From:      Kathryn E. Kuhn
Date:       August 26, 1998
Subject:   BNN: So THAT's What a Contraction Feels Like...

I've been posting these on the web site, but figured this one deserves a special email to all...;=0

As some of you may know, I experienced a few "false" contractions the day we signed all the paperwork on the house (stress-induced).  They felt more like mini stomach cramps, were sporadic and didn't really bug me.  I knew right away that these were false labor signs and didn't give it much thought.

Last night was a different story.

Starting around 7pm I starting getting very sharp PAIN, very low that were like nothing I had ever experienced.  They were the smooth rhythmic contractions that occurred *exactly* 20 minutes apart and lasted about 45-60 seconds.  These are the kind of contractions that usually indicate the start of labor (7 weeks early!).  After a couple of hours of this, we broke down and called a doctor, just to be sure.  She told me to "relax" and "not worry about it" unless I start getting them every 10 minutes.  So exactly WHEN in this process do I get the epidural?  How about a nice Demoral chaser? ;=0

Does anyone else find it ironic that the likely cause of early contractions is STRESS and the sheer fact that I'm having them is STRESSFUL and the only way to get rid of them is to NOT BE STRESSED? 

Of course, the baby was NOT pleased one bit about the contractions.  She went totally nuts kicking and squirming and rolling around.  This, of course, added to the pain and STRESS (see the theme folks?).  Through it all Doug has been extremely calm and wonderful.  He calming timed the contractions, brought the CD player into the bedroom to play soothing music (not Led Zeppelin) and would hold and massage me to help me calm down.  It was nice to know that he's not going to go "Ricky Ricardo" on me (remember the I LOVE LUCY episode where Lucy announced "this is it"?).

I'm fine and at work, but a little on edge (wonder why?). I promised Doug I'll take it easy today.  I think the next 7 weeks are going to be rocky, so please be understanding guys.  I feel about as emotional as I did when I was a teenager (which was NOT an emotionally stable time for me - just ask my mother!).

Love to all!