Dim Sum, you’re such a tease!

Posted: June 25th, 2010 | Author: Marissa K. | Filed under: | Tags: Dim Sum, Pregnancy | 2 Comments »

Here’s a direct citation from “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” about labor and childbirth (apologies if you think this is graphic, but it’s presented as clinically as a layperson can get):

“Childbirth is divided (more loosely by nature, more formally by obstetrical science) into three stages. The first stage is labor, divided into three phases: early (or latent), active, and transactional ending with the full dilation (opening) of the cervix; the second stage is delivery, culminating in the birth of the baby; and the third stage is delivery of the placenta or afterbirth [QUICK! Call Tom Cruise! -- sorry, had to add that]. The whole process averages about fourteen hours for first-time mothers…”

“STAGE ONE: Labor

Phase I: Latent or Early — thinning (effacement) of cervix and dilation to 3 centimeters

Phase II: Active – dilation of cervix to 7 centimeters

Phase II: Transitional — dilation of cervix to 10 centimeters (fully dilated)”

Now that you’re fully versed on the clinical science behind childbirth, let me share with you that I’ve been 3 cm dilated for an entire week. Remember that line about the whole process taking about fourteen hours? Bullshit. Seven full days of waiting, and God knows how much longer this will go on. At the doc’s appointment this past Wednesday, she said I was between 3-4 cm dilated. Shouldn’t that imply that I’m moving from “latent or early” labor to “active” labor? No, apparently this doesn’t apply to me.

Dim Sum, you’re such a tease!

I digress… You’ve probably read my “freak out” post. Despite last Friday, I went on to have a fairly normal, albeit, busy weekend.

Nate and I hosted my extended family for Father’s Day, and the whole event went off beautifully for us and the 20+ folks that came over for dinner. Everyone got to see the yard (in progress), the baby’s room, and most hadn’t ever seen the house, so it was nice for my aunts, uncles and cousins to come over.

It was a busy night, but I managed to go to bed early, since I had a 7 a.m. conference call to attend the next morning. But Dim Sum had other plans… I was awakened by some intense contractions at 1 a.m.! I woke Nate up so we could freak out together. We read through “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (see above) and got a sense for what we could/should do. And then, after an hour… the contraction went away.

And they haven’t returned. This entire week. Seven full days. It’s been a crazy, exhausting, emotional roller coaster of a waiting game. Sigh.

What has happened is that I’ve gotten REALLY tired. Yesterday, I napped for most of the mid-day, and the naps were book-ended by two very full nights of sleep. My abilities to focus suck, and I’ve been taking a lot of walks to fill the time. I guess it’s been a blessing, since we’ve experienced our first 2 days of summer this past week. After a record amount of time, Seattle weather finally reached 75 degrees and above! The last time it was that warm was September 23, 2009. I’ve had a massage, I’ve had friends and family over for dinner… I guess I should be enjoying all of this.

But Nate and I both just want Dim Sum to come. This being said, there’s a Dim Sum for Dim Sum Baby Party this weekend. So I guess I need Dim Sum to wait a few more days… Hang in there Dim Sum. Hang in there Marissa. Hang in there Nate.

… Our lives will change soon enough…

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