The Birth Story

I started having contractions a few days ago, but they only felt like Braxton Hicks contractions. In any case, when we started timing them, they only got to be about 30 - 45 minutes apart...not close enough to be concerned or considered in active labor. Last night, they were getting as close as 6 - 10 minutes apart and were starting to get a little more painful. But while watching a movie, (as many of you know who know me well) I fell asleep. I slept like normal last night, not waking up from any contractions and when I woke up this morning at 6:30am, I didn't feel any more contractions...or movement from the baby. I called the doctor on call around 9:30am this morning to tell him what was going on and he told us to get to the hospital right away. "If you've had something to eat and drink and haven't felt at least 10 kicks/movement in 1 hour, you should come in. If you're concerned enough to call me because you're worried about lack of movement, it's like a patient calling a heart surgeon to tell them they have chest pains." This immediately made me quite anxious (okay, hysterical). We dropped Boogs off at my mom's and rushed to the hospital.

When we got there, the nurse put me on a monitor and we heard the heartbeat which immediately made me start crying again, but because I was so relieved. She had me drink ice water and chomp on some ice - I FINALLY felt baby girl move. Thank GOD! After having such an easy pregnancy, it's amazing how my emotions can change so quickly with one little scare.

After being monitored for about an hour or so, the nurse wanted to check my progress. She said if I was 6 cm dilated, they'd keep me here and we'd be having a baby today! When she checked, she said, "You're at about...5.5cm" "Do you round up?" I asked. She laughed and said she thought I was actually closer to a 6. So she called the doctor to check and he said, "Yup, admit her."

I got hooked up to get antibiotics because I tested positive for Group B Strep. After the antibiotics, I got Petocin to help my contractions. And here I am, sitting in my hospital bed, waiting for the contractions to get "worse." I never thought I'd be waiting and happy for my contractions to get worse, but I REALLY want to meet this little one and she is being such a tease! Already being a pain in her mama's butt...and she's not even born yet!