We got a very big surprise on Monday night. Baby A's bag of waters broke around 8:20 pm Monday when I was putting Emma to bed. I had already gotten her ready for bed, and she was sitting next to me in the rocker while I read her a book. Then the gush came. Talk about a shock. I wasn't sure if I had somehow peed my pants without knowing at first, but then it became very clear that there was something wrong when I stood up and my entire pants quickly became soaked. Of course I atm in a panic rushing around the house to find my phone and doctor's number, praying "help me Jesus". Emma is running behind me screaming "mama, mama!". I know she was just as scared as I because she had no idea what was going on, but she knew something was very wrong.
We called the doctor, Jared, and my parents and got in the car to go to labor and delivery. I was very scared because I figured if the baby's water has ruptured, we have to deliver these babies tonight. Thankfully the news was better than I expected. The doctor on call was Dr. Banks, the same doctor who delivered Emma. It was such a relief to see someone I had met before. He let us know that there was a good chance that contractions would begin within the next 48 hours (this happens about 75% of the time), but some people go much longer without having contractions when the membranes are ruptured- several days, weeks, or a month or so. They monitored the babies and just waited to see what would happen.
The next morning contractions still had not begun, so they moved me upstairs to a permanent room. I was told that I will be on bed rest at the hospital until the babies are born. Not fun, but definitely worth it. I would rather be bored to death at the hospital for a month than have very premature babies that are struggling to live. The babies only weigh 2 lbs each right now and their lungs and brains still have a lot of developing to do. So the longer, the better!
It has now been over 48 hours- all praise and glory to God! The babies are still hanging in there and my uterus has not started to contract. They have been receiving steroids to help mature their lungs and brains, and I've been given antibiotics to try to keep out any infection. My doctor's next goal is for us to make it to the 3rd trimester (28 weeks), which is about 1 1/2 weeks away. Then if we make it there, we'll aim for even more time.
One of the hardest parts of all of this is being away from my precious little girl. She is in good hands with my mom and dad, and I know she is having a blast. But I just feel so guilty that I can't be there with her. They are bringing her up to the hospital every day for a little bit. I had a little emotional meltdown when I saw her today. I just miss her so much and hope that she knows how much I love her. Even though the longer I stay up here, the better- for the boys, it is hard to imagine only seeing her for an hour or so each day for weeks or months. I am so thankful to my parents for taking on the huge responsibility of caring for her. They are truly a blessing from God.
Jared and I are trusting and believing that God has great plans for these boys. He has brought them this far, and I know He has them in His mighty hands. That is what keeps me sane, what gives me peace and comfort through all of this waiting. God is in control and I have to release these babies to him every day. They are precious gifts from him and, ultimately, they are His children. I know that he loves them even more than I am capable of. Our prayer for these babies has always been that they would bring glory to Him, and that doesn't change now. I believe that God will be glorified through their lives. Our God is stronger, bigger, and more powerful than any thing or situations. He is a God of miracles. We owe all praise and glory and honor to Him for bringing the boys this far, for all He has done, and all He is going to do. He knows these boys, and He is the One that decides when they will be born.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
Please pray for a hedge of protection around each baby from infection or any harm, no contractions, for the maturity and development of their lungs and brains, for peace for Jared and I, for wisdom for the doctors and nurses, and most importantly that God would be glorified through this.
