It turns out that my elevated blood pressure was not just a fluke. The following visit resulted in an overnight stay at Centennial Hospital where they monitored my blood pressure every 15 minutes and later on in the night, every four hours. They also did a 24 hour urine collection to test for protein in the urine. After 24 hours I was released from the hospital and sent home on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was told to monitor my blood pressure 4 times a day and if the top number got to 150 or the bottom number got to 100, call the doctor. Otherwise I would be seeing the doctor twice a week until I deliver. I went back to the Dr. on Monday and they did a non stress test on the baby (listened to his heartbeat and monitored any contractions). My blood pressure was still a little high, but not in a danger zone.
Three days later....I went back to the doctor on Thursday. My blood pressure reading was 158/96!!!! I knew I was headed back to the hospital. Unfortunately, this trip to the hospital was going to be an EXTENDED stay. My doctor said I would be staying until I deliver, which could be as long as 5 weeks. I was crushed. The thought of being on bed rest was bad enough, let alone being a prisoner in a hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy. Not exactly how I'd dreamed of finishing out my pregnancy.
So, here I am....10 days into my indefinite stay. Good news is that my blood pressure has stayed out of the danger zone. A 160 on top or 110 on the bottom will result in induction or a c-section. And the baby looks good on the twice a day monitoring and once a week sonograms. Each day we can keep Lincoln inside increases our chances of taking him home with us from the hospital. Bad news is that I might need some medication for my sanity before too long!!!
In the meantime....we accepted an offer on our house! Darin will be spending a little time the next few weeks in Tulsa looking for a place to live. Never a dull moment around here!!!
