Exciting News

March 15th 2010

This morning John and I headed to the hospital for what I was hoping would be our last scan before delivery.   On the way up we were chatting about how far we'd come during this pregnancy and how different we were feeling to the day  Louise's problems were picked up.  That was the heart of darkest winter, and how dark it seemed.  Oh my goodness...how very dark it seemed!!!  In contrast this morning was beautiful, daffodils are just starting to bloom all along Dublin's roadways and the harsh frost we've seen every morning for weeks now has gone.  As we were stuck in the morning traffic along the canal we watched the mother ducks waddling around with their tiny ducklings in tow.   Can you believe it..I felt normal!! No tears, no nerves!!  12 days till due date and the uncomfortable last climb of pregnancy was almost over.

As usual we arrived in the hospital ill equipped for the boring waiting room..no book, ipod or anything else to amuse ourselves.  John headed out to buy a newspaper which we could divide between us and I mulled over what I could write to make this uneventful visit sound interesting.  All we were expecting was the measurements to be taken again.  We'd no other doctors to see this time and no burning questions on our mind.  In fact we might even get out again before our parking meter expired!

Finally we were called and a new doctor sharing my name introduced herself and proceeded with the scan..no changes were showing up and she remarked in passing how low the baby's head is lying.  I was trying to judge from memory and with my highly trained medical eye had the DW cyst grown or changed shape...I couldn't. The Obstetrician came in then and chatted to John about how busy the hospital has become..it's now the busiest Maternity Hospital in Europe, Ireland experiencing a bit of a baby boom at the moment.  Needless to say resources and infrastructure (and parking) haven't increased accordingly.  The doctor also remarked in passing how low the baby's head is lying and asked me would I like it to be checked out.  Of course I agreed and was thrilled when we were told baby is ready to arrive!!  In fact merely checking could trigger some action!!

 There followed a bit of discussion about how long it'll take us to get to the hospital from Naas..the answer is anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending in the time of day.  We said we'd already decided to telephone for an ambulance or Garda escort if labour occurred during peak traffic.  This is usual enough and she said they're always willing to oblige especially if we tell them the baby's situation.  Then the OB said  'Well will I put you in for Monday then?'  I thought meaning for another check up and my heart fell..Ah Damn! another trip to Dublin! Then I realised it was to deliver the baby!! All along the doctors had been saying the baby wouldn't be induced so this is a total turn around to what we were expecting!! At least a week had been just knocked off the pregnancy!! HURRAH!!

So now I'm booked in for 9am next Monday but she thinks there's a good chance labour will trigger off by itself before that.  If it happens next Wednesday we've to ring an ambulance so that we don't get stuck in Dublin's St Patrick's Day Parade :-D  ( That'd be a good one)

I'm home now and feeling a bit of discomfort and pressure so we'll see what develops over the next day or so...unfortunately I'm also noticing some jobs I really feel I should do..maybe I'll just close my eyes- John's great at whipping all the children into military efficiency around the house when I'm not there.

I'm so excited...we're going to see her!!!   But please increase your prayers!!