UPDATE: Bed Rest

Things have settled down quite a bit from the hospital stay. We are now (all three) home. Christa was released on Friday morning and prescribed (sentenced to) bed rest.

The doctor wants to see us in each week for a visit and another round of monitoring to make sure things are okay. For now, the outlook is good that our baby will stay put until the time is a little more right.

Christa is taking a prescription medication to relax her uterus in an attempt to prevent starting labor. So far, the medication has not proven to be very effective in calming the contractions - but she hasn't start labor either...

We'll know more tomorrow after a return trip to the doctor's office.

Complications

On the way to our doctor's appointment on Wednesday we had a minor car accident. While driving through a parking lot, another driver backed out of his space and into the passenger side of our SUV.

During the doctor visit, the doctor suggested that we needed to have Christa monitored in the hospital to rule out any complications. Mainly, the doctor was concerned with damage to the placenta.

Our four hour monitoring period began around 2pm. Christa was having contractions.

Being 8 weeks before the due date, the situation had become more complex. In an effort to stop the contractions we have tried a variety of medications. However, the contractions still continue (a day and a half later).

We are still at the hospital and in the capable hands of the best maternity staff in the state. Over the next many hours we will be exhausting the available options to stop labor from happening and monitor the baby.

Thus far, momma and baby are fine in every regard (aside from the contractions).

We appreciate the visitors, well wishers, and thoughts and love you all have given us. We'll keep you all informed on our progress.

...by the way, any more baby name suggestions? ;)

THANK YOU!

We had hoped to start showing off our Baby Shower loot on the site tonight. However, there was so much of it that it is going to take us a day or two to unpack in the baby's room.

We really appreciate all the generous gifts you all have given. Furthermore, we realize that these are mere tokens of the love that motivated your generosity.

Our son's greatest gift is the wonderful group of people who will surround his life - you!

Our sincerest thanks. Check back soon to see the baby room in full glory!

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

But doesn't the second mouse get the cheese?

Decisions, decisions... As with many companies these days, Lilly is cutting health care coverage once again next year. Our due date is Jan 11th, meaning that the delivery would just miss the fair coverage we have this year and slip into the abyss of high deductibles and co-pays of next year.

Thus, we are left with the choice of whether to induce birth early, by the end of this year? Our doctor assures us that there is no risk to our boy if we do the last week of the year. However, it may require that Christa get a C-section rather than have a natural birth.

In some ways the C-section sounds safer because of the control and certainty of the situation. There are downsides, though, including a harder recovery for momma.

The monetary difference is between 3500 and 5000 bucks. Not that much in the grand scheme of life, but a good start on a 529 college saving plan.

Any advice out there? What should we think about as we try to decide?