Water Works

The past 36 hours can only be described as stressful. I was hoping for a few days of rest and relaxation after working the conference over the weekend, but my body and little baby-to-be had different plans.

The problem started at 3:30 in the morning on Monday as I made my way back to bed after another of what has become an endless nightly parade to and from the bathroom. I laid down, tried to find that comfortable sweet spot where nothing hurt, and all of a sudden I realized that my pajama pants were wet. Actually, soaked is a more apt term which could also be used to describe the covers and sheets. I was both mortified and surprised by the sudden waterworks.

I pulled my liner and leg back on, schlepped back to the bathroom and changed my pajamas. I put a towel over the puddle in bed and made my way out to the couch, hoping to be able to put the incident and my wakeful state behind me. An hour later I felt the same unexpected gush, thoroughly soaking yet another pair of pajamas. At this point I began to suspect that something was amiss.

I changed (yet again) and laid on top of two beach towels strewn across the couch. Again, I ended up soaked. Only after I ran out of pajamas and towels did I completely abandon all hopes of falling asleep. I piled a few dishtowels on the seat of my rocker and began to Google my embarrassing and damp situation.

Researching only intensified my anxieties, forcing me to call my doctor before 7:00. I was instructed to proceed directly to my Fetal Maternal Specialist as soon as I dropped Robby off at school.  A quick scan, which included measuring the amniotic fluid, confirmed my worries. The baby had managed to pop a small hole in the amniotic sac causing me to slowly leak fluid. 

It turns out that a small rupture, or break, in the amniotic sac is relatively common for pregnancies in which the baby is transverse, but knowing that I am not alone in this experience has been of little solace!  I have been put on bed rest for the next few days in hopes that the tear will repair itself. I am also being monitored daily to measure the amount of fluid and the health of the baby. 

I know that I am receiving great medical care, but bed rest simply stinks!  I am abiding by the order, but my mind is spinning with projects and lists of things that need to be done. I'm not good at relinquishing control or asking for help, but I know that I must in order to protect the baby. The next few days will yield a lot of information and hopefully good news. Fingers crossed!