T Minus One Month

I felt like hell Sunday night after the shower. Kept getting a sharp pain in my right pelvic area. I actually called my Mom on the drive home and cried. What a baby! It went away after about 15 minutes. She thought maybe it was from the higher incline elliptical use at her gym on Saturday then sitting for a long time while opening gifts on Sunday. Whatever it was, it was uncomfortable. I was crampy Sunday night and into Monday. The cramping continued Monday night when Tony told me it was probably Braxton-Hicks contractions. I guess I was expecting sharper pains for BH contractions but all I kept (and am still) experiencing is a dull period-like cramping. Tony was right though; the midwife said it was definitely BH contractions and not labor contractions. She said I won't be able to talk or walk with the real thing. Deep breathing will be the extent of my capabilities.

Yesterday, November 17, marked one month until Foo Foo's due date. I called in pregnant to work - not sick but pregnant - and slept in until close to 9. I talked to Tony later in the morning and he said, "Do you know what today is?" It's one month until December 17! During my relaxing day spent mostly on the couch with my Twinkie toes elevated, I went through some hospital paperwork and preregistered for my short term disability/maternity leave. Cramping got worse later in the afternoon and I texted Tony while he was in class. WOAH do I need to come home, he asked. It wasn't that bad. I did call the doctor's office though to make sure but not until after I showered and shaved my legs! What if she told me to come in right away and I had hairy legs! haha

The cramping feeling continued today. We had a doc's appointment at 3:15. Mary, our midwife, asked more questions about the cramping and felt my belly for the baby's location. She said the baby had dropped even more and was "engaged" and could come in 2-4 weeks! That was very exciting and scary to hear at the same time. I also don't want to get too wound up in case she arrives late, like most of my first-time Mom friends. Our next appointment wasn't scheduled until December 1 though and Mary sent the doctor an email during our appointment for her to hopefully fit us in next Monday. That made us think she thinks Foo Foo is in a hurry to make an appearance. Today's appointment also included a Group B Strep test and recording our birthing plan (stuff like breastfeeding rather than bottle feeding, Tony cutting the cord, yes (most likely) to the epidural, etc.). Things are coming fast!