Update! Try not to toss your cookies!

I just googled "signs of labor." I'm not having all of them but some of them.

I don't think it's too far away, kids!

Here's what the American Pregnancy Association says followed by my comments:

Bloody show: Loss of mucus plug: During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus protects your cervical opening from bacteria entering the uterus. When your cervix begins to thin and relax, this plug is expelled. Some women think the plug will look solid like a cork, but it is actually stringy mucus or thick discharge. It can be clear, pink or blood tinged and can appear minutes, hours or even days before labor begins. Not all women notice this sign.

I'm not going to say anymore about that topic as I think it's rather self explanatory and I don't want to make you lose your lunch. But, ummm, yeah.

Nesting: Spurt of energy: For most of the pregnancy you have probably been fighting the urge to take a nap, so you'll know when you experience this. One day you will wake up feeling full of energy! You'll start making hundreds of list of things to do, things to clean, things to buy and everything you've put off doing will become a high priority. In all your preparations, don't forget that “Labor Day” may be just around the corner so save some energy.

Does reorganizing the nursery and washing clothes and folding a million hooded towels and running to Babies R Us to find changing table organization apparatuses and making Toby call friends to help him move furniture around from room to room....does this count as Nesting?

Effacement: Thinning of the cervix: Usually in the last month the cervix begins to stretch and thin. This process means the lower segment of the uterus is getting ready for delivery. A thin cervix will also allow the cervix to dilate more easily.
Your health care provider may check for effacement in the final 2 months of pregnancy. Effacement is measured in percentages. You may hear your care provider say,“You are 25% effaced, 50% effaced, 75%...” The Braxton Hicks contractions or “practice contractions” you have been experiencing may play a part in the effacement process. You will not be able to determine your effacement process, but by doing an internal exam.

I don't have a percentage - Doc has never said - but at each visit for the last month he has told me that I have effaced more and more each time. I've also been told that it's sometimes better to be more effaced than more dialated in the days before labor if you have to pick one over the other... Let's hope there is some truth to that!

Dilation: Opening of the cervix: Dilation is the process of the cervix opening in preparation for childbirth. Dilation is measured in centimeters or, less accurately, in “fingers” during an internal (manual pelvic) exam. “Fully dilated” means you're at 10 centimeters and are ready to give birth. In the same way that your care provider may be checking for effacement in the last 2 months, your care provider may also tell you how many centimeters your cervix has dilated.

Fingertip dialated here! Whatever that means....

Sooooo, things are happening and it's strange not knowing when, where, how, etc... It's just a waiting and a guessing game. Which I (control freak) am NOT good at!! But I have no choice. I guess I had better get used to Stella throwing me some curve balls in life.

The hospital just called and asked me a million questions to get me in the system and all registered for my hospital stay. When she was done asking questions she busted into: "Ok. You need to report to the hospital at 6:30 am on August 4. Bring your insurance card and your ID and you have a $250 co-pay. Have a nice day and good luck!" I just sat and stared at the phone. Dr. had MENTIONED that we would think about Aug 4 or 7 for induction if I went past my due date but it was never SAID that he would SCHEDULE it. I think it's great - go ahead and get me on the books - but it was a shock. And made it VERY official. Yikes.

But I bet I won't need that appointment.