Fetal Monitoring and A Scare With The Blood Pressure

Day 1 -

My first day of fetal monitoring started on Tuesday March 9th. I arrived, checked in and was taken back to a chair with a set up next to me that consisted of a monitor and a computer. During this time they explained what they would be doing a blood pressure check, hooking up a monitor for the fetal heartbeat as well as contractions. As soon as the nurse was done with her evaluation it was time for me to sit back and relax for 30 minutes. I preceded to get out my bag and clip coupons. About 1/2 way through the nurse came in to inform me that she wanted to wake up the baby more for a better fetal tracing so she suggested that I sip on some ice cold water and then she would check on me again.

Upon the completion of my 30 minutes, she informed me that the water did the trick and he woke up and gave a good reading. She also explained that I had at least 1 pretty good contraction that the doctor would be taking a look at to see if his heartbeat was ok during the time I was contracting and if they thought it was fishy they would call me back the next day to re-test.

With that said, the nurse stated that today they would also be doing an ultrasound to check the fluid levels around the baby. All was fine. This is done once a week.

All in all my first day was very pleasant and peaceful. I was looking forward to my second day on Friday.

2nd Day of Testing -

Today also happened to be my last day at Mercury, aka WORK! Woohoo...with the pressure of not having to return to work, I was looking forward to heading out, completing my monitoring, and then heading home for a peaceful night with Sean. That didn't quite go as planned.

I was situated this time on a comfortable hospital bed (and when I say comfortable, I really mean it - I got sucked in and couldn't get out). They took my blood pressure which was step one, and quickly found out it was 139/82. The nurse had a look of concern on her face and asked if I had been running around. I explained that I just came in and sat down, didn't take any stairs but rather the elevator. She still had a worried look on her face and said that she would be taking it again for a re-check. She also questioned if I was having blurred vision, or headaches. I let her know that yesterday I randomly was seeing spots for a short amount of time and was really swollen. She then went on to question about headaches. I let her know that I was having sinus headaches but I felt those were from my allergies. She checked my swelling today on my feet and said that I looked pretty mild still.

She finished hooking me up with the monitors and I got comfortable with my crochet bag in hopes of calming down my blood pressure, taking some deep breaths, and trying not to worry.

About 15 minutes in the nurse returned and said well lets recheck your BP. I was still sitting up, and was tested on the same arm and this time I was at 132/89. I quickly questioned what was considered high in pregnancy. The nurse explained that 140/90 is worry territory. Reminder, I have been 110/70 or 120/80 routinely throughout pregnancy. She said I was in the clear still since neither were over but they were borderline.

She also asked if I had been drinking my water so as to wake the baby up. I advised that I just finished a bottle of water and the nurse advised that she would be getting the buzzer and returning to buzz Jack and see if he wakes up. She returned a minute later and I quickly questioned if this was going to hurt. The nurse stated that it was just a vibrator with a noise attached. She tested it on my leg so as to show me it didn't hurt. It felt exactly like a vibration with a noise of clipping sheers. She gave two buzzes in two locations to my belly and immedialy Jack gave some quick and startled movement almost like he was going to explode out of my belly. I quickly questioned why is it that they react that way. The nurse explained that it's like turning the radio on and being startled. ***After I told Sean this story he pointed out that our son is able to feel and/or hear and that was all a good sign. I didn't realize that at the time but was more startled at how he reacted.

So at the completion of testing the nurse wanted to try a different technique on me to read my BP to see if that had any other reading. She reclined the hospital bed flat, told me to lay on my left side and would testing my right arm. Just a few short minutes later, she retested and was very happy with my results. It was 114/?. I totally didn't catch the bottom number b/c I was more relieved that it was more normal. I questioned why it would give such a different reading and she stated that it's much better circulation the way she had me. Hey whatever works I'm ok with.

I also questioned how many contractions I was having during that time as I knew that all day they hadn't stopped. The nurse informed me about 15 during the time that I was there but they were not consistent and re-questioned me to find out if they were painful. I let her know no.

So as I was leaving I heard my doctor in the testing facility. I questioned what he was going there and the nurse informed me that he was the doctor on call tonight to read the readings. (I sound like I ask a million questions, but I'm glad I do. It puts my mind at more ease and helps me to understand what is going on and I can better translate that to Sean when he's unable to attend the appointments). So Dr. L gave a quick glance over and said "So when are you off work?" I let him know that today was my last day. He then questioned when he would be seeing me next and I told him Monday and he said to have a good weekend, rest up, and that he would see me on Monday and we would talk.

He gave me the ok to head home but I'm sure we'll be having some conversations about a few things on Monday. With that said I walked out of the office, gave Sean a quick call at work and said that I would be unable to attend a friends party for his last day at work which I really wanted to go to, but my feet had really swelled up, and I was ordered to go home and rest.

Just as the doctor ordered, I stopped to get a pedicure, get my feet massaged, and headed home for some TLC.

Day 3 is tomorrow (03/15/2010) along with a doctors appointment and I'm sure there will be plenty to talk about. Updates should be frequent at this point as there is a lot going on and I don't want to forget it all :)