20 minutes at a time and not feel like you're getting into a game. These collections are awesome time wasters

[Mental]

I keep telling her she needs to find a game to play. I would never be bored at home.

Videogames actually have a very beneficial medical therapeutic use in helping people relax in tense medical situations, several studies have shown.

[Imakeholesinu]

Sounds like Sine needs to go to Ashley Furniture.

[SineSwiper]

Why? IKEA has better stuff.

[Shellie]

He's talking about the couch issue heh

[Flip]

I would never be bored at home.

Oh i feel the same exact way. People always say if they hit the lottery they would still work part time to break up the boredom, but i seriously think i would always ne enteratined at home. Games, books, naps, and DVDs could keep me happy for a very very long time.

[Kupek]

Oh i feel the same exact way. People always say if they hit the lottery they would still work part time to break up the boredom, but i seriously think i would always ne enteratined at home. Games, books, naps, and DVDs could keep me happy for a very very long time.

Entertainment isn't satisfaction. I need to do things that I think are productive (my research and training fill that need) on a regular basis to be mentally healthy. If I did nothing but play videogames, watch tv and read I'd get depressed quick.

[Shellie]

Definitely. It sucks being home doing nothing. Now if I had a kid to watch/play with etc, it would be fine, but home alone all the time gets old quick, especially since Im not allowed to do much around the house. Id love to use this time off to straighten things up and organize, but I cant.

[Shellie]

Where does all this food go? I haven't gained a pound this entire pregnancy, but I am eating all the time now lol

I wish I had this kind of metabolism when I'm NOT pregnant.

I'm hungry.

[Mental]

Where does all this food go? I haven't gained a pound this entire pregnancy, but I am eating all the time now lol

It is going into assembling raw proteins, amino acids, various enzymes and other assorted goopy things into something that looks like a bundle of joy.

[Mental]

Did you find any good games, by the way?

[Mental]

And keep your head up, my mom was on bed rest with me for the last two months of her pregnancy, or something close to it. It turned out fine in the end.

[Shellie]

Wanna see something amazing?

[Imakeholesinu]

The baby is already telling sine to be quiet!

[Shellie]

We were thinking more this lol

[Zeus]

That is hilarious :-)

Well, at least there won't be any surprised over what his/her occupation will be

[Tessian]

First thing I thought of...

[Shellie]

LOL Tess...nice one

[Eric]

I want to watch Austin Powers now!

[Shellie]

Just an update. Im 37 weeks today and normally my Dr.'s like to induce women with mild preeclampsia(toxemia) like I have at 37 weeks, but because I'm not "favorable" yet, and having no really bad symptoms, they want to give me a couple days so I can avoid a csection if possible. I go back Monday, and she said that if my BP is even elevated a bit, they may admit me that night. However, regardless of my symptoms Monday, they will schedule me for that week, probably on or before Wednesday.

So little Sebastian will be making an appearance some time next week!

[Flip]

Whoa! That seemed supa fast, goodluck with everything!

[Shellie]

fast to people that dont have to be pregnant this whole time lol Not to me though!!

[Imakeholesinu]

Very cool. Hope everything goes ok!

[Zeus]

Hope everything goes well, guys. Seraph, the journey is almost over, soon you'll be able to use your body like you used to :-) Make sure you guys put up some pics right away!