My husband and I found out that I had to be monitored for a full four hours. Upon hearing that news, it seemed like forever, as we still had to figure out how to get my smashed up car home, as well as the vehicle my husband was driving. We were overwhelmed to say the least. Not only do we live far away from where we were, we were scheduled to come back to the hospital that evening for our first parenting prep class on breastfeeding.
We came up with a plan. First, breakfast. Tom, my adorable husband, found some healthy food for me to eat from the hospital cafeteria. His thoughtfulness and kindness to do this was blessing number twelve. Before he left, the nurse told me that I could order lunch and gave me a menu. All I had to do was choose what I wanted and call the code on the menu with the hospital phone. Knowing I'd have lunch to eat was blessing number thirteen. (I know that may sound funny, but I was never good at missing meals, and since I've been pregnant, it's been even more important to me to eat on schedule.)
Tom then left to drive the broken car home for a bit to try to get some work done. He was planning to pick me up at 1pm from the hospital.
In the mean time, I got a hold of my mom and sister who happened to be together. That was blessing number fourteen. (My mom would have totally freaked out hearing me say that I was at the hospital due to a car accident, so luckily I got to talk to my sister first. She was able to keep my mom calm.) My mom and sister wanted to help in any way that they could. That was blessing number fifteen. My sister helped me come up with a new plan so Tom could stay home and work, then meet me later, closer to our class time. She volunteered to pick me up from the hospital at 1pm. I tried to call Tom, who told me to call or text anytime. I called and called and called. I sent him a text. This went on for about two hours. I heard nothing, except his voicemail greeting, over and over, each time I called him. I was nervous that something happened to him when he was driving the broken car. I was nervous that he had left his phone in his truck upon switching vehicles. I was nervous that he had his phone, but his ringer was still on silent from when he was at the hospital with me.
So it was almost 1pm, and I still hadn't been able to get ahold of Tom. My sister was coming to pick me up. I told her that I couldn't get a hold of Tom to tell him the new plan. She said, "I'll come anyway. If it's a wasted trip, it's not a big deal". That was blessing number sixteen. Finally, just before 1pm, I got a call on my cell phone from Tom. He asked if I had called from the hospital phone, which I had many times because my cell phone battery was getting low. I asked if he was at home. He said yes. I told him it was almost 1pm. He said, "Oh shit!" I told him not to worry because my sister was picking me up and taking me to my mom's. The fact that he was still at home was blessing number seventeen.
My sister arrived and helped me think clearly. That was blessing number eighteen. She suggested that I try to reschedule our breastfeeding class. I was nervous about missing out, as the classes tend to fill up fast. My sister was persistent however. I told her I would try to do that once we got to mom's.
The nurse came in to give me the reports of the monitoring and blood test. She said that the blood test came back negative, which was good. Big blessing number nineteen!!! She told me that the baby reassured her over and over throughout the four hours of monitoring that he was doing well. Big blessing number twenty!!!! She also said to watch for any new pains, bleeding, or discomfort, but usually the first four hours after a trauma was when negative signs would show up. After 24 hours, I am in the same place of risk as any other pregnant woman would be.
My sister and I went to my mom's. She gave me a big hug. Seeing and hugging my sister and mom was blessing number twenty-one. I was able to reschedule my breastfeeding class without any trouble. That was blessing number twenty-two. My sister drove me home and offered to help get all of the vehicles we needed back to our house. She was so sweet and kind to do all of that driving around for us. She and Tom took care of the vehicles and I got to rest in my own bed. Those were blessings number twenty-three and twenty-four.
The day was long, scary, and exhausting, but I do feel so relieved and grateful for all of the blessings I have in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so glad my baby is okay and that I have such a loving family. I can't wait for my little guy to meet everyone.
If you made it to the end of this story, congratulations. I appreciate your kindness and good thoughts. If you are the praying and vibe sending type, please send some our way, as I am about to enter my last trimester of pregnancy!!!! I am thrilled beyond words. Thanks again for being here, and reading my story.
May blessings and goodness shower you!
Hugs to you,
Briana
