At least our dry-run went well...

I had my (almost) 35 week checkup yesterday and my doc said not much had changed. I had noticed decreased movements from the baby so she hooked me back up to monitor him and also watch the contractions (I really didn't think I was having that many). Apparently I was wrong. I have been so used to feeling all my contractions in my back as cramps that I wasn't recognizing the typical uterine contractions (felt in front). Doc said that the baby's activity and heart beat looked good and she wasn't concerned. She made no mention of my contractions and their frequency though. She even said that if I wanted to try for modified bed rest that would be fine. Tyler was still quite skeptical so we decided we weren't going to let up on the bed rest until at least the weekend.

I did do a little more activity yesterday than I had in over a week and around 6 or so I noticed that the contractions and back cramps were becoming more prominent. I didn't think too much of them until around 10:30 when I had a doozy of a contraction. And then another. And then another and another. At 11 o'clock we started timing them. They were coming every 4-6 minutes — more than 10 in an hour. We hesitated for almost 2 hours if we should call the on-call doctor or not. We even tried to close our eyes and relax. When the contractions brought tears to my eyes I knew we had to call.

We still weren't sure if this was the real thing or not but we also knew there wasn't anything else that we could do. Tyler's mom came over around 1am and we headed to the hospital. The contractions were still coming hard and fast and I was now dilated to 3 1/2 cm.

Apparently week 35 of pregnancy is the grey zone. The doc at the hospital was more of the opinion to let me go through with the contractions and possibly have the baby. The on-call doc at my OBGYN office said to try medicine to get my contractions to stop. Had I been 34 weeks they would've both agreed to use the meds. Had I been 36 weeks they would've both agreed to admit me. I was only 35 weeks. Just my luck.

The meds eventually slowed down my contractions and we were on our way back home around 4am. They gave me Ambien to help me sleep (because the meds to stop my contractions make your heart race and you fell all edgy and jittery). Within 10 minutes I felt like I was drunk!

I went home and slept like a (drunk) baby. Tyler on the other hand couldn't fall asleep and then when he did he soon had to get up with Amelia when she did at 6:15. I swear, my husband is super-human sometimes. I couldn't make it one day without him. I am constantly asking myself how I got so lucky. There aren't many husbands who would do what he has done. I love you Tyler.

Now it's back to strict bed rest for 6 days. Although at least this time I have the medicine at home so that if the contractions start like that again I can hopefully stop them.

I also owe a special thank you to Darcy who came over on Saturday and helped me pack my hospital bags (amongst many other helpful things!) Thank you Darcy! You're always there for me! I'm blessed to have you in my life.

Hopefully the next story like this will end with a healthy, beautiful baby boy.