Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

Wow, what a week the last week has been! Overall, until last week this pregnancy has gone extremely well. I had a slight problem with high blood pressure, but that was able to be controlled with medication. Then, last Monday I woke up with a headache and just didn't feel well. It was tolerable, so I went to work and thought that it would eventually go away. Well, it didn't, and at around 9:00 a.m. my headache started to get much worse and I was suddenly overcome with a dizzy, lightheaded feeling. I was testing a student at the time and decided that I needed to get someone to come cover for me so that I could get some fresh air and possibly go home. Before I could reach someone on the phone though I passed out. I have never passed out before, and waking up is very unsettling. I did not know what had happened, how I had ended up on the floor, or how long I had been out. Luckily, the student that I was testing was quick to react and once I woke up he went for help.

That incident led to an ambulance ride, an overnight stay in the hospital, and many tests. Finally, the doctor concluded that I have preeclampsia. It appears that we caught the disease in its early stages and it has not developed into a severe case yet. As a result, the doctor has placed many restrictions limiting my activity to try to keep the disease from progressing into a more serious case. So, I am on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy (I can go from the couch to the bed to the chair to the shower), I cannot drive, and my outings consist of going to the doctor twice a week. At this point, the doctor's goal is for us to get to 36 weeks without further complications (I am hoping for at least 37 weeks, but we will see).

Luckily, I have an outstanding support system of family and friends. I am very dependant upon their help right now with rides to the doctor, meals, housework, taking care of William, and shuttling Matthew and Peter to and from their activities. My family and friends are so amazing and helpful and continuously call to check on me. I don't know what I would do without them!

Hopefully, the next four to five weeks will be extremely boring and uneventful, so our sweet baby can have as much time as possible to develop. I will keep you posted.