So that's what "Labor and Delivery" is like

Well Mr. Daniel and I had quite the interesting day yesterday.  "We" (can he be considered a we with me yet?) had yesterday off for MLK day.  Woke up with Sparky, got an early start to the day and then...a little gush down there. After our birthing class on Saturday, I really know what to look for in terms of labor signs.  The "gush" didn't smell like pee, didn't look like it either, but it was only a little and then stopped so I just went on with my day.  Then the pelvic pressure increased and I had an excruciating (read: pain enough to make me nauseous) around my right rib through my back.  I am TRYING not to freak out about things, but I thought the pain was probably enough to at least call my nurse.

After a car wash, a pedicure, and grocery shopping, my nurse called me back and asked me to come in for some bloodwork as sometimes that kind of pain can be linked to the liver.  Thank goodness my dr/hospital is only 15 minutes from my house.  Upon seeing my wonderful nurse, I told her about the fluid and about the pressure and about the contractions I was sure I'd had the day before--and they were actual contractions, according to the nurse.  Dr. N. sent me immediately to Labor and Delivery.  When the doctor tells you to do something, you do it.  I had not wanted to end up here until I was actually in labor...I felt like an intruder, or an overreacting momma, neither of which I really was given my doctor's strict orders to go down there.

Sparky left work and met me there; by the time he got there, I was hooked up to the baby heart monitor and the contraction monitor.  The nurse was excellent, and Sparks was quite entertaining with rubber gloves and peeking through the curtains to see the new baby next door (there were no private rooms at the time). 

After about two hours and a BPP (biophysical profile) of Daniel, we were released.  The fluid was not amniotic fluid and the bloodwork from the liver test should be back today.  Daniel's heart was great and he was moving like a crazy boy, and while I was having tiny little minor contractions, they were incredibly sporadic and nothing to worry about.  We did get to see our boy on the ultrasound, though, something we haven't seen in 20 weeks.  He is freakin adorable.  He was grabbing both feet with one hand, wedging all those fingers and toes into my left side. He's head down and was sucking when we got to see his face.  We can't really tell what his nose looks like, but I think it looks like his dad's. 

The nurse told me never, ever to wait to come in with fluid.  That made me feel better, a little less chagrined for being there before I was in actual labor.  I couldn't have imagined having baby boy yesterday.  The car seat isn't even in my car yet!  After that, both Sparky's car and my car will have car seats by Friday.

It was an interesting day, to say the least.  Seeing the baby and knowing he's ok made everything worth it...even the bills I know will be in the mail!

And to DD, I'm so sorry if you read this before I had a chance to talk to you :( It was too late (and I was too exhausted) to call you last night and too early this morning.