I started having some pretty intense contractions on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning that were waking me up in the middle of the night. I woke up Wednesday and was still having them, not to mention being exhausted from getting almost no sleep (I woke up every hour at least). I ate and took a shower, and fell asleep. I woke up and *thought* I wasn't having them anymore, so my mom and I went to Hobby Lobby, where I almost passed out in line. I ended up in L&D again, having some pretty major contractions. My cervix was closed but soft, so they kept me overnight. I got a shot to stop the contractions before I fell asleep last night, but apparently it didn't completely stop them because I'm still having them.
My doctor came in this morning and said that yet again there's no reason for me to be having contractions (no infections, no signs of pre-e, I'm way hydrated, etc), and while they were real and not BH, they weren't active labor, so he sent me home.... but told me I'm not allowed to work anymore. He said there's nothing wrong physically with me, that I'm just super stressed, and since I can't quit school, especially being so close to graduation (36 days!), he doesn't want me to work anymore. I've always been a really stressed person, but being in the 3rd tri is not the time to be this stressed, clearly.
The frustrating part is that I'm so used to being super independent - since I turned 16, I've had a job, paid for my own gas, extras, and since I went to college I've paid for pretty much everything myself (even though I live with my parents still/again). It's frustrating that I'm 22 years old and have to rely on my parents for everything again. My mom went through the same thing when she was pregnant with me when she was my age, except she even had her own apartment and everything and had to move back in with my grandpa. What's worse is that my parents were finally going on their honeymoon (20 years later), leaving the day after Thanksgiving and going to Hawaii for a week, but they're postponing it until the end of January/beginning of February for their birthdays instead - and it's 50% because of me and the baby. (The other 50% is that we're being let out of our lease from the most poorly built house ever a year early so we're looking at houses now to start moving next week).
I just feel like a major pain in the ass... I know that baby comes first, but this isn't how any of this was supposed to work out, at all.
Re: L&D, stress & frustration
I'm sorry you're going through all of this. It sounds like although you feel like a burden on your parents they are more than willing to help you which is great.
My co-worker had her baby 2 months ago. She was having contractions just like you starting at 24 weeks. She'd be doing her job and double over from a contraction then go back to work, it was crazy. She ended up being induced at 40 weeks, despite all the contractions she never had any progress, go figure.
Hopefully everything works out good for you. I'm sorry you can't work anymore.
You can't change any of it, so I wouldn't waste all that time and energy focusing on it. Would it have been better for you to be more financially secure before having a baby? Sure, but that isn't your reality. It sucks that your parents have to step in, but that is was loving families do.
It could be a lot worse. At least your family is willing to help you. I would just focus on being grateful for their support and make sure that they know you appreciate everything they are doing. Really all you can do to make their sacrifice worthwhile is take care of your health and focus on doing better for yourself in the future.
In a couple years when you are back on your feet and supporting both yourself and your LO, I am sure your parents will feel like the investment they are making now, in supporting you, was worth it.
This is exactly how I feel - I'm very independent and I feel so guilty that my mom has taken FMLA leave at a reduced pay to come take care of me. I started crying last night telling her I'm so sorry I'm a burden and she told me that's what moms do... they take care of their kids and someday Ella will need me like this. She's so right - that is part of being a parent. Believe me - they wouldn't do it if they didn't want to
In the mean time, try and relax and keep that baby in there!