My doctor was completely ecstatic at yesterday's check-up.

"You've made it to 35 weeks. YEAH!"

After checking the beestling's heart-beat (after two beats AJ said, "That's about 155." Silly musicians!), the doc checked to make sure the kid is still head down (s/he is). Then we got on to the business of what to do when I go into labor...again.

AJ asked the logical question about when we should come in since my earlier contractions went from irregular (four or so an hour) to regular (every 3 minutes) within the span of half an hour. Dr. Anderson told us it's quite unusual for a woman to just *BAM* whip out regular, strong contractions like the ones I had during my pre-term labor. She believes it will happen that way again, and told us we shouldn't wait to come into the clinic or go up to the hospital if I start contracting at 4-5 minutes apart again. Possibility of quick labor: slightly elevated. Woohoo!!!!

So...these next few weeks should be entertaining. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm still having contractions, but they are painless. Of course, the supposedly strong contractions I had during pre-term were painless, too. On Monday I go in for my last bedrest appointment. Then, Tuesday I stop taking my medication that's been keeping contractions in check. On Wednesday I'm allowed to go back to work part-time.

I figure I'll either go into labor by the end of the week or end up going past Christmas if I don't. Option 2 seems most likely since the baby hasn't dropped yet. They say it's usually 1 to 2 weeks after the baby engages in the pelvis before labor, so I'm waiting for what they call "lightening" with bated breath (literally!).

Of course, that's what normally happens. And, up until two weeks ago, I was having a "normal," "perfect" pregnancy. So, maybe the kid won't engage until the very last minute, and I'll slip slowly into labor instead of jumping in full-bore.

Either way, nothing to do but wait (and knit!).