Round two . . . a bit more dramatic (part III)

"It's Christmas eve day, I'm getting my uterine relaxer medication every 4 hours, my contractions are being monitored every 4 hours as well. I am not feeling them any more and am beginning to feel hopeful.

We have moved to 3 different rooms and I'm tired of the hospital. I don't know what's going to happen but I want to be home tonight so Jackson can wake up at home on Christmas morning (the first time we've stayed put in our own house for the holiday).

My doctor wants one more test administered called a fetal fibronectin. 'Fetal fibronectin screening: This test is usually reserved for women who are having contractions or other symptoms of preterm labor. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is a protein produced by the fetal membranes. If more than a small amount turns up in a sample of your cervical and vaginal secretions between 24 and 34 weeks, you're considered to be at higher risk for preterm delivery. A positive fFN result might prompt your practitioner to give you drugs to hold off labor as well as corticosteroids to help your baby's lungs mature more quickly. However, the test is actually more accurate at telling you when you won't deliver than when you will. If you have a negative fFN result, it's highly unlikely that you'll deliver within the next two weeks. A negative result can put your mind at ease and help you avoid hospitalization or other unnecessary treatment.'

My test was positive!

Meaning that I'd most likely deliver in the next two weeks!

My doctor called me to discuss the news and said that she would prefer for me to stay another night (AND MISS CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH JACKSON! AHHHHHHHH) but considering that I'm so close to the 24 hour mark of the steroid medication, and that it's Christmas eve, she wonders if I might end up being more relaxed going home. It was up to me.

I couldn't imagine not going home, but also didn't want to make a stupid decision. Ross and I decided all would be okay if we went home, and I'm glad we made that choice. (And can I just say how much I love my doctor! She was being both my doctor and my friend. A hard thing to do I'm sure, but I appreciate it so much.)"
--Clare