Just past 33 weeks

Things have been much better this week. I am now at 33 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy and each day that MacKenna stays put is a blessing.

Earlier in the week I found (I'd known her for awhile and never knew her story) a mom who had her son at 32 weeks. She delivered at the same hospital I will here in Raleigh. Her son now at 2 1/2 is a thriving little boy!! She encouraged me to get out my pregnancy books and read about pre-term babies - just to prepare myself. I wasn't really wanting to do that for emotional reasons. But I did later in the week, and I learned so much that was actually an encouragement. I won't list all the details here, but the 2 greatest things were that babies born at this stage (especially after having the steriod shots) really have few major complications. They are small, but they typically do very well. And the best news - the test performed in the hospital last Friday morning (when I was 32 weeks and 2 days) having a negative result seems to tell the doctors that my chances of delivering within 2 weeks are very low. In fact my doctor this week said you are usually guaranteed another 2 weeks before delivery. She cautioned that things can happen, but they really trust the test to predict at least that 2 week mark. So we are feeling confident that as long as I continue bed rest we can make it beyond the 34 week mark.

God has sent us many other blessings this week - friends who have delivered dinners, lunches and yummy desserts; Grandma (Kevin's mom) who has come to take Camden outside to play for a bit a couple times and then took him most of the day yesterday; neighbors who have come by just to keep me company; lots of friends who have kept my spirits up through phone calls and emails; and Debbie who came yesterday and cleaned house!!! They have all been a blessing to us. Thank you so much!!

We will continue to post updates as we know, but I have to say I feel more confident as each day passes. I continue to have contractions daily, but the doctor has kept an eye on things and these contractions (despite being painful) are so far not changing things and starting the delivery process. The dr's goal is to keep MacKenna put as long as possible, despite the discomfort I might continue to expereince. As long as she handles these "fake" contractions well and true labor doesn't begin, they will keep me resting to get to the 36 week mark. Let's pray for that!!!