Last Night
Around midnight the nurse checked Sam's cervix. She was at 5.5 - 6cm. So some progress.
With how easy the balloon was, I kinda expected the cervical exam to be more on the uncomfortable side rather than painful. Boy was I wrong. Sam has a very sensitive cervix, and it doesn't matter how dilated it is. I winced with each outburst of pain and was instantly taken back to the labor with Miriam. Deep breaths.
The pain of the exam was enough that the nurse called the doctor and they agreed to hold off on any more cervical exams until Sam is pretty much in active labor.
Aside from the nurse coming in every 20 minutes to up the Pitocin, and Sam's frequent potty breaks, the rest of the night was uneventful.
Hello Again
Shift change. We've come nearly full circle and are back with our nurse from yesterdays day shift. She makes small talk with Sam as she gets up-to-speed with the chart. Sam has been feeling more pressure and some increased pain over the last hour with some of the contractions. Progress, maybe?
The doctor comes in and lets us know his shift is over and we'll have a new doctor for today. He orders the Pitocin lowered for a little while, to be brought back up slowly again. His parting words are somewhat ominous but mostly offer us relief:
"The baby is coming today, one way or another".