I had a lovely day yesterday, complete with double-helpings of ice cream and a nice walk on the beach, and by evening I had swollen feet and hands, a headache, and high blood pressure readings. So I got an unexpected tour of the Labor and Delivery department at the hospital last night.

Before I went in, the doctor told us on the phone that best-case scenario was they did a couple of readings, ruled out pre-eclampsia, and sent me home. Worst case scenario was that they determined I did have pre-eclampsia (which could really screw up my liver permanently) and they would have to induce labor. Fortunately, I fell into the best-case scenario category, and was on my way out the door an hour later.

For most of the time I was there, I had four monitors on me: one reading the baby's heartbeat (which was generally 130-150 bpm, right where it should be), one monitoring contractions (still not sure how this monitor worked - it showed contractions and coughs but not deep breaths - the nurse kept saying it just measured my belly moving in and out but there must be more to it than that), a finger cuff checking my O2 saturation and a blood pressure cuff. Three good BP readings and a urine sample later, I was sent home. I am having contractions about three minutes apart, but since they aren't all strong enough for me to feel, they don't count as real labor contractions.

My husband says he thinks I will miss some early signs of labor because I am pretty well conditioned and may not have discomfort with contractions that would hurt otherwise/other people. We'll see - certainly I wouldn't mind missing out on a few hours of discomfort.

The frustrating thing about the whole experience is that husband, and through him, our doula, got hung up on the idea that our little escapade last night was due to my not drinking enough water during the day, so I felt lectured, blamed, defensive, and eventually angry. Told husband in a few ways that I needed the gentle sweet unconditionally supportive side of him, but didn't get it. Project for the next few days: to get this message across now that we aren't as stressed with the experience of being anxious at the hospital.

And to top it off, my parents are in town today. I am heading to the hotel to pick them up now; not looking forward to being fussed over, but hey, Mom offered to make a few chicken pot pies for the freezer, which I think is nifty.