Thursday, December 07, 2006

I'd better at least be dilated on monday

15 hours of steady contractions
+
nausea
+
upset stomach
+
pains that wrapped around my back
=

Not a baby, that's for damn sure.


At work yesterday, I had all of the above, and by the time I finally finished up at 10pm or so and headed home, I was actually starting to wonder whether this might be IT. I didn't want to think so, but the contractions were steady and coming every 5-10 minutes or so. I was rather confused by them, though, because they weren't what I'd imagined. On the one hand, some of them felt like menstrual cramps, but some of them felt like terrible indigestion. Kind of a full stomach cramping sensation that started in the back and then moved to the front. Some of them were enough to make me stop and clench the back of my chair while I waited for them to pass. At 8:30pm I even called Josh and told him to go out and purchase a birthing ball STAT, and frankly I didn't care that he was in the middle of finals.

The good news is that he finished last night, so my request for a birthing ball didn't interfere with the future livelihood of our family.

But after I arrived at home, took a long hot shower, drank some gatorade, used the heating pad and bounced on the birthing ball for a while, they spread out and I eventually fell asleep despite whatever I was feeling. I slept hard for 7+ hours and woke up feeling much better. Since I woke up I've had a few sporadic contractions, but nothing like yesterday. I told baby that our kitchen is scheduled to be completed around December 18th, so if he or she could hold out until then, that would be FANTASTIC.

I did realize something important last night, though. When the contractions started in the morning, if you'd asked me whether I wanted the baby to come, my response would have been that I am N.O.T. R.E.A.D.Y. Nope, nil, no way. As the day progressed, however, my feelings just changed. Nothing I could put my finger on, but I developed this sort of calmness and I realized that I was. I was okay. I will be okay. When this baby comes, I will be nothing but ecstatic at the opportunity to be his or her mother. I cannot wait to meet my baby.

Even if the kitchen is in shambles, even if I'm living out of my dining room, even if I don't have a sink. Even if the laundry isn't done, the car seats aren't installed and the house is filthy. We will all be okay. In fact, I'd venture to say that we'll be better than okay.

Is this what you meant in all your supportive comments? I guess I should have believed you then, huh?

26 comments:

Suzanne said...

The last bit of pregnancy can be such a tease! Even if the baby doesn't listen to you and can't stay put till the kitchen is finished, it sounds as if you and Josh will be absolutely fine. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear there's been a subtle shift! Also, I think if I were you I would've rushed to the hospital ASAP. I'm paranoid like that, though. Good for you for hanging in there!

Anonymous said...

Oh, those babies do love to tease us near the end. My last baby did that for 3 weeks. Hang in there, Momma.

jo(e) said...

It's so exciting! You are getting close to having this baby.

Just remember that all those contractions are doing some work -- you cervix is probably effacing, even if it is not dilating.

I always had a week or two of that kind of labor before going into "real labor" and I had really wonderful labor and deliveries. So take this all as a good sign!

Pamper yourself, be sure to stay hydrated, and catch up on sleep as much as you can.

I am so excited for you.

You are going to be such a great Mom.

Anonymous said...

Both of my kids had me feeling like that for over a week before they were finally lured out with Pitocin. I feel for you!!

You're right though. You will be okay. :)

Anonymous said...

We should start a pool on how many centemeters you'll be on Monday. I say at LEAST one- that sounds like some good old dilating if you ask me!!

Hurray baby!

Liz Miller said...

Hugs! And jumping up and down with excitement!

Phantom Scribbler said...

This is all a plot to make sure we can't see you before the baby comes, isn't it? ;-)

You betcha that you and Josh will be better than OK!

Yankee, Transferred said...

You are going to be TERRIFIC. I know you are! And it is SO exciting! Can't wait!

Geggie said...

It's getting so close. I'm so excited. Are you sharing potential names yet? I'm dying to know.

Anonymous said...

You know what this means... you are having a baby ;-)

I remember when I was pregnant with my first baby Rob was refinishing the rocking chair and I had said I was not having this baby until that chair was done. The day he finished it I went into labor. Hopefully the same will be true of your kitchen.

ccw said...

How exciting!

I hope all of those contractions helped you along.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you're in that nice "calm and ready" place, it's such a cozy place to be!

Sounds like you're almost done! I can't wait to 'meet' your little one :D

Anonymous said...

My mom finished the curtains in our daughter's nursery, and our little girl was born shortly thereafter. She just wanted her room to be all stylish before her big entrance! :) Sounds like your body is doing some dilating [or effacing]. That's how my labor with Meredith went ... my body did a lot of work ahead of time. I had some cramps a few weeks before my due date, and I realized that I was dehydrated. Good luck with everything!

Jessica said...

Yep - you should have believed us....your revelation is wonderful and we can't wait to *meet* the baby, too!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how exciting!

lovely said...

well you are definatly getting closer
next time try NOT to relax so much and get those contractions coming (and the baby too)
by the end of my pg I was trying to bring on the contractions (I was 2weeks late! yes I said 2WEEKS!)
good luck with when ever it happens because in the end your left guessing... was that or wasn't that
whatever you'll be fine

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

oh! i'm so excited for you! :)
glad to hear you are feeling calm about the whole thing. i can't wait to see the new lil one. :)

Butterflyfish said...

Yay! Home stretch!

Kris said...

I'm hoping you have your baby safe and snuggly in your arms right now. Thinking of you!

blackbird said...

I've been checking obsessively here for a few days now!

Baby?
All well?

We need to hear from you!

Liz Miller said...

Refresh...refresh...refresh...

Hello? Is there a new baby in the Halloweenlover house?

Anonymous said...

You kept your cool until now and you will hold it together wonderfully when the baby comes, I am sure.

Contractions 5-10 minutes appart would have me rushing to the hospital, aren`t you a trooper!

We can´t wait to meet this baby, as well. Hurry up in telling us the news!!!

Have a blessed delivery and beyond...

Anonymous said...

Delurking to say I'm refreshing your page at least 10 times a day. This silence has me hoping the new baby has arrived! Best wishes to you all.

Gawdessness said...

Thinking of you, hoping all is well.
My adorable son took two weeks after due date to show up!

Drove me nuts!

Anonymous said...

Um, I keep checking! I hope that's good news!