The Experiment at 34 Weeks

Well since Tara hit the 34 week mark yesterday Dr. Wiedower decided to take her off of the medicine (Procardia) that is preventing her from having contractions to see if Tara could go without it. We did the same thing with Crosby. (http://thekears.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-things-change-more-they-stay-same.html) Tara would have been due for a a procardia at noon, but she didn't get that dose. The first couple of hours were fine. We had a nice visit with Chris Rippy and Lauren Ramoly. Around 3pm Tara started having some contractions, which is when her contractions would normally start getting bad when she was at home.

They hooked Tara up to the monitors to watch/log the contractions. She had some pretty strong and close together contractions ever since 3pm. Dr. Wiedower came by around 5pm to check on things. She checked Tara and much to our surprise she had not dilated any further, despite some pretty intense contractions. After talking through things she decided to put Tara back on the procardia and just continue doing the same thing that we've done for the last 13 days. So looks like she'll just keep hanging out on hospital bedrest with medication until 36 weeks or when Emmaline goets too determined to show up. Now we are just waiting for the 5pm dose of procadia to kick in and get these contractions stopped.

Thanks for the prayers and support. I'll update more in a little bit... hopefully with news that the contractions are completely gone and my bride is resting peacefully.

Let me add that my wife is a real trooper. She hardly ever complains in the midst of this ordeal. She is amazing! She is being a good sport, but is ready for this pill to kick in and stop these contractions.

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7:40pm UPDATE: The contractions are not completely gone, yet but they are finally getting a little better. Hopefully they will go on a way before it is time for Tara to go to sleep so she can get some rest. She was a good sport this afternoon, but I know it wasn't fun.

In talking to our nurse tonight, it seems that in other parts of the country it is normal to stop tocolytics (anti-contraction medications) at 34 weeks, which is what we tried to do today. It just didn't work for Tara to go without the meds. Pray for a calm uterus and a good night's rest for Tara and Emmaline.


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8:40pm UPDATE: Well, Tara earned another pill. We thought these contractions were letting up, but the last hour they got cranking really frequent, regular, and strong. The OB gave the order for another procardia.

Join us in praying that these stupid contractions would just stop.