I had contractions once . . .

(35 1/2 weeks pregnant)

Starting Thursday, April 28th I came down with a bit of the flu (and so did Lucy & David). It really wasn't that bad for me. I mostly just felt nauseous and didn't feel much like eating or drinking very much. By Saturday late afternoon it began to get worse. I went and helped out at our ward activity not feeling very well (but when do you feel well when you're pregnant?) By the time the activity was done,  I told Marc I really didn't feel very good. 

Soon after that, I began throwing up and my tummy would tighten really hard and it would really hurt for about 30 seconds. After about the 3rd time my tummy tightened (each was about 20 minutes apart), it dawned on me that maybe those were contractions! I called my sister-in-law (who has actually gone through the process of contractions-I have not-I just have planned c-sections) and she said if they continued for the next hour or two I should call my doctor. 

After two hours of the contractions I called my doctor and spoke with the nurse. I explained to her that I had two previous planned c-sections and had never experienced contractions before and wanted to know what my doctor wanted me to do. She said, "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but if you've had two c-sections and you're having any contractions, you need to go to the hospital and be seen right away." 

I started to cry and my mind felt numb. I asked Marc, "What do we need to take? Should I change out of my pajamas? Do we pack a bag?" Marc calmly reassured me I could go in my pajamas and that we didn't need to take anything. I agreed, but asked him to grab the camera just in case. Fortunately our dear friend Heidi had just happened to stop by so she stayed with the kids while we sped off to the hospital.

While at the hospital I was still throwing up and I felt MISERABLE. They had me hooked up to all these monitors and asked me all sorts of questions. My nurses were wonderful. They felt that most likely I was too dehydrated from being sick and my uterus (being the muscle that it is) was reacting to the dehydration by contracting. 

They got a hold of my doctor who ordered two liters of fluid to be delivered via an I.V. as well as anti-nausea medication and some morphine. By the time I was leaving the hospital (6 hours later) I was feeling great, I got to watch a re-cap of the royal wedding (which I had missed) AND I had the most delicious popsicle I have ever eaten.

Things have been fine ever since. Fortunately I never went into labor, I was just contracting and once the dehydration was under control, I was fine. And baby was great the whole time (I loved hearing her heartbeat while we were there). 

And that is the story of the time I actually had contractions.