Preterm Labor

My 30th birthday started out like any other day ~ with the added bonus of hearing "Happy Birthdays" wherever I went. But then around 5:30 ~ as the pizzas were being tossed in the oven and friends were starting to arrive ~ my body told me labor was potentially not far off. I called the doctor's after-hours line and was advised to go to the triage if I experienced 6 or more contractions in an hour. Of course, I'd been experiencing more than 6 contractions an hour for approximately 5 days, so after two hours (time for pizza and cake and ice cream), I made a second call to the doctor, left the boys with Brannon (thank you!), and headed off to the hospital.

As it turned out, I was having contractions - with grand regularity - every two minutes. However, only about 1 in 5 had any (mild) pain associated, so I was certain they were merely dirty-rotten Braxton Hicks. But given all the preterm labor signs (pelvic pressure, contractions, etc.), the doctor ordered a swab test. What a neat test. It essentially tests for certain cells that are shed as the labor process begins. A positive test may mean labor is imminent. A negative test typically indicates that the "real" labor process has not yet begun ~ a process which from start of cell shed to birth is approximately 2 weeks. After 4 hours in the hospital tracking contractions, the test came back negative, and we were sent home. Based on the test results, I'm in "preterm" labor and can expect to continue experiencing contractions every two minutes but we should not expect her arrival for at least two weeks from the 20th (and she could remain in utero until we take her out April 7).

Suffice it to say, we were beyond pleased to hear she wasn't on her way yet. At 32 weeks and 2 days on the 20th, she would have been very early, and I would have been transported down to Children's Hospital in Seattle for her birth so specialists could be on hand if necessary to take care of her. If she arrives after March 3, she could be delivered here in Bellingham (although if within days of that 34-week mark, they may ship us down as a precaution).

I was also relieved that she wasn't arriving that night because we were anything but ready. We didn't have any girls clothes washed, neither myself and Kevin nor Katelyn's hospital bags were packed, the camera memory card was full and the batteries dead, my cell phone battery was dead (and although we talked about it as we were jumping in the car, we didn't bring the charger), and the carseat is still up in the storage shelves in the garage. Ok, so all of that could have been worked through, but it was distressing nonetheless. I immediately washed all the hand-me-down girls clothes we've received (thank you, Aaron and Renee!), cleared the memory card on my camera, and charged my cell phone. I "should" have the next two weeks to finish the prep. : ) Phew!

Since then, I HAVE continued to experience contractions every two minutes. Some* are more painful than others, but most are very bearable.

*I missed a meeting this morning because I was in such pain, I was crying in my kitchen. The pain passed within the hour though, and I'm back to every two minute "tightness."

I know you're not supposed to share your birthday wish, but I'm sure after having read this update, I don't have to tell you mine. Hope it comes true!! (And looking so forward to meeting Katelyn ~ when the time is really right!)