Update

For just under nine months you know something is coming at the end that will be unpleasant but so worth it. However, it's easy to avoid the thoughts of labour and delivery because of everything else you go through. Weight gain, bloating, swelling, aches and pains, kicks to the ribs and so much more. But not I am at the end, and all of those things seem so wonderful compared to what is happening and what is about to come. How I thought this would be 'fine' or even 'manageable' is beyond me!

Somewhere between going to bed Wednesday night and waking up Thursday morning I started getting cramping. Now I've been having Braxton Hicks (hardening of the tummy with little discomfort) for a few weeks now, but this was different. It kept me up and would happen every half hour to an hour. Thursday I kept an eye on it but there was really not a ton of pain, just felt like period cramps. Anyhow, Thursday overnight things got a bit more intense, the pain would last for 30 seconds at a time and happen every 20 minutes. Not to worry I kept an eye on it, timed things and waited for my Doctor's appointment on Friday afternoon. Hoping for good news (wishing the doctor would say "wow looks like you're ready to go") I went to my appointment only to leave disappointed. Dr. said "we're not quite there yet". What does this mean docotor, does this mean tomorrow, the next day, ah? He told me to rebook for one week and he would see me then if he didn't see me at the hospital first. How confusing! Anyhow after leaving the doctor's office things continued and by Friday overnight they became very painful. They were happening every 15 to 10 minutes lasting 45 seconds. Good luck getting any sleep! Between peeing every 2 hours or less and waking up in intense pain every 10 to 20 minutes, how is a gal supposed to get rested up?! Well today they are now intense. Hard to breath, and cannot walk while they happen. Buuut my water hasn't broken and they aren't happening frequently enough to know that it's labour time. Ugh please tell me this is going to progress fast. I don't know how many days and nights I can handle of timed excruciating pain (and it's going to keep getting worse).  I've read that these 'false labour' pains (or 'practice labour' pains as I prefer) mean your body is getting ready and may mean labour will be easier since you've been 'practicing' so long. But really, lets do this already! I've been reading a lot and trying to follow the 'doctors orders' and other women's advice but really who feels in the mood when they can barely lay down for 10 minutes without curling into the fetal position in pain. Walking, another good tip, but again, i'm so big and slow I don't think anyone wants to take me out anymore. Even the dogs are getting impatient with my lack of speed. I'll keep working on all those silly tips but please WISH ME LUCK!