15.5 week scare

October 22, 2009

Dear sisters and mom,
Yesterday I was doing some experiments and had to go into the dark room for about a half hour to expose and develop some film. I sat down on a stool because I was feeling sick and really tired, and did a set of leg exercises because I got bored. When I stood up, I felt that my crotch area was soaking wet and there was a fair amount of liquid running down my legs. I of course thought I realized what was happening and prepared myself to deliver an orange-sized fetus. In the dark, because a week's worth of experiments were on the line, and turning on the light would have exposed all the film, yada yada... I'm embarassed how pragmatic I was in the situation. Well, I finally had a two minute break, and went outside into the light only to realize that my water had not, indeed, broken (is that even possible at this stage?), but that I had sat in a huge puddle of leaking film developer. Tim is pretty sure I and the baby will not be harmed by this mishap, though it might come out with 40 kilodalton bands on it's forehead.

In other news, I felt the baby squiggling and wiggling about last night for about a half hour. I liked that. At first, and then I needed to go to sleep, but the wiggling continued. I told Tim about it on the way to work, and he said, "That kid is going to be trouble." Cheers, hugs and such, and happy Thursday (the weekend is almost here!!!).

Laura

Response From Karen:
One time, when I was pregnant with Max, I fell backwards down a short flight of stairs at Albertson's. I fell so hard hard on my bum I thought for sure I had broken my water. Nope. I just wet my pants. Pregnancy is awesome like that.

Response from Cami:
Aren't you glad you didn't ruin your films by rushing out to panic! You deserve a lab Medal of Excellence, or at least your old desk back. That's amazing that you felt wiggling. You've always been very sensitive to your abdominal area (I mean really, who else can tell which side they're ovulating on!), so I'm not terribly surprised. I read all the books and they said that the first movements felt like bubbles popping or butterfly wings. Did you find that true? 'Cause mine felt more like war drums. In any case, we should have a little celebration. Karen- I can't believe you fell- you're always so graceful and steady. Did you go to the doctor to have them check to make sure it wasn't your water breaking? It does sound a little dangerous.

From Mom:
They are never dull days when you three email! Laura, you had me scared to death. I'm happy you were just sitting in film developer and nothing more serious. I am also impressed that little Baby is wiggling enough to be felt. That little miracle! I remember when Karen fell (many times, but particularly this time with Max). It was quite traumatic for a bit. Cami, drums?! I hope everyone has a calm day. And don't sit if you don't know what you're sitting in! And don't fall.Hugs and happiness to all, Mom

From me:
Karen: I like that story a lot. I've started wearing pads in case I fall down, sneeze, hiccup, or blink too hard.
Cami: Last night bubbles and butterfly wings, today war drums.
Mom: I learned my lesson, but I'm pretty sure I've learned that lesson before. One of these days it will stick!