Be warned: this is not an 'envision the flower opening, take a deep breath, and push out new life' kind of story. I guess I'm an over sharer.
I had all but given up on ever having this baby. You see, I was quite certain I would be delivering early as I did with Amelia so there would be no worry of a birth interfering with Christmas celebrations. When days went by with no signs of progressing my hope dwindled. At the last midwife appointment I went to they did a physical exam and there was talk of deciding to induce before Christmas or waiting it out and maybe having a new year baby. I cried after leaving that appointment. This pregnancy was draining both physically and emotionally and I was ready to have this baby, but this baby seemed quite content to stay put.
After breakfast I took a shower and got ready for my weekly appointment with the midwife. Amelia and I played for a while before we took the short drive over to my in-laws house where Amelia would be staying while I went to my appointment. I was relieved not to be taking her, coaxing a two year old to sit still while laying on a table for a physical examination was challenging the last go round. It was an hour drive to my appointment and on the way I wished I would have remembered to pack a snack or quit scheduling my appointments during lunch time. Hungry and tired I arrived at my appointment.
There wasn't much of a wait in the office. Once you move to weekly visits you have the routine down pat. When the midwife came in she asked the usual questions, how are you feeling, any changes, etc. I was excited to share the news that I thought I may actually have a baby before Christmas due to the fact I had a pinkish tinge when wiping. (You feel so comfortable over-sharing with a midwife.) We checked blood pressure and discussed a few more things before the physical exam. I climbed up on the table and put my feet in the stir-ups, so lovingly adorn with ovenmits, and received the best news ever! I was dilated to a three (something I was afraid wouldn't happen without the use of pitocin after last times experience) and my cervix had thinned. She looked at me and said, "You'll be having a baby before Christmas. Would you like to help it along? I can stretch your membranes if you'd like and we can see if that helps you move along."
My answer was, "Of course yes! I cannot not wait to be done with this pregnancy. I'll try not to get too excited, I mean I haven't had a single contraction."
She looked at me as though I was crazy and said, "You're having a contraction right now. Can't you feel that?" She guided my hand to the hard lump that was my belly.
Feeling a little silly I confessed I thought it was just the baby moving. I had been so uncomfortable in the third trimester and she insisted on staying so low in the uterus that it was uncomfortable when she would move and I just assumed that was what I was feeling.
I left the appointment with my instructions to stay hydrated, get some rest and unless they hear from me before, they will see me at next weeks appointment. I sent a quick text to Andy who was working that said: Dilated to a 3 and they stretched my membranes! But they also said they will see me at next weeks appointment so we will see...
After hearing good news there was only one thing I wanted and that was food. I put the car into drive and headed towards home. I felt my stomach tighten and giggled a bit thinking to myself, "That's not just a baby moving!"
I pulled up to the Burger King drive-thru and ordered a burger. As I pulled around to the window to pick it up I had a contraction only this time I didn't giggle because it hurt! So much for eating. Taking my food, I drove to pick up Amelia from my in-laws. I was relieved to hear no nap was taken at Nanny's house because I was tired and hoping for a nap myself. I tucked Amelia into bed and climbed into my own and drifted off to sleep.
