We have PROGRESS! Finally!

Had my weekly check-up today and it appears that things are finally starting to happen! I was SO glad to hear this news - especially since this week has been the most uncomfortable yet and I am beyond cranky. I know this doesn't mean that I'm having the baby tomorrow, or Sunday, or even next week for sure. But it was just nice to hear that something is happening and that all this discomfort is actually for a reason :) Here's the report (as of about 1:00 this afternoon):

• I am 1 cm dilated.
• I am 50% effaced.
• Flash is at the -2 station (you have to get to 0 station for it to be considered "fully engaged" in the pelvis)
• Flash most likely weighs somewhere in the low 7 pounds range (around 7 lbs 3 or 4 oz)

According to the OB, I am like the plane that is circling the airport, preparing to land. If I haven't delivered by this time next week, they will do an ultrasound at my appointment (next Friday) to check on fluid levels, etc. My blood pressure was kind of high when they checked it the first time, which is unusual for me. She asked if I'd been having headaches or blurry vision, which could indicate preeclampsia; but I haven't had any of that (thankfully!). And when she checked me again towards the end of the appointment it was back in the normal range. So for now, nothing to be too worried about. She also noted that my feet and ankles are pretty swollen, so she suggested I try to keep my feet up as much as possible. While this probably won't help the swelling go down, she said it might help prevent it from getting worse.

I've had random contractions off and on all week, but last night was the first time since Christmas that they were regular enough for me to start timing them again. They were coming every 9-11 minutes and lasting about a minute each. They continued for about an hour and a half to two hours before I went to bed. I think I had a few more overnight, and then off and on all day today as well.

Things are definitely getting more and more uncomfortable down there. There is a lot of pressure when I'm standing or walking, and sometimes it is downright painful. It feels like I have to pee constantly - as soon as I go and stand back up, I swear I feel the urge again even though I just went and there's nothing in there. Although walking is uncomfortable, it does feel good to move, so I've been trying to do that as much as I can. Last night I made it 25 minutes on the treadmill (at a very slow pace and wearing Paul's tennis shoes because I can't fit my chubby feet into mine - ha!). The other thing that's been feeling really good is to sit and stretch on my exercise ball. I have one in my office at work and one at home. It helps to relieve some of the pressure on my nether regions, and I've been doing some of the stretches and hip rolls that they showed us in the Comfort Measures for Labor class.

In light of today's report, I sort of had a panic moment realizing that there's at least a chance I won't be back to work next week. I've had the planning meeting with my boss and a couple others about who will be covering what while I'm gone. And I actually got a lot done this week, so it would not be the worst thing if I didn't go back. But I did want to make up some checklists and instructions for people to reference and I hadn't gotten a chance to do those yet. So tonight when I got home, I ate dinner with Mom and spent a few more hours going over stuff and making my lists, etc. I'm feeling better now about where things stand. There's just one more project that I'd really like to wrap up, so I might try to squeeze that in tomorrow or Sunday. And if I do end up going in to work next week, then it will just be bonus time that I can spend going over stuff with the people who will be covering for me!

Tomorrow B is taking me to get a mani/pedi. It was her idea. Yes, it may seem silly at this point, and no I'm not really going to care what my nails look like in the throes of labor. It really is more of a relaxation thing at this point. I love mini-spa days and foot rubs DO feel good right now, so I'm looking forward to it. Mom is going to come with for company, so it should be a fun girls' outing. Then tomorrow afternoon, I think we are going to try to see Les Mis. Paul promised he would take me and I really do want to see it in the theater. If the timing works out and we can get tickets, the plan is to see it in one of those luxury theaters with the recliner-seats where you can order food and have it served to you during the show. After all, my doctor did say to keep my feet up as much as possible... between the mani/pedi and the luxury theater experience, I would really just be doing what she said :)