Week 29: Ups, downs and exciting deliveries

So, I got to 29 weeks yesterday, however it was not without its ups and downs! The previous day, one of the girls I had made good friends with on the ward ended up being sectioned with her twins, as the heartbeats kept dropping. It was a tough day for me, with my new friend of twins leaving; especially after the other two friends I had made left the day before as well.

 

The first day of my 29^th week started with a scan, and Baby One showed ‘reverse flow’ (which, to me, means that I’m likely to be sectioned). However, on further scanning it showed ‘absent flow’ quite clearly, and by the end of the scan it showed ‘forward flow’. The consultant could not believe that she got all three elements within one scan, so the panic was over for the short term and I was rescanned again later that afternoon.

 

In the meantime, my husband - who was on his way to Mayo and Galway for a couple of days with work - was having a dilemma as to whether to continue his journey or come back. We decided he should continue with his day, as nothing was going to change until late afternoon - but he decided to return home for the night anyway just to be close to us, in case anything changed.

 

Typical - the afternoon scan showed forward flow, so risk was averted for another day. Let's just hope all is normal today and tomorrow, as it is my brother-in-law's wedding on Friday and I am being allowed out on 'day and night release' if all is normal. I’m hoping Baby One settles down so I don't have to miss out on the special family occasion.

 

 

Over the last week, we have had some exciting deliveries - my mum came to stay with a carload of goodies, and the nursery is full of the Moses baskets, flat-packed cot beds and clothes that have been handed down. Our Maxi Cosi car seats arrived, which my husband has checked and fitted in the car, and they look fabulous! They are denim blue, with white hearts and grey support, and I am delighted with them. I now just need to order the buggy, today.

 

It was so wonderful having my mum to stay. She was such a help at home, doing some ironing, putting some meals in the freezer, and being company for my husband and I for a few days. So much so, I managed to get out on Saturday to join in a charity event for the Irish Cancer Society, where my husband ran a 24-hour tennis marathon. With all the support, he raised over €5,500! 

 

I also have my sister-in-law and nephews coming to stay next Wednesday to Friday which, again, will be a nice distraction as I will still be a resident in The Coombe hospital. We are hoping she might help my husband to build two cot beds (since one of them came from her) as I am no use in hospital. I am starting to learn to ask for help, which does not come easily to me. I prefer to do things myself and I like to do things for other people - I don’t like to feel as though I am inconveniencing anyone by asking them to do things for me. I suppose this is one of the biggest things I am learning: to accept help and support from family and friends.