First visit to Labor and Delivery- CHECK!

Yup, although I was adament I would not go to Labor and Delivery until it was time for Claire to be born, we found ourselves there tonight. I have been having braxton hicks contractions very regularly. My doctor said to call if they were more frequent than every 10 minutes and they have been lately. After resisting for a few days I called this afternoon and my doctor said to head into L&D. Josh was more nervous than I was. I actually wasn't nervous at all; I was looking forward to some reassurance though. They put all these bands and instruments around my tummy that timed and measured the contractions. My fear was that the contractions would stop the minute I arrived there and then would start again as soon as I left. I didn't want to be known as the pregnant girl that cried wolf. Soon after they hooked me up the nurse said, "Did you feel that?" and I said, "nope!". Apparently I was having a lot more contactions than what I was even feeling. They were coming every 5 minutes (a.k.a. not a good sign).

After measuring my contractions for awhile and noticing they were not going away, they did an FFN test (fetal fibronectin). If positive, there's a liklihood (but not certainty) you will go into labor in the next two weeks. After an hour and 15 minute wait for the result, we learned it was negative (praise God!). Then they did a cervical check, which was also good. Then they did a urine test. I was given a prescription called Macrobid to treat a urinary tract infection. They have no idea if I even have one as it takes 3 days to create a culture and test it. But they want me to start on the medication just in case. If it's negative, they'll have me stop and if it's positive, I'll continue. I also have to go in to the doctor more frequently. At this point I'm supposed to go in every 2 weeks until I'm 36 weeks, which is when I'll go in weekly. My next appt is scheduled for a week from today but they want me to also go in this Thursday or Friday. Hopefully I won't have to go in 2x/week for the rest of the pregnancy because that will get old fast!

All in all, we're very happy with the results. I'm glad I wasn't too stubborn to go in because it's not normal to have contactions every 5 minutes at this point (although the doctor said it very well could continue like this for the remainder of the pregnancy). I am 31 weeks today! Yay! Just a couple more months to go! We hope she stays safe and sound for at least another 6 weeks. She was kicking away like crazy during the testing tonight.

I had my first baby shower yesterday and it was absolutely gorgeous! Pam, Sarah, Amy, and Angela did a fantastic job! I'll write a post on that with pictures soon. For now I'm going to avoid my homework and go watch 24.