I made the call
S0 I just called my doctor. I’ve been having pretty steady, strong contractions since 5 o’clock, about 5 minutes apart lasting for a minute. Those are the VERY SPECIFIC numbers I was supposed to get before I even bothered thinking about going to the hospital. They practically tattooed it on my stomach during the birthing classes – DON’T COME IN until you’re 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least an hour. E is obsessed with timing contractions and was upset that the numbers were more like 3 min, 5 min, 4 min, 3 min, 4 min, 4 1/2 min, 6 min but I just called it good and decided this was labor.
The truth is, I feel pretty ok. My stomach gets really tight and uncomfortable but it’s far from unbearable. The weirdest part is the pressure goes all the way through my lower half, not just in the front like the Braxton-Hicks. It shouldn’t be that surprising, considering I’m due to push a medium sized bowling ball out of my vagina in the next 24 hours or so, but the sensation really is strange. My doctor said I can come in whenever I want, but until it’s uncomfortable I’m better off at home. My only fear is waiting TOO long and missing the window for an epidural – but since my pain tolerance really isn’t that high I doubt there is any way I could be 8 cm dilated without knowing it.
The current plan is to hang out on the couch a little while longer, maybe take a bath, make sure I’ve packed everything I need and then head over to the hospital. I’ve been waiting so long for this to finally be IT that believing it really is is kind of hard. Can I really be sitting here typing this if I’m having a baby??
OMG. I’m freaking out and I’m not even dilated. I can’t believe it. Wow. Good luck. I bet you have it tonight or tomorrow-I’m guessing early tomorrow. Holy crapoly. I am so proud of you and…oh God, I don’t know what to say! May all go well and vaginal, and may no C-section be needed. May the pain not be unbearable, and may you not knock E unconscious for doing this to you. And if you do, may he recover quickly.
I’ve been sending good thoughts your way for a few days now, but I’m really gonna put it on high beam now. You’re going to be a great mom. Hell, you already are.
Oh this is wonderful, I guess your GET OUT message worked! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way for a text book delivery and a healthy newborn. Keep us posted as you can.
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
Stay calm, get the to the hospital, and bring that precious life into the world! Tonight, preferably, so I can claim victory.
Agreed. Have a quick and uncomplicated delivery so little E is born on April 2.
Good luck hon!
OMG! Are you serious? Can they give you the epidural now? I’m just saying, I’d think you would want that thing in place waaaay before hand.
But for real, have a safe and healthy delivery for both you and Baby E. Sending love your way!
Yay! Wishing you a speedy, easy and safe delivery.
@Newt – Really? Tonight? I duno bud .. I mean, Suzanne is awesome, but I don’t think ANYONE is awesome enough to pop out a baby in less than 1.5 hours.
I second La – All the best, I’m sending all my inappropriately-excited-for-the-birth-of-a-baby-belonging-to-a-woman-I’ve-never-actually-had-the-pleasure-of-meeting delight and giddiness your way!!!
Good luck and may the epidural put you in a happy place as you push.
I send you all the good luck vibes and karma I have for a fast, safe and happy delivery!
BTW: I had my first baby in 4 hours 47 minutes–it can be done.
Ohhhhh Suz! I’ve always been very excited about this day for a long time, checking your blog several times a day to see if the behbeh is coming! I’m so excited for you. I know I feel like the others who say it’s almost an inappropriate excitement. I’ve been following your blog so closely that I am SO EXCITED for you to be a Mommy!!!! Lots of Love. God Bless the new fam!
Go baby E! Hurry on out, you’ve overstayed your welcome!
As I posted on FB, now you can smugly suggest to other women “Why don’t you just write GET OUT on your bump? I did that and went into labor the same night.” It makes at least as much sense as eating a bowl of spaghetti to go into labor, which is what someone told me to do.
BABY BABY BABY BABY BABY!
Be well!!!!! Can’t wait to virtually meet little E!
OMG. I has the goosebumps! Update us!!!!
Yay congratulations! I hope you’ve had the baby by now and all went swimmingly!
*****UPDATE******
No baby yet. Suzanne went to the hospital last night, but by this morning hadn’t made any more progress toward labor. She went home to try and get some sleep. But hopefully it won’t be too long now.
Thanks for the update Erin. I’m sorry progress is slow, but surely she’ll have the baby today. I hope she can get some rest before that happens. And she has the whole Interwebz thinking of her.
Oh wow! Thanks Erin for the update! I am so excited, and joining the army of positive thoughts and well wishes!!
Aww! No bebeh? You poor thing. :( Get thee some sleep and a bowl of spaghetti, STAT!
And Baby E, April Fool’s was the day before yesterday. Pranks on April 2 are just plain mean. Don’t you have a calendar in there?
Oh honey, good luck with everything! I can’t wait for the announcement!
I find it seriously hilarious that no one had April 3 in the pool.
@sarrible – That is very ironic :)
To baby Evan – I give you permission not to wait until my day on the baby pool. Sincerely, Your loving Aunt E
@sarrible: I noticed that about a week ago. I think I even commented on how it would probably be April 3 just to thwart the baby pool. Also, I want to have my future hypothetical child on the same day as a state says gays can marry. Or better yet, as the same day the Supreme Court says that. I can dream.
Thanks for the update Erin. Poor dear, I hope this wraps up soon for her sake. Keep us posted!