They always say babies are unpredictable with their timing, but what they don't emphasize is how scary it is when it happens.
I was a healthy, 34-weeks along pregnant lady with no worry in the world of going into preterm labor. Even though my husband's mother had with him and his sister, no one on my side of the family had ever dealt with something like that, so why worry? To preface, there were many aspects leading up to my labor that could have caused it but there is no definitive answer as to why it happened.
It was the evening after a very stressful ending to a very stressful day. I remember feeling fine except I was getting continuous cramps in my lower abdomen. I didn't think anything of it as I had cramps prior with no difficulty. Throughout the night and the next morning, the cramps continued and now having rising and falling in pain in random increments. My mommy brain kicked in and told me, "Hey. This may be a sign to contact your midwife." I then proceeded to call my midwife and was informed to come in immediately for a stress test. I still thought nothing of it and proceeded to tell my boss I needed to leave work and go to my OB's office.
Once I got to the office, I was taken back almost immediately and hooked up to the machines. While at the stress test, I was watching the rising and falling of the line, not knowing what anything meant on the screen. I knew that one line matched when my pain was happening but I thought nothing of it. Once done, I was taken to a room and waited for the on-call midwife.
When she entered, I still was oblivious to what was happening. She proceeded to check my dilation and told me I was in preterm labor... Don't ask me how I remained so calm as someone who has anxiety but I was the calmest I had ever been in my life. She proceeded to tell me to go to the hospital and go to the antenatal area where they would be expecting me. I very calmly proceeded to the hospital and during the drive, attempted to call my husband while he was at work.
No answer.
I then sent him a text simply stating "Please call me ASAP going to hospital need you to come"
Probably not my best message to send when I'm in preterm labor but hey, I got it out to him! He then proceed to call me frantic not knowing what to do. I calmly was able to talk him through going home to get the hospital bags and head to me...
It's interesting to think back on this experience and see where it led us. From all the hospital stays to the birth to the check-ups after. I never in my life could have predicted this outcome. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world though because it is what led me to my little nugget of joy and she is my everything.