Out of sorts

I feel in limbo. Can't do the physical projects that usually get me through the antsy times. I don't feel like talking much. Don't want to sit around either. Can't move a lot. It's a beautiful day yet I haven't been outside. My hands are numb and I can't bend down much which also limits gardening, another outlet of mine.

Had contractions for about 6 hours starting at 4:30 pm, ranging from 5 to 20 minutes apart. I thought last night was the night but then they stopped when I went to bed. Was disappointed when I woke up this morning. I know she'll come when it's the right time. Rationally, I'm totally ok with all of it. But irrationally, I'm ready to evict and get back to being myself. I don't like not feeling productive. Plus, I feel like henny penny and saying the sky is falling whenever I mention having a contraction -- and then nothing happens. This waiting is rivaling the early waiting when I was wondering if I was pregnant or not. Only this time, I can't do the projects I normally would.

Steel Uterus, part 2

Went to a fetal monitoring appointment this morning. During the 20 minute appointment, I had two contractions. No, I had no idea they were contractions. I thought they were kicks. Other than that, things look good. Katie's kicking and her heartbeat is good. They did an ultrasound to check position and she is "definitely engaged", meaning her head is down and she's ready to go. They also measured the amniotic fluid around her... normal range is between 5-25 (she was a 9). They said if it was on the low end, they'd want to induce sooner than later. So, for now, things are looking fine and I just have to be patient. I have another appointment (both to see the doctor and for more fetal monitoring on Friday).

I'm having a hard time with the waiting, just like others have mentioned. It's hard. I'm uncomfortable and impatient. Two bad traits for me. I should be thankful that I'm not in pain though. Others have had much tougher pregnancies than me. My main complaint right now is that my hands go numb when I sleep so I wake up often with pain and numbness in my hands and arms. Very uncomfortable. Last night I woke up about 3-4 times with them feeling like they were on fire. I will be glad when the swelling subsides and that symptom goes away.

My folks come out on Thursday. i'm hoping Katie comes before then, but I'm not holding my breath. I get disappointed in the evenings when I don't feel any symptoms and I know I have another sleepless night ahead of me because of numb hands. It's possible that tonight could be different... I've had pains for most of the afternoon, but that could be due to the jalapeno & cheese tamale I had for lunch. I'm not holding my breath. But I kind of am.

Putting the D -day in SunDay

I'm due on Sunday. Could be any time between now and 2 weeks from now. I had my doctor's appointment today and I'm now 2.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She said the baby's head is "right there". Creepy. Labor is apparently considered to be started at 3 cm and 85% effacement. Super creepy. Super close.

I've had two questions asked that others may be wondering about, so I figured I'd post them along with my answers:

What is effacement?
Effaced is a ridiculous and previously unknown term to me that means the cervix is getting really soft, stetchy and thin (i.e. ready for a baby). apparently the cervix is normally pretty thick and hard, but with enough time in my pressure cooker of a pregnant body, it has become nice and tender like pot roast.

Are you getting the flu shot and/or H1N1 vaccine?
I got my flu shot last week and I plan on getting the H1N1 when it comes out. My doctor was pretty gung ho about it. And Ken got his flu shot too. I figure since I work with germ ridden kids and the general public in a hospital and public health fair setting, it would be stupid of me not to be prepared.

I figure, more immunity the better -- especially being immunosuppressed from pregnancy. I'm ready to strap katie to the front of me and go out in public but I worry about germs/viruses attacking her little immune system which is still being built up. bizarre. I didn't expect to feel this way (i.e. so protective) before --- especially since i'm going to be breast feeding and she'll have all of my IgG antibodies. I've been thinking about our immunology professor a lot and weighing what's rational/irrational. Still its weird that the protective instinct may be kicking in.

What are you doing this weekend?
Here's my conversation with Ken the other day about our weekend plans:
K: I have a kickball double header on sunday and am going to alyson's that morning to watch football.
L: that's my due date.
K: do you want to come along?
L: So are you saying my options are that I can do what you want to do or I can be alone on my due date?
K: When you put it like that, I sound like a d*^%
L: (no response)
K: Well, I don't have to go to Alyson's.

Classic.

No plans this weekend, just taking it easy. Ken has informed me that no births are to occur on Monday night (when vikings play green bay). My folks come on Thursday. Everything else is up in the air. I'm off from work starting monday (or at least working from home).