The days leading up to Samuel's birth were stressful and somewhat discouraging to me. I kept having stronger braxton hicks contractions and was on alert, watching and waiting for that right moment when I would know it was "time". I thought I had hours left to go last time... how would I know when we should leave the house for the 35 minute drive to the hospital?
At 39 weeks exactly, I woke in the middle of the night with what I thought could be very early labor contractions. They felt like the ones I had in the beginning of labor with Garrett. On all other occasions, I went to bed with braxton hicks and they went away during the night. This night I went to bed with none and they developed while I slept. I checked my cervix and it had dilated slightly (from maybe 1cm to about 3cm... my best guess anyway). We figured there was a pretty good chance this was it. We didn't want to wait too long at home, after being surprised last time (I didn't want a car birth!). The weather was nasty and it was dark, so we decided to head out.
I felt goofy being there at the hospital but I wasn't sure what else to do. The nurse agreed that it was probably early labor and decided to admit me. Maybe it would have turned into real labor. Sometimes I wonder. They were good, easy, light contractions until the nurse put in the heplock. She had to do it twice and for whatever reason, it really made me queasy. I felt sick and lightheaded. I don't have a needle phobia. That's when I had to start reminding myself why I was there at the hospital, instead of at home, where I wanted to be. That's exactly when contractions stopped dead.
And so I left, feeling foolish and discouraged, with no faith left in my ability to know when I'm really in labor. One time I think I've got hours and hours to go and the baby just drops out, another time I think it's real labor and it's not.... so what was I going to do next time I felt stronger contractions? How long should I wait? I was frustrated not so much with all the "strong braxton hicks" but my own discernment between them and labor.
I had few contractions through Friday and Saturday. There was a small amount of bloody show. I knew we were getting closer at least. When I woke again with mild contractions, I didn't know what to think of it. There was a lower pain as well this time. I tried to ignore it, as usual, but eventually realized I wouldn't be able to sleep. I just sat there until Derek came in to bed. It was about 1am Sunday morning. We talked about how nice it would be if my water just broke and then we'd know!
We sat there just a little bit longer. Then.... THUD. Did you hear that?? Yes, he did. It had come from inside me. We knew the baby wouldn't have made such a noise! I read that some women can actually hear the pop when their water breaks... but I didn't feel any wetness. I figured I'd get up, just in case. I wanted to check the status of my cervix anyway. As soon as I stood up, I felt the warmth of the fluid. Alright, here we go! It really did break beforehand! How awesome! And not even onto the bed. From that moment on, everything switched from slow frustration to anxious hurrying. Suddenly it hurt. Ooohhhh. That water breaking thing isn't fun.
We called Derek's mom and she started getting ready. His dad came over for Garrett. Derek threw our bags back into the van and we got Eliana ready. And we left. Mom and our sister-in-law Letisha were just a few minutes behind us. It was about 1:40am.