Sunday night I started feeling a weird cramping feeling. Weird as in...that doesn't feel very good. Of course I consulted the pregnancy bible "What to Expect When You're Expecting" first. It never says anything reassuring like: "You're just feeling a little crazy. Don't worry, you're pregnant." Instead, I read all about how this is a sign of preterm labor yada yada yada. My mind started conjuring up all the terrifying things that this would entail. I already had an appointment for yesterday so I figured that unless something major happened I wasn't going to let it bother me.
With Jaxon in tow we made it to the hospital for my appointment. When the doc asked how I was feeling I told him about the cramping feeling. I really expected him to respond like Brian did and shrug it off as "You're pregnant. What did you expect?" Instead he started asking me lots of questions: When did it start? How long does it last? Mucus.....all the fun stuff, you get the idea. He said he wanted to check me just to make sure there wasn't anything funny going on. Again, I expected him to do his usual "Nope. Everything looks just fine. It's probably just your ligaments." The look on his face during the exam showed me that something just wasn't adding up. When he finished he said "Well, you're dilated to about a 2 and your about 50-60% effaced. I'm going to run a test (fetal fibronectin) to see if there is a chance you could deliver in the next 2 weeks. In the mean time, I want you to go down to labor and delivery and be monitored for a couple of hours. If this progresses we'll give you a steroid shot to speed up the baby's lungs." My response was something eloquent like "Yeah, um, about what you just said...I'm not ready to have this baby. I still have 7 weeks before this baby is ripe!!!"
I started freaking out inside while the doc prepared the orders for me to go to Labor and Delivery. First things first: Jaxon was with me. There ain't no way in heck he is going to sit for a FEW HOURS while they monitor the baby. Thinking of my options I quickly called Scott, my father-in-law who worked across from the hospital. No answer. Crap. I call my sister at Weber State hoping she either wasn't in class or could skip out to save me in this dilemma. Again, no answer. Double crap. I start to call my mother-in-law to get Scott's office number when he beeps in. Whew! He so graciously agreed to come get Jaxon from the hospital and take him back to his office. (Note to self: Jaxon will no longer be going with me to the doctor!! The nurses and staff will be sorely disappointed. I think they'll get over it.)
To make a much longer story short.... Everything is fine. The test came back negative (meaning there isn't a very good chance I'll deliver this baby in the next 2 weeks.) However, I do feel that this kid could very possibly be joining our family prior to my May due date. I'm getting a little panicky. The doc wants to see me weekly. There wasn't any budging on that issue. I know. I tried.
On the bright side. If I'm already dilating and effacing that means there is a good shot that I won't be in labor for 12+ hours and pushing for 2 hours like I did last time, right? Haven't checked any medical resources on that....it just makes sense in my wee little brain.
6 comments:
I remember when the doctor told Kayla and I to go to labor and delivery. We were totally not ready. Glad everything turned out ok. Soon enough you'll be a mother of two.
Good luck with everything! I hope the baby decides to stay warm and comfy inside you for as long as possible. With both of my babies I started dilating about 6 weeks before they were born. I ended up getting started with both of them. With McKay I never got past a 3 (before being started) and with Oakley I was at a 4. I was only in labor with Oakley for 3 1/2 hours (compared to 12 with McKay) and I only had to push with 3 contractions before she was out. Hopefully this one will be like that for you!
Oh, I am so sorry! Those are never good words. If it is any consolation, I had the same deal with Addie at 29 weeks with positive fetal fibronectin and she stayed undelivered until 37 weeks. And as you can tell at church on Sunday she doesn't seem to have had any negative effects!
Let me know if we can help with anything. We will come get Jaxon and let him play someday soon!
Ahhh! Ok I would be freaking out too. I guess when they want to come their isnt not a whole lot we can do about it, but I think maybe your just trying to come up with another excuse to get out of Friday again.
Whoa, glad to hear the little guy is still safe and sound. You know Nat, I live just two doors down, if you have to make any unexpected trips to the doc, Jaxon is always welcome. Sounds like a good time to take it easy and catch up on some good movies.
Dude...I think we are totally blogging at this very moment at the very same time! I just saw you leave a comment..so i jumped on yours and thought I would see if I could catch you...we shall see now... (in the meantime, I'm going to go read your latest post!)
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