STORIES FROM FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
ITS EFFECTS
Jackie: Hospital bed rest after premature pre-term
rupture of membranes
My first pregnancy 4 years ago was such a breeze! This pregnancy
was carefully planned so that we would be settled in our new
home before the baby was born. My world turned upside down when
my water broke at 26 weeks I simply couldn't believe this
was happening. I was hospitalized and on bed rest until I delivered,
carefully watched for contractions and signs of infection. No
one could give me any idea when that would be. It could be 2
days or 8 weeks! I felt completely out of control devastated.
I hung on in the hospital for 5 weeks. Looking back, I learned
so much about letting go it wasn't easy! The hardest part
was dealing with the change in my relationship with my 4-year-old
daughter, Melissa. I missed her growing up. She came up to visit
me at least 5 times a week, and my husband set up a little corner
of my room with some familiar things and some special toys.
She would give me hugs and kisses and climb in bed beside me
for awhile. We had sleepovers, ordered pizza, and watched videos
together. But something changed. There was a certain distance
between us as the days went by I saw that she went to
my husband and to her babysitter for her needs I felt
like I was losing my place in her life. She was increasingly
difficult and moody when she visited. I felt so torn inside
in order to care for my unborn child, whom I loved but
really didn't know I had to let go of the closeness I cherished
with my other child. Some days it was really hard.
There were other things to let go of our new home was
being finished and I couldn't help! The seasons changed. My
daughter outgrew her summer clothes I couldn't take her
shopping. My husband's birthday came and went. This year we
had to celebrate in my hospital room (ugh). I had always seen
myself as strong and healthy, but as the days of inactivity
mounted up, my body felt achy and stiff. I got tired from taking
a shower.
One day, around 31 weeks, I felt lousy, spiked a temperature,
and my baby was born quickly a beautiful, feisty, but
very tiny boy. Our new son, Brian, was in the Special Care Nursery
for 5 weeks and is now home with us. I realize now that though
things will never be the same as they were before I went into
the hospital, but we are all gradually finding our way in this
"new" family.
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