Laboring for Leah

Like the title? I came up with it at 3am, don't judge me.

One of the first things we learned in childbirth class is to be.relaxed. To pack anything that makes you relaxed, and blogging wins for me - so lucky you, you might just get a long blog or two. I figured I'd share our last 24 hours with you, some of what happened deserves a blog of its own, but I will give you the abridged version.

The day started like all others. We woke up. I reminded Leah that today was supposed to be her big day; she kicked me and demanded breakfast. So breakfast we ate, watched SportsCenter, and saw Kyle off to work. And then it was nap time for us. We've gotten in this really nice pattern where we get a two hour nap on the couch after he leaves. I have been figuring any day could be "the day" so why not rest up when I can?

Also, on this particular day, I knew I needed to keep myself occupied. I did not want to sit at home all day watching the clock, waiting for any sign of labor. I decided a nap would be the best. When I woke up though, I knew I needed out the door! So Target won. I spent an hour there, and surprisingly only bought some nail polish and a wallet. Both were completely necessary. Kyle would be coming home at one to go to the appointment with me. This one was kind of a big one, as we would find out is Leah was holding up okay in there, if we could afford to wait some more, and if I was still doing okay.

We had an ultrasound and she looked great. Big, but great. We saw hair, chunky cheeks, chunky thighs, she was sucking, and her little nostrils were flaring. Her heart was beating fast and strong. Then we did a non stress test, and she was more perfect. Moving around tons, and holding a steady but fast heartbeat. Then we saw the doctor. And she's not one to anxiously induce. But Leah isn't getting any smaller, and appears to be pretty darn content. We decided that going another week probably wouldn't do anything but get her another half of a pound bigger. Induction seemed like the safest and healthiest option.

She told us to get ourselves to the hospital by six. That left an hour and a half to round our things up, and realize that this was actually happening. Kyle was much better at this part. I cried the whole way home. Not because I was scared or didn't want to do it. I was just completely overwhelmed. I thought for Leah and hoped she'd be ready for everything coming her way. And I also thought about how I don't get to be pregnant anymore. And I really am sad about that. I'm sure once I'm holding her I won't think twice about being pregnant - but it's a little sad that I don't get to feel her move around in there anymore.

So how did we spend our last hour together? Pretty much frantically. Okay, I was frantic; Kyle was calm. Once we got everything in order, and called someone to fix the massive leak in our laundry room we found as we were walking out the door (ugh)... we loaded the car... and headed to Steak and Shake for one last meal. Chicken strips all around.

We got to the hospital at six like we were told. They gave us our room, started right in with the monitors and poking and prodding. Leah was still fine, and her heartbeat was off the charts, literally. There is a gray section for normal heartbeats, and Leah's was all over the map. She went to the top of the entire paper. When I saw the nurse at 3am, she said my doctor was here delivering another baby and she just had to show her Leah's paper - and apparently the both got a kick out of it. This little one might just be trouble :). Also at 3am I got an Ambien, because I hadn't slept all night and there was no sign of me actually falling asleep on my own. And Kyle, who has been freezing this whole time got treated to blankets fresh out of the warmer and even got tucked in by our nurse. I think the span for 3-7am was the best part of the night for all of us.

Waking up this morning was surreal. By the end of this day I could easily have a little (big) Leah in my arms. The pitocin will be started momentarily, and then the real fun starts. Leah is being a champ. My nurse, says she doubts she'll be here by suppertime, but that she thinks her birthday will be July 6, 2011. Stay tuned, I will let you know!!