Reed Baby Blog

So, no magic happened yesterday.  I started having contractions late Saturday night, along with an upset tummy and vomiting.  At about 4:30 Sunday morning, the contractions were lasting 1-2 minutes and were about 5 minutes apart, so Cory and I headed to the hospital.  When we got there, they hooked me up to the monitors and the contractions weren’t lasting quite as long, but were actually only about 2 minutes apart.  Cory and I were quite excited, expect for the fact that I felt awful.  I was still having an upset tummy, on top of really pretty painful contractions.  Which is quite difficult to manage, when you are tethered to the bed with monitors.  The nurse checked me and I was only dilated to 1/2 a centimeter, which was no more than at my appointment on Thursday.  This really had me discouraged!  Mom and Dad had arrive by this time, expecting that this may be the special day.

My blood pressure and pulse rate were also quite high, which was not happy news for the doctor. Because of the bood pressure, they checked my urine for protein, but thankfully found none.   They also drew blood to look for signs of pre-eclampsia.  Again, all was good.  However, they found that I had LOTS of ketones, which meant that I was severely dehydrated.  So, IV fluids became my friend.  After 2 bags of fluid, I was feeling much better and the contractions had all but stopped.   

So, it turns out that dehydration can cause “uterine irritability”.  The contractions were real but they weren’t going to make me progress to real labor.  10 hours of labor really sucks once you realize that there will be no baby reward at the end!  After observing me for nearly 8 hours in L&D and  doing lab work and an EKG, they let me come home.  My pulse rate and blood pressure were still a little high when I left, so they sent me home on “modified” bedrest.  No really sure what that means, but I have a feeling that I will be spending a lot of time on the couch until Carter arrives!  I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so I’ll ask lots of questions.  Right now, it means that all of the meals come upstairs to me.

Lisa started having contractions about 10:00 PM.  They are lasting anywhere from 1-4 minutes.  On average they’ve been about 10 minutes apart, but the last few have been closer together.

The bags are packed, the cats have been fed and the car seat is in the car.   As a labor project, we unwrapped all of the diapers from the diaper tree at our second shower.  Right now, we’re just waiting.  The contractions need to get a little closer together before we head to the hospital.  

Fingers are crossed.  October 26 could be the day that we get to meet Carter.

Stay tuned.  I’ll try to make updates via Twitter as things progress. 

I have officially decided that the womb must be like an all-inclusive resort for a fetus.  A constant warm temperature, food and drink on a whim, and never really wanting for anything.  Sounds nice, huh?  When my friend Julie May was pregnant with Molly and then Gabe, she lovingly referred to her tummy as Belly and Bellito.  This was very fitting for Julie.  However, in my case, the more appropriate term is Belly Bell Grande.  Hence the name of Carter’s all-inclusive resort.  If he doesn’t leave soon, can I start charging him double?

These last few weeks have been extremely exhausting for me and unfortunately for Cory, too.  I can’t sleep for more than one hour without having to go to the bathroom or turn over, which unfortunately takes a great deal of effort.  And even going upstairs is enough to leave me winded.  I’m still trying to work, but today I only made it until 2:30, when Carter started protesting to the point that I couldn’t walk!  I have my 37 week appointment tomorrow morning, and am really hoping that things have started to change.  Cross your fingers for me!

I’m guest-posting tonight because it’s 10:30 and Lisa’s been asleep for about two hours now.  As of tomorrow, she will be 36 weeks along, and that means she’s reached the point where she’s pretty much exhausted and miserable all the time.  Carter underwent a growth spurt in the last few days and Lisa’s body just hasn’t quite been able to keep up.  From the beginning of the pregnancy, whenever Lisa would exert herself too much and agitate Carter, he would stick his butt (or fist or foot or whatever was handy) outward against Lisa’s belly.  He’s finding reason to do that most of the time now and it can be quite uncomfortable for her.



We went to the OB this morning and everything was fine.  Lisa’s blood pressure was good and Carter’s heart rate was 140.  Dr. Harris was pleased with her progress, though Lisa was secretly hoping he’d send her home on bed rest.  However, he thinks continuing to work will be good for her.  He said it would help to take her mind off of her discomfort.



Preparations for Carter’s arrival are underway.  We’ve started making our packing list and we think Carter’s room is pretty well set.  The furniture is assembled and most of his newborn clothes are washed.  Earlier this week, Mom’s friend Andi finished the  mural.  Check out the pictures below.  We couldn’t be happier.  Stayed tuned for more news.