On 2-8-08, I awoke to some abdominal pains and called my doula (birthing coach), Sarah. I described the pains and that I think my water sac had broken because I kept feeling the urge to urinate every 10-15 min. Sarah confirmed that labor had begun and encouraged me to distract myself and be prepared for hours of inconsistent pain but to monitor the pains for their proximity and keep her informed. No problem. The pains were bearable, so I watched tv. I've always had string menstrual pains and this was similar in intensity. Then my OB’s office called to confirm my Mon. appt. if I did not deliver that weekend. When I told the nurse I think early labor had started she offered for me to come into the office for a resting monitor to track my contractions. So at 1pm we did that. Nothing to be alarmed about. Contractions were barely registering. I had one small one during the 15 min session. I asked the doctor to check to make sure my water hadn’t broken because I was leaking fluid. She thought this was unlikely but checked as a precaution. To everyone’s surprise I was almost 5cm dilated!