Tuesday, August 7, 2012

August 7th, 2012

I'm done.  I am beyond done.  Although I'm only five days overdue, there have been so many labor signs that even if my foot twitches I think, "Was that a contraction?".  Here's a recap of what the last five days have been like (again, this is more for my records than it is for your interest...and there may be parts that are TMI):

Wednesday, August 1st - had my membranes stripped in the morning (and discovered I was 3 cm dilated) and then took castor oil at 3pm.  Castor oil caused major cramping and a LOT of diarrhea, but no real contractions.

Thursday, August 2nd - took a second shot of castor oil at 7:00am.  Had bloody show around 9:00am and lost my mucus plug at 11:00am.  Since the plug came out, I have had a constant stream of mucus that causes me to change my underwear at least four times a day (put your hand up if I haven't completely grossed you out yet and you're still reading).  Had minor cramping in my lower abdomen and a lot of Braxton Hicks, but no regular contractions.  A huge energy spurt saw me re-arranging all the furniture in our bedroom to get Baby's bassinet set up.

Friday, August 3rd - done with castor oil and not about to ever try that shit again.  Because I mixed it with my favourite 5-Alive (tropical flavor), I can no longer drink 5-Alive without either wanting to puke or shit my pants.  Dammit.  Friday was filled with the same cramping and Braxton's as Thursday. Towards the evening, I started to feel even more period-like cramps and got my hopes up that "maybe tonight?!?".  Nope.

Saturday, August 4th - had Joel's room cleaned, purged and re-organized before 7:30am.  More cramps.  More Braxton Hicks.  Lots of lower back pain, but I figured this was due to shoving furniture around.  This was also the evening I ended up washing all of our outside windows.

Sunday, August 5th - decided on Sunday that perhaps I should take a break from ass-kicking and relax a little bit.  My parents took Miss K to Saskatoon so I napped, bathed, read and relaxed.  Same cramping and BHs as previous days.

Monday, August 6th - another day of relaxing, besides the afternoon that saw me down on my hands and knees on the driveway, cutting up screening to make a wrap around filter for our air conditioner.  Other than that, same old same old for cramps, back pain and BHs.

Starting just before 2:00am on Tuesday morning, FINALLY regular contractions kicked in...five minutes apart and a minute long right from the start.  This is exactly how labour with K began so I was beyond excited that the ball was about to get rolling.  For the next two and a half hours, I puttered around the house making sure my bag was packed, the house was tidied, notes were left for Mike's mom (who's been staying with us since Wednesday) about K's morning routine.  Mike wasn't able to sleep so he got up, made a pot of coffee and had a shower.  And then we waited.  And waited.  And waited some more.  Although the contractions were regular, they were not intensifying in pain.  Finally, at 5:00am, we decided to climb back into bed.

When I woke up at 6:45am, the contractions had completely stopped and I was pissed off.  I sat and counted Baby's movements for the next hour and when the count came back at less than six, I decided it was time to head to the hospital.  I needed to know Baby was okay and I wanted to know if I had dilated any further.  After a quick non-stress test, it was revealed that all is well with Baby.  As for the contractions, it may have been that I was a touch dehydrated.

Although I had a prenatal check-up booked for Wednesday morning, I headed back to my doctor Tuesday afternoon for another membrane scraping.  And now here I sit...waiting some more.

I would have a lot more patience and be much less frustrated if NOTHING had been happening for the last few days.  But given the mucus, the bloody show, the contractions, the back pain etc., it's just irksome that I'm not progressing.  Labor with K was beyond easy...wake up, shower, have contractions that are text book right from the start and three hours later, get a big ass needle in my back.  Easy peazy, nothing sleazy.

As for all the labor inducing tips and tricks, I call bullshit on every single one of them.  Castor oil, raspberry leaf tea, foot massages, nipple twisting (or maybe it's nipple massaging...either way, I wasn't going to attempt either one as I have been reading the Fifty Shades trilogy and was embarrassed enough at the thought of being caught reading it, let alone rubbing my boobs while doing so)...while there may scientific evidence as to why some of these things might induce labor, I think it's all just a matter of coincidence.  I'm going to keep a close watch on whatever is the last thing I do before my true contractions start and that will be my advice to first time expectant mothers about how to induce labor.

"Me? Oh, I was vigorously brushing my teeth when I felt my first contraction.  Just keep brushing yours and labor will eventually start!"

"Make a phone call.  That's exactly what I was doing and, I shit you not, my contractions started not a minute later!!"

"Pick your nose!"

"Look to the left!"

"Blink!"

For now, I am no longer paying attention to what is happening in my belly.  I'm just going to wait until I hear crying coming from underwear and that's when I'll know it's time to head to the hospital.


Me and my giant bay-bee belly at 40 weeks, five days along
(anything that makes my boobs look small HAS to be size gigantic!).

3 comments:

  1. That was a good read & I feel for you. I was overdue with my 1st by 10 days; she would have stayed in there forever if it weren't necessary that they intervened due to complications starting.

    Maybe your baby is just waiting to be born on Donnie Wahlberg's birthday (aug 17) - Sorry, I had to add that in when I think of the pic you had posted a while back, it makes me laugh.

    Good luck & I look forward to reading about your new baby's arrival.

    Nikki

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  2. I made it through without being totally grossed out just because I have been there and it gets even uglier right? **smiles**

    I am patiently waiting to hear the news. You look great and I love that K is a little bit in this picture too.

    Bonnie

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  3. I totally made it all the way through - and I read it out loud to my husband who also laughed. Thinking of you guys and hoping for a sweet baby story from you very soon! You look amay-zing! On the upside baby will probably be born before Labour Day And FOR SURE before Halloween ... not sure that makes you feel better but ... there it is.

    Wishing you all the best!

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