Day 33: Diary of the Contracting Woman

 

Here is a list of all my contractions in the last 24 hours.  They've been getting more regular the last few days, and although most were caused by uterine irritability, but some, especially those I had around noon, were very real, painful, and frequent.  But thankfully, I was able to weather through them and Baby Boy and I are still hanging in there, though I am one very uncomfortable pregnant woman.  The discomfort is worth it, and I remember I was able to get through it with B, but that doesn't make it any easier to endure.  If the constant contractions are starting this early, the next few weeks are going to be even longer and more difficult than the last, so I'm praying for comfort, strength, and endurance, for the sake of Baby Boy.

Honestly, these last couple of weeks with J's injuries, preparations for his test and career, and bed rest have been a lot to process.  I'm thankful that the first 24 weeks of this pregnancy were uneventful.  When I began experiencing issues at 25 weeks, it was scary because we were nervous about an extremely premature baby who might not make it.  At 28 weeks we breathed a small sigh of relief after getting shots for Baby Boy's lungs.  He won't be a micro preemie.  At 31 we feel like he's awesome little safer, but he still has a long way to go.  Despite our continued prayers for a full term baby, I can only take this pregnancy one day at a time.  Today is better for him than yesterday; tonight is better than this morning.

On Tuesday I have another ultrasound to check on Baby Boy's growth at 32 weeks.  I'm always concerned about his weight since B. was and is still so little, and my belly is so tiny (though part of that is because Baby is so low).  Hopefully there is a 3 1/2 pound baby hanging out in there somewhere!  32 weeks doesn't feel quite safe, but it feels safer than 28 or even 30.

We know that God has His hand on this pregnancy, J's career goals, and every other aspect of our lives.  There is no other explanation for how this baby is still in utero.  Thank you for joining us in our prayers for my comfort, J to pass his test, B to be emotionally stable, and more time so we can have a healthy baby boy.  We truly appreciate it!

I managed a smile between contractions.  A warm water bottle on my abdomen and the distraction of the tablet computer helped me to endure them.