Status #5
Written Saturday:
She could be born tonight, she could be born tomorrow, she could be born Monday. I think at this point at least I know that her birthday will be a single digit.
Two more nights available to make that true. It’s still the most likely prediction, but I’m not so sure anymore.
Last night around 9 things picked up and I was having real contractions again and they were worse. I knew I was past 3cm and these were productive, and I didn’t want to wait until transition this time, so at 10:30 when they were still going strong and I was no longer a smiling Mystie, we called everyone back over and they were all here before or around 11. Matt timed the contractions for 30-45 minutes and they were lasting from 2-3.5 minutes with 1-2 minutes in between. So, from start to start, they were 4-5 minutes apart, but they were long-lasting contractions. Fran started unpacking stuff from her bag and setting things out and listened to us timing the contractions. About 11:30 or 11:45 she checked me and I was 5cm, but still not completely effaced or soft. She said that long contractions actually aren’t the most productive ones; they are inefficient contractions.
She then had me do stair-climbing, so I went from the upstairs to the basement and back up again about 7 or 8 times and then took a break on the birthing ball in the living room, where Mom and Tonya were chatting. Fran and Matt joined the group. I bounced for about 15 minutes or so, and during that time felt only one contraction. I went upstairs and laid down and Matt came up a bit later to check on the reason for my unexcused absence. My theory, I told him, was that bouncing on the birthing ball in light and conversation stops my labor; all the strong contractions I have had began at times I was by myself in the dark relaxing and every time I have been “in public,” they have stopped. So I was going to sleep.
Fran came up a minute later and checked my temperature and the baby’s heart rate and then rejoined the social circle.
Matt came up a little after 1am and I had been sleeping. It was clear nothing was going to be happening anytime soon. So he went down and sent everyone home and got the hard facts on when to call Fran (because she also wants to make it before I hit transition): 60-90 second contractions, 4 minutes apart (start to start), lasting for an hour.
Only occasional mild contractions again this morning. Matt went to work. I slept in. The boys have spent two nights with Marji and I’m to call her whenever I make the decision on when or if she should bring them home today. When Jaeger was born, Hans stayed two nights with Grandma, then we had her bring him home because nothing was happening and Jaeger was born that night. Maybe that’ll become our tradition.
Hang in there and take it easy. I walked around and bounced on the ball so much that I was exhausted once hard labor started. I kicked myself for not just lying in bed taking a nap! Praying for you!