Bed Rest - Not as cool as you think ; )

         Well, this has been quite the journey.  I am 32 wks pregnant and we have been through a little scare with our little baby Asia inside of me this last week.  Thursday I was getting lots of lower abdominal cramps and I called the Dr. and I had a screaming UTI.  She called in an antibiotic and I went and got it right away.  During the day I noticed the low cramping was pretty regular and it then coincided with low back pain that began to grow as the day progressed.  At that point, I had been vomiting and also in very uncomfortable cramping and aching in my back.  He told me to go straight into the Labor and Delivery.  He didn't care that much that I had a UTI, his biggest concern was the cramping and he thought I could be going into pre-term labor.
         I went straight into the hospital and from then my contractions were regular and every 5 minutes apart.  It stayed like this for at least a couple of hours and then increased to every 3 minutes apart.   I was not dilated at all with the cervix closed.  They gave me a dose of Terbulaline, which is a subcutaneous shot in the arm and it stops labor.  It worked awesome for me and I was sent home.
          We went home and I tried to sleep a couple hrs, but then was woken up with extreme contractions again when I was heading into my OB for a follow up visit.  I drove to American Fork and by the time I got there, I had 4 contractions (about 5 mins apart).  I was now dilated to a 1, so he sent me back to the hospital for more monitoring and medications.  I was devastated and very emotional, because I understood that the contractions were changing my cervix and that could lead to labor.  I got to the hospital and stayed about 6 hrs with an IV and lots of meds and then finally the contractions eased up a bit and they sent me home on bed rest.
         The weekend went okay, except my back pain would not go away.  I got a blessing from Adam and our home teacher and was very comforted and felt Heavenly Father's love for me and for our sweet little Asia.  I felt like everything was going to work out, but still had pain all weekend.  I made it through the weekend and had a follow up visit with the Doctor.  During his visit my back labor was bad and came in waves, I was very uncomfortable.  He checked me and I was dilated to a 1, but more effaced at 50%.  He could tell I was having back labor still and told me to go straight down to Labor and Delivery and get the Steroid (dexamethasone) shot for the baby's lungs just in case she was born soon.  I told him I would talk to Adam and went home and tried to rest.
          Not just about 7 hrs later I was in extreme pain again.  I tried a heating pad, shower, tylenol and then it progressed to full on contractions that increased over time.  I was in so much pain it was hard for me to walk.  Adam and I were so worried I was actually in true labor, we headed off to the hospital.
         3rd visit in 5 days and surprise surprise.... contractions were again regular from 5-12 mins apart.  I was exhausted and more emotional because I was so scared our little was coming at only 32 wks, weighing only 3.5 lbs.  They had to give me the steroid shot and 2 doses of the terbutaline this time to make the contractions go away, but luckily they stopped.  This was last Tuesday and since then things have gotten better because of resting and lots and lots of fluids!!! Went into my visit today and things are about the same, and the doctor wants me to continue the bed rest for about 2 more weeks (until 35 wks).
          Bed rest has been extremely hard, because of the contractions and pain I have been going through.  Bed rest sounds fun, right??? Let me tell you it is much harder than it sounds.  I have toys all over the house, things I want organize and places I want to go.  I am a doer.... not a sitter!!! But I am willing to do anything to keep this baby healthy and strong.  Adam has been amazing...He cleans the house, watches Livy, makes me dinner and most of all gives me hugs when I am anxious or sad.  I know Heavenly Father is watching over me and I can feel Asia's strong spirit letting me know that she is fine.  This is something I would not wish on anyone, but overall I think I have learned a lot and will learn more the next month.  I have a month more to go until 37 wks and I have Faith that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and for this sweet little Angel inside of me.  Patience is the key!!