Sunday, November 11, 2012

Birth Story Part 2: Still Waiting

It has been more than 24 hours since we left off, and to say that I am frustrated would be an understatement.  Each evening I think, tonight will be the night.  And each morning I wake up to find I'm still pregnant.  The excitement that came with the early contractions on Friday and Saturday has progressed into complete dejection.  I am so angry that I am still experiencing contractions, and even angrier that they are not progressing.

Sunday we distracted ourselves with the Bears game.  I was able to sit still through half-time.  At that point we were certain they would win and decided to head out for a walk.  The contractions remained steady but that was all.

Sunday evening came quickly since it got dark so much quicker with Daylight Savings time.  I decided to take a Unisom to help me sleep through the night.  I am happy to report that while I tossed and turned in pain, I did sleep more soundly and comfortably than I have in several days.  I woke up at 6am and took a warm bath and then returned to bed until nearly 10am.  It was glorious.

Monday morning the contractions remained.  Steadily 10 minutes apart and painful so I called our midwife and scheduled an appointment.  I just needed reassurance that it wasn't all for nothing.  I was so exhausted and frustrated, I really just wanted someone to tell me that I would have a baby soon.

Before our appointment, my friend Jenna came over to sit with me and pray with me.  Somehow she sensed my need for encouragement before I could even tell her what was happening.  I think many people sensed it on Monday because friends were texting and calling all day.  I am so thankful for the many friends who are so supportive.

Finally Alex came home from work and we headed to the birth center.  If I was looking for encouragement or reassurance, there wasn't much to be found.  Nicole checked me and I was 80% effaced so she assured me the contractions were doing their job, albeit very slowly.  While no one believes I could go much more than week like this, there aren't any promises that she will be coming soon.

The car ride home from our appointment agitated my contractions a little.  They sped up and their intensity became so much greater.  I timed them for about an hour and they were closer together, around 6 or 7 minutes, some even 5 minutes apart.  They also lasted longer, some at 45 seconds, some close to a minute.  After a warm bath they continued to increase in intensity and I began to think that finally we were making some progress.

Despite the contractions coming on more rapidly, I took the advice of my midwife and tried a prescription sleep med/antihistamine to relieve contractions that are not "real" and help me to sleep.  As expected, they have slowed down quite a bit.  I haven't timed them, but they cannot be closer than 9 or 10 minutes apart.  In fact, I have typed this whole post while only experiencing 2 so far.  Needless to say, I don't think she'll be coming tonight.  Bummer, there goes my November 5th plan.

So now I'm off to grab some shut-eye.  Or at least try to.  I feel so done with all of this.  I don't want to do it anymore.  I think someone needs to schedule my C-section, or at the very least, an epidural!

Read More:
Part 1
Part 3
Part 4

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