Jessica's Pregnancy Journal, Entry 12: 38 Weeks, Part I

This morning I woke up and things were pretty normal but as I finished giving Baby James his breakfast I started having some stomach cramps. They seemed like actual stomach cramps, not contractions, but remember that I was given a C-section right away with Baby James due to some medical issues with him that we knew about, so this time I am really unsure of what I know and what I don't. 

I called the nurse hotline, followed their instructions (lay on my side, drink two big glasses of water, breathe, eat/drink/walk if I want and wait an hour) but the cramps really didn't go away. So we called my mom and had her come up to stay with Baby James so we could go to the hospital. Not long after I got in the car the pains stopped and they didn't return. 

We walked and walked outside Mary Birch. I was so embarrassed to have gone in there and taken up the nice nurses time with my … nothing. Nothing was happening!

BUT they did check me and check Baby Alice's heartbeat and they said that I was actually having real contractions and that I was dilated one centimeter! WOOHOO! She could get to come so we can meet her anytime! 

BUT since I wasn't having any more pain we all agreed I should go home and wait it out. We're hoping for tonight or tomorrow. I was instructed by one of the great nurses at triage at Mary Birch to take a bath, that it would help the labor along if it was true labor, and that it would help with the pain of contractions. So I took a bath ate a sandwich, and now I'm going to go to bed waiting.

To read more from Jessica's journey, visit Jessica's Pregnancy Journal.

For More Information
To learn more about Sharp's pregnancy and childbirth services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego OBGYN or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about pregnancy and childbirth, visit Pregnancy and Childbirth in Adult Health or read the Pregnancy and Childbirth News archive.