where things stand...

jen again, writing for leila, as told to me by gavin.

now day five!

after getting a bit of assisted rest, if not actual sleep, last night in the hospital, leila went home in the morning for a couple of hours before she and gavin returned to the hospital for a previously scheduled non-stress test (a check of heart rate and fluid levels typically performed when babies are past their due date). during the morning her contractions had gotten much closer together (4-5 minutes apart at some points) and since the night's pain medication had worn off, extremely painful.

at the hospital she learned that she is 6cm dilated! and that the baby is sunny-side up (head down, but face out, which leaves the bony skull instead of squishy face pressed against the mom's spine--ouch!). This may account for so much of the painful back labor and the slowness with which labor is proceeding (at least that was my experience too, and what people told me at the time). after a lot of discussion with the doctor and her team of midwives, she agreed to get an epidural and probably pitocin to regulate and intensify the contractions. that is all in-process now, so soon she should be able to get some rest to prepare for pushing. gavin was joking that after five sleepless nights they will have to wake her to hand her the baby. apparently the nurse trying to stick leila for her iv (all amidst contractions) kept missing.

so, let's all keep Leila in our thoughts and hope baby Thistle turns herself around so she can get on out without further ado.