T&Ps for my sister please

fieldpetal · February 2014

Edit: possibly not diagnosed with preeclampsia, just trying to prevent it. Confirmation to come. --(end edit) -------------> My sister is 29 weeks pregnant with her first baby, a little girl, and was put on bed rest because they're worried about preeclampsia. They’ve given her a shot to develop the baby’s lungs.

She has gone through several miscarriages, years of difficulty, and fertility treatments to have this little girl and she’s very scared.

To make it worse her husband lost his job this afternoon. She’s also dealing with a diabetic dog, and has nothing ready for the baby since they were looking for a new house. She not really one that handles stress well, so the job thing has me more worried.

She’s up in NoVa, about 8 hours from me, and she doesn’t have a guest room but I’m trying to find a way to get up there to help her get her carseat installed, get something for the baby to sleep in, etc. My mom is headed up there too. And I’m going to ask some of our friends to stop by a few times a week to help her out and keep her company.

In the meantime I’d really like to get a care package of stuff to keep her mind busy, but I’m not sure what to put in it. Any ideas, as well as any thoughts or prayers are appreciated.

merc5411 · February 2014

Sending lots and lots of T&Ps!!!

littlelegslo · February 2014

Oh man! Good thoughts and big hugs to all of you!

grapeskittles4lyfe · February 2014

Does she have an ebook reader? Those things are wonderful to read in bed and you can buy things for her device you think she'd like.

But the ideas you mentioned are all very good and thoughtful.

Big hugs!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

fieldpetal · February 2014

NKaeding said:
If there is something I could do (I'm local), let me know.

Thank you so much. I'll let you know.

Dani428 · February 2014

Sending Ts and Ps!!!

fieldpetal · February 2014

amparo1981 said:
Does she have an ebook reader? Those things are wonderful to read in bed and you can buy things for her device you think she'd like.

But the ideas you mentioned are all very good and thoughtful.

Big hugs!

Yes. She got herself a Kindle Fire for breastfeeding and long nights. So at least she's got that prepared. But she's got a bunch of books on her wish list so an amazon gift card would be good!

atlvol · February 2014

T&P to your sister and your family. Magazines, crosswords, favorite shows/movies of hers on DVD? Maybe a nice water bottle and some snacks that she can keep by the bed and not have to worry about getting up. Keep us posted!

Lelo2006 · February 2014

Sending T&ps to your sister!!

fieldpetal · February 2014

atlvol said:
T&P to your sister and your family. Magazines, crosswords, favorite shows/movies of hers on DVD? Maybe a nice water bottle and some snacks that she can keep by the bed and not have to worry about getting up. Keep us posted!

Thanks those are great ideas.

KTZ17 · February 2014

I went on hospital bedrest at 30 weeks due to high BP and their goal was to get me to 34 weeks, but I only made it to 31 weeks 3 days. It's great that she's getting the steroid shots. Because of those, DD never needed a ventilator or oxygen. She was only on CPAP for a week, and that's a very gentle form of breathing support and it's just room air. Even if she delivers soon, babies born at 30 weeks + do well, especially if they had the steroid shots. Some of the things that I liked during my bedrest were the new water bottle my mom got me with a straw, my iPad, lots of pillows, books & magazines, and snacks. As for rushing up there to get baby stuff, you've got time. If she delivers before 34 weeks she's looking at a month or so of NICU time. When I delivered we had a pack of onesies. That's it. We bought everything while dd was in the NICU. Oh and girls tend to do better than boys in the NICU. So it's definitely scary and it'll be a difficult time, but your sister and niece should be fine. Thinking of your family. Keep us updated and feel free to ask me if you have any other questions!

Dtams13 · February 2014

Sending t&ps her way

karen0477 · February 2014

I'm sorry to hear this, how very scary....keeping your family in my thoughts....

Kitten80 · February 2014

Thoughts and prayers sent!

fabk · February 2014

T & p for sure!!

MRads · February 2014

T&Ps for sure. That's a lot to handle all at once.

fieldpetal · February 2014

Thanks @KTZ17 and @juliedave151
I'm going to share your stories with her.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

Thinking of her and LO. I'm sorry she's having a rough time. As far as water bottles go, I really like my Brita water bottle, just an idea. It filters (obviously) and it makes the water taste better. Hospital water is ick.

valstulas · February 2014

Wow, that's a lot for her to deal with. I'll be thinking of her

lancomechica · February 2014

Sending positive thoughts her way. Like @NKaeding let us know if she needs anything.

stephyfaith · February 2014

T&Ps !!

ceechie · February 2014

T & p. Super scary for her and all the family.
What about a netflix streaming subscription. She can watch it on smart phone, her fire, etc...and lots of snacks. She needs to eat and remember to eat well while of bed rest. Good luck!

valstulas · February 2014

Hold on, I just re-read this post. Is she not in the hospital on a mag drip?!?! Is she at home on BR with a confirmed diagnosis of pre-eclampsia?!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

Thoughts & prayers!

aehamilton13 · February 2014

Lots of T&P!

fieldpetal · February 2014

Thank you so much everybody. It really means a lot.

I had to talk to my sister to clarify.
She is on bed rest at home to prevent preeclampsia. So that's good news. Just high blood pressure and protein in her urine. My mom told me it was an official diagnosis so I'll call her next.

Stina2012 · February 2014

If I can help lemme know! I'm in NoVA as well.

Pink724 · February 2014

Thinking of her!

WifeyLovesHubs · February 2014

T&Ps! Sorry everything is so stressful at the same time! I'm sure it helps to have a great sister like you

valstulas · February 2014

Paging @fklang to this bc I am concerned that it's not appropriate for her to be at home with a diagnosis of pre-e.

fieldpetal · February 2014

valstulas said:
Paging @fklang to this bc I am concerned that it's not appropriate for her to be at home with a diagnosis of pre-e.

I'm concerned too. She thinks they put her on bed rest to prevent it. She goes back in tomorrow for another shot and I told her to have them clarify the exact diagnosis and treatment plan. I'm sure she was just in shock at the time and they weren't clear. She's been given high blood pressure medicine and a urine collector for a 24 hour collection for Monday's appt. She went to Sentera Potomac. I have no experience with them.

valstulas · February 2014

Okay, I understand better now. So the urine dipstick in the office came back positive for protein in her urine, but they need her to do a 24-hr urine collection still. If the results of that come back at >300, they will diagnose her with pre-e.

Do you know if they did any blood work on her? She should have had a complete blood count and a liver panel as well.

Some providers will hospitalize a patient for the 24 hr urine and others will send the patient home. So this seems more appropriate to me.

Thanks for the clarification and I'll be watching for updates.

Myrrhaj · February 2014

T&P's! I was on bed rest for most of my pregnancy. The things that kept me sane were plenty of snacks, a big bottle full of water, my phone, books/ magazines or tablet (an amazon gift card for a kindle is a wonderful idea!), cozy pillows and bedding, cozy pj's, one of those stuffed animals with a cold/hot pack inside, and no worries concerning dinners and housework.

fieldpetal · February 2014

@valstulas Yes they took blood but she's not sure what for. She's doing the urine collection at home and sent me a picture of the collection contraption. It's bizarre.
Thanks so much for your concern. I will update when I know more.

valstulas · February 2014

Be sure to tell her that if she runs out of room in the big brown bottle they gave her that she should continue to collect her urine in another clear container until she has reached the 24 hr mark.

bumpuser8571475 · February 2014

Tons of T&Ps for your sister! I hope everything works out!

rondokye · February 2014

T&PS!

Caitable25 · February 2014

T&Ps! I was going to suggest amazon gift card too! Will be thinking of u both!

ashie624 · February 2014

Lots of T&Ps for her!

flkong · February 2014

valstulas said:

Paging @fklang to this bc I am concerned that it's not appropriate for her to be at home with a diagnosis of pre-e.

I'm late, I'm at work. But I agree with vals that a confirmed diagnosis would warrant hospitalization and magnesium. It sounds like they're trying to rule her out for pre-e and she's not diagnosed.

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