I still can’t believe that it has been four weeks since I took temporary residency in the hospital. I can still remember that night, January 29th, vividly. From knowing something was wrong at home to my water officially breaking in the triage room, I can still feel those emotions. I sobbed. I sobbed because I thought that meant my babies were coming, just shy of 25 weeks. I feared for them. Little did I know, that a rupture of the membrane (water breaking), does not mean your babies have to come.
I have learned so much during this pregnancy. I’m somewhat embarrassed that I didn’t know this information from the previous three pregnancies but the truth is, I was blessed with three uneventful pregnancies so I was naïve to what could happen.
The Plan: On Tuesday, I will be 29 weeks and the hope is that we make it to 34 weeks. While that is still early, the reason the doctors go ahead and induce labor at this point is that they find it to be the happy medium point between pre-term labor risks vs. infection risks. So unless these babies come on their own terms, I am scheduled for a c-section on April 6th, 2021.
Truthfully, the last four weeks have gone by fast and I am very thankful for that. The hardest part, as you can imagine, is being away from my kids. I am fortunate to get daily visits from my husband but because of COVID protocols, I am only allowed one visit a week with my kids. It’s better than nothing and it gives me something to look forward to, therefore, thankful.
How I’ve stayed sane in these four walls: I wanted to put this out there as many are still in quarantine and because I now know that there are many other moms out there in a similar situation as me.
Stay busy. I am fortunate to have a business that keeps me busy and because #momlife kept me even busier I was behind in work and able to use my hospital time to catch up. For those who don’t have the flexibility to work from the hospital or those who don’t work, I recommend thinking of all the projects you wanted to do but could never find the time to do. The projects I plan to work on include: organizing paperwork (I have my husband bring me a stack every now and again), organizing the 40,000 photos that I have on my phone plus the thousands more that are already on my computer, finally preparing our will, getting organized for the day that I get to go back home, etc.
Decorate your room. Anything you can do or bring in that will make your room feel more like home, do it. I ordered a few baskets to keep organized, frames to display pictures of my family, fresh flowers (hint: husbands what a great gift to bring every couple weeks!), a corkboard to display letters from the kids and other loved ones, and of course, necessary equipment so that I could keep working.
Zoom or FaceTime calls. Thank goodness for technology! I have had play dates with Vinny (superhero style, of course!), conversations with the older two, and even a girl’s night zoom call!
Treat Yourself! Now is the time to pamper and not feel guilty. Order a package from your local beauty store and try some new products. Order DoorDash or special treats to be delivered to the hospital so that you can have a taste of normal.
Be Optimistic. You are in a unique situation but the best part is, it will end at some point. Being upset about it will do nothing but bring you and your loved ones down. Yes, I have cried a couple of times but for the most part, my attitude and perspective are normal and I attribute that to doing things as mentioned above but also keeping a positive and optimistic mindset. Finding thanks in the small things. Keeping faith that God has the perfect plan for us. Knowing that this is a small blip in my life.
The bottom line! Find ways to fill up your time. Do things you’ve never had time to do. Paint, color, read, organize….now is your time. While it is awful to be away from your family, it is what it is so make the most of it!
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