The Beginning (possibly ...)

The last three days I've been having quite a lot of practice contractions, from the uterus hardening to menstrual-like cramps.

Monday, March 26: My "plug" came out.

Tuesday, March 27: Had a regular doctor's appointment. Doctor said that cervix is still closed, CTG showed no contractions. Asked the doctor if she can tell when labor will start, and as expected, she said it can be in one hour or in two weeks.

Wednesday, March 28:
7:10 - got up from bed, went to the toilet, noticed slight bleeding, called Martin and together decided to go to the doctor
7:15 - took a quick shower, got dressed, had breakfast
7:50 - drove to the doctor's office
8:10 - got sent by the doctor's assistant directly to the hospital
8:40 - arrived at the hospital, was sent directly to the delivery station

At the station, the midwife started taking a CTG. After weeks of flat CTGs, we finally saw some activity. On a scale of 0 - 100, the machine was showing peaks of 80-100. We were pretty proud since I thought, man, I'm handling this pretty well. It's just uncomfortable, but it doesn't hurt that much at all. Our bubble burst when the midwife explained that the amplitude says nothing about the severity of the pain, especially since I am so lean (excuse me? I've already gained more than what is medically recommended, and she says I'm lean? :D). Then she pointed out the CTG results of another woman who was at that very moment pushing her baby out. Her peaks were tiny! They must have been at 20, at most! Tiny speed bumps compared to my mountains! Oh well, we had a half-an-hour of fun anyway, me not looking at the screen and telling Martin "Okay, now a contraction is starting", and a second or two later Martin sees it on the screen.

Then the midwife felt my belly and said the baby is just the right size for me which is very good, especially given the size of my husband. Then she did an exam, and said that my cervix dilated a little less than a centimeter, and that in the process a few blood vessels probably burst, causing the bleeding. This is all normal, and unfortunately she still can't say when labor will really start, but everything looks very good. Whoopee!

Then the doctor did an ultrasound. Placenta is good, umbilical cord is good, baby is most probably between 3000-3500 grams. All good! She also said one really can't say when labor will start, although the combination of the bleeding, dilating, and contractions _can_ set off labor pretty soon. But it can also stop, and we might still have to wait 10 days or so. Or we might be back in the hospital in an hour. So exciting!

Everyone was nice, we were calm, and it's a beautiful spring day outside. Kuya always says, 28 is a perfect number! Well, it's certainly a perfect day to have a baby. We wouldn't mind at all if you came today, little one. (And now your father and I are going out on a lunch date, possible our last as "just a couple" ...)