Waiting on Sophia

Today, I took my little sister, Lindsey to her 39 week OB appointment.  We are all very anxiously awaiting any pending signs that the little one may be soon arriving.  We have had 2 previous trips to L&D due to Linds having high BP.  These trips have resulted in her being put on full bed rest.  The bed rest seemed to do the trick--he swelling and BP have been much improved--however I can't say the same for her sanity.  I can only imagine the thrill of being confined to the couch, bed, house all day every day.  No thanks!  Anyways, today I took her to her appointment due to her car being in the shop. Well, long story short, we ended up being sent to L&D again because her BP had gone up again and she had diminished reflexes.  How exciting--a third trip to L&D!!  Perhaps the 3rd time is the charm, and unlike previous visits, this time she was full term--come on baby!

I got Lindsey to the hospital and waited in the waiting room since I had my kiddos with me--L&D triage is no place for my little eager explorers.  Soon after we arrived and I bought some time with the kids by getting them snacks from the gift shop, Brian arrived to take over kid-patrol.  So, I went back to see Linds and keep her company since I was the only one there still.  Much to my delight, this is what I saw upon arrival.....

CONTRACTIONS.  And not just contractions.....REGULAR contractions!!  This was new for Lindsey so it was really exciting and ignited a new flame of hope and expectation.  Her BP was going up too, so in my head--signs were pointing towards a potential delivery!  

Shortly after this picture, the nurse checked Lindsey's "progress" which was unchanged since she'd been checked earlier at the doctor's office.  This is no surprise--for whatever reason, our family is notorious for stubborn cervixes that do NOT open for nobody!  So, the RN sent Linds on a walk...see if it changed things.

Look at her go--she was determined to create progress!!  She's going so fast she's a blur :)  She'd KILL me if she saw this!

Soon after walking commenced, Mom and our Aunt Heidi arrived.  Everyone was all excited and abuzz because our hopes had been raised with the elevating BP and regular contractions (yes, we know elevated BP isn't desirable, but it is now safe for baby to be born, and the elevated bp might have been the ticket to a birthday bash).  After a half hour of strolling, she was rechecked, no progress :(  But again--stubborn cervixes.  

At this point the doctor (the same who delivered my two and Heidi's two) began leaning towards sending Lindsey back home...BAH!  I guess his 40 years of experience gives him a little bit more insight than the rest of us.  He agreed because she was contracting still to watch her for another hour or so.  Not much changed in regards to contractions or BP.  They gave her meds to slow down contractions and had her drink lots of water.  The contractions slowed down a little and the intensity of them lessened, so it was home for Lindsey.  

There is a light at the end of the tunnel though!  Linds went back to the doctor this morning and they scheduled her for delivery on Tuesday!  4 days till Sophia!!  That's something we call all smile about!!