Tuesday, March 3, 2009

a different kind of ab workout

OK, I am TOTALLY NOT calling this labor, but I'm having a heck of a lot of contractions. I'm trying to time them just to make sure I'm not missing something and so far they are completely irregular - ranging from about 6-11 minutes between each one. I think I'm going to go lay down for a while to see if that makes them disappear.
 
I'm having a hard time distinguishing where they start and end - another sign they're probably not the real thing. This is something I worry about though. I know everyone says I'll know when It's Happening and I promise I don't have some illusion that a baby is going to fall out of me without me realizing I'm in labor. That said, I'm nervous that I'll miss the early stages and end up with little warning before things get intense. The baby feels so big that sometimes I can't tell if what I'm feeling is a contraction or just the baby pressing out from the inside. Also, I've been having contractions here and there for weeks and I've used each one as an opportunity to practice the hypno.birthing techniques to the point that they really don't feel that dramatic or painful to me anymore. Again, I get it: Real labor contractions will likely be a hundred thousand times more intense than what I'm feeling now and I'll laugh at myself for ever thinking there could be ambiguity there. Be patient with me. This is my first time around the track and I don't know what to expect. All of our hypno.birthing materials emphasize that contractions aren't inherently painful if you aren't afraid of them. What if they're right?

I'm well aware that this "problem" I'm describing above is most people's best case scenario (not realizing you're in labor until you're halfway done), and it's mine too in many ways. On the flip side, I have a short to-do list for early labor and I'd like as much notice to start in on it as possible. Also, if there are any warning signs that we will be in actual labor tomorrow or the next day, I'd just like to have the benefit of noticing them, you know?

Anyway, please consider this a no-news post. I'm just rambling because I said I'd post every day and this is what's going on in my world at the moment. I'll let you know when It's Happening, which will be totally unmistakable and different than the irrelevant little muscle cramps I'm experiencing now. ;-)

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, DG. I love you so. Thinking of you three with love!

tireegal68 said...

wow - whatever it is that's happening I hope you get the notice you need for the "real thing"! How exciting to be nearly there!

Anonymous said...

So not to stress you out with your to do list, but I've had a client that used hypno and did not feel contractions as pain at all. Although, there was a shift from early to active and active to transition then pushing in terms of how much focus she needed to put into her hypnosis. So my advice would be to just listen to your body, use the techniques as much as you need them and get begin your to-do list when you feel it's the right time. You'll do great!

bleu said...

I think many first timers worry about this. And for some they are never seriously painful, the lucky ones. My midwife told me something really helpful though when I was worried about the same thing. A real labor contraction is difficult to speak through. Even if it is not pain per se it is so intense it is hard to talk at all while it is happening.

Hope that might help.

Anonymous said...

Eek. Can I say that? Eek!
vee x

Anonymous said...

This certianly is a different ab workout. Your body is practicing for the main event?? That is what I am thinking. I am excited for the "real thing". xo L