Thursday, November 13, 2008

She wants out...

So I appear to have a very active and eager kid. I had my weekly appointment today. I asked if it was really necessary to hook me up for a non-stress test AGAIN since I'm almost 35 weeks AND my insurance company apparently makes me pay co-pays for them (all previous OB visits have been free). I said, "I can tell you that the contractions are the same as they're been for the past month you've been monitoring them, and the kid is more active and strong every day." The doctor (whom I like) said OK, and at this point since I'm past when they'd give steroids for the lungs or really even try to stop labor, and I just got the usual cervix check. I've started to dilate slightly, and he said usually when babies are as low as mine is, the cervix is already 8-9cm! He told me to have my bag packed and not to go more than half an hour away from the hospital. He said he would absolutely put money on her coming well before her due date. That will change Thanksgiving plans...of course, she might be here by then which would change them anyway! But again he said my labor should go very fast, and "there probably won't be time for an epidural." Which is fine (as long as it really is quick!). Although I don't want to get my hopes up!

He did say again not to run until after 36 weeks, but at that point I could "go crazy." The Turkey Trot 5 miler is on Thanksgiving (I'll be 36 weeks, 4 days) and I still entertain thoughts of doing it. I went for a 3 mile walk Sunday and again on Tuesday, and Tuesday I did do a couple 2 minute jogs just to see. Felt great (although my shin muscles were sore the next day). So we'll see. Although I think I finally have to admit it: I feel pregnant. Back in June I posted about how I felt lucky that the first 3 months were easy, and that if I got 4 or 5 months in without really feeling pregnant, I'd be happy. Turns out I got more like 7-8 months.

So for those of you who've had babies...how weird is it the first day or 2 when they're not INSIDE you any more? As weird as it is, I kind of like all the hiccups and kung-fu going on,and it seems like I'll feel like my insides are so EMPTY after she comes out!

7 comments:

X-Country2 said...

How exciting! I hope everything goes as quickly as the doctor predicts.

Michelle Simmons said...

It's like the biggest relief EVER when they come out!!! And don't worry- they still hiccup and kungfu all day long- but it's even better because you get to watch them! :) Looking forward to reading about your birth! And if it does indeed go fast, no worries on not having the epidural. After going through it, I think 4 hours is probably the max I could have gone with the real contractions sans epidural. Bring chap-stick to the hospital... you'll need it when you're breathing so fast and hard during the contractions!

N.D. said...

Oh god. These contractions sound scary. I can't imagine. Wow, Clare, that's awesome she is goin to come early, you must be so excited!!!! And a fast delivery. How do you do this?? I want to have your body right now!! :)

jessica said...

oooh, exciting!

I didn't feel at all "empty" after #1 arrived, but I was constantly in awe that that little person had just been in my belly -- absolutely unreal.

My labor was less than 3 hours from first noticeable contraction to delivery and I'd highly recommend that route! :)

The last-minute epidural was pretty much given to "humor me," and since it didn't have time to take effect, I could have gone without (hence the plan to skip the drugs this time around).

Anonymous said...

As others have said, it's so wonderful to have your baby in your arms right after the birth. The best feeling in the world... But, yeah, the empty belly was a little weird for me. I did miss having him inside a little bit and having all your organs go back to their proper places is a strange feeling. It almost felt to me like he was still in there moving around for a day or two after he was out.

But the shifting internal organ thing doesn't last long, and resting your cheek on the top of that unbelievably soft little head while she falls asleep on your shoulder is just as good as feeling the kung-fu in your belly - better, even. It is an adjustment though, for both mom and baby (and dad too). The first few days are full of emotions of all sorts, but it's a very special time.

Laura said...

Wow! I can't believe you're that close to meeting your little one! How exciting! My little guy just hit the 2 month mark and it's like I hardly remember my life pre-baby. You know, I didn't even think about my empty uterus post-baby---I was so focused on him--and the hemeroids.
I did 12 hours of active labor but dilated from 3-10cm in the last 2 hours of it. I did narcotics and then epidural. I thought I would be able to handle the pain, but I couldn't. Afterwards though all I took was some Tylenol...the hemeroids were the worst part for me (worse than my stitches).

WendyBird said...

That is awesome that you are still on Enbrel! It will make a huge difference after the birth. Don't worry, when you have that little bundle in your arms, you won't think about what is missing from your belly :-) Although, there may be times when you miss how much more portable she was in there!