Baby News

(Sorry this is long, I got carried away!)

Today I had another check-up for the baby. Everything looks good according to the doctor. The heart beat is still strong. A couple of nights ago I woke up at 4:30 with back labor. Contractions every 5 minutes apart. They stopped around 7am and I finally went back to sleep for a few hours before it was time to get up. But other than that there have been no real signs of early labor or false labor. Now some of you know the story of Hannah's delivery, but most of you probably haven't heard it in full. So I am about to tell it again just so we can compare the two for when Trey does decide to make his appearance. (And hopefully he will wait until I am closer to the due date!)

It all started the week before Hannah was born. I had my first third trimester pelvic exam (which was painful at 36 1/2 weeks). The doctor said I was in the process of effacing but no dilation. I had already had my bags packed (everyone thought I was crazy and did this too early) so I was ready anytime. The appointment was sometime mid week. That Sunday night (Feb. 12th) I lost my mucus plug and remembered the birthing instructor from my class said labor usually is within two weeks of loosing your plug. Not thinking I would be in labor soon, I didn't worry much about it. I went to bed that night and woke up in the middle of the night (around 4pm) with my back hurting. I realized that the pain was coming and going every 5 minutes. Very regular! I had DJ time them with me and we decided to go to the hospital because my birthing instructor told us to do so when the contractions were every 5 minutes. So we get there only to find out I am dilated to 1 and for the next 4 hours I did not progress. I was in False Labor. I was sent home with the instructions to not come back unless the contractions are closer and more painful (and they said these can last for several weeks). I was also given the day off from work to rest.

I slept most of Monday (13th) and the contractions stopped sometime that night while I was sleeping. I was getting ready for work (Tuesday the 14th) when my boss called and said to take another day off to rest. OK! The pain of back labor started back at 10am that morning but were just the same as before. I figured I was still in false labor and didn't worry about it. DJ had the day off from Walgreen's but was going to Conway to umpire a college base ball game. I was fine with him leaving since the nurses told me this could happen and not to come back unless they were more painful and closer (which they were not). The only thing I was worried about was the fact I could not reach him if I needed to. They are not allowed to wear cell phones on the field. I also didn't know which college he would be at.

I started having a lot of pressure, but again didn't think I was in labor. Around 2 or 3 pm I couldn't take anymore of the pain (not painful contractions, but painful pressure) and asked my step mom to take me to the doctor to be checked to see if I had dilated any. We get there around 4 and one of my doctor's colleges checks me. While doing so he accidentally breaks my water (which is not something you can do with just your hand) and informs me I am dilated to 6. (For ones who don't know when you get to ten you start pushing!) That my water was just waiting to pop and I should get to the hospital if I want an epidural.

I started to freak out a little since DJ was in Conway, I was in No. Little Rock in labor and there was no way to get a hold of him. I got to the hospital and received my epidural and all my family arrived within the hour. They were all calling around to find DJ and where he was. They reached him finally as he was in the 7th inning at Henderson. The athletic coach came out on the field and told him his wife was in labor. He said he knows and its ok. (guess he was thinking I was still in false labor.) The director told him I was dilated to a 7 and the baby was on its way. So, DJ (in the middle of the inning) leaves the game to fight his way to NLR. The traffic on the freeway was backed up 2 miles from construction and so he drove VERY fast on the shoulder most of the way. He made about 30 minutes before I started pushing. He was dressed in all his gear from umpiring behind home plate, complete with Henderson's baseballs still in his ball bag around his waist. It was a sight! I pushed for about an hour and then there was a beautiful baby girl!

Hannah was born 2 1/2 weeks early on Feb. 14th, St. Valentine's Day. She was born the day after the full moon which apparently is not an uncommon thing. I have heard the full moon brings on the babies. Trey is due on the 28th of March. The full moon in March is on the 11th. That is just by chance 2 1/2 weeks before his due date. Maybe we will have the same experience and he will come a little early. As long as he is healthy I have no objections to that. I just want to have a normal labor experience this time and not have to worry about DJ missing the delivery of his son. He is going to umpire a little this spring, but I told him he was not allowed to umpire the whole month of March. He reluctantly agreed. The problem now is that he works in Hot Springs and that is a farther drive than Conway to No. Little Rock. Maybe I will actually know I am in labor this time around!!!