Posts
That means her uterus is beginning its spring training to shove you out into the world!
They're not too painful, and not too frequent according to your Mom.
But, since I worked from home yesterday, I got to witness a bunch of these in a row. She wasn't doubled over in pain, but the pain was noticeable.
She had to stop talking. Her eyes got wide. She rubbed her stomach. And in a few seconds the pain passed and the conversation resumed.
I think your Mom had at least 5 or 6 of these spread out all day yesterday, and a few less the day before.
Since neither of us will ever experience any birthing contractions, I have taken it upon myself to rank where this pain lies in a spectrum we can understand: From what I can tell, the pain factor of these early early "practice" contractions (called "Braxton Hicks Contractions") is somewhere between stubbing your toe and gettin punched in the stomach. (a note of disclosure: I've never been punched in the stomach)
But the pain is nowhere getting kicked in the marbles yet. I know this because her eyes didn't even well up with tears nor did she have to crumple up into a destroyed heap of human on the floor for a few minutes to recover. (a note of disclosure: I have been kicked in the marbles)
But, good news for all, I'm sure that the contractions when she actually does go into labor will definitely rival getting kicked in the family jewels. And then they'll begin to get bad.
And I'll be there to help your Mom cope through the pain, help her remember to breathe, hold her hand and do whatever she needs me to do. Heck even if I weren't contractually obligated to do so, I still would. (a note of disclosure: it IS a contractual obligation)
I will most definitely NOT stand over her laughing as she used to do when we were in High School after she had just kicked me in the marbles. (a note of disclosure: 1) Flirtation can take on some very bizarre forms. 2) The damage to said marbles must not have been to extensive because a) I can, to this day, sing some pretty low notes and b) you're a living, growing about-to-be-born kiddo.)
