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"After two weeks of bed rest at home, I had dilated
even further, to 4 centimeters.” Cindy was admitted to Children’s Memorial
Hermann Hospital on Aug. 30, 2007, one day before she’d reached 26 weeks’
gestation. For the next 11 weeks, she remained in bed around the clock.
“It was quite a
hospital stay,” she said. “ My doctor gave me bathroom privileges, but the same
day I was admitted I dilated to 6 centimeters, so I decided to not to leave the
bed at all.” Expectant mothers are considered ready for delivery when the cervix
dilates to 10 centimeters.
Obstetrician/gynecologist Sara Jurney, M.D., started Cindy on preterm labor
medication to prevent uterine contractions. When the amniotic sac began
prolapsing past the cervix, Cindy was put in the Trendelenburg position on an
elevated, inclined plane, with her lower body positioned higher than her head.
She remained in the position for two days, after which she developed pulmonary
edema.
“Mothers pregnant with twins are often at higher risk for pulmonary edema,” Dr.
Jurney said. “Some of the preterm medications available increase the risk
further, but Cindy’s particular medication did not. Because she went into
pulmonary edema so easily, we decided not to give her additional medication if
she dilated further.”
During the course of her pregnancy, she also developed gestational diabetes, a
common occurrence in pregnancies involving twins.
“Cindy was conscientious,” Dr. Jurney added. “She followed the diabetic diet
carefully and did very well. Patients who aren’t as careful about their diet may
require insulin during their pregnancy.”
During her extended hospital stay, Cindy entertained herself by taking up
knitting, reading books and watching television.
“I couldn’t have lived through it without the support of my husband, my parents
and my husband’s family,” she said. “I also got to know all the nurses and
custodial staff, who were wonderful. I think my stay was the longest they’d ever
seen.”
At 35 weeks’ gestation, Dr. Jurney encouraged Cindy to get up and move around.
“We were afraid she would lose her muscle strength and be unable to care for the
twins,” she added. Under the care of the inpatient physical therapists at
Children’s Memorial Hermann, she quickly regained her normal muscle strength.
Two weeks after her return to movement, Cindy had not dilated further. At 37
weeks, on Nov. 16, 2007, she delivered fraternal twins Wesley and Kenzie by
cesarean section. Wesley was 5 pounds, 9 ounces and Kenzie weighed in at 5
pounds, 10 ounces.
“She had a long road,” said Dr. Jurney. “She did very well because of her own
determination, the support of her family and the extensive resources we have
available at Children’s Memorial Hermann, from maternal-fetal medicine
specialists to our specialized nursing staff. It’s difficult to be on bed rest
in the hospital for such an extended period of time. Once Cindy made the
decision not to get out of bed, she stuck with it. She’s amazing.”
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