Alright Already

We went out shopping earlier today, thinking it’s time to fill up the fridge again just in case the little critter decides to make a showing. As we have done every weekend for the past 4 weekends, we’ve bought a whole poop-load of groceries and dutifully filed them away in the pantry and fridge. Now we’re pretty much bulging at the seams – with almost no space left in the fridge, freezer or pantry. This nesting thing is getting out of hand.

On the way back from the store, Mom-to-Be had a couple bouts of intense stabbing pain in her chest, radiating from her arm through the sternum and into her back. She was sitting in the car while I was driving, and I could tell she was a bit restless and agitated. She opened her window and let the cold air blow on her face which seemed to help. This stabbing pain lasted over 3 minutes, and seemed to turn into a contraction after that. And about 2 minutes after the first one, she had another stabbing pain in her chest.

We’re not quite sure what to make of this. The pains have not recurred for 2-1/2 hours, and no real contractions during this time either. It didn’t sound like a normal contraction, but since her heart rate is normal and she seems to have shrugged whatever it was off without harm, we didn’t bother calling the midwife or doctor.

In the mean time we looked up some acupressure points that are supposed to induce labour. We have done both the hoku pressure point, deep in between the Vee of the thumb and index finger on both hands. Rubbing there for about a minute is supposed to stimulate the cervix to open and contractions to start.

We also tried the spleen 6 pressure point – about 4 finger-widths above the ankle bone on the inside of both ankles. When you find the spot it will feel like you’re pressing on a bruise – so gently massage that spot for a minute or so. Some people say to massage until a contraction starts, then rest. Start massaging the spot again after the contraction ends.

Not sure if either of these two spots will work, but at this point we’re open to anything. I’ll keep you posted.