Saturday, August 6, 2011

Admitted

So during our regular weekly OB visit, the medical assistant took my blood pressure and for some reason it was high. During this whole pregnancy not once did I have an episode of high BP but it was 140/98. I was told to lie on my left side for a few minutes and after doing so it was still at 136/92. Dr. Gabbay walked into the room not long afterwards and next thing I knew, I was being admitted into the hospital. As soon as we stepped into the L&D room I realized: "I hate being a patient!" I'd much rather be the nurse.

From the moment that I sat on the bed I felt confined to the bed. A blood pressure cuff was placed on my right arm and 2 monitors on my belly for Alana's heartbeat and contractions. They asked me to pee in a cup and poked me a few times for labs and to hook me up to an IV. I was not a happy camper. I've never been a patient so I guess it was really good experience for me as a nurse to be able to understand how they feel being in the hospital. There were times when I felt like I didn't even want to pee because of all the wires I was connected to. I gained a totally different view on the hospital experience. I've always looked at it from a nurses eyes, so to have this was actually somewhat of a blessing in disguise. Unfortunately, Francis was completely bored through it all and uncomfortable too. At least I had a bed to lie in, he had an uncomfortable, barely padded chair. They need to put a small couch in there or something! Honestly it wasn't a bad hospital experience though, the nurses were extremely helpful and they treated me the way I would treat my own patients so I can't really complain. I guess I'm just not used to being the patient.

Anyway, after all the tests, they found out I was just dehydrated and gave me a bag of LR through IV. As soon as they did, my blood pressure went back to normal and I was sent home but not without a few warnings. Bed rest and no salt, boo! Before I left though, I was told that I was 1cm dilated, 60% effaced and was having contractions that I didn't even feel. Almost time I guess?

18 days left....maybe sooner if Alana's ready!