Normal

Normal is a word I have come to hate. Especially in this pregnancy. Everything, it seems, is considered normal, and if its not normal its horrible. But that's because they wait until its so far from normal that its horrible. I am also sick of the attitude you get when you have "problems" and your doctor finds out you re a first time mother. As if we are just idiots who know nothing about our bodies. And nothing about what is normal.

So with that intro, I guess we all know where this is going. I'm back on bed rest. I had my ultrasound last week, after a non normal measurement that freaked us out, but everything was fine. As of Tuesday (Aug 7), Baby weighs 1945 grams, or 4.28 pounds. Her body measures perfect, brain looks great, head is right size, legs long enough. She is perfect. I was so overjoyed to hear all this. But before leaving, I had a few questions. Mostly I just wanted to know how to make things calm down in the Braxton Hicks department. And for the first time, I got a midwife with a braincell and she asked me for details about the contractions and what I had already tried. When I told her she was a little concerned and made an appointment for me. She also said if they got really bad I should go to the delivery ward. About midnight, they got really bad.

I ended up in the delivery ward that night and finding out that the contractions I am having are real, and are doing some not so good things. My cervix has become mature, ripe in English, and is so soft she could touch the baby's head!! Since its the contractions causing it, I'm on bed rest to try to stop them. I am also supposed to be on the lookout for any fluid loss, pink mucous, or worsening of the contractions. So far, the rest has made a noticeable difference. I have the contractions at night still but much less in the day time. Its a real relief.

I know that my baby would survive if I had to have her now, but I don't want her going through the pain of all the needles and wires and tubes. I rather her wait, just a few weeks even. I am almost through week 33 now, and I will feel much safer if I deliver at 36 weeks. Obviously I'm still holding out hope for 40, but have accepted that it may not happen.

Sorry this isn't on such a positive note, but its whats going on this week. Other than these things, though, I feel really good. No leg cramps or headaches. I'm really happy not to have other difficulties.

And we are also getting some work done on our house. BY we, I of course mean Marcus. He is painting floor boards and crown moulding and getting baby's furniture painted before we move in. Its oil paint so the fumes need to be gone before I get in!! We got new tiles and counters for the kitchen, and will be getting our new sinks next weekend. We got latex paint for all the walls. Now it all just needs to get done! As soon as it is, we will share pics!

Ill try to update early next week when I start week 34!!