Trip 2

Since Vivienne isn't in a hurry to get here on her own, my doctors decided to give her a push.  That is how I ended up making a 2nd trip to the hospital.

It was a much less chaotic trip.  I actually took myself to the hospital (hence the self-taken photo below - iphones are so fun).  We knew going in that this trip was just for "ripening" of the cervix, and not likely to result in Vivienne's arrival.  So, Kevin wisely chose not to waste a vacation day (Do you know that he only get's ONE measly day for paternity leave - poor papas!).

They stuck me in the triage room all day.  You don't get your own room unless you are actually expected to give birth.  I only had a curtain for privacy, but at least I had my own TV (a little screen on a movable arm that could be swung around to sit directly in front of me).  At first I didn't see this TV in my cubicle-like area, and I was really bummed.  I normally wouldn't care, but since the OLYMPICS are going on, I really wanted to watch (decent way to kill the waiting time).

Side note regarding the Olympics: I teased Kevin we should really name our girl London.  My sister-in-law Karen suggested the name Olympia.  But since we've already embroidered her name on blankets and pasted it on blocks, I think we'll stick with Vivienne.

So, back to the hospital.  It was an odd day.  I was there from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.  They administered prostaglandin 3 times.  After each administration, I had to stay lying down for 60 minutes.  And in between, I was asked to go walking for 40 minutes.

I made a point of walking outside part of the time, even in the horrible heat.  There are nice gardens out back, and it got my M&M's all melty so they were delicious to eat! (Questionable nutrition value, but waaaay better than the hospital provided lunch)

At the end of the day I was particularly downtrodden, because despite the whole process, no progress was made.

The next day though, I bounced back, put on a bright colored shirt and went to work!  I think Nathan was happy to have me there to wrap up a few more loose ends.  Plus, I managed to set up my out of office email and voice mail.  Surely, I am ready now.