Dilation Nation

Why is this pregnant woman smiling?

I'll start with the graphic personal details - as of last Thursday, Leigh was at 1 centimeter dilated, 50-percent effaced.

What does this mean? Well, it means that Leigh is one centimeter down, nine to go - the bulk of which will take place during labor. She only has to be four centimeters dilated to be admitted to the hospital for birthing. To phrase an indelicate concept in a quasi-delicate fashion, the parts that need to open are beginning to open.

Practically speaking, the doctor told us that Leigh has a 30-percent chance of giving birth before this Thursday - and that odds are good that she will give birth the week after that. This adds a fair amount of immediacy to the edgy not-quite-panic that we've been feeling for a month or so now. The theory of it all - the preparation, the pain, and ultimately, the payoff - is about to become awfully concrete awfully quickly.

We are well and truly in the home stretch now. The bags are packed, the car is fueled, and the baby seat and mirror are mounted. I just made it through deadline at work, so my desk is clear.

Stackson, our cat, of course has no idea of the madness that will soon be descending. He is still petrified of the balloons in Phia's crib and is pretty leery of the whole thing - no doubt crying and screaming will further erode his patience and goodwill (two resources in extremely short supply).


This obligatory Stackson photo shows him completely relaxed - but for how long?


Actually, I think it's about time we have this baby. For one thing, Leigh is starting to use her belly as a weapon. Just a few minutes ago, I was sitting here and updating the blog (which I realize was long overdue), when she came up behind me and started battering my head with the firm elasticity of her baby-belly.

For another, the house is about as clean as we can possibly sustain it. Leigh's Aunt Linda came over this weekend to help clean the floors (again) and to help us reorganize the kitchen. The place is spotless, and I'd hate for us to slide back into filth and pestilence before the kid arrives and we can call in the reinforcements.

In all seriousness, we're pretty keyed up. We just hope and pray everything goes well.

Further updates as events warrant - or, more realistically, when I feel like it and have the time.


Linda didn't want her photo on the blog. Hi, Linda!