*Warning: This post may be a bit TMI for some people. Continue at your own discretion.*
Yesterday, January 26th, I ran the Inaugural Town of Celebration Half Marathon. My friend Kirsten was pacing me and we were aiming for a 2:45 finish. For about the first 6 1/2 miles, we were doing a pretty good pace. I think we were averaging around 12:30min/mile, doing intervals of 1:30/1. Then, I had to slow down. My legs were tired and I felt like I'd hit the wall. For the rest of the race, Kirsten and I walked. Our friend and fellow mama runner Olivia came back after she finished and found us between miles 12 and 13. We finally finished. I ran across the finish line and that felt good. I'll have a post probably tomorrow that recaps the race.
I was so sore yesterday and still am today. My legs, back, shoulders, arms and EVERYTHING hurts. Last night, I had to go to Walmart to get some food. I got home around 8:45 and went to the bathroom. That's when I noticed the blood. I was bleeding. It wasn't gushing, but it looked like I might have been starting my period. I know that it's common to bleed in the first trimester, but I've never experienced it before. Suffice it to say, I started freaking out. I wiped and while the toilet paper wasn't soaked through, the surface was at least covered. I immediately called the answering service of the clinic in Connecticut since I'm still under their care. They took my name and number and promised to call me back soon. I made the decision to go to the hospital because I didn't want to take any risks. I immediately texted some close friends, including Kirsten and Olivia, and let them know what was going on. Both ladies said they were on their way to the hospital to be with me. I also called the mom and left a message on her phone, letting her know what was going on.
I got to the hospital where I will eventually give birth and checked myself in. It took about 20 minutes for them to even get my vitals. As they were, the answering service called me back. Unfortunately, I got very little reception in the hospital and my phone dropped the call. They got me into a room and I got a text from Olivia saying she had arrived. Before she did, the nurse came in to talk to me and asked me questions. She asked me what I had done yesterday and I told her about the half marathon. She checked me out down there and by that time, I had pretty much stopped bleeding. That was a relief to me. She said it was probably the running that had caused it in the first place. She went out to get the doctor and Olivia came back and joined me in the room. I immediately felt a lot better knowing I had someone there with me. It was right around that time that my phone died, so I wasn't able to update anyone. Olivia was in contact with Kirsten, who actually got lost on the way to the hospital. While we were waiting, the doctor's med student came in and asked me some questions about the pregnancy and what I had done during the day yesterday. He then went out to get the doctor.
The doctor came in and was very nice about everything. He reiterated that it was most likely the running that had caused the bleeding. They would obviously do an ultrasound just to make sure everything was okay. They also needed a urine sample from me, but I hadn't had to pee yet. Luckily, Olivia had brought water bottles with her, so I took one and ended up drinking all of it. While the doctor was out and we were waiting for the ultrasound to be done, Kirsten arrived. We had been told that only one visitor was allowed in the room at a time. So, when Kirsten came back, we knew that she and Olivia were supposed to switch out. Yeah, that didn't happen. Trust me, I'm not complaining. We all had a good time laughing and joking with one another. They both made me feel more at ease about being in the hospital. The fact that they would come out and join me without questioning it made me feel so happy. I know I have other friends that would as well, had they been in the area. My best friend Kelly would have in a heartbeat if she'd been able to.
Finally, the doctor came in with the med student. I seriously had to pee at that point, but wondered if they'd be able to do a belly ultrasound if I did, instead of a transvaginal. I really didn't feel like having anything shoved up there if it didn't need to be. The nurse told Kirsten and Olivia that one of them had to leave. Olivia stepped out cause she also needed to use the restroom. She realized later that would mean missing getting to see the baby. The doctor told me to go the bathroom and then we would see about the ultrasound. I went and felt much better after I did. I came back and we did the belly ultrasound. The doctor could see everything. The baby's heartbeat was the same as it was last week when I had my scan. We even saw the baby move a little bit. Kirsten got pictures of the baby to show Olivia. I'll be sending those to the parents as soon as Kirsten sends them to me. Lol. They did a check to make sure everything looked good and it did. I won't go into the gruesome details, but needless to say, Kirsten and I still managed to laugh. We're not really sure the doctor, student, and nurse shared our sense of humor.
After that, it was just a matter of waiting for the release paperwork. Olivia snuck back and got to see the pictures. We continued to joke around. The doctor told me that I will probably continue spotting for a couple weeks. I shouldn't run until a week or so after I've finished spotting. The doctor said, and I quote, "Running isn't necessary to living." Kirsten and I were just like, "It may not be to YOU, but..." I don't think he found it as funny. Once I can start running again, I won't be able to run a half marathon again. The most I'll be able to do, as of right now, is a 5k, and that will be walking. Olivia and Kirsten promised to make sure that I follow doctor's orders. We all left the hospital and went to our cars. I'm so glad they came out to be with me. I know I wouldn't've had nearly as much fun if they hadn't.
Today, I'm doing okay. I worked for a few hours this morning at Macy's. I've been resting the rest of the day. I'm so bored, though. Lol. Needless to say, moving isn't much of an option since I'm still so sore. Last night is obviously very much on my mind. I'm doing everything I can to be careful. The next ultrasound is next Monday, February 3rd. I'm sure everything will be okay. I'll be anticipating it, though.
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