Why is Rachelle and Baby in the hospital?

For those that don't know what exactly is going on with me and the baby. We wanted to give you the story and then we will just give you updates every week. Over a month ago during one of our sonograms, we found out that most of my amniotic fluid had disappeared. I went to my doctor immediately that next day to check and see if I had a ruptured membrane. At that time, the answer was no so my doctor wanted me to take it easy and hydrate constantly. I did that for a few weeks and then my water broke on Valentine's Day and was rushed to the E.R. It was determined that in fact in the E.R. that my water did break which they also call a Ruptured Membrane. They admitted me immediately and started me on antibiotics for 7-10 days to try and prevent infection to me and the baby. We will be in the hosptial until I deliver and I am on complete bed rest. It is Day 19 and so far everything is going perfect! I haven't gone into labor which is a miracle in itself and this sweet little baby is doing so good. We have had a couple of sonograms since I have been here and the baby is growing exactly where it needs to be at this justation and the blood flow is normal. About a centimeter of amniotic fluid has come back which was good news to us because that means that I am not losing anymore. The goal right now is to make it to 30 weeks but we would really like to make it to 34 weeks. I will deliver at 34 weeks no matter what because at that point the baby is safer outside the womb rather than inside.

I will be 23 weeks on Saturday, March 6 and we are so thrilled because the baby will be viable from this point forward. At 24 weeks, my doctor will start giving me steroid shots for the baby's lungs and we are looking forward to that day. Everyday is a milestone and we are so thankful. It has been such an emotional roller coaster for us but we feel all of the prayers and support of all of our family and friends plus God has given us such a special peace and understanding. It is totally in His Hands and we know He is working on our behalf. We are so lucky to have been given the gift of this sweet baby and that it is such a fighter.

Everyday that me and the baby get through without any contractions is a miracle. The baby is moving all around and let's mommy and daddy know that it's there. It is so refreshing to feel my baby moving, punching and kicking. Mommy and Daddy talk to it everyday and say a special prayer every night. It is so sweet because we both lay our hands on my belly and when Daddy prays, it moves all around. Mommy also sings to baby a lot and will start reading to the baby soon.

We hope this gives everyone a little background on what's going on with our little family right now. Again, we appreciate the prayers and support of our family and friends and so many others! We are so blessed!