So yesterday I decided to wait to take my next dose of meds for an hour or two. One, because it makes me feel jittery, and two, because I didn’t think the contractions would come more than maybe 20 minutes apart – if that – so maybe nature could dilate me a little bit or efface me for my next appointment…

Well, I’m an idiot! They did begin coming here and there for 20 minutes, but then started slamming together at 4-8 minutes apart!!!

I took my pill immediately after I saw that and waited 40min and they were still coming. Called the DR’s office, and they said to take another pill, and if the two pills didn’t work, that I would have to go to the hospital to have my labor stopped with MORE drugs. Thankfully, the second pill worked, so no hospital for me.

However – I am guessing that once I stop taking the meds this Sunday, Jake will be VERY EAGER to leave the womb!

Another doctor's appointment...

Well I got to see my favorite doctor today - but of course another doctor was out delivering, so I had to wait an extra TWO HOURS to be seen. I talked to him about the preterm labor thing from last week, and he assured me that if Jake were to be born at 37 weeks, that studies show that his lungs are 98% guaranteed to be perfectly matured. That made me feel better. He also verified he is head down, and he estimated him to already weigh 6 - 6.5lbs! He also told me that I should stop taking the meds to stop labor on Sunday. So, we will do that and see what happens!

Well, the contractions were real!

Just got home from the doctor's office. She checked me and I am 1cm dialated, so they hooked me up for a NST to the heart/contraction monitors. I had a few while hooked up as well, but she said they weren't THAT strong, so she feels they can be stopped with medication. She prescribed something called Terbulatine (SP?), and it's a pill I have to take once every six hours. She said it may make my heart race.... FUN! But, she said I will take this until 37 weeks (10 days), so not too long. She also said I can still work while on the medication, but otherwise take it easy. I just sit at work all day anyway, so it should be fine.

So, that's the update! DH just went to drop off the prescription. Jake may actually be here in 10 days... I'm so nervous!!!

Contractions...

Well, I am having some pretty consistant "Braxton Hicks" contractions right now, since 7:42am this morning as a matter of fact. I've always had them for the past several weeks, but they would come very sporatically - like 30 minutes here, an hour and a half there, then another in 10 minutes, then another in 2 hours... nothing consistant at all, and nothing painful.

The ones I am having right now were not that painful, but now kind of stop me in my tracks a little bit. And they are coming between 8 minutes apart at the shortest, and 25min at the longest. Here is my track: 8m, 15m, 13m, 14m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 25m, 18m, 13m, 8m, 8m, 18m, 14m, 18m, 15m, 18m. If this makes any sense!

I finally called my doctor and asked what they thought. I got the questions about "Have I done anything strenuous?", "Having I been drinking plenty of water?", etc... I have been sitting around the past two days and lying around when I am not sitting around! LOL - and I have been drinking a lot of water this morning since all this started. So, they asked me to come in at 1:45am to get checked out.

I hope this isn't "real" labor! I am 35w 4d, so he would be small but OK - I just want him to "bake" a little longer! I will update once whatever happens, happens!

Excited/Nervous...

I am sure all pregnant moms can relate to what I am feeling right now. It's oficially June, and I have 34 days left until Jake's due date - which I am sure he will not arrive directly "on". Since this is my second, and with the amount of BH contractions I have been having, I am fully expecting him to arrive early. With all that said, I am now overwhelmed with the thought that my new son is going to be here soon!

I am very excited to meet him, and can't wait for him to make his grand arrival - but am SO scared to be in labor again. For those who have no clue - IT HURTS - A LOT! I am planning on getting an epidural, but up until that point it's all me getting myself through the pain. Well, me and God - I expect to be praying a whole lot until I get paid meds. But, I have had a few contractions lately that hurt pretty good, and knowing what I have been through before with Brad, I know that it isn't even 10% of the pain I am going to be encountering here in a few weeks. It's really nervewracking. I have talked to Hans about it, and all he can really tell me is that "he'll be there for me" and "it's all worth it in the end". I know all that, and couldn't even fathom going throug this without his strength in there with me - but unfortunately it doesn't take away all the fears that I have.

Oh well. I guess this is something that I'm sure every mom must go through. I just need to hand it over to God fully and pray that much harder about. I need strength, courage, and comfort.

Thanks for listening to my vent!

Back Pain and a Traffic Ticket...

Yesterday I was having some horrible back pain that just wouldn't quit while I was at work, so I decided to leave work early (about noon). I was driving home, and was kind of zoned out by the uncomfortableness, but was following the flow of traffic like I normally do. Well, I am about 10 minutes from home when I hear a siren and look in my rear view. Yep, state trooper. So I got pulled over, and got a ticket for speeding. I was fine when he gave it to me - but the hormones kicked in and I started BAWLING when it was time to call my husband and tell him I just got a ticket... he was fine though and said "Stop crying so much - it'll be OK - don't stress out the baby - everyone gets speeding tickets at one time or another". So, this weekend will be online traffic school & then paying my ticket sometime next week.

On a lighter note, my back doesn't hurt nearly as bad today. Guess I got a good night's sleep last night.

I had a Dr's appt this morning and everything is as normal as can be. I gained 8lbs in 2.5 weeks. Yikes! But, the baby is gaining more weight now, and I am retaining water (hence the swelling in the feet), but she isn't worried. She said since my blood pressure is normal (110/80), there is no sign of preeclampsia, so just to elevate my feet as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and watch my sodium.

Only 39 days left until my due date!

Baby Shower + Disney World

Well, Saturday was the big baby shower! Thank to Lil and Kim for putting it together - it was so wonderful. Jake got a lot of gifts! He now has enough clothes to dress him and a small army, and we also got a lot of other things we needed. Here are some pictures from the big event...

Here are some of the pictures of the gifts that we received! Thank you SO MUCH to each and every person who came!

On Sunday, Lil, Tom, Hans, Brad, and I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios to ride the new "Toy Story Midway Mania" ride, then we went over to EPCOT for a while. Note to pregnant women: Disney World @ 8 months pregnant + 90 degree heat = Lots of swelling and SORE legs!!! On the flip side, I think Jake has now dropped. He is LOW!

Here is a picture from Hollywood Studios...

Memorial Day was pretty uneventful. I spent most of the day relaxing and recouperating from the Disney trip. Hans put away all of the clothes Jake received from the baby shower. Brad played with friends. We went to Wal-Mart to get some things we didn't receive at the shower. I napped. All in all it was a much needed day off!

Today I am 34w 2d pregnant. Only 40 more days until my due date!