Finding time to think has never been difficult for me, but now I find myself in the unique situation of being able to devote my entire day to this endeavor. I spent the first few days and weeks of bedrest thinking mostly about my contractions, analyzing their severity and frequency, estimating how long it would be before the next one, wondering whether they were “productive” (i.e. causing further dilation), and so on. Afterward, when the threat of imminent delivery began to diminish, I progressed onto a wider range of topics: Will the intensity of the girls’ kicks in utero correspond to future careers in soccer? (sorry, Jim – I know soccer’s not your sport of choice…maybe big feet will also equal wakeboarding prowess?). How do ultrasounds work? How do nurses and doctors, specifically new residents, cope with the strange hours their jobs demand? How many tiles are on my ceiling, and are these the types of tiles that are popped out to access the ductwork? (Bryce, your estimate was a touch high – it’s closer to 50!). Has my belly grown in the last hour? How could I invent fetal monitors that can track heartbeats even when babies are wiggly? Why does staying hydrated decrease contractions? How is getting up to go to the bathroom every half hour conducive to bedrest? How does anybody get a restful night’s sleep in a hospital? Who picked out this wallpaper? How on earth am I going to take care of TWO babies at once???
As you can imagine given these lines of inquiry, my mind stays very busy, even when my body doesn’t! I’ll be sure let you know if I arrive at any profound or satisfying answers to these questions, especially the last one 🙂
Emily,
Here is a few answers (maybe not correct ones, but I will give it my best try)
“How do ultrasounds work?†Ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (x-ray). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
“How do nurses and doctors, specifically new residents, cope with the strange hours their jobs demand†My guess is they use the same principals as the Air Force uses with its pilots. They give them “Uppers†(stimulants) to keep the awake and going… then they give them “Downers†(sedatives) to bring them down and get them on a different schedules. (in the hospital world I am guessing the Dr.’s “Prescribe†these for themselves) Watch for the shakes!
“How many tiles are on your ceiling… My guess, just enough to hide the bad craftsmanship that tends to go along with hospitalsïŠ
“Has your belly grown in the last hour?†Yes… and next hour it will shrink a little! Think of it as two steps forward and one step back!
“How could I invent fetal monitors that can track heartbeats even when babies are wiggly?†If I help you come up with this one will you share in the profit?!!!
Why does staying hydrated decrease contractions? Here is the answer from Yahoo AnswersïŠ
“Think of a can of frozen orange juice. The frozen juice is highly concentrated. The sugar level is high and it’s very sweet to taste. However, once the juice is diluted with water, it becomes more palatable. The concentration becomes more balanced.
The same thing happens with the blood pumping throughout a pregnant woman’s body. When there is not enough water, the blood becomes more concentrated. Therefore, the “ingredientsâ€- such as hormones- seem to be stronger. Specifically, the hormone responsible for uterine contractions, oxytocin, reaches higher than usual levels in the bloodstream, and contractions begin.”
I will try to answer more of your questions later… and maybe give you some more to ponderïŠ
Julie Kennedy
Emily,
Your Blog is quite enjoyable and I read it daily. I have tried to reply but at my ripe age of 56 (younger than your mother-in-law) I am not real great with computers so I had my receptionist help me. All I can say is enjoy your rest because once these little girls arrive you probably won’t have a good rest for many years. Give my best to Jim and remembers you are in our prayers. Love Becky
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