Boring Day

Last night I was woken up every 4 hours for my Procardia. I made it through the night with no Ambien, which will be good since I am going home tomorrow. I did wake up at 5:30, half an hour after I should have had the Procardia, with some pains. I laid in bed until I could read the clock and when I saw Karen was 30 minutes late, I called for it. It really does help me to feel better.
My contractions aren't painful, and the doctor and nurses call it more of "irritability" than contractions. I can feel the tightening, occasionally, and I have started feeling some pressure from Tina. The pressure is not as piercing as it was on Monday when I first started feeling it, but it is definitely a feeling I'm not fond of.
I did say something to Karen last night that I was kind of toying with the idea of a c-section only because then I don't have to feel the stinging pain of the baby's crowning before the final push. However, the recovery from a c-section is much worse, so maybe the burning would be worth it. Well, she said something to my doctor so when she came in today we talked about it. She said she is in the same boat as me (she has three kids - first was vaginal, then a c-section with #2, and the third was a VBAC). She said that I can definitely ward off the burning sensation with an epidural, so I guess that is something to think about. Monica also told me that her recovery from Keegan's birth was better than Laura's (both natural), so I guess I'll wait and see what happens when it's time for Tina to grace us with her presence. If I'm having the back labor I've had in the past, I have a feeling I will go with an epidural, but as always, you never really know until it's time.
I did have an internal check today. I was sitting in the rocking chair and had the pressure down below my belly. It was happening quite often, so my nurse, Jen, decided to have my doctor come in and do an internal check to see if things have changed since I came in Wednesday. I am still at 1-2 cm and 80% effaced, so that makes them happy. I was really skeptical about my internal check, but Jen helped me to relax so much that this was the most pleasant check I have ever had. That really made me feel good, and I made sure to tell her how good it went and that it was all due to her. Now I will have to remember her tips in the future.
Monica asked me last night on the phone when they would actually let Tina come if she wanted to come early. I didn't ask my doctor about it, but I did ask my night nurse Karen, last night and she said that if I came in with my water broken they would let her come. Also, they would let her come if I was having regular, strong contractions and/or dilating regularly.
Karen also told me about a lady who came in at 29 weeks with her water broken, and she spent 5 weeks in the same room I am in. I was really confused because I had heard that if your water breaks, the baby needs to come out in 24 hours. Apparently, that is only the case when your water breaks for a term baby. If the baby is pre-term, they will keep you at bay as long as they can.
Well, today has been really boring. Casey took both girls to swimming lessons, actually swimming with Leah. Yay! That was really exciting for me because we have paid for the lessons, and since I can't be there anymore, he will take her to her next two lessons as well. Jacqueline told me on the phone that she went underwater today, and she was so proud of herself. I really hope we continue to take her because even though she won't be ready to move on (she will probably be at this level for a couple years), she is having a great experience and learning more. Leah, however, probably won't take anymore classes after this session until I am able to take her again.
Casey stayed home today and worked at home. He will come and get me tomorrow, but since nothing exciting has been going on, he decided to stay home and get work done around the house.
I took a nap this afternoon, which was really nice, and I also got to take a bath in the jetted tub in my room and then I took a shower and got all washed up. I just feel so clean and it helps lift my spirits as well.
I had a yummy supper of a chicken sandwich and fresh fruit, and have read most of my book. I have been free of cables most of the day, but am currently hooked up to the contraction monitor and Lisa (my nurse) is running an NST (Non Stress Test) on Tina, who is always doing a great job of keeping her heart rate up and also it goes up and down and doesn't just continually have the same heart rate. She seems to be much more active when she is on the monitor and I can feel her moving so much more.
Part of me just wants her to come now so I can meet her. I'm getting anxious after all that has been happening. We are now in a waiting game.....