Being Sara

I know I’ve said before that I’m ready to be done being pregnant. I really mean it this time. My bag for the hospital is packed and in the car, along with the car seat and my brand new breast pump. My belly button has popped out, so I feel like my “turkey timer” has popped – the baby must be done cooking by now. The nursery is ready, the bassinette is set up in our bedroom, along with a changing station. All of the bath supplies are in a basket just waiting to be used – I’m not kidding you when I tell you I’m ready. Of course I’m definitely not looking forward to the pain that comes along with labor, but I can’t wait to meet the kid!

On the other hand, our friends Chris and Candi are getting married on the 23rd of September – 2 days after my due date. Zach is one of the groomsmen. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go to the wedding if I have the baby early. If the baby stays in longer, then I can at least go and see them get married, and I’ve been looking forward to that. So, I want to have my cake and eat it too – I want to have the baby early so I can be done with this whole pregnancy thing, and I want to have the baby late so that I can celebrate with our friends… Either way, the countdown is on – the baby has up to one month to decide to come out on its own, or we’re going to have to cajole the baby out with some other method.

On a side note, I have been discussing contractions with mothers that I know. I noticed (a little belatedly) that everything I read described contractions as a tightening of your uterus, and sometimes metioned a “wave” feeling. As a new mother, I couldn’t really tell you what a tightening uterus feels like, and none of the books or websites have any better description. Even when you type “what does a contraction feel like” into google, you get all the same descriptions. So, for any mothers out there reading this, if you have any more detailed information about what a contraction feels like – something a little more specific than a “tightening uterus” that would be helpful!

38 weeks, braxton hicks, contraction, full term, labor, pregnancy

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Sites like PregnancyWeekly say that Braxton Hicks contractions generally start around 20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor – contractions that many new mothers think means the start of their actual labor. The difference with Braxton Hicks contractions is that they are not usually as regular as actual contractions, and they can often be solved by changing something – either walking if you’re sitting, or changing positions, etc.

A lot of the literature also talks about Braxton Hicks being “practice” – that the uterus contracts itself in preparation for upcoming actual labor. So, I haven’t had any Braxton Hicks contractions and now I’m starting to get worried – is my labor going to be more difficult if my uterus hasn’t been practicing since week 20 like some women?  What are the negative effects of not having Braxton Hicks contractions?  I heard of many women who actually want contractions, but I do!  I’m worried that if I don’t get them my body won’t be as prepared and I will in turn have a harder time.  Plus, they say that Braxton Hicks is a great time to practice your breathing and relaxation techniques that you learned in childbirth class, so I haven’t had the opportunity to do that either.  I’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so hopefully he can shed some light on this rather confusing subject, and I’m hoping he’ll reassure me that it’s perfectly fine not to have Braxton Hicks.

pregnancy, labor, false labor, braxton hicks, contraction, contractions

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