Mommy Mondays: 40 Weeks

I definitely didn't think I'd be writing this post - I was not expecting to make it to 40 weeks.  No one expected me to make it to 40 weeks.  Let alone PAST 40 weeks. 

And let me tell you, past 40 weeks is a terrible place to be.  Let me tell you a little about prodromal labor.

About 2 weeks ago, it started.  Contractions. Regular contractions, about 2 1/2 minutes apart.  But not painful, just uncomfortable.  "This is it" I thought, "labor is starting.  It's going to pick up and there will be a baby tonight!"  But the contractions never picked up.  They stayed 2 1/2 minutes apart, never getting stronger in intensity, until I fell asleep that night. The next morning?  Nothing.  No contractions.

They started again that night.  Again, 2 1/2 minutes apart, uncomfortable but not painful.  Continuing until bedtime and then stopping.  This continued for the entire week.  Contractions that led nowhere.  Sometimes at night, sometimes waking me up at night. 

Everyday I'd go into work, and every day they'd be surprised to see me there.  I was getting frequent texts from family asking how I was and if the baby was here yet.  All of this only further exacerbating the problem.

On Friday on  the way home from work, the contractions started getting stronger.  Still 2 1/2 minutes apart, but this time they were more than just uncomfortable.  Not crippling pain, but strong enough where I actually had to breathe through them.  "This is it!"  I thought.  I called Thatmom and had her come down to watch Thatkid.  Except, by the time she got to our house, the contractions had completely died out.  "Tonight" my friends told me.  "It'll happen tonight."  So Thatmom spent the night.  But, nothing happened.

More of the same this past week - the mild contractions that led nowhere.  The texts, the messages, the surprise every morning at work - my secretary had actually started storing things in my office.  My boss predicted on Wednesday "tonight's the night!"  Thursday my secretary was sure I wouldn't be in on Friday.  I grew sick of being asked if I'd had the baby yet, or comments about how unbelievable it was. 

Friday morning at 2am I was awoken by more strong contractions.  I timed them, about 4-5 minutes apart.  I got up and after an hour woke up Thatboy, asking if I should call Thatmom (fool me once....).  We decided to wait until 4am, and he waited up with me, watching trashy television. The contractions didn't get any stronger or closer together, and we figured maybe we should try to hold out a couple more hours before calling, so we could drop Thatkid off at preschool.  We both tried to get some sleep - and were successful.  Woke up at 6 and the contractions were the same, so we decided just to go to my doctor's appointment and have her evaluate the situation.  We called Thatmom and told her that today was probably the day, and she should plan on picking Thatkid up from school.  At the appointment my doctor determined I was probably in labor, but not active labor since I could still talk through the contractions.  "Go for a walk,"  she told me.  "That should help pick it up."  So I headed to work, and continued having these contractions all day.  But they weren't picking up.  They were still about 4-5 minutes apart, and I could still talk through them, although they were more uncomfortable than anything I had been through so far.  I found myself humming through them.  I went for a walk, and they never picked up.  And they continued all day and all night until I finally went to bed.  And the next morning, they were gone.

I was describing prodromal labor for my mom and told her it's like trying to start a car.  The engine keeps revving, but it never turns over.  But it still kills the motor.  The constant contractions are exhausting.  My body is tired, I'm beyond frustrated.  Every day feels like "the day" and every day I remain pregnant. And I feel as though I may be pregnant for years.  None of my maternity shirts fit anymore because they weren't designed for a belly this big. 

Speaking of big, the baby is currently the size of a watermelon.  No joke, imagine carrying around a watermelon with you all day, every day.  My entire pelvic area is tender, sore, and in pain all hours of the day.  So.Much.Pressure.

Total weight gain/loss: +22

Next Appointment: N/A
Maternity clothes? Well, as best as I can.

Stretch marks: Yup
Sleep: Off and on.

Best moment this week:  This has been a really tough week for me.  I'm not sure what the "best" moment was.

Movement: Yup.
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: Nothing
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But basically it's flat.
What I miss: A nice poop.  I know, too much information.  But the bladder pressure has resolution.  I can pee every few minutes.  The rectal pressure?  No such similar relief.

What I am looking forward to: The BABY!

Contractions: Yes.

Milestones: 

- Officially overdue.