Must. Be. Zen.
Well, sports fans, hold on to your seats, things might--or might not--be getting interesting. I haven't tried the castor oil yet, because as of this morning, I woke up with the occasional mild contraction. These seemed different (more achy and specifically located in the lower uterine area) than the usual Braxton-Hicks kind I'd been getting, and at least for awhile, were more regular (approx 8-10 minutes apart). But...just like last time, it's been a good 12 hours or so and the contractions seem to be coming and going, sometimes stronger and regular, and sometimes weaker and erratically. I am torn between feeling glad that the show seems to have gotten at least somewhat on the road, but also frustrated because in my "labor fantasy" for this time, I had convinced myself that I wouldn't be doing this crazy prodromal on-again-off-again 3 day labor thing--but that does seem to be what's happening again here, whether I like it or not.
So, more waiting, I think. This morning I was all optimistic, thinking that by this time tonight (it's approximately 7pm now) I'd be rollling along into active labor, but I'm once again learning to just take what I'm given and deal with it. (Ok, Universe, I get it, I get it already!) This time, at least, I know that things CAN go slowly (and most likely will), so I'm not going to get all hyped up with expectations of imminence and rob myself of sleep (or at least rest) so that when things do shift into high gear I'm exhausted, like I was last time. I'm fortunate (that's what I'm telling myself anyway) that these contractions aren't so strong and painful yet that I can't sleep through them, so my plan now is to eat a good dinner tonight and try to get some sleep, and then see what tomorrow brings. Who knows, maybe I'll do this same on-again off-again thing for a whole 'nother day or two (like last time), or maybe I'll be woken up in the middle of the night with super duper "oh my God the baby's here" contractions (a girl can dream...). Either way...whatever happens, happens. Must. Be. Zen.
(But GODDAMMIT this waiting stuff SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS!)
Small consolation, I know, but look at things this way: at least you're not frantically trying to put together everything the night before the Princess Party. Who the fuck decided to make children's (*small* children's, no less...let's face it, this ain't for them) birthday parties such an incredibly big deal?!?!
Sending *quick, easy labor* vibes your way!!!!! I'm so glad that nature seems to have kicked in before castor oil was needed. I'm also hoping that because your body has done this birthing thing before, it will remember how it's done and be quicker about it this time. Come on, body, do your stuff!!
You are a STRONG woman, J. And we're all rootin' for you!