SMOKE-INDUCED CONTRACTIONS? (September 22, 2006)
Ate Mona and her friend had just made their very last drops of ashes when Lance and I stepped in. 'Fresh' second hand smoke was clearly visible. I went in her bathroom, turned on the exhaust and stayed there for awhile. But it didn't help. I still felt restless with that nasty Braxton-Hicks. I walked out the door, away from her apartment and stayed in the car.
After fixing Ate Mona's computer, Lance drove me home. Still, those irregular contractions were bothering me. I usually get those more frequently whenever I visit sis-in-law's smokey flat. I know it's not good but my craving for her home cooked meals always brought me there.
ROLLER COASTER RIDE (September 23, 2006)
The next day, I woke up feeling the same contractions. This time, it was more intense but, I'd say, still bearable. There were gaps in between, of course. It was pain, no pain, pain, no pain. Without consistent pattern. Purely sporadic Braxton-Hicks.
To distract myself, I played Heroes Of Might & Magic II on my laptop as I timed my contractions with Lance's Nokia. 15 mins... 8 mins... 23 mins... 5 mins... 12 mins... Hoo! What a ride! Every pain tensed my legs like they're pressing hard against a brake pedal. And in between rest periods, I went on with my game as if nothing was happening. It's kinda funny whenever I pictured myself. I looked as though I was acting up.
ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN
While Lance was still a-snore, I went to the kitchen for some elbow macaroni soup. I thought of eating just soup and very few solids just in case I progressed into true labor. For the meantime, a wave of oohs and ahhs intermittently broke the silence as I silently slurp away my hunger.
Back to our bedroom, I continued my game...
ACTIVE LABOR
Lance was probably bothered by my on-and-off whining so he insisted on going to the hospital. I hesitated. I was afraid the nurse would send us back home because of false labor. The Nokia timer clearly predicted my fate as it showed no 5-minute intervals. But as soon as the next contraction came up I quickly said yes.
On the road, I did my usual routine of grooming. The car windows were down to let the wind blow dry my hair. It also gave me a sort of relaxed feeling whenever the cool breeze touched my face. Again, there was that roller coaster ride. Although the pain was still bearable, shouting it out a little gave me a sense of ease. After each contraction, I went back to grooming as if no pain was ever there. Lance even asked me how bad was it because it looked as though I was just making a scene.
Up the 3rd floor of Chesapeake General, that was where I really did a scene. I acted like I was really in intense unbearable pain so they would immediately admit me. Thankfully, I was and to my surprise, it was indeed active labor! Before long, I had a couple of doses of that laboring preggies' bestfriend, Mrs. Epidural.
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Ate Mona and her friend had just made their very last drops of ashes when Lance and I stepped in. 'Fresh' second hand smoke was clearly visible. I went in her bathroom, turned on the exhaust and stayed there for awhile. But it didn't help. I still felt restless with that nasty Braxton-Hicks. I walked out the door, away from her apartment and stayed in the car.
After fixing Ate Mona's computer, Lance drove me home. Still, those irregular contractions were bothering me. I usually get those more frequently whenever I visit sis-in-law's smokey flat. I know it's not good but my craving for her home cooked meals always brought me there.
ROLLER COASTER RIDE (September 23, 2006)
The next day, I woke up feeling the same contractions. This time, it was more intense but, I'd say, still bearable. There were gaps in between, of course. It was pain, no pain, pain, no pain. Without consistent pattern. Purely sporadic Braxton-Hicks.
To distract myself, I played Heroes Of Might & Magic II on my laptop as I timed my contractions with Lance's Nokia. 15 mins... 8 mins... 23 mins... 5 mins... 12 mins... Hoo! What a ride! Every pain tensed my legs like they're pressing hard against a brake pedal. And in between rest periods, I went on with my game as if nothing was happening. It's kinda funny whenever I pictured myself. I looked as though I was acting up.
ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN
While Lance was still a-snore, I went to the kitchen for some elbow macaroni soup. I thought of eating just soup and very few solids just in case I progressed into true labor. For the meantime, a wave of oohs and ahhs intermittently broke the silence as I silently slurp away my hunger.
Back to our bedroom, I continued my game...
ACTIVE LABOR
Lance was probably bothered by my on-and-off whining so he insisted on going to the hospital. I hesitated. I was afraid the nurse would send us back home because of false labor. The Nokia timer clearly predicted my fate as it showed no 5-minute intervals. But as soon as the next contraction came up I quickly said yes.
On the road, I did my usual routine of grooming. The car windows were down to let the wind blow dry my hair. It also gave me a sort of relaxed feeling whenever the cool breeze touched my face. Again, there was that roller coaster ride. Although the pain was still bearable, shouting it out a little gave me a sense of ease. After each contraction, I went back to grooming as if no pain was ever there. Lance even asked me how bad was it because it looked as though I was just making a scene.
Up the 3rd floor of Chesapeake General, that was where I really did a scene. I acted like I was really in intense unbearable pain so they would immediately admit me. Thankfully, I was and to my surprise, it was indeed active labor! Before long, I had a couple of doses of that laboring preggies' bestfriend, Mrs. Epidural.
