Which only is meaningful if you have been following my blog, because as I’m sure the rest of you are thinking, ‘many women are dilated 2 cm for weeks or even months before giving birth!’
With three months of contractions, various shots, medication, and bedrest, I have been a “one” or a “loose one” or “between a one and a two” for what seems like forever, so today I’m having a personal celebration that at 37 weeks, 2 days, I have finally moved on.
I stopped taking my procardia on Saturday night and came “off” bedrest on Sunday. By Monday, the progesterone shots should have “worn off” and should no longer be a factor in keeping me from going into labor.
Most of Sunday evening and into the early Monday morning hours, I had fairly strong contractions five minutes apart, which left me wondering, “Is this still my ‘normal’? or should I be viewing it differently now that I’m not on the meds?” I took comfort knowing that I would be back at the Ob’s office the next morning, and could ask Dr. C my question then.
His reply? “Well–you’re not a ‘3’ so clearly whatever you experienced last night wasn’t labor.”
Thanks for that. I realize that–in hindsight. My question is how I should view my contractions going forward.
He said, “This is your third pregnancy. You should know what labor feels like by now.”
But the truth is, I don’t. I know what I’ve experienced. But my first and second experiences have very little in common: First, a full-term vaginally delivery after 30+ hours of labor. And then second, a 32-weeker, born via emergency c-section, after about a month of preterm labor contractions, when I was just over 5 cm dilated. Now, three months of contractions with a bunch of preventative measures taken, but very little cervical change. . . Three vastly different experiences.
Dr. C said I will just know.
We hope he’s right.
It’s snowing again tonight. . . thankfully, we’re only forecast to get 1-2 inches by morning, so if we had to get out, we could.
Although our road is anything but clear after the nearly 4 feet of snow we’ve received in the past couple of weeks. This morning, though the main roads are fine, our street was a sheet of ice.
In fact, there was a wreck right in front of our house, blocking our street as I returned from my doctor’s appointment. And, separately (though simultaneously), a tow truck was stuck in the snow and ice only 3-4 car lengths up the street. Another tow truck came to rescue that tow truck. And the kids enjoyed watching out the living room window.
We are looking forward to the 40-degree-weather forecasted later this week!
Maybe then I will “just know.”
We can’t wait to meet our Little Boo!
Thanks for the update. I’ve been blessed lately reading Piper’s Future Grace & how all the promises of God in Jesus Christ to us are “Yes! Yes.!” 🙂 Wonderful that we can trust in Him & the promises of grace. 🙂 Oh, that 40 degrees sounds good too.
With my first I didn’t KNOW. I went to the hospital on a whim, and when I got there, I KNEW. A little over an hour later, I had a baby in my arms.
With my second I KNEW. And a little less than an hour after we made it to the hospital, I had a baby in my arms.
But, I remember the feeling of “is this it?” all the way through each of the last trimesters… especially since I was “blessed” (ahem) with Braxton-Hicks through both of the second and third trimesters. But, when it was REAL, I KNEW it was REAL!
Praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby!!
Yay, for 37 weeks!! I was just telling my husband last night, how throughout my pregnancy I could hardly imagine the day that I would be just weeks from my pregnancy goal. I was so sure I wouldn’t make it, and here I am at 31 weeks 6 days and my OB’s initial goal of 35 weeks is only 3 weeks away! Now he’s thinking I may make it to 36 or even 37 weeks! So glad you have made it full term and are making your way to labor and your little bundle of joy!
This made me want to be home so bad!!! I can’t wait to meet little boo…..it seems so far away for me though. Congrats! I miss you and love you!