My prescription for Progesterone shots (17P) arrived in the mail today, along with a bunch of needles and syringes.

Imagining my husband (who is not in the medical profession for a reason) administering these shots is a little, well, unnerving. Shots don’t bother me too much at the doctor’s office.

You know, with a trained professional.

When I try really hard to “think happy thoughts.”

But just imagine coaching someone the very first time they give a shot, and it’s in your rear end. That will be a new experience–for both of us! Thankfully our insurance company is sending someone to our house to train Daniel on giving the shots.

Oddly enough, I’m actually looking forward to getting the shots, because I’ve already noticed contractions beginning. And I’m only 19 weeks. So yes, bring on the needles!

When I called my insurance case manager today (I’ve been assigned a case manager, since my pregnancy is considered high risk), she said my file at the doctor’s office indicated I would start the 17p shots at week 20.

I was actually disappointed. You mean, I have to wait a week?

My contractions usually come at the end of the day–often around dinnertime, bathtime, or the kids’ bedtime. But I notice them every day now.

Carrying Micah up the stairs, bringing groceries from the car into the house, carrying laundry up from the basement, long walks outside, walking/standing for a long time (for instance, last Saturday’s 6-hour Goodwill/ consignment store shopping trip!). All those things cause me contractions. I’m really not doing anything excessive, just normal housework and child care kind of things. But it is amazing how many activities around the house require the use of your abs. And for some reason, those activities seem to bring on the contractions.

My contractions aren’t regular at all. And like my contractions with Micah, not painful, just tight. My uterus is still so small that they aren’t really even uncomfortable yet.

But it makes me a bit nervous. For Little Boo.

I talked to my Aunt Terrie a couple days ago. (Aunt Terrie knows a thing or two about pregnancy, having delivered eight children of her own and worked as a La Leche League consultant. When I told her I was starting to notice contractions already, she said, “Yessss, it starts earlier and earlier with every one.” Yay. I thought. So I am probably not physically capable of carrying eight children full-term, am I? (What a relief, right, Daniel???) He wants four children. I’m wondering if five would be all that bad. . . 😉

I find it helpful to rest when I’m experiencing contractions. They do go away. And that’s a good sign.

I’m also trying to drink tons of water. (Dehydration often contributes to preterm labor.) I’m trying not to walk too much, or be on my feet too long, & I try to ask for help lifting (despite the fact that I am the do-it-yourself kind of person that hates to ask for help).

All that to say:

Bring on the needles!