**Updates below
I’m still at home and having fairly strong contractions every 5-6 minutes. After an hour or so, though, they space out or fade away completely only to begin again a little while later.
I’m determined not to have a repeat of what happened last time, when I wasn’t truly in active labor, but the hospital staff talked me into getting pitocin, which began a 14 hour labor. Very unpleasant.
After my exam on Tuesday, though, my doctor told me to make sure my bag was packed and waiting by the front door. She also reminded me that I live 45 minutes away from the hospital, so I’m aware that timing is critical.
Will update as things progress.
11:00pm – Off to bed. Contractions faded away.
1:30am – Woke to a very intense contraction, but nothing more for a half hour or so. Back to sleep.
2:20am – Woke again w/ another contraction. Considering whether to wake hubby or wait it out.
3:20am – Heading back to bed. No real contraction action.
6:45am – Heavy thunderstorms/hail in my area. Glad I’m not rushing to the hospital in it. No strong contractions.
8:00am – Storms have passed, strong contractions have resumed. Husband is on high alert at work. C’mon, Baby!
9:ooam – Husband came home from work, which means the contractions stopped. <Insert weary, rolling eye smiley here.>
10:58am – 14 contractions in the past hour. Going to eat a grilled steak lunch hubby has prepared and then heading to the hospital!
1:23pm – Made it to the hospital despite encountering a crazy lady on the highway who was TEXTING WHILE DRIVING! (No offense to crazy ladies.) Waiting to be examined.
1:57pm – Nurse says 4-5 cm, but they will not keep me if I don’t make steady progress. Talk about pressure! Doctor coming soon to examine.
2:40pm – Strong contractions 4 min. apart. Hoping they are doing something down yonder! Still waiting for doctor.
3:28pm – Still no dr. You’d think she had other patients or something! Sheesh!
4:21pm – Contractions steady and strong. Still haven’t been examined again. Considering doing some jumping jacks or maybe some Kung Fu. Hi-YAH!
5:13pm – WOOHOO! The Kung Fu worked! 5-6 cm! Contractions 3 min. apart.
5:32pm - Dr. on the way to break my water. If this goes as it has with most of my other births, I should have a sweet baby in my arms within the hour!
5:55pm – Um. Ouch. Contractions getting intense. Should be any time.
6:20pm - Water broken. 7cm dilated. 100% effaced. Contractions 1-2 minutes apart. Oh, BABY!
See the end result of my labor here!
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
We will be praying for a smooth delivery. Can’t wait to see her!
@Lene,
I’m so excited!!! Yay!!
Praying for a quick, peaceful and painless delivery!
How exciting! I actually look forward to getting pregnant again just because I have a blog now and can post things like you are now!
Wishing you a beautiful and quick delivery! Blessings, ~Joanna
How do you know they will space out or fade away? Or is that just a guess?
I’ll be checking in tomorrow morning to see how it’s going. And I’ll be praying for you tonight! Don’t let those doctors or nurses or whatever talk you into ANYTHING you don’t want!!!
@Lisa, I mean that’s what has been happening. Thank you for your prayers!
Stay hydrated. Is there a Sonic on the way to the hospital? A treat is in order!
Praying! I’m looking forward to updates!
How exciting! Praying for a safe and relatively easy delivery!
How exciting! I never went into labor so I have no idea what you are going thru but I hope it is easy and quick. I will be sending up prayers for all those involved. I can’t wait to see pictures.
Jerri
Praying, praying, praying.
How exciting! I am praying that the liquid devil (as my husband calls it) aka pitocin is not something that ever even gets mentioned during this labor! I am praying for peace and calmness for you physically, spiritually, and mentally along with safety for both Bebe Smockity and da mama.
How exciting! I imagine 14 hours would feel like alot longer on a pitocin drip. Yucky.
I don’t blame you not wanting to go there again! Hang in there and like someone else said don’t let them talk you into anything you don’t want. It’s not about their convenience it’s about you staying non-stressed for the baby. Labors and births come in many different timeframes and intensities and orders. Are you staying home as long as possible before you go in? I live an hour from the city where my midwives are and I go there but I had a 24 hour and a 12 hour labor so far so plenty of time to make that drive and drop the kids off at great grandma’s on the way. Plus I’m not scared of giving birth in the car so that helps. Haha…
I don’t want to go to sleep and miss your updates! hee hee! I’m so excited for you!
<3 ~Leah
I’m up- can’t sleep for some reason–but so excited for you!! Will be praying!!
Linda C
I’m praying as well, and so excited for you! I also am hoping that pitocin isn’t even mentioned… it sounds awful :S
Will be checking in regularly!
Hang in there!! Maybe you just need the doctor to say if you don’t go into labor by Friday we are inducing, because whenever my doctor said that with each of mine they always decided to arrive just before the deadline:) Praying for easy and joyful birth!
Praying for a quick and uncomplicated birth. Love you!
So who all is going to the hospital with you? Just Mark or are the older kids going to get to watch Peyton come into the world?
Oh, Connie! We are praying for you here at Mercy Days and can’t wait to see your new blessing! Exciting day for you and your family
Ooo. Frustrating, isn’t it? You get everything ready, make a meal, feed the kids, make sure they are all wearing clean clothes, house is picked up, laundry caught up, next meal is ready and refrig. is stocked with stuff that is easy to make….get ready, get set….WAIT!!!! It is hard. But still, I want to encourage you….not much longer!!! Really. I mean it.
Praying for a great delivery, healthy baby, quick recovery and LOTS of perfect little miracle moments as you meet your baby. <3
Praying for a smooth, safe delivery! Can’t wait to “meet” your newest sweet little bundle.
Hooray! I’ll be praying for you today! I hope your labor and delivery are smooth and easy. God bless!
praying and keeping tabs!!
How exciting! Ya’ll will be in my prayers!
I’m praying too, Connie.
HOW do you eat right before/during labor, especially since you are really almost halfway thru labor? (80% effaced, 3 cms several DAYS ago?) I’m usually hungry – but nothing stays down when the goin’ gets hard. (Please don’t take the time to answer that question….I’m just talking to myself…)
You can do this!
2.5 hours…where’s the update? I hope this means things moved quickly for you!
Praying for you and baby, Connie!
Oh, how exciting! Hope all goes well! This could be me in about 10 days!
I just came across your site looking for homeschooling with young children tips. How cool that you will soon be holding your sweet new baby. I’m wishing it were me…as I sit here 2 days overdue.
I pray you have an easy uncomplicated delivery.
They might not keep you? Do they KNOW you live 45 minutes from the hospital? I’ll say a quick prayer that the doc makes the right call!! Hang in there!
You’re KIDDING ME! Tell them it’s your 8th child and if you sneeze really hard it might FALL OUT!
Just tell them you are NOT leaving so they might as well get used to you! You can always camp out in the waiting room. Start really letting loose with that “I”M IN LABOR PAIN SCREAM” and terrify all the first time moms out in the waiting room with you and they will admit you pretty fast!
I had the exact same thing happen with my delivery of my fourth baby two months ago. I was determined that we were NOT going home, so we went for a walk. And I do mean a WALK. I power walked back and forth all over the first floor of that hospital for an hour. When I felt a contraction I kept walking and moaning through it. It worked! When I went back I was dilated two more centimeters and got to go upstairs. Baby was born two hours later.
Good luck!!
Yay!
Go Momma! You are doing awesome! Childbirth is so exciting!!! Kung-fu is the new natural!!! I can see the banner now … “Birth Your Baby Like Chuck Norris!”
Go Baby Go!! Go Connie Go!! Continued prayers for an easy delivery.
I know it’s not all fun and games
Praying for you as transition begins … the end is near!
Prayers for a quick and easy delivery. Can’t wait to pics. of the little sweetie!!
Woo-Hoo!
Way to go Connie! Prayers and love from our family to yours.
Woohoo!! Can’t wait to “meet” your sweet baby! By the way, LOVE the name Petyon. If our youngest was a girl his name would have been Peyton!! Hope she comes quickly!
Oh Connie! The one day we are in town all day and I’m not at home and all this happens! I will start praying for you at once! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to hear the news!
Yay!!!
Still praying here! Glad to know things are actually progressing now! I was going to suggest castor oil, but then I didn’t get online (a good thing–I had stuff to do) and now it looks like you won’t be needing anything like that. Can’t wait to hear the latest!
Yay! Can’t wait to see pics!
Praying for a smooth and quick delivery!
Yay! Its so neat to read about your experience, makes me excited for #3 due in November. Its going to be my first natural birth and reading your blog has definitely encouraged me!!
Congrats, can’t wait to see pics!!!
ANY MINUTE NOW!
WOO-HOO!!!
I hope you can feel us all with you! God be with you.
Your in our thoughts and prayers. We’re so excited for you and can’t wait to see pics of your new precious bundle!
God Bless!
Baby in arms by now, I hope – congrats! Can’t wait to hear the news!
I hope you’ve been getting baby cuddles! I’m so excited for you!
I’m sure you’re holding your precious little girl by now. I’m reluctantly heading to bed. It’s 12:10am and I have a long day tomorrow. I’ll be checking in first thing, though.
Rest well tonight, Mama–you worked hard!!
Going to bed soon, but thinking of you and praying for you!
Prayers for a wonderful delivery!!
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