I gotta do what in 9 weeks?
Last Friday I went to the doctor because I wasn't feeling well, and they decided to monitor the baby to make sure he was doing all right. While I was waiting for the doctor, there was a lady in the next room in labor who was very, very vocal about her pain, and I began to realize I am a mere 9 weeks away from being in her position. I had my first moment of genuine freaking out while I lay on the hard table waiting for the doctor.

When the doctor came back in, I asked if the lady in the next room was on drugs or was doing this naturally, and she said she didn't know. I asked if maybe she was at the very end of the labor, meaning the pain was at its most intense (but almost over!). Again, she didn't know. I was really hoping she'd say this was a drug-free birth, thus I would not ever really be in her position (I plan to welcome whatever drugs they offer me.)

The doctor then looked at the printout which shows the baby's heartbeat, my heartbeat, and I don't know what else, and she asked me, "so how long have you been having contractions?" I said I didn't know I was having contractions. The monitor had picked them up without my knowing it. They were weak (not strong enough for me to feel), but were happening often. Apparently, a few things can cause contractions, including dehydration. I told her I drink water constantly; I'm not sure she believed me. They checked to see if I was dilated, and I wasn't. I was told I'd have to drink a bunch of water, then get checked again in two hours. I called Jerry (he didn't even know I was there) and told him I'd be there for awhile, but it looked like everything was going to be OK and he didn't need to come.

They put me in a more comfortable room with a gallon of water and I continued to be monitored. This is where I decided I don't like hospitals. I asked for the bathroom and they pulled a toilet out from the counter... right there in the room! I felt like specifying, "No, I said bath-ROOM, the kind with four walls and a door that locks!" But I didn't want to be the difficult patient considering there were people in labor in the rooms all around me. As if that wasn't bad enough, the remote control for the TV didn't work. THEN, I asked for lunch and they brought me a cheeseburger (I had not voluntarily consumed beef in seven years). I stared at the cheeseburger for about ten minutes, thought about how hungry I was, looked at the small scoop of potato salad and the wimpy, insignificant cookie and realized they would never satisfy Evan or me, so I ate the burger, half of it, anyway. It tasted like those soy/beef burgers from elementary school cafeterias. Not as bad as I was expecting, but overall I was NOT happy with my experience.

After two hours they came in and checked me again. Thankfully, I was still not dilated at all. The doctor said some women "just have contractions through the second half of pregnancy" but still carry until their due date. It doesn't really mean anything. I guess I'm one of those women. As long as I don't have any pain or other weird warning signs, I should be OK.

We learned a few things from this experience: first, any time I have another unusual appointment, Jerry will be with me. He felt helpless being at work and not knowing how I was doing. So I shall keep him better informed and not worry about worrying him. Also, I am packing *normal* food in the back of my car, to be carried with me at all times! No more being stuck without food and at the mercy of those evil nurses. Also, even though we are 9 weeks away from the due date, it's time to start thinking about the things we need to pack, and getting phone numbers and directions to the hospital to family members, etc. It's sneaking up on us.