Early Labor?

At my appointment yesterday, the baby had moved down some and was still measuring in the 40th percentile. I was not having any contractions and has not made any progress towards labor. I was told to just show up the morning of Aug. 21 for my induction.

Well, this morning I woke up at 5:30 with contractions. They have been about 9-10 minutes apart ever since. I am just hanging out and timing them and trying to stay comfortable. Even though the ultrasound showed the baby is face down (not "sunny-side up" like Sean was), I am still having all back labor. It feels like someone is stabbing me in the lower back and butt, but at least right now the contractions are far enough apart that I get some relief in between them.

I have been "warned" that if I show up at Labor and Delivery with contractions that are more than 5 minutes apart I will be sent home, so I told Jonathan to go onto his doctor's appointment this morning and head to work and I will call him when I get close enough to head to the hospital. I'll keep updating here and I'm sure Jonathan will call the families if/when I actually go to the hospital.

Update #1: The contractions continue but remain more than 5 minutes apart and slightly inconsistent. It still feels like someone is stabbing me and my back is starting to get really sore. Just hanging out and doing some cleaning since it feels much better to be on my feet.

Update #2: Jonathan was home for lunch and we were assuming he would just stay home, but then my contractions abruptly stopped for almost 45 minutes. They have picked up again but are even more inconsistent than before. So I sent him back to work. I have had a few other symptoms (that I won't bore you or gross you out with) that indicate that this is the real deal, but who knows how long this process will take?

Update #3: I took a nap while Sean napped because as I told Jonathan, I fear this is going to be a long night no matter what. I am not sure how many contractions I had during the nap but I had three strong enough to wake me from my slumber. They are still there but very random. I am going to spend the rest of the evening on my feet and even walk at the park to see if that doesn't help to get things in a rhythm.

Update #4: Contractions remain but continue to be all over the place in terms of timing and intensity. I walked for awhile at the park and will stay on my feet for a few more hours before bed. Jonathan is convinced this will happen in the middle of the night and we will all be miserable and exhausted. That would be very much our luck.

Update #5: Heading to bed to try and get some sleep. Not sure if that will work. Contractions remain inconsistent but the intensity is remaining very high. I have to get on the floors on all fours to get through them. I am hoping laying down will hold them off. I could use some sleep.