The agony of pre-labor
Category: Ponderings Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 5:04 pmNormal human gestation period is consider a range between 37 weeks (8 1/2 months) and 42 weeks (9 1/2 months). Currently, I’m 37 weeks 5 days and am convinced this baby is coming early. Yesterday my doctor confirmed my motherly instinct by taking a peak and letting us know that it seems like all evidence is pointing to a baby this week (although occasionally you can stay in my state of progression for weeks!).
So how happy was I when I started having sporatic, but more frequent (compared to the last week or so) contractions last night, lots of pressure, and a few other (more graphic) signs I won’t get into. Zipy and I managed to sleep an almost full night last night and when I work up I was having the same symptoms. Now I’m supposed to be working until Wednesday, because short term disability insurance doesn’t kick in until 38 weeks gestation, but given the contractions I figured commuting an hour each way to work might not be the best idea. This seemed like a great idea this morning as the signs and symptoms continued, albeit sporatically and not increasing in intensity. However, by 3pm this afternoon it had become clear that I was suffering through pre-labor not actual labor.
Now when I say suffering, I mean emotionally - physically its not bad at all. However, today has been an emotional roller coaster. ” Yeah we’re having a baby today!… Oh NO we’re having a baby today!… Are we having a baby today? Why is this going no where? What am I doing wrong?… Yeah I have a few more days to prepare! BUMMER I really want to meet this kiddo… ( you get the picture)”
So like any over educated liberal would, I decided to consult my pregnancy and labor books for some advice and assurance. What do I learn you might ask, well: all my signs and symptoms point toward one of the following: 1) I’m in labor - progession will be slow, but expect an increase in intensity soon; 2) My labor will start within hours; 3) I’m in pre-labor (otherwise called false labor) - your body is doing some important prework, which will likely allow for a speedier labor which will begin in a) within hours, b) within days or c) within weeks! Reassuring my ass! Turns out labor progression, especially for first pregnancies, is as varied and broad in scope as gestation period. Now the big question - do I go to work tomorrow or just say screw it I’m done working?
The only good news, we are one day closer to having a baby born on her Daddy’s Birthday - Thursday April 19th, if Mommy doesn’t completely lose it before then!