Motherhood

Going on day 13 of our hospital stay. Each day is different but each day is one day closer to meeting our daughter. I am not going to lie, I was very frustrated my first week in the hospital. Actually, if I’m being honest, I woke up today more frustrated than I have been. Each day we got different news and each day I got my hopes up on going home or delivering. I have been diagnosed with preeclampsia. Deep down I felt like somehow it was my fault I was here. I felt guilty. Like maybe if I hadn’t worked so hard or if I ate better. But the reality is that we do not know what causes it but we do know that comes from the placenta. It has nothing to do with anything that the mother did or could have done differently.

I know Ryan and I hear many different things at many different times throughout the day. But we understand that the doctors are doing their best to monitor me and baby. My case of preeclampsia is a little tricky. In order to cure my preeclampsia, the placenta has to be removed. Well, that means to deliver the baby, however, they want the baby to keep cooking for a little while longer. So, it’s a fine line between wanting the placenta out but wanting baby to stay in.

As of today, I am 34 weeks which is a big milestone in pregnancy. Finley will be pre-term but 34 weeks is a good week to deliver. The doctors would prefer that she stay in a little longer, but for my safety, they have considered delivering at 34 weeks. So we will see! It could be this week or it could be at 37 weeks. It all depends on my blood pressure. My high-risk doctor has said the next time that I have two crazy high blood pressures then they’ll induce me right away. So it could be any day now! I am on blood pressure medicine so my BP may be regulated and stay normal for a while. We just never know!

We do know that there is a reason my doctor has not induced me yet. Some doctors have said that if I was their patient they would have already induced me. I have been praying that The Lord will give my doctor wisdom on when to deliver. My doctor has not made that call yet, so we know that it is not the right time. There is a reason why Finley needs to stay in a little longer. The Lord already knows her birthday and when she will make her debut.

Thank you for your prayers!

xoxo,

Alyssa Littlefield

Hi Friends! I wanted to take a  minute to update everyone on what has been going on. First off, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the prayers and messages. We have been so blessed by every prayer, kind message, and encouragement.

So, each day is different. Some days we think we are going home and some days we think we’ll be here until we deliver. It all depends on how my blood pressure is. My actual due date is January 26 so I am currently at 33 weeks. However, my doctor said that I will not be going past 37 weeks. So the latest Finely will be here is the first week of January. (If she lasts that long/if my blood pressure stays normal) 37 weeks is full term so she will be ready to go at 37 weeks. Weeks 37-40 are just extra “cooking” time. Our doctor has informed us that each day she stays inside the womb is 3 days less in the NICU. So, we are praying that my blood pressure stays normal for a couple of more weeks!

There was talk about inducing me this past Thursday because my blood pressure was crazy high. I am not going to lie, that terrified Ryan and I. It completely caught us off guard. We thought we would be going home as soon as my BP was normal. Even though it is hard being here, we are thankful for nurses and doctors that are monitoring everything so closely.

They gave me steroid shots that will help develop Finley’s lungs in case we do deliver early. I have also been given BP medicine in hopes that it will regulate my BP. Finley looks great. She got a 10/10 yesterday at our appointment. So, all we’re doing now is waiting to see what my BP does. We could deliver this next weekend at 34 weeks. It is still a little early but better than 33 weeks. I could also wait until 37 weeks if my BP regulates. It is all just a waiting game now. But the wonderful thing about all of this is that The Lord knows what is going to happen. He already has everything planned out. He knows exactly when Finley will make her debut. Ryan and I have so much peace knowing that The Lord is in control.

Pregnancy has been nothing what I thought it would be like, but it is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. It is wonderful. There have been so many unexpected twists and turns. Being in the hospital at 33 weeks never even crossed my mind. I went to the doctor on Thursday expecting to check my BP and then go back to work. Well, 5 days later, I am still in the hospital. Despite all of this not being what I had planned, I am thankful for a growing baby girl! I know I have said this time and time again, but God is constantly revealing to me that I do not have to have everything planned out. I think this is His way of telling me to slow down.

Again, we want to thank everyone for all of the prayers. We are so blessed to have so much love and support. I will keep you updated as we know more!

xoxo,

Alyssa Littlefield