First L&D Scare!

I went over to my dad's for dinner on Wednesday night. After dinner we were standing around and I started to feel period-like cramps. I didn't think much of it and left shortly after. As I was driving home I was talking to Jake on the phone and it happened a few more times. I mentioned to him I thought I was having mild contractions...but that I know several women who had them weeks before they had their babies and it is somewhat normal as long as they don't keep going.

Fast forward to Thursday day. I was still having the contractions and I didn't feel good. Not only was I having contractions but my stomach hurt every time I walked. It felt like stabbing pains...I called the doctor and waited for triage to call me back. They called back later in the afternoon and said if the contractions last more than 30 minutes to go to L&D. Obviously they were going on for almost 24 hours so I had to go. I called Jake and he told me he wanted me to go...even if it was a false alarm it would be reassuring for him since he is 2500 miles away. I had to finish working since it was month end and things were crazy...so I finished up my work and left an hour early. I got home and tried resting, drinking lots of water, changing positions...nothing I did stopped the contractions so I decided it was time to go to L&D. I called my mom and had her come to my house so I wouldn't be alone at the hospital.

When I got to the hospital they were really well organized and got me to triage immediately. All of the nurses were so sweet and asked me why I took so long to get there. They reassured me no matter what the outcome, they were here to help. They had me do a urine sample and hooked up the heartrate and contraction monitors. As soon as they hooked up the contraction monitor I had a contraction so they could see right away what I was experiencing. Kennedy's heartbeat stayed strong the entire time so they were able to reassure me that she was under no stress. The nurse checked me and I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced....I know I still have a long way to go but I was shocked that I was already making progress at 35 weeks. I was a little nervous that the contractions were making me progress and so was the nurse so she told me to plan on being there for a few hours minimum. They did the urine sample to see if it was a bladder or yeast infection irritating my uterus but the tests came back negative. They checked me after about two hours and I hadn't progressed anymore so they decided to send me home on pelvic rest. They told me I am having around 6 contractions an hour as it stands...and if they get any stronger to come back in. They also told me to call my doctor in the morning because an infection hadn't been completely ruled out yet and they weren't sure if my doctor wanted me on bedrest or not.

I called my doctor on Friday and she had me come in right away. I told her I was having really bad pains when walking but when I was sitting they were fine. She checked a couple of things and pressed on my stomach in a few areas and found that I have torn ligaments in my stomach. She said it doesn't have to be from any physical activity. My stomach is so stretched right now and it was stretched quickly that it is easy to tear ligaments at this stage of pregnancy. This is why I am so sore and could also be why I was experiencing contractions. She put me on pelvic rest and told me to call her on Monday.

I am still hurting when I walk but it is slowly but surely getting better! I am just glad that Kennedy is okay...and according to my doctor she probably won't make it till her due date but she should cook a couple more weeks! I can't believe my baby girl will be here that soon!! I can't wait to meet her!

Much needed update!

Wow...it has been 10 weeks since I updated and SO MUCH has happened since then!

Jake got a job working for Geico as an auto damage adjuster. This is going to be a GREAT opportunity for us. He will work "normal" hours (may have Sundays/Mondays instead of Saturdays/Sundays for weekends....but still much better than his Pep Boys schedule!) The pay is 8 million times better, and there are great benefits! We are going to switch to his medical once we have Kennedy because it is so much cheaper. I am really excited for this position. The downfall is that he is away for THREE WHOLE MONTHS for training. He doesn't get to come home on weekends...in fact he gets to come home once every 4 weeks and it is only for a day and a half. When he first signed up for the job they told him he wouldn't be able to leave if I went into labor...and as you can imagine it was absolutely crushing. We tried for SO LONG to get pregnant and for him to miss the birth of his daughter just absolutely killed me. Needless to say there have been a LOT of cries....I try to stay positive but he is missing a lot. I miss my husband SO MUCH.

He went to San Diego for the first 4 weeks. I got to fly down there and see him for Labor Day weekend which was halfway through his trip. It was an amazing visit...and a little mini vacation for us before Kennedy is here.

I soaked in every second I could with him....just to have him next to me and to be able to look into his eyes...I felt that closeness again. I left that Monday and cried all over again. We said goodbye at the airport and the TSA agent brought me tissues because I was crying so hard. It just sucks...and the transitions are the hardest. Being able to see eachother for a short time to have it taken away again....rips my heart out every time.

He came home this weekend. He got in at 5pm on Friday and I had to drop him off at the airport at 4:30am on Sunday. SHORT TRIP....but it still felt good to be in his arms. You know that saying "absense makes the heart grow fonder"? I didn't think it was possible to love him anymore than I already did....but this has definitely strengthened our relationship where I didn't even think was possible. This is the long leg of the trip. He is now in Virginia (completely on the other side of the country from me!) and will be there for 4 weeks. There is no way we will be able to see eachother during this trip unless I go into labor! A week before he left San Diego one of the bigwigs got news that his wife was due in October and took him aside and let him know that he CAN leave if I go into labor...and that they know how important it is for him to be there for it. It was such a HUGE RELIEF for me. There is nothing I want more than for him to be there when Kennedy arrives. We made her together, we should be able to bring her into this world together! The only downfall is if he is in Virginia when I go into labor, he will have to wait it out until another training takes place and join in with them..and then still do the third 4 week leg after that. So....while he would be there for her birth, he would miss more of her life because he would be going away for another 6-8 weeks after she arrives.......

So...all we can do now is stay positive that she won't make her appearance until after these next 4 weeks. Once Virginia is done, his last 4 weeks are in San Diego and it is post-training....so it is much easier and not such a big deal if he misses anything because he can make up for it at any time. I can tell you this.....I can't wait for this to be over with. I miss my husband. I miss everything about him...even those little things that used to annoy me...I can't wait for him to do it all over again! I was proud of myself this morning when we said goodbye. I stayed strong the entire time and didn't cry! A couple hours later it hit me hard and I have pretty much cried the entire day....thank you pregnancy hormones for making me even MORE sensitive! I also found out that he can't carry his cell phone on him at the training center....so if I go into labor I have to call their main office and some how track him down. A little unsettling to say the least...

As for the pregnancy, things are going really well. Kennedy and I are both very healthy and I have been truly blessed with such a great pregnancy. I am in my 35th week and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. There hasn't been one time in pregnancy that I have been miserable...I can tolerate all of the physical changes..and I LOVE LOVE LOVE feeling her kicks!!

Ever since I was about 25 weeks I have been measuring two weeks ahead (although I am still down 5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight! GO ME!) They haven't been concerned....and said it happens. Well, my appointment on Friday was a whole new story. I am now measuring FOUR WEEKS AHEAD. I am measuring at 38 1/2 weeks! WOAH!!!! So....I have an ultrasound scheduled at 36 weeks to measure how big she is...and if she is big they are going to talk induction. Hopefully if I do need to be induced it can wait until October 14th (the day Jake comes home for the weekend)......we really don't want him to have an extra 6-8 weeks away from us nor can we afford a last minute flight from Virginia...and the chance of him missing the birth since it is a 6 hour flight!

I am sorry for all of the rambling...extremely emotional and tired...and I wanted to fit in everything I could. I start maternity leave in a week and two days....CAN'T WAIT!!!

Also, we had a 3D ultrasound done at 30 weeks....here is a picture of Kennedy! She is so adorable and looks just like her daddy....I can't wait to meet her in real life!