Kersploosh

My waters broke at 12.30am this morning.  E and I had just gotten into bed.  The second he turned out the light, there was a shifting, popping motion inside me and then a sudden, unmistakable gush.  By the time I got to the bathroom, my entire pj bottom was drenched in wet, light pink fluid.  I was absolutely astonished at the sheer volume. Waters breaking doesn't cover it, as it was more like a tidal wave in my knickers.

Cue a certain amount of amusing flapping around- find sanitary pads!  Find old bath towel to soak up amniotic mess! Get blue file with notes and hospital number! Call hospital! Try to steady shaking voice! Roust parent out of bed at rental flat to collect dog! 

I was asked to go up to the hospital for an assessment right then, so I stuffed a folded hand towel down my pants, we threw everything into the car and headed on up, in the dark, lashing rain at 1am.  Fortunately we had a very good idea of where to go, the maternity centre being located directly across from the good ole Ass Con Unit.  I waddled in, trailing a small stream of fluid (or so it felt like) in my wake.

After a half an hour hooked up to a fetal monitor, followed by a peek at the state of my cervix, the verdict is this: the baby is doing fine and I am not dilated at all.  With only some vague, irregular contractions to my name, we were dispatched home again.  The plan is that we go back either when my uterus steps up to the plate with some regular, business-like (read: painful) contractions or else this evening, whichever comes first. 

So back we drove, filling up the car with gas on the way at the amusing 24 hour petrol station. Had a quick snack, rustled up some dry jammies for me and E. collapsed into bed at 3am.

Of course, guess who can't sleep?  Yes, that would be me. Since about 4am I've been having definitive, rather uncomfy contractions coming erratically anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes apart. Just enough that everytime I am about to doze off, there is a new uterine wake up call.  So I suspect I am in for something of a long haul here but on the bright side, at least it seems Botany is on her way very soon.

I'm going to take my dribbly self to bed again for a bit and try my best to catch a few zzz's now. Depending how things go, I may or may not post again before things get really exciting.  But you know, there will be news as soon as there is...news.  Huzzah.

Comments

[Dee]

Delurking to say "yippee!" (actually not delurking entirely as I've commented here before but it's been quite some time since I last did). Sounds like Botany may be here fairly soon :-)

Sending you good wishes for a pleasant L&D experience and all the best as you make the next step in this incredible journey. I've been following along for a few years now and couldn't be happier for you!

[Tonya]

Huzzah indeed! Looks like my guess of the 19th might come to pass. Wishing you a very safe and healthy birth!

[mijk]

De-lurking (I think)to shout: Go girl! Wishing you 2 (3) a safe delivery and go smell that baby (mine actually smelled of blood and cartires somehow but still it was something very special!!!

[OvaGirl]

Oh YAY MARE!! hoorah and huzzah indeed! Thinking of you with all love and excitement!
YIPPEE!!!!

[Boulder]

Well, I was hoping to win the guess for Botany arrival date & time, but I'll settle for being quite close to the time of your water breaking because it means we are getting close!

[Lala]

Hope it doesn't take too long my dear.
Very excited for the filly that's on the way.

[Bittermama]

Eeeeeeeee! Very excited that she's working on her arrival. Hmm... witht he time change I imagine things may have kicked into full gear by now!

[Cricket]

How exciting!

Mine worked the same way. I had to be induced after my sac broke.

What do you think of the smell? How would you describe it? My midwife swore it smelled like hay, but I said it smelled like regular sex.

[Jean]

Wow..... I hope that once everything picks up for you it is all over fast. I am so excited for you two. Good luck and I will be thinking about you guys and hoping all goes well.

[victoria]

Yeah!! that's how my first labour started. I finally had to be induced, but then it was a quick run to the finish. And what a prize you'll get! Can't wait to hear news of Botany's arrival.

[Jen]

How thrilling! On pins & needles for you.

[Robyn]

Oh how wonderful. Your description of the trip to the hospital made me laugh aloud. Apart from the time (my waters broke at 4.30am) and having to drop off the dog at my mothers on the way, my experience was identical - dark, rain, folded towel, no action, the lot. Not a twinge until 1pm, then baby at 4.30pm. Thanks for reminding me of something special.

Wishing you an equally short labour and hugely amazing experience. Go, Botany!

[Lut C.]

Talk about a live report from the scene!
Good luck!

[Jenn]

Good luck! I'm so excited for you!

[Melina]

Fabulous!

[Beth]

Yay! I'm so excited for you both -- hoping all is going well and you either have or are shortly to have, your wee Botany in your arms.

[Megan]

What exciting news!!!!
Good luck!!

[Anna H.]

Waiting with bated breath, my dear -- here she comes!

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Big kisses.

[Pamplemousse]

Whoo-hoo! Get a move on, Botany. The internets are waiting ;)

[Toni]

Thinking good, quick, painless thoughts for you!!!

[Northwoods Baby]

!!!!!! Oh, I'm absolutely thrilled for you! We don't expect you to post during labor (although E could ... :0), but having an update in this up-to-the-minute fashion is fabulous.

Baby! Baby, baby, baby!

I hope it's fast and easy for you.

We'll all have tons of assvice for you after. It's what we do.

[Hallie]

Oooh! Good luck with everything! I look forward to learning of Botany's arrival!

[anon]

it's a scary thing, isn't it? That waters breaking. And then trying to sleep afterwards. HA!

Don't let them put anything iside again until you're in transition, seriously. Every time the do you run and infection risk.

Good luck, remember there's no reason for a timed c-section unless you spike a fever.

[BrooklynGirl]

Huzzah is right! Thinking of you.

[Sue]

Yup - sounds familiar - my waters happily broke whilst sitting on the loo - I had stopped weeing but the waters kept on... & I had a large bath towel stuffed in my sweat pants that got soaked en route to the hospital.

Expect you are in major labour as I type this - thinking of you & waiting for your news.
Sue