Let me preface this post by saying, I'm not a hypocondriac. In fact I am probably the opposite. I am also a seasoned Mom and birth~er. After going into labor 3 times, and being pregnant for the 4th, you know what feels normal and what doesn't. Yesterday really threw me for a loop!
We ended up spending the day in L&D yesterday.
Okay rewind. Yesterday morning I woke up feeling motivated and determined to get things done! Started the day off with about half a cup of coffee and my Bible Study {2 Corinthians 12:9-10 proved to be a hands on learning experience}. Went downstairs with the girls to make a wonderful breakfast.....and about half way through that I had a contraction.
Okay, no big deal, I thought. I always have a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions. They are uncomfortable but nothing close to painful. But this contraction wrapped around my whole abdomen, really tightly and boy was it painful! So I finished making muffins and bacon and bananas, sat down with the kids and read Proverbs 3:3, talking about what it means to always have love and kindness as a part of our character. All through our talk and eating, I kept having contractions! We finished breakfast and I filled up my huge jug of water, sucked that down completely, refilled it and announced it was playtime upstairs. Okay so it's 8:30 am but hey, we are having recess first today!
I layed down on the bed on my left side, continued to drink water, but it didn't help. These contractions were so strong, and so close (about 2-3 minutes apart) I couldn't even walk or talk through them. After about an hour of laying down I really started to worry. Lil' girl in there would be really still during contractions and then when one would let up she would kickbox and punch all around the inside like she was upset at me! What concerned me the most is that they were more painful than my actual labor contractions with Gracia!
After talking to the midwife and the doc they said I needed to have my cervix checked to make sure the contractions were not dilating me. So Dave got someone to cover the last class of his day, grabbed Jon and headed home. My amazing sister let me drop off all 4 kids at the office and Dave and I continued on our way.
During this time the contractions were weakening but not lessening. (They weren't as painful but they were still happening) So after a long wait in the ER and the L&D waiting room we were finally let in, undressed (lovely) and eventually checked. I was ordered to keep drinking water. Baby's heart rate was great the whole time. They tested the likelyhood of me going into labor in the next 2 weeks (negative) they checked my cervix (long and closed) though the contractions were still happening. So they sent me home after a few hours of observation.
The contractions continued last night and then this morning, Dave stayed home so I could take it easier than a normal day. After a talk with my midwife I am pretty sure I have an Irritable uterus. Between all the frequent Braxton Hicks and even the loads of contractions I've had with this baby, it seems like that is a likely diagnosis. It's not dangerous (in most cases) just well....irritating!
So I've been given some orders about what to do and what not to do. Though I admit upfront some will be hard to follow! I mean how does a homeschooling Mom of 3 littles actually relax and rest. Inquiring minds want to know! I suppose we'll be doing schooling upstairs on the bed, Roman style. And listening to my body and getting LOTS of fluids, and maybe a few herbs my midwife is dropping off will help. As long as my water doesn't break, I don't lose my plug and the baby is still jumping and a jiving, I think we'll just have to deal with the discomfort.
I'm thankful we got away with a little warning this time. I am so thankful we weren't ordered to bedrest and that little girl in there is just fine, it's me who is just a little irritable! I've already been told by Dave that cutting back on the cleaning, cooking and housework is a must....but knowing me, we'll see just how much I can give up. I'll just have to be more intuned to my body instead of my self proclaimed superwoman title. One little day at a time!
