My week at Tufts NEMC

I spent a week at Tufts NEMC. Most nights Bryan came and stayed with me and I had a few visits from the Debster, Becky and Yaka. I was a little lonely and bored but mostly I remember the week with nostalgia. The nurses took such good care of me and all I had to do was read and eat. I ate a lot. There was an Au Bon Pain in the hospital lobby and I ate a cinnamon roll almost every day. So good.

Since my water broke at 32 weeks the goal was to get to 34 weeks before inducing me. At that point the risk of infection from the ruptured membranes would exceed the risks due to Jill's prematurity. During the first couple of days in the hospital Bryan and I were given a tour of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We got to see some of the premies and it was a big relief. The four pounders didn't look too scary. We also did a scary movie night which included the labor and delivery video. I really wanted to memorize that video so I would know what to expect.

Bryan's mom came to visit for the weekend for what should have been my baby shower. She stayed with my mom and on Saturday night we wheeled a VCR into my room, watched a movie, and ordered sundaes. She flew home on Sunday afternoon, about 10 hours before labor would start.

Later that evening the Huies came to visit. We ordered Thai food and talked and laughed. It was so fun and just what I needed. Also, Jean was the first person who really got my organizational predicament. I hadn't bought anything for the baby because I was waiting for my shower but my baby shower had been cancelled. Our kitchen had been gutted the day after my water broke and we had several weeks before our cabinets were due to be delivered. Jean was appalled, "Oh my God! You have nothing!" I had felt almost guilty expressing worry about this to everyone else. My sister and even the Debster were like, "Don't worry about it, as long as the baby is OK everything will be fine." That was completely true, and a healthy attitude, but not one I could completely adopt.

After the Huies left I noticed a brownish tinge to the amniotic fluid I was leaking. The nurses and doctors had told me to let them know if I felt feverish or if the fluid changed color. I told the nurses and said, "so do think they'll induce me tomorrow?" They said, "Oh no, you're going tonight!" I wasn't ready! I had been certain that Jill would hold on for another week.