When Labor Might Not Look Like You Dreamed

In the last post I talked about being a little disappointed about having a C-section because it wasn't the birth that I had fantasized about. I finally got to a place where I made the decision to look at the situation in a more positive light - that getting my girl out healthy was/is my priority. If that meant a C-section, so be it.

Then, the bottom fell out.

I had my usual NST (non-stress test) on Friday. The nurse noticed that my blood pressure was high and that I had a lot of swelling in my legs, feet and hands. My blood pressure was monitored, but continued to increase, at which time they decided to do a blood panel and insert a catheter (can you say ouch!) to check for protein in my urine.

After an hour of waiting for results, my test came back normal. Well, almost- I had a high amount of glucose in my urine (like a crazy amount) and my platelets were low. I got a lecture on the glucose in the urine, because of the HUGE Dr. Pepper I had before arriving at the hospital. However, the most alarming thing was the platelet count of 102, which apparently is low. So, I was asked to come back on Monday, today, to get updated numbers.

Well, this morning I went and had my blood work done and this afternoon at my weekly appointment I was notified that all of my numbers looked okay except for my platelet numbers. They fell from 102 to 92. At first I didn't understand the severity of this until she told me that in order to get a spinal (which is needed for a C-section birth) the anesthesiologist needs my platelets to be over 100. When they're not, and your baby is breech- like my girl, the patient still has a C-section but under GENERAL ANETHESIA!

THAT MEANS THAT I WOULD BE KNOCKED OUT WHEN MY FIRST CHILD IS BEING BORN AND MY HUSBAND WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN EITHER!


I literally was speechless! I had to register what was just said. I literally could not believe this could be a possibility.

I immediately wanted to know what could be done. In my mind, this COULD NOT be an option. So, I was prescribed a steroid. The theory is that my body, due to hormones, could be attacking itself, the steroids could help up my platelet count (hopefully well above 100) and I could have a normal C-section. Which by the way sounds Sooooo good right now!

Long story short, I will start the steroids tonight. I will go back and have my blood drawn again on Wednesday, and at that point we'll have the discussion of what lies ahead.

Please pray that my platelet count rises. I can't fathom not hearing my child's first cry or being able to see her at the moment of her birth. I know that the object is a healthy baby. I just want some resemblance of a memory of what it was like to bring my heart, my EVERYTHING into this world.