Change in Setting-Bedrest

Yesterday, Friday, June 17th, I had to go back to Labor and Delivery. After Wednesday's appointment, my blood pressure continued to stay high (for me) and I had a constant headache. As a new mom, I called the doctor on Thursday to see what I needed to do. She informed me to try Tylenol and keep track of my headache and blood pressure as needed.

Friday morning, I woke up again with another headache. I decided to take my in-home blood pressure kit to work so I could track my blood pressure. My blood pressure continued to fluctuate. I tried not to call the doctor but after talking to several moms in my office, they said it was better to be safe than sorry.

I called my doctor right away. At first I was relieved because the nurse said that they usually don't have expectant moms come back in unless their blood pressure is 140/90. My blood pressure at that time was only 130/86. The nurse said she wanted to check with the doctor though just to be sure.

After waiting for awhile, the doctor decided to have me check back into Labor and Delivery. I felt so weird being back and I hated that I even had to be admitted again. I didn't want Baby Cunigan to be in trouble though so I was glad to at least get everything checked out.

My first reading was 144/90. I was nervous that it was continuing to elevate even though I was laying down. The nurse said they would track it for at least an hour and make sure Baby Cunigan was moving and healthy. My blood pressure continued to stay high and Baby Cunigan did not want to cooperate. He did not want to be monitored at all. He kept moving around so the monitor could not pick him up. The nurse said that is a good sign though because an active baby is a healthy baby. (This of course made me feel better!)

After being at the hospital for 2-3 hours, the nurse said I could be discharged but my daily schedule would have to change. Due to the heat and my elevated blood pressure, the doctor did not want to take any risks. They decided my best option would be Bed rest.

When they mentioned bedrest to me, I thought "Oh okay, I just have to be home and chill. Nothing too crazy to worry about." Then the nurse said it would consist of me either being in bed or on the couch all day; no exceptions. She said I could only get up if necessary and to shower once a day. Also, they would have me start coming in twice a week to take stress tests. The doctor said I could continue to work if possible and as long as my blood pressure doesn't get higher.

For anyone who knows me, being "sentenced" to bedrest is like punishment to me. During this pregnancy, I haven't been able to do as much as I would like to but I could still get out and do things from time to time. A few times I may have overdone it but I always found time to rest. Now for the remainder of my pregnancy, 10 weeks (unless things change), I will be on bedrest at home.

Please keep me and Baby Cunigan in your prayers and if anyone wants to help Kris and I out, please let me know. It may be a long 10 weeks but my main goal is for Baby Cunigan to stay strong and healthy!