Sunday, February 16, 2003
Part I: Monday, Monday.
Dale: Our Monday was much more exciting than yours--I'm willing to bet substantial cash on this proposition.
First of all, it started earlier: around 2:15 am, with a coughing toddler. Maddie had been suffering from a running nose and occasional coughing since Saturday. On Sunday, when I spoke to my mom, she warned: "She could have another ear infection." I said, warningly, "Mom, don't say that..."
Oh, joy. That would be, of course, ear infection No. X since Halloween. X doesn't mean "10," it means "indeterminate." I cannot remember how many she's had since then. I think six. But it could be five.
"Do you feel lucky, punk?"
No matter. Maddie woke up with periodic coughing fits. Around 2:15am, she woke us up--again. I blearily got up, got the Pediacare out, and gave her a dose. It normally works. It didn't this time. My suggestion was to wait. If it didn't work quickly, then at least I had plenty of Cafe Coppa Breakfast Blend. That, and a new coffeemaker to try it out in. We gave it another cough-filled half-hour. Maddie wasn't crying, which made it easier. For her.
It was then that Heather decided to wake me up fully without the benefit of coffee.
"I've been having contractions every eight minutes for the past hour."
I'm awake!
Heather had told me she was having periodic contractions on Sunday--a total of five. But they were of the once-every-three-hours variety--and not even that regular. Nothing shocking for a woman 36 weeks pregnant. But once every eight minutes? It's go time. Like the tombstone says: "I expected this. But not so soon." Unless:
"They could be Braxton-Hicks. Did you drink a big glass of water?"
"Yes. And I walked around for about fifteen minutes, too."
Uh-oh. OK. Um, what was that part about contractions from our pregnancy classes again....?
"I got the book out. There's a section on contractions. Give it a look," she recommended.
OK. I went out and picked up the book. I was able to read, nerve-dilated eyes and all.
"Have your contractions increased in intensity?"
"Not really."
I exhaled slightly.
"What's the duration?"
"Mostly less than 45 seconds."
More relaxation. It could be false labor, then. It has the hallmarks.
"Why don't you call the hospital," she suggested. The friendly 24/7 staff nurse responded. I gave her all the signs. She recognized the indeterminate nature, and gave equally equivocal advice: "You can bring her in if you want. But if her water breaks..."
Yes, if that happens--it's definitely go time. Even Bleary Man knew that.
I relayed the equivocal advice (really, the nurse couldn't have given us anything more concrete). It was at this point Heather decided to throw the split-fingered fastball:
"The contractions have gotten stronger."
Time to pack.
Also, time to call my brother-in-law and his wife. After all, we have a toddler to take care of. Maddie going to the hospital to hear her mama scream is not on the agenda. As a bonus, Aunt Misty and Uncle Lou (and especially Cousin Megan) are on Maddie's Good List. Lou answered the phone (after screening the call on his machine)--he sounded as instantly awake as I was.
Absolutely, of course: Bring Maddie over. We packed quickly, during which time Heather advised that the contractions were now coming more quickly.
Must...pack...faster....
Maddie was in pretty good spirits, which helped. In a moment of caution, I decided against calling my parents. First of all, even though dad's surgery was almost two months ago, he still needs his sleep. He still has a part-time day job, too. Add to that the fact they live 140 miles away, and I decided I'd wait until we had medical confirmation. They should still have time to make it down, too.
In the meantime, Heather the Teacher had to make sure that the school would get a substitute. Only she didn't have the number to get the on-call service. Instead, she had to call the principal. Yeesh--Wrong number! (We later learned it was well out-of-date) What about the Assistant Principal? Success! He was very sympathetic, and assured Heather the substitute would be ready: "I'll take care of it--you take care of yourself. It's covered." He must have been awake, since Heather said he sounded like he was at school.
We sped over to Lou and Misty's. We made it there around 3:30am. The lights were on, but Megan, Maddie's partner in crime, was still asleep. Everyone else was fully awake. Misty thoughtfully gave me a thermos to fill with coffee. Maddie bid us adieu without a hint of emotional discomfort. Lou and Misty wished us luck, and assured us they'd be there later.
We headed for the hospital. It was nice to be able to speed, too, knowing full well the cop who pulled us over would give us the flashing light escort the rest of the way. Alas, no cops. But Heather kept me informed:
"Is it 3:48 yet?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Because it was 3:43 the last time I had a contraction, and I'm having another one."
Oh, boy. Plus, she told me it was getting harder to breathe during the contractions. And they were getting longer in duration--we timed one at a nearly a minute."
Must...drive...faster....
CONTINUED IN PART II ABOVE
Dale: Our Monday was much more exciting than yours--I'm willing to bet substantial cash on this proposition.
First of all, it started earlier: around 2:15 am, with a coughing toddler. Maddie had been suffering from a running nose and occasional coughing since Saturday. On Sunday, when I spoke to my mom, she warned: "She could have another ear infection." I said, warningly, "Mom, don't say that..."
Oh, joy. That would be, of course, ear infection No. X since Halloween. X doesn't mean "10," it means "indeterminate." I cannot remember how many she's had since then. I think six. But it could be five.
"Do you feel lucky, punk?"
No matter. Maddie woke up with periodic coughing fits. Around 2:15am, she woke us up--again. I blearily got up, got the Pediacare out, and gave her a dose. It normally works. It didn't this time. My suggestion was to wait. If it didn't work quickly, then at least I had plenty of Cafe Coppa Breakfast Blend. That, and a new coffeemaker to try it out in. We gave it another cough-filled half-hour. Maddie wasn't crying, which made it easier. For her.
It was then that Heather decided to wake me up fully without the benefit of coffee.
"I've been having contractions every eight minutes for the past hour."
I'm awake!
Heather had told me she was having periodic contractions on Sunday--a total of five. But they were of the once-every-three-hours variety--and not even that regular. Nothing shocking for a woman 36 weeks pregnant. But once every eight minutes? It's go time. Like the tombstone says: "I expected this. But not so soon." Unless:
"They could be Braxton-Hicks. Did you drink a big glass of water?"
"Yes. And I walked around for about fifteen minutes, too."
Uh-oh. OK. Um, what was that part about contractions from our pregnancy classes again....?
"I got the book out. There's a section on contractions. Give it a look," she recommended.
OK. I went out and picked up the book. I was able to read, nerve-dilated eyes and all.
"Have your contractions increased in intensity?"
"Not really."
I exhaled slightly.
"What's the duration?"
"Mostly less than 45 seconds."
More relaxation. It could be false labor, then. It has the hallmarks.
"Why don't you call the hospital," she suggested. The friendly 24/7 staff nurse responded. I gave her all the signs. She recognized the indeterminate nature, and gave equally equivocal advice: "You can bring her in if you want. But if her water breaks..."
Yes, if that happens--it's definitely go time. Even Bleary Man knew that.
I relayed the equivocal advice (really, the nurse couldn't have given us anything more concrete). It was at this point Heather decided to throw the split-fingered fastball:
"The contractions have gotten stronger."
Time to pack.
Also, time to call my brother-in-law and his wife. After all, we have a toddler to take care of. Maddie going to the hospital to hear her mama scream is not on the agenda. As a bonus, Aunt Misty and Uncle Lou (and especially Cousin Megan) are on Maddie's Good List. Lou answered the phone (after screening the call on his machine)--he sounded as instantly awake as I was.
Absolutely, of course: Bring Maddie over. We packed quickly, during which time Heather advised that the contractions were now coming more quickly.
Must...pack...faster....
Maddie was in pretty good spirits, which helped. In a moment of caution, I decided against calling my parents. First of all, even though dad's surgery was almost two months ago, he still needs his sleep. He still has a part-time day job, too. Add to that the fact they live 140 miles away, and I decided I'd wait until we had medical confirmation. They should still have time to make it down, too.
In the meantime, Heather the Teacher had to make sure that the school would get a substitute. Only she didn't have the number to get the on-call service. Instead, she had to call the principal. Yeesh--Wrong number! (We later learned it was well out-of-date) What about the Assistant Principal? Success! He was very sympathetic, and assured Heather the substitute would be ready: "I'll take care of it--you take care of yourself. It's covered." He must have been awake, since Heather said he sounded like he was at school.
We sped over to Lou and Misty's. We made it there around 3:30am. The lights were on, but Megan, Maddie's partner in crime, was still asleep. Everyone else was fully awake. Misty thoughtfully gave me a thermos to fill with coffee. Maddie bid us adieu without a hint of emotional discomfort. Lou and Misty wished us luck, and assured us they'd be there later.
We headed for the hospital. It was nice to be able to speed, too, knowing full well the cop who pulled us over would give us the flashing light escort the rest of the way. Alas, no cops. But Heather kept me informed:
"Is it 3:48 yet?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Because it was 3:43 the last time I had a contraction, and I'm having another one."
Oh, boy. Plus, she told me it was getting harder to breathe during the contractions. And they were getting longer in duration--we timed one at a nearly a minute."
Must...drive...faster....
CONTINUED IN PART II ABOVE
