Tracey Greene Caring for Caroline

I went to bed on Saturday, June 24th with some painful cramping and contractions and woke up around midnight. I couldn't go back to sleep so I drove myself to the hospital around 2am on Sunday, June 25th. I had had a bladder infection several weeks prior that caused similar symptoms so I figured they'd just give me an antibiotic and send me home. They immediately did several tests, one of which was a fFN (Fetal Fibronectin) test which would tell them if I would go into labor within the next two weeks....Two hours later that test result came back positive and I was told that I was being admitted for at least 48 hours so they could administer steroid shots to help develop Caroline's lungs and  magnesium to try to slow the contractions. They didn't waste a minute... I was quickly wheeled into a room and received a steroid shot, IV with magnesium, and a catheter since I'd be unable to get out of bed for 48 hours while on the magnesium (At this point, I hadn't even talked to Mike to tell him what was going on) Around 6:30am an ultrasound tech came in to check the amniotic fluid level around baby and I felt a gush of fluid... after a couple quick tests the Dr confirmed that my water had in fact broken. In medical terms, PPROM - Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes which then meant that I wouldn't be going home until our baby girl was born due to the high risk of infection associated with the sac breaking. I'm now writing this story 11 days later and the rollercoaster ride has been full of ups and downs every day with on and off bleeding and contractions. At this point if my body goes into labor on its own, or shows signs of an infection, then Caroline will be delivered since there may be a reason she's wanting to come...she may be better off out of my body than in utero. They are monitoring both of us very closely because of this.
The unknown is very hard... especially since I'm such a planner! The Doctors have told us that I could feel totally fine one minute, then 10 minutes later be in the OR having an emergency c-section.... or I could be pregnant for another 6+ weeks! We have successfully completed a few short term goals (hitting 25 weeks, making it to July, hitting 26 weeks) and have made some longer goals. Our current short term goal is one day at a time - according to the Neonatal Doctor 1 day in utero is 3 days less in the NICU. Our current longer term goal is 28 weeks, then will be 32 weeks. We have an amazing team of Doctors and Nurses which has helped put me at peace with whatever happens. I know that I am in good hands here at St Francis, and even better hands while trusting in God's plan for Caroline's life. Either way,  it will be a long journey over the next 3+ months and Caroline will spend some time in the NICU so I decided this website would be the best way to provide updates. We are so grateful for all of the love and support that we've received so far and really appreciate the continued prayers!