BMSU: Quick update edition

Here is the latest on how things are going with the pregnancy. I'm writing this pretty quick, but I want everyone to know that the Steins are doing great and we can see God's hand in everything! Thank you for all your prayers so far--they have helped work miracles.

Things are well--the baby is healthy and I am feeling pretty good. I am on bedrest--probably until the baby is delivered, which will most likely be much sooner than August 30. I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday with an amniotic fluid level of 6.5. Normal level is 10-20, and anything less than 8 can be dangerous. I was hospitalized on Wednesday because it was at a 3. There is a variance of +/- 2 so the level is a bit of an estimate, but I am definitely not in the normal (healthy) range. On Friday I went back to the hospital for another test and my fluid was at 5. I was able to go back home but I have to go back on Monday for more testing.

The nurse speculated on Friday that when I come back and they check the level, my doctor will most likely make "a decision", meaning that depending on the level, they may admit me and induce labor at that time. I will still only be 35 (and 5/7) weeks on Monday, and I think that the ideal at this point would be to wait until I am between 36 and 37 weeks (37 weeks is considered full term), which would put me at Friday of next week or Monday of the following (they don't normally schedule inductions on weekends).

The great news is that the baby's weight is estimated at 6 pounds, 2 ounces, which is a very healthy and respectable size for delivering. So he/she would be a pretty big preemie!

So please keep us in your prayers--I suppose that a few extra days next week with Baby Stein in the belly would be the best case scenario. But it is also hard to be on bedrest because I can only do "in bed" activities and that doesn't include going anywhere or doing things like getting ready for the baby. I am so thankful for all the prayers thus far. I know they have helped us so much! I am so blessed--the seminarian stationed at our parish is bringing me daily Communion, and today Fr. Miller from Epiphany parish came and heard my confession. It is nice to know that when I can't go to the sacraments, the sacraments can come to me!