Waiting, wondering

Last week during my non-stress test, the nurse commented when I had a Braxton Hick contraction, so now I finally understand what they are. I'd noticed that my tummy would go as hard as a melon before the NST, but I didn't realize they were BH contractions. Now I notice them everytime they happen, and today they are getting quite uncomfortable. But I did just come back from a walk with Lily, and I may have walked too fast since it was freezing out and really windy and I wanted to get back home as fast as possible.

I did a search for BH contractions online and this bit has me monitoring my tummy pretty closely:

Call your caregiver right away if you haven't reached 37 weeks and your contractions are becoming more frequent, rhythmic, or painful, or if you have any of these possible signs of preterm labor:

• Abdominal pain, menstrual-like cramping, or more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don't hurt).

• Any vaginal bleeding or spotting.

• An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge — if it becomes watery, mucousy, or bloody (even if it's only pink or blood-tinged).

• Increased pelvic pressure (a feeling that your baby's pushing down).

• Low back pain, especially if it's a new problem for you.

If you're past 37 weeks, there's no need to call your doctor or midwife until your contractions last 60 seconds each and are five minutes apart, unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise.

I had low back pain last night but it seems fine today and it definitely feels like the baby is pushing down. I remember the first time I felt this, I think it was on New Year's day or eve and I was out for a walk with Lily and Tom. I had to go on home ahead of them because I absolutely needed to sit down even though we'd only walked around one block. Then I laid down for a couple of hours because I was totally drained and feeling weirdly weighed down.

This evening I'm feeling similarly. Judging from the non-stress test, the baby hadn't dropped down yet, but maybe he's getting ready to now. That makes me kind of nervous. I'm not 37 weeks yet, I don't want the baby to be a preemie. :(

So I gotta take it easy somehow tonight. And Tomek has to work late. I have a dr appointment on Thursday morning so I hope she'll reassure me somehow.

I also did an online search for ambulance costs in BC, just in case I start bleeding or something... only $80, so that's a relief.

With LB, my placenta was compared to a nice thick beef-steak by the midwife, so I'm counting on this one to be just as thick and strong to not get damaged and to withstand any pushing by the baby.

Here's LB's birth story (including the bit about my placenta) and some of the first pictures we took of her.