37 Weeks

At my 37 week appointment I underwent all of the routine procedures.  Weight, blood pressure, peed in a cup, and then sat naked, cold and uncomfortable while I patiently clutched my oversized paper towel only to be groped in the near future by my female doctor.  Oh the weekly fun I was having at the end of pregnancy.  In the week since I had seen the doctor I lost my mucus plug, which would of been exciting except I knew you could walk around for weeks without one.  In fact, if you lost it too early your body could make a new one.  But enough fun with mucus... Dr. S measured my belly and stated the baby had dropped because I was measuring less than 37 weeks.  I measured at 36.  The fetal heart rate was normal and she said I was dilated to 3 1/2 centimeters.  Since I had not had any contractions my doctor suspected I would have a fast moving labor.  In fact, she told me that if I wanted an epidural I shouldn't labor at home too long or I might miss my opportunity.  Lastly, she asked if the fetal movement had been the same.  Just the night before as I laid in bed I thought "I don't think Baby T moved as much today.".  I told the doctor of my thoughts and stated that I was going to keep track of her movements to make sure.  She decided to send me for a non-stress test just to be safe.  Dr. S said if I was contracting or if I dilated more during the test they would keep me in the hospital.  My first thought "Crap!".  I was hungry and I knew they wouldn't feed me once I was admitted.  So I went for the non-stress test, which recorded the baby's heart rate in comparison to contractions.  Plus I got a buzzer, like from a game show, to press whenever I felt movement.  The prize of the game show?  Graham crackers with peanut butter and apple juice.  Even though I was the only contestant, I was happy with my swag.  Thankfully my test results were perfect.  But at the end the nurse asked me "So, are you feeling any of these contractions?".  I had been feeling pressure and tightness in my lower abdomen as well as pain similar to menstrual cramps.  I had brushed them off as Braxton Hicks contractions but evidently they were not.  I was still dilated to 3 1/2 and the nurse told me that if the pain got any worse to return to the hospital.  I couldn't believe how close we were to having Baby T.  In fact, my doctor told me to "go ahead and make the appointment for next week but I don't think you will make it."  So there might not be a 38 week blog update....... we shall see what happens!