What a weekend I had.

I haven't posted in awhile because I'm pregnant. Haven't been pregnant since 2006. And, I'm almost 40 years old! So, this pregnancy has been challenging to say the least. I have medical issues along with my age that can complicate a pregnancy. But, I have a healthy baby that has been a real whipper snapper inutero so far. The kid just doesn't seem to sleep much and has some serious acrobatic skills! Think I'll name him Robin or Nightwing!

This week, I think my body got tired of all the internal acrobatics. I started having contractions. At first, I thought no big deal, just a few Braxton-Hicks false contractions. But, over time the weren't going away. Instead, they got more intense. When my bi-weekly appointment came at 10:30am on Thursday, I was in pain and the memories of my other two pregnancies flooded back. I realized I was having REAL contractions.

So, I told my doctor, who could tell by the way I looked, that I was in pain and having some real deal contractions. She asked if I wanted to check if I was dilating. "Hell yeah!", I said. This is scary because I'm 32 weeks pregnant and still have 8 weeks to go. Granted the baby is active like a worm drenched in hot sauce, but not ready to experience the world yet.

My doctor checked the baby's heartrate, measured my stomach for the baby's approximate size, did a quick ultrasound for his position, which was head down (great!), a pelvic exam to check the cervix, a swab and urine sample to check for any infection. Everything looked great!

The next step was monitoring for contractions to determine if they were real or false (Braxton-Hicks). This was suppose to be an hour long session in the Labor and Delivery area. I figured it would be quick and chance to get me feet up. I mean I had stuff to do but an hour without kids and errands to do is pretty awesome at this time. Well, that turned out so different than I anticipated.

I was hooked up to a machine to monitor contractions and the baby's heartbeat. The baby decided he didn't want to cooperate and put on an acrobatic show for the nurse. He flipped and moved eveytime she got the monitor positioned right about where his heart was. Then the acrobatics continued, which sounds like constant loud static everytime the baby moves. With all that movement, I had to use the bathroom every 30 minutes. Needless to say, I didn't get that rest I had anticipated during this monitoring session and it took longer than hour.

I did mention that my appointment was at 10:30am? I know I didn't mention I had skipped breakfast. I usually will forgo breakfast on days I have check-ups because I'm in and out in 10 minutes. Afterwards, I'll treat myself to Don and Millies or Wendy's. At 1pm, I was still having contractions and being monitored. All the doctors were busy with a C-section down the hall. So, there was no one to check on my progess and release me. I was stuck there and hungry! This is when I broke down and began to beg for food, a snack, or something. I was denied!

Didn't realize this story was going to take so long. I have to take a break...I'm on a short term bed rest plan for a few days. So, I will finish this story tomorrow! :-)