My first trip to L&D

Last night, I started having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Timing them, I realized they were 5 minutes apart! This continued pretty much all night, with me catching snatches of sleep in between. Then, I noticed a dull back ache and some crampiness. Of course, my worry is pre-term delivery. Along with the contractions coming every 5 minutes, I was having to potty every 5 minutes as well - that's why I couldn't get much sleep.

I decided to make sure and stay hydrated and stay off my feet today, and it worked for a while, until the afternoon when the contractions started to pick up again. I called my doctor and let him know what was going on and he told me to go to the hospital if it persisted. I'm kinda freaking out now, so I send Steve an email, have a short cry about it and set about getting ready to go to the hospital. Steve called me and then came home and we made our way to the hospital.

When we arrive at the hospital, the fun of the language barrier begins. The lady at the reception desk spoke very little English, but I showed her my "Mutterpass" (my pocket OB chart that I must carry everywhere) and she directed us to the gyno department. The lady there spoke no English at all, but took us downstairs to the maternity ward, and luckily the midwife spoke English. I was put on a monitor for the baby and for the contractions and lay there for a while. Stephanie does not like those fetal monitors, and she kicked at it the entire time. After signing a bunch of papers I couldn't understand, we went upstairs for an ultrasound and examination to make sure I wasn't dilating. The doctor up there spoke only Russian and German, but luckily, there was another nurse/midwife who was able to translate for us. Everything looked fine, no sign of dilation or shortening in my cervix, and baby is fine. However, it turns out I have a bladder infection. They offered me to stay for the night, and they would give me magnesium for the contractions and check me again in the morning. I am starving at this point, and I just want to go home. So, I get a prescription for the magnesium and some antibiotics and orders to follow up with my OB in the morning.

At least we got to see the hospital and Steve got a dry run on the route. It's really lovely and had a nice atmosphere. I think it will be a nice experience, but I really don't want to go there for another 13 weeks at least! I always dreaded being "that woman" who thought she was in labor but got sent home sans baby. Of course, in this instance, I didn't want to be in labor. But better safe than sorry, so that is why we went on to the hospital. Now I just need this baby to stay put for the next few months!