Day 6 of Contractions

So today is day #6 of regular contractions . . . I didn't think this was possible! All of the medical experts have said these kind of regular contractions are rare for prodromal labor - they are all surprised the contractions haven't dissipated or converted into "real" labor yet. The contractions have been far less intense since yesterday - definitely noticeable, but tolerable. I'm not miserable and uncomfortable today, but I'm really sick of the constant contractions. It makes me feel like I've got a constant stomach ache (and don't even get me started about the fact my body refuses to hold any food because it believes I AM in labor)!

We had another ultrasound this morning - baby is looking great, and he passed his biophysical profile with another perfect score! Apparently, he is having a good ole' time in there. He spent most of yesterday and today with a big case of the hiccups . . . it makes me laugh every time he hiccups! My amniotic fluid is much lower than it had been . . . not sure if that means anything yet. I keep thinking that I'm leaking some fluid, but I'm not really sure if it is just wishful thinking. We got another 3D picture of him, and I'll try and post that later.

So, I'm still on track to hang in there until Monday. I'm wondering if I'll have another round of big contractions in the next few days . . . the past hour or two, the contractions do feel a bit more intense, but I'm not really sure if it is progressing at all yet. I know that every day he stays in is good for him, but I just really wish my body (and the baby) would make up its mind - in or out - and then commit to that plan. If he is staying put another few weeks, fine, but can I get a break from the contractions, please? If he is coming out, well, let's get to it!

Disappointing Appointment

Yesterday, my contractions picked up around 2:00 pm. They kept getting closer and more intense, and I really thought I was starting labor. Around midnight, I was seriously thinking of calling and going to the hospital, but I was afraid to jinx things. The contractions and pain continued until 4:00 am . . . and then started to lessen in intensity again. At our appointment today, the contractions were fairly light. Even worse - no significant progress after all of that! I'm still at 2 cm (I was really hoping for 3) but more effaced - definitely at least 80%, and the baby has dropped (almost 0 station). So, for right now, the plan is to wait. I'm not uncomfortable this morning, so I'll just have to hang in there and see what is next.

In good news, at today's appointment it looked like he'd repositioned himself in the "correct" position again - no longer sunny side up. I'm supposed to take it easy, try to rest, and we'll see where things stand on Monday. She would prefer not to try any induction techniques until next week (37 weeks) if I can hang in there. She still thinks there is a good chance the contractions will disappear altogether in the next day or so, and I'll go to term. Actually, if the contractions stop, I don't mind waiting it out, but I really can't handle contracting for the next few weeks like I've been doing. Her best guess is that I'll make it to 38.5 weeks, so still another 1.5 - 2 weeks left. We'll see what the next few days bring!

It keeps going . . . and going . . .

Yup, I'm still contracting. 4 minutes apart. I'm quite uncomfortable - tons of back labor/pain. They are stronger, but not strong enough to go to the hospital yet. I have been trying to use the hypnobirthing techniques, but there are 2 problems so far: 1) I'm on day 4 of these contractions - it isn't like I can sit and "relax" for 4 days straight; 2) I didn't count on the back labor - it is hard to find a position that is sufficiently comfortable for relaxing. I called the midwives to talk about this, because I don't think I can keep on doing this without end. We are going in tomorrow at 8:15 to check my progress and see what the next steps are. I think I will be crying hysterically if they don't tell me I've been making progress.

Some Kind of Labor

Well, I'm in some kind of labor . . . but I think this is somewhere between prodromal labor and stalled labor. I'm contracting regularly (and prodromal labor is usually irregular contractions) but the intensity of the contractions has been inconsistent (perhaps a sign of stalled labor). I also seem to go through phases - I have hours when the contractions are 4 minutes apart and fairly intense, 4 minutes apart but not so intense, and other blocks of time when they may stretch out to hours of contractions every 7 minutes or every 10 minutes. What this means is I'm starting labor but I do not seem to be getting there particularly fast. Apparently, this could go on for quite some time. I have no idea if all the contractions I've had in the last 24 hours are causing any progress yet. All I know is I do not think I can do this part for weeks. I'm willing to be patient this week, but this part is no fun. I'm just uncomfortable enough that it keeps me from keeping my "normal" routine, but it isn't intense enough most of the time (or moving fast enough) that it makes sense for me to drop everything and focus exclusively on birthing. So, I'm trying to relax but keep busy, increase my physical activity in the hopes of speeding things up, and try any other ideas I can think up! The most frustrating part is that I think my body believes it is in labor - it isn't letting me keep any food in my system. Anything I eat comes right out, and trust me, with contractions that part is just miserable. So, I have yet to figure out how to fuel my body without making myself feel awful. I'm going to try some juice and clear liquids today to see if that helps.

36 weeks . . . at last!

Well, I did it! I made it to 36 weeks. And now I'm ready to have this baby.

I spent all day yesterday contracting despite continuing the Terbutaline. They were not intense, but they were 4 minutes apart. After realizing the pills were becoming futile, I finally stopped the terbutaline around 6 pm. Naturally, my contractions seemed to disappear. I was SOOOO disappointed. I had some, but they were fairly spread out, and not gaining in intensity. Elliot & I went to bed around 2:00 or so, and I was so sad that labor was not imminent for me.

At 4:00 am, I woke up with contractions. Not the mild ones, but fairly intense, radiating around to my back kind of contractions that were 4 minutes apart. I was SOOO excited (and did I mention uncomfortable?). I went downstairs and got my ipod so I could listen to my hypnobirthing recordings and relax. The back pain was intense, and I really couldn't seem to get comfortable. I woke Elliot up to tell him . . . and of course, he started puking again! His timing with the puking is just horrible. I don't think he still has the stomach flu, but I do think the stomach flu has aggravated his very sensitive stomach. Throw in a little stress and worry . . . and well, I think that explains his current state! Now, if I could just convince him to take his stomach meds . . . . then he might be helpful to me through these contractions!

Anyway, I tried relaxing in bed for about 1 hour, and then the pain in my back was making me quite uncomfortable. So, I decided to fill up the tub and climb in the Jacuzzi. I was SOOOO excited. I got in the water, I put on my ipod, and I hit the button . . . . and nothing. Yup, the Jacuzzi wasn't working AGAIN! I was so upset! Elliot came in and tried to help get things started (in between trips to the other bathroom to throw up). We eventually gave up, and instead I took a nice warm bath. I listened to my recordings, and was feeling much better. After the bath, I took a shower - it was about 6:30 or so by the time I was done. I crawled back into bed hoping to get some sleep. No such luck, but I did manage to relax until 8 when we needed to go to our appointment.

Elliot & I drove separately to the appointment. It was rather uneventful - we just talked about what happened this weekend, when I should come in next, etc. My belly was measuring perfectly at 35 cm, and she said I am 70-80% effaced, over 2 cm dilated, and the baby is at -1 station, so all is well! She said this could be today, or it could be weeks. I'm hoping the baby decides to make an appearance this week. Did I mention I'm ready to get this labor thing going? Someone remind me of that when this process intensifies and I'm having second thoughts!

After the appointment, I went to get our car seats and have one installed in my car. That should have been so simple, but the people at the car dealership were being SOOO difficult. I had to drive to 3 different locations before they would help me. And I was cranky because I was having contractions every 4 minutes. I then went over to the baby store and picked up a preemie outfit (just in case) and then went to my parents' house to drop off the 2nd car seat and trade them for their base to put in Elliot's car. While at my parents' house, I ran into their cleaning lady - who has been working with my family for at least 25 years. She was so excited to see me, and we had a nice little chat before I left.

I came home to relax a bit . . . and, of course, I'm now frustrated because the contractions seemed to have slowed a bit. I want this guy to come OUT, not play games!! Let's hope they pick back up again.