December 8, 2007

Hello all,

This is our first official blog regarding our journey towards parenthood. Some of you may already know what has occurred with Paula over the past week, but for those of you who do not, here is a not so brief summary.

Monday, November 17, 2008
During our scheduled doctors visit, we find out that Paula's cervix is thinning. Dr. Schmidt
didn't feel this was a huge concern, but Paula was placed on bed rest at home and asked to
return in 2 weeks for a follow up. Both babies were doing well, as expected, and weighed in
at a whopping .7lbs.

Monday, December 1, 2008
We went in for follow up visit, hoping to hear the good news and how well the bed rest had
slowed the thinning of her cervix. NOT SO MUCH. Instead we found it had possibly thinned
more, but Dr. Schmidt asked that we see a maternal fetal specialist to get a second opinion. No
measurements of the boys were taken at this visit, and the appointment with the specialist was
scheduled for Wednesday.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
We went to the specialist, only to find that Paula's cervix had indeed thinned, and was no more
than 1cm in length (3cm is about average until the 3rd trimester in a typical pregnancy). We
were ordered to go to Memorial Hermann Hospital, at Memorial City, and check in to labor and
delivery to have some monitoring done to see if Paula was having contractions. You guessed it,
yes she was, about 1 every 4-6 minutes. At this time she was placed on Magnesium Sulfate to
help slow, or hopefully stop her contractions. And the hits just keep on coming. As a welcome
gift from the hospital, she also received a Foley catheter, a pain medication (to help with the
pain from the catheter), and some oral medication that would help stop contractions as well.
This was a long night, lots of sickness, shaking, and uncertainties of what was to come.

Thursday, December 4 2008
More of the same, Paula tired, uncomfortable and unsure, however she had done well through
the night and contractions were down to about 4-5 per hour. We were advised that this
number was acceptable. In addition, a pelvic exam was performed and determined there was
no dilation and things seemed to be stabilizing. Plan was put in place for Paula to be taken off
of Magnesium, switched to a terbutalene pump, with the possibility to go home and remain
on best rest if this were to work.

Friday, December 5, 2008
Paula was weaned off of Magnesium, given her first injection of terbutalene, and the pump was
installed into her leg. The pump gives a constant dose of terbutalene, also called Brethane, as
well as an additional, scheduled dose every 6 hours. This medication did an excellent job of
slowing down contractions, but caused severe shaking and increased heart rate.

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Paula woke up in the morning having done excellent the night before and contractions were
way down, only 2-3 per hour, which was better than expected. Also, the catheter was
removed, she was beginning to eat better all was good. So good, we even talked to doctor in to
allowing us to stop the scheduled dose, and only get the continuous dose which the pump
administers. Good thing she is a dentist and not and obgyn. BAAAD IDEA. Once she started
moving around, going to the restroom, and not receiving the extra dose, the contractions came
back. The doctor ordered to stop the brethane, begin magnesium again, and all hope of going
home was gone. We were informed that we would remain in hospital for the duration. At this
time we were also advised that if she makes it to 23 and a half weeks, we have the option to
transfer her care to the specialist and move to the downtown hermann location, where the
nicu has better capabilities to handle 23 week infants.

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Woke up and magnesium had only worked o.k. She was still having 7-8 contractions per hour,
but were somewhat stable and the doctor thought outlook was positive. At this point Paula
was not feeling well, and we were beginning to wonder if anything would work. We were
advised that if she continued stable, or at least as stable as she currently was, then we may
try the brethane again on Monday.

Monday, December 8, 2008
Paula remained stable thru Sunday, and the night. This morning the news was still about 7-8
contractions per hour. We were ready to be weaned off of the magnesium and try the "terb
pump" again. Pretty well instant results. I left for work around 8, with Paula not feeling great
and not real happy with the situation in its entirety. When I checked in at 10:30, Paula was in
much better spirits and had just received the pump. By noon today, her contractions had
essentially ceased, only 2-3 per hour, and she was doing very well. It's almost eleven now and
she is still very stable. Things seem to really be picking up.

Sorry for all of the detail, but it's there if you want it. One thing I forgot to mention, and shame on me for that, is that the babies have been doing great the entire time. The doctors feel that if we are able to stop the contractions, Paula should be able to hang on until we reach a safe date (ideally no less than 30 weeks). At this time, she still does not feel up to talking on the phone, due to her energy level being pretty low, and the worry of it causing stress and contractions. We have received many phone calls which have gone unanswered and we apologize, but hope you understand. We feel that if she continues to do well, she will begin to welcome visitors and we'll let everyone know when that time comes. I will try to keep this updated daily, and will read Paula any responses we receive. We thank everyone for your love, support, and prayers.

Good Night Now,

Paula, Ryon and The Boys.