Don’t know what to call it
Some of you have seen already on twitter, I’ve been having contractions since about 3pm today. I still went out, ran errands, bought some plants. I had to stop in home depot and just hold my cart because one of them really hurt. But then I came home and put the plants in the ground (with Den’s help). After I came inside things started picking up. Wow, I do not remember contractions hurting this much until I was in HEAVY labor…. in fact, I’m absolutely sure I did not get ones this painful, making me gasp and rock, until I was 6cm. (I am definitely not 6cm. Just sayin’.) But I also know – and was prepared for – a longer early labor because of her position.
I’m getting lower back pain unless I lean forward or get down on my hands and knees. Den’s been rubbing my back while we watch a movie, me perched at the edge of the couch, legs apart, leaning slightly forward. I seem to weather them just fine that way. At first I tried leaning sideways up against Den to watch the movie…. ow ow, holy ow. A contraction hit and I couldn’t move, even though it was hurting pretty damn bad. I learned my lesson from that one.
From 8pm until 10pm they’ve been coming every 6-8 minutes. It’s weird, getting such strong contractions even though they’re not close enough together to warrant heading to the hospital. It’s just not consistent enough yet – some are really strong, some are just little waves. So weird.
For now I think we’re going to try to get some rest. I didn’t sleep well last night at all, I slept for maybe 4 hours total. I don’t want this to stall out, but if this is going to be a longer labor I need some rest. Hopefully this will continue progressing! I still don’t feel comfortable calling this labor for-sure… I think I’m in early labor, but it could very well stop and start up again in a day or two. But things are definitely happening, and that is a great sign!
Funny…. when I started getting the strong contractions I didn’t get anxious or start running around like mad like I did the other day. We’re both very calm, making sure the bags are ready to go, just in case.
Kate is moving around a lot, so no worries on that end. Very reassuring (though at times painful, when she’s stretching at the same time as a contraction.) I have a feeling she’s going to propel herself out of the womb, when the time comes, hehe.
Update: Contractions stopped almost entirely soon as I layed down. (And then I couldn’t sleep, ha.) I got back up to eat a snack and see if they’d start up again, but nope. Only getting one here and there. This is a near-textbook early labor of a posterior baby: long, start-and-stop, with strong contractions. I absolutely swear to you I can feel my body trying to turn her. I am doing what I can to help: hands-and-knees, birth ball, walking. I just feel like my body is trying to get this going, but until she drops properly into my pelvis I’m not going to hit high gear. And even though I can feel her back along my left side frequently now, I also feel her hands in front, which means her head is still facing the wrong way. So I am not surprized that it has stopped. Hopefully tomorrow it will start back up again when I’m up and active, and this time I’m going to be more aggressive about trying to get her to turn and drop.
Update 2: Scratch that. They started again, waking me up and nearly making me shoot straight up out of bed. Lost my plug (or most of it, I think), diarrhea, and the baby is low. The contractions aren’t really getting closer together, really (they vary between 4 and 10 minutes apart), but I’m really starting to think being in the hospital where there’s a fetal monitor might be a good thing for me right now. Also I am NOT looking forward to a 30 minute ride in a vehicle. These contractions hurt. I checked my cervix and was really really shocked – everything’s dropped and I have no idea how dilated I am, but I am definitely dilated.
Thinking of you!!
De-lurking to say thinking of you tonight, labor or not! I hope all goes well!
*dangles shinies* Come on out, Kate! Sounds like you’re about ready! :joy
Hope this is it!
I can’t wait to see her! Good luck to you :)
Long time lurker….just wanting to say I am so happy for you and I hope all goes well!
Long time lurker/sometimes poster here! Thinking of you, sending lots of good vibes your way. Sending prayers for an amazing night, no matter what happens!
Just delurking to wish you the best of luck!!!!
My darlin’ Natalie, you are so darned strong! I have typed about a billion words about how strong you are and I keep deleting them. Every labor is different. Kate is 4 weeks older than Devin gestationally. This will be harder physically but you are a labor warrior.
Tonight, sweet friend, tonight will be the purest joy. Tonight you will bring forth new life in our new girl, Kate. All of our love, our prayers, our hands holding yours when you push… there are so many of us holding your hands when you push… this will be the purest joy for you, for Den and for all of us because when so many people believe, so many people love, it becomes a song in the universe. You will know that song when you hear her cry for the first time.
oh how this made me cry!! I love what you wrote here because I’d want to say that myself.
I’m so happy for Nat and Den and beautiful little Kate!!! The world is a tiny bit brighter today!
How exciting!!!!!! Please keep us updated! You guys are in our thoughts!
longtime lurker/sometimes poster here as well.
It definitely sounds like something (okay, I know that probably didn’t really help… ). I hope this is it!
I am so happy for you!
I have been following your pregnancy and currently your progress and i am just thrilled for you. You are THISCLOSE!!!
Thinking of you; I’ll be away in Dallas and unable to check twitter probably tomorrow; so going ahead and posting now: good luck; I’m so happy for you and Den!
It’s almost 4 am and I am stalking your twitter lol
AAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I am so exited for you! Its 10:30am here right now,so Im guessing its around 4:30am for you…? I really hope everything goes well,sounds like this is it!
I wonder how dialted you are? I got diarrea at the very last minute too (thats why I asked if you had it the other day! lol).
Well,my plans have officially changed..Im going to be stalking you ALL day now! (DH will have to walk the dog lol).
I hope everything goes quickly and you get to meet her really soon…much love to you and Den Nat!
YAYYYYYYY!!!!! :)
I just have a really big feeling I am gonna go to bed and wake up and find out that Kate made her arrival! I think I need to set my twitter notifications to beep my phone or something lol
Sending you many good vibes! Can’t wait to hear what you find out. I’m glad you’re going for monitoring so your mind will be eased a bit.
Lurker delurking to tell you that I’m really excited for you and keeping you in my thoughts. Can’t wait to ‘meet’ little Kate!
:D
Oh yay Natalie!! Very excited and happy for you and Den that Kate may be showing up today!!
Hope the ride to the hospital wasn’t too bad and that you didn’t hit any traffic. Seems like every road I drove on yesterday in Spfld has freaking construction. lol
Lots of ELV for you!
Hoping maybe once she’s here that I can come visit you guys! :)
I hope you’re at the hospital now and everything’s going well. You’re there now, in the middle of it, she’s coming! I’m actually a bit teary-eyed here. Take care and GOOD LUCK and oh my goodness the joy that awaits!! I actually wish it was me again, reading about you being in labour now. I hope you really get to savour those first few moments with your daughter. Take care!!
YAY!!! Welcome Kate!
So happy for you guys that my heart can’t hold all the joy! Much love to the entire family!!!!!
WOW!!! That was FAST!!!! How much had she dialted by the time you got to the hospital??? lol
SOOOOOOO happy for you both…Congrats mommy and daddy!! Welcome baby kate!
OMG Im so extremely hapy for you..finally,the moment you deserve so very much.
Congrats again ((hugs!!!))
I cant wait to see her,I bet she´s beautiful! <3
Yay yay yay yay yaaaaaaay! Welcome dearly anticipated Kate! Great to see that you and mom are doing well. Major hugs from Holland, from Arno and me!
Congrats to everyone! Good Job Mommy! Can’t wait to hear the whole story! Welcome to the world baby Kate!
Wow, very fast indeed! I’m so happy that you’re both doing great, welcome Kate! :)
OMG OMG OMG OMG
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!! WOW.
Nat you must have done so much of the labor at home and didn’t even know it!
Congrats!! Just De-lurking to say Happy Birthday Kate!!!
CONGRATULATIONS — I am so thrilled for you!
congratulations natalie- sounds like she was born as soon as you got to the hospital? I am so happy for you and Den!
Hah, fast baby is fast! Since I don’t think you can see my congratulations on Twitter – Congratulations, and welcome to the world, Kate! :)
Congratulations!!! What wonderful news to wake up to. I am so thrilled for you, Nat. Looking forward to hearing the birth story. Welcome Kate! YAY!!!
what GREAT news!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! Happy birthday, baby Kate. I’ve been reading your blog since before you got pregnant with Devin. I suck at commenting regularly, but I’m so thrilled for you, Den and Kate that I can’t find the words to adequately convey it.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
I just got the news! Congratulations! I’m bawling in the car, I’m so happy for you guys!
Total lurked, but wanted to say congrats on your newest little girl! I’m so happy for your family & excited for the next chapter. You both have been through so much and I hope you got the labor you wanted. Can’t wait to read about it. Congrats!
So very THRILLED for you, Nat!! I always read your blog and have had you in my thoughts constantly lately. Sooooo happy for you and Den and KATE!!!!! Enjoy Mommyhood~it is truly wonderful!!! And you soooo deserve it : )
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you!!!!Congratulations to Mom and Dad!!
As I read the twitter update at the top and saw that Kate was here, tears started rolling down my cheeks. I can’t even begin to express how happy I am for you and Den that your baby girl is finally here, safe in your arms. Can’t wait to see pictures and here the the whole birth story. Congrats to you.
Happy Birthday Kate!
very excited to hear the news – congrats!!!
Congratulation mommy!
May little Kate have a long and happy life and give you much joy.
You are a real inspiration and I’m looking forward to reading the new chapter of your blog: rasing Kate
I am soooo happy for you guys-congrats! I’ve been watching your page every day…waiting. I thought there might be an update this morning and ‘Voila’!
Again-congrats!
Ouch…you will need to get yourself an inflatable rubber ring for the tear ;)
It will help you not sit directly on your butt kwim?
Sounds like you´re doing just wonderful apart from that..dont you feel absolutely amazed at what your body just went through?? lol
I sat for hours just thinking…”no way!” lol.
Im so exited for you and I cant wiat to see her x
Congratulations Natalie and Den, on your baby girl! Well done! Now get some rest! Welcome to the world Kate :)
Congratulations! So so happy for all of you :D
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Long time lurker that just wanted to say congrats on your sweet little Kate’s arrival! So glad that she made it safe and sound. Much happiness to you, Den and Baby Kate!