Friday, February 24, 2012

Labor and Delivery...Take 2!

A month ago exactly on January 23rd (35 weeks pregnant), Coco and I had our first false labor run to Lenox Hill. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but I was a hot mess full of nerves inside. I'm a pretty composed individual when I'm nervous or anxious. I tend to become very quiet, focused, pensive, and slightly introverted. It's the way I "deal" and "self-soothe" when I'm scared. And I was f#$%kin terrified because at 35 weeks, I wasn't "ready" to have this baby. I think Coco was just as surprised that we got sent to the hospital but he was certain it was going to be quick. He was trying to make me feel better by talking way too much, making jokes I found stupid and not funny, and being giggly. Clearly, this didn't ease my situation or fears AT ALL. I'm an easily annoyed person to begin with, so you can imagine in my moment of fear and panic, I'm sensitive to the touch. So I said to him, "All i want you to do is be quiet and sit there. Because right now, you are super annoying and I want to punch you in the face."

We were in the hospital for a little over five hours. After some monitoring and exams, we were told I was having early labor contractions and was advised to rest and drink lots of water. No early baby! We headed home. I gave Coco a C+ (I'm a hard grader!) for his performance.

Fast forward one month exactly- yesterday, February 23rd, 2012. I wake up with an excruciating pain on my lower side which I self-diagnose as appendicitis. I was doubled over in pain and in tears. Now, I'm not a big crier. My grandmother says its because I'm cold, but that's not true because I am a very emotional person. I don't need to release the floods to prove I'm in some sort of physical or emotional pain. I reserve my tears for important things like ASPCA commercials, YouTube videos of soldiers reuniting with their kids, and as a way to prove my innocence to Coco when he's mad at me. So the fact that I am crying like a baby because of the pain, was concerning . Coco pointed out to me that the pain could also be the baby that I've been carrying for almost 10 months! Hmm. He has a point. So he called the Wu and we got sent to the hospital where again, I was nervous, scared, and excited but in a lot of pain. Only this time, I definitely felt more ready and Coco gave me tremendous peace of mind by making me English muffins, some juice and my yogurt. (i would later give Coco an A for his spousal support!) He even hailed a cab so I wouldn't have to walk. Despite taking pictures and videos which I'm glad he did because they'll make for a great future photo montage (see above. That's me being "pensive" and "self-soothing" amidst my fear on the way to the hospital yesterday), he was my calming force and didn't do any of the failed "reassuring" tactics from the first dress rehearsal we had! My only one request, for him to turn off the text message notifier on his blackberry because it was driving me insane in the membrane.

So as I've just given away, we were sent home. Again. The pain ended up subsiding and the after some monitoring and a cervical test that showed i was still once centimeter dilated and 70 percent effaced (they did say this was a good sign because the body is doing what its supposed to do yet I was super frustrated) it was concluded that it was some more early labor pains as well as Maya sitting on nerves and muscles on the right side of my belly. So off we went with instructions to walk walk walk, which I did. (I took Ito to la peluqueria for a blowout and then a nice long walk in Central Park.) We really did think we were going to leave with a baby! Such a patient baby and such an impatient mother. Come out already little girl! Coco was so bummed. But hey, we got some great pictures. Another dress rehearsal under our belt. We are getting good at these practice runs! Oh, and then I get home, and I lose my mucus plug. What's a mucus plug? Basically like a cork in the cervix that doesn't let germs or bacteria in and out. Unfortunately, losing your mucus plug doesn't mean you go into labor right away. It could be hours, days, even weeks before you give birth. And it looks like a slimy phlegm/period discharge in an unappealing shade of reddish brown. EWWWWWWWWWWWW. And because Coco and I are amateur medical professionals, we took a picture of it and compared it to other pictures on the internet just to make sure! Yes, we're cray cray and a bit disgusting.

I decided to pamper myself today with a pre-natal massage (thanks fritters!) and a pedicure and light walking since it was raining. And as of 11:50pm on February 24, 2012, still no baby.

Maybe third time is a charm??!

Impatiently Pregnant,

Kata

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