40 Weeks and a False Alarm

Monday (3.23.09) was our 40 week appointment. It was somewhat disappointing leaving the hospital no closer to labor and with blood in my urine, this time indicating a bladder infection. We celebrated by having lunch at the Pickle Barrel and I ate what had to be The Largest Brownie in the World to make up for my melancholy mood. Then, I did what any over-due woman would do--I went shopping.

Later that evening, around 6 o'clock, I was surprised with what I can only describe as a "leak," and a pretty noticeable leak at that. After a call to the on-call midwife, I was told I could stay at home (even if the "leak" turned to a "gush"? I had to ask) and wait for contractions to begin and even out. So, expecting SOMETHING to happen, we double checked our already packed bags, and I immediately started tidying up the house. I was feeling great--full of energy, and not a pain in the world. But still, I had a feeling that it possibly wasn't my bag of waters, as that would just make things too easy. Sure enough, no contractions followed, and by morning, I was calling in for yet another appointment to check on the fluid. If it was amniotic, there runs a risk of infection when the bag is torn or exposed to too many hours.

After today's exam, it turned out it was certainly not amniotic fluid, I was now effaced to 90%, but still only between a 1-2 cm dilated. However, Mary did change her mind in waiting to schedule an induction from NEXT Tuesday (3.31.09) to THIS Friday (3.27.09), should the baby chose to hang out in there that much longer. She remained optimistic (not thinking we'd need to induce) and after I was on the monitor for around 30 minutes with light contractions, she said, "Well, maybe we'll see you tonight." To which I instantly responded, "Shut up, Mary!" Not in an angry way, just in a "For real? It's never gonna happen and I know it!" kind of way. Too much wishful thinking gets you nowhere. Trust me. I know.

So, we were off the the Pickle Barrel once again for lunch, this time: The Biggest Scotch-a-roo Bar in the World.