39 Week Appointment

Happy Birthday to me! Well, it has been an interesting day to say the least. As promised, here is an update. Things got off to an exciting start quite early...

At 2am, I woke up with some pretty strong cramping. I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. I didn't want to wake Ed, so I relocated to the couch. After trying to relax for about an hour and a half, I decided to try and see if I was having contractions. I downloaded a Contraction Timer App and started playing Sudoku. I didn't want to let my mind take over while watching the clock. I thought it would be best to occupy my mind.

Immediately, I began to notice that there were noticeable contractions. Gradually, the painful cramping eased away, but the tightening sensation of the contractions kept coming in waves. They were actually quite regular: lasting about a minute, every four minutes. I remembered the saying of "411." It said that when contractions are coming every four minutes, lasting a minute, for over an hour, it may be time to head to the hospital. I had finally started timing them with the App around 4am and it was now a little after 5am, and they were still quite regular. The only thing that was throwing me off was that they did not hurt at all.

At this point, Ed's alarm went off to get up for work. He asked me what we were going to do. I had no clue. So, I called Mom. She said that it is probably just BH, and I would definitely know when I was in labor, it should hurt. She told me to wait it out until 9am for the Appointment, and that Ed could probably go on to work. So, I let that sink in. After a few minutes, my mind started to wander and I hit up Google. I was looking for other's experiences. In some cases, women did not have painful contractions until they were quite dilated and their water broke, and then things went quickly. I began thinking what if this happens to me, and Ed is gone and things go quickly. There I would be all alone and thirty minutes from the hospital. I decided to call the Answering Service for a second opinion.

The lady that answered was quite rude. She took my info and said she would page the OB. About five minutes later, he called. I explained what was going on. He said I could go on to the hospital or wait it out. He also suggested that Ed stay with me. I asked him if we would be heading to the hospital at some point today, and he said most likely. As soon as we hung up, I started thinking, "We are going to have the same birthday!" I decided to rest until it was time to get ready. I actually fell asleep for about an hour before the alarm went off. I showered, we double checked all the packed items, and I made the bed, took out the garbage and started the dishwasher. I didn't want to come home to any chores. We left the house thinking this was it!

At the appointment, my BP was fine, urine looked good, and I had lost another half pound. Now it was time for the moment of truth. Remember, I had already been told the hospital was most likely in my near future, so I was feeling pretty confident. She checked me: nothing. Thinned, but not much progress. Shot down. I told her about my contractions. She said I was "most likely in the Latent Phase (Early Labor). It could last hours or it could last days. See you Thursday." No!! My bubble was definitely busted.

So, we come back home. Ed got ready and went in to work. I went to meet Mamaw for my Birthday Lunch. At least, I was going to get some walking in. The contractions started to taper off, or maybe I was just tuning them out. After some walking, shopping, and eating, I came back home. I was feeling pretty tired, probably because I had been awake since 2am. I took a ridiculously long nap. Secretly, I was hoping I would wake up with some hellacious contractions. No such luck.

So, I guess it is just wait and see. I am hoping things pick up before Thursday. At this point, I have even considered the Castor Oil. I am so ready to meet her! Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have some much more exciting news next time, whether that may be in a few hours, or Thursday (hopefully not).