LaBoR pAiNs...

it all began on saturday morning- i was having some contractions, nothing crazy just some mild ones that i could feel that were consistent...i decided that i would go on a walk for a lil to see if things would start really going. so i drove to the gym...walked on the treadmill for about 30 minutes & suddenly was realizing my contractions were about 5 minutes apart & last 45 seconds to a minute so i text jake saying "i am feeling these contractions closer together"

i drove home- took a shower & got all packed not knowing exactly what was going to happen. when jake came home from school i was still having them 5 minutes apart. my pain level at this point was about a 3...when i asked my doctor last appointment "how will i know when i am in labor?" -his response was if you are having contractions that are 5 minutes apart-1 minute in duration- & this is going on for an hour, GO to the hospital. so we drove over there, i got checked & we waited an hour to see if there was any progress. after an hour of waiting i was still only dilated to 2cm & 70% effaced. i asked what i should do? -& the nurse informed me that when you start getting contractions that you cant breath through & cant walk, then come back in!!!

i am a first timer & i was only going off what my doctor told me to do. so jake & i decided since i am still having contractions & the pain was NOTHING, we should go walking & so we walked, & walked, & walked & then i was exhausted from walking all day ((more like waddled all day)) that we decided to just go home nothing was going to happen today. while at home i started having contractions that were about 2-3 minutes apart & these were PAINFUL. holy crap i couldnt talk, or think, or anything! i always said i wouldnt be one of "those women" that get all bitchy with their husbands but i wont lie i was starting to get a lil irritated being asked "can you talk through this one?" the pain that was a 3 earlier definitely had increased to about 7-8 & i thought for sure my crotch was being ripped open. i was miserable! i honestly didnt know what to do & i wasnt wanting to go back to the hospital just to be told that i wasnt more dilated but we ended up going back because i wanted something for the pain.

this time going in i was dilated 2.5cm & about 75% effaced...ridiculous! after another hour of no progression i was given percocet for the pain so that i could at least sleep...i was really reluctant about taking it because that is a pretty strong drug & i barely take tylenol for a headache. i took it anyways because nothing more was happening...i was so confused on what i was feeling. are these braxton hicks? am i weak? what the H-E-LL!?! the nurse said that YES- what i am feeling is labor, & with our first babies our bodies take a lot longer to dilate & so i am in an awkward stage since i am early (only 37 weeks) they cant induce me but they cant stop the labor either...so i deal.

all sunday that percocet had me knocked out- still having contractions but nothing like the pain i was having, it was back to about a 3. this has been our days lately just dealing with all the fun things that happen before you go into full blown labor...trust me, some of the stuff is just, well a show! i have been so ready for this girl to get here but i know she is probably having a hard time leaving her heavenly father...we know she will be here soon, very soon! we are just anxious for it & are anticipating when it will all really happen.

so what am i up to?! i am trying to relax as much as possible. i dont sleep because of the pain of contractions & the fact that my belly is so unbelievably uncomfortable. i have been walking & bouncing on a workout ball trying to get my body to dilate. tomorrow i see the doctor & i will know more about what the plan will be. until then we wait with our bags packed! thank you all for the sweet texts & calls- i appreciate you all keeping me in your prayers too! i have the greatest friends & family! jake has been especially amazing lately taking care of me & checking on me to make sure i am doing ok. i have no idea what i would do without him! love you jake & love you all.