My Taste of L&D

The question remains: Why have I not written my research paper for this course? It's due when Baby K is due. I just can't seem to find the motivation. The last few days have been a little rough. Yesterday, I woke up to a very still baby, something that is strange for us. I chugged cold water and a fruit smoothie hoping that would wake up my little mover and shaker so I'd know he was doing okay. After a couple of hours of very limited movement, I began to get worried. Luckily, he started kicking again and I figured he was just fine. I slept a lot yesterday because my body was aching quite a bit and I wanted the escape. Early this morning I woke up to intense back pain and some contractions. I didn't think much of it--I just thought it was probably something I was going to have to deal with for the next few weeks. After stories began flooding in about back labor and how the symptoms can be disguised as regular ole back pain, I got worried again.

I think I better get used to this extra worry. I'm going to be a mom soon and I have a feeling this will never leave me.

Anyway, I gave the hospital a ring and they told me that I had better come in.

Fantastic.

I was convinced it was nothing and I was just being a wimp so I felt really dumb going in, but in I went. After an ultrasound and a couple of tests, they confirmed that I wasn't actually in labor. I was dilated about 1-2 cm, but nothing to keep me around the hospital for. They just wanted to monitor Baby K awhile and make sure he was doing okay.

I was correct in that I was having back labor, though. The baby is faced the wrong way so I fear labor might be harder on me (and longer) from what I've read. Oh, well...any way I can get my little man into this world that is safe for him is exactly what I want.

The good news is that the doctor said it was unlikely that I would make it to 40 weeks. We'll see, though! We briefly discussed induction since the baby is looking great and ready to come out anytime. They don't think I will need to do that, though.

My little taste of Labor and Delivery made me a little nervous. You watch movies and you think you know when you'll be in labor because the pain is so drastic, but from what the doctor told me, that isn't so. He encouraged me to come in any time I'm feeling constant pain in my back that way. In fact, he said someone just this morning had her baby at home because she thought it was merely a back ache. I think I'll avoid that if at all possible.

My nerves were shot afterwards. I've probably mentioned before that I need a Va*li*um just to pull in the parking lot of the doctor's office (You're probably wondering why I put those stars in that word? Truth is, I don't know. That's what the cool bloggers do and I'm trying to fit in. I assume it's to ensure that drug companies don't start sending all kinds of solicitations my way). I'm kidding, by the way, I can't take pills. They make me crazy (ier). Anyway, I got so nervous during all this commotion, I got dizzy and nearly lost my lunch again. I've got to get a grip. Baby K is on his way! He doesn't need some crazy lady getting a little upset over nothing.

So now I find myself lying around, realizing that soon my son will make his way into the world. I'm so happy about that. I wonder if it will be a week from now or three. Time will tell.

Now, if you could send me some vibes that will aid me in writing a paper that'd be great. Also, I need to get that car seat all ready to go, purchase a dryer, wash baby clothes and sheets, and...a gazillion other things.

But what I wanna do is work on Baby K's scrapbook and sleep. Lots of it.

Love,

Mama K aka Mrs. K