Woah, Nelly..... or Molly!

Well, apparently Molly was so excited about the shower Saturday that she decided she'd start making her way into the world!?!?!

I'm 29 weeks pregnant, and Monday morning I had a scheduled doctor's appointment and ultrasound.  The sonographer noticed during the ultrasound that my cervix looked to be cone-shaped or opening at the top.  My OB was in surgery, so the OB who saw me asked me all kinds of questions:  have I been contracting?  Not that I know of.  I've noticed a little bit of random cramping / pains that I completely thought were braxton hicks contractions.  Have I noticed anything out of the ordinary?  Again, not that I know of.  The doctor checked me and determined I was 2 cm dialated.  He sent me over to assessment for some fetal monitoring.

I was monitored for about an hour-and-a-half where there were only 2 contractions (I felt nothing still).  They examined me again and determined I was 2 - 3 cm dialated and 70% effaced.  I was admitted to the hospital for further observation and monitoring.  Thankfully, I had no contractions Monday while on bed rest at the hospital.

Tuesday, my OB came by and told me they had called in a perinatologist to review my case.  The perinatologist's sonographer came by Tuesday morning and completed a thorough ultrasound. 

And we waited. 

Around 7 Tuesday night we finally met the perinatologist.  He offered a few reasons that typically cause a weakened cervix, none of which really fit my situation.  He did say the ultrasound was "anatomically benign" and everything looked great.  He at first mentioned keeping me in the hospital for a few days for further monitoring, but then he examined me and determined that my cervix had thickened a good bit so bed rest was helping!

So, yesterday morning I was released from the hospital and am now on bed rest at home.  Yay for HOME!  I'm on bed rest until I go back to my regular OB on Tuesday where we'll determine how things are and if I am to remain on bed rest or if I can go back to work.

This has been a week full of emotions.  We have been terrified, we have been anxious.  But we've also been so encouraged.  Encouraged by the progress that bed rest has brought.  Encouraged by the incredibly large group of people who've joined together and are actively praying for Molly and for Tim and me.  I am constantly blown away at the facebook messages, texts and emails friends are sending to us encouraging us and praying for us.  We appreciate that support so very much!

I continue to cling to this scripture during this time:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

He is in control.  And that's all I need to know!