Scare, But All Is Well For Now

We had to call the doctor last Sunday because my tummy tightened up so badly that it felt like a tightly balled-up fist, especially the lower area. It wasn't like contractions that come and go but a constant tightness that lasted 24 hours or so in the end. Having never been this far along before, I had no idea what's normal and what isn't, but this was certainly a new sensation and I wasn't comfortable with it. I absolutely hate calling a doctor during out-of-office hours, but then again we weren't going to risk anything. He called me back immediately (I adore him) and told me to immediately get off my feet and drink tons of water; he also told me to come in to see him in the morning. When I got there the next morning, he checked my cervix manually and then by ultrasound. Thankfully it was still long and closed (4cm +). However, he didn't like the uterine tightening, which he could feel quite easily from outside. My instructions were to go home and rest off my feet, to continue drinking plenty of water and to lie down whenever these cramps started. If I see any kind of pattern, call immediately or go straight to labour and delivery for monitoring for contractions and possible medication to stop them. Well, since then I've put myself on "modified bedrest", in other words lying down as much as I can. I worked from my bed all last week. The tightness seems to have gone away now and I feel much better. I'm still getting the usual round ligament pains, but I know how to recognise them. I'm seeing my OB again this Thursday and will see what he says about the need to continue this or whether I can get up more now. We have alot of family on both sides coming in this weekend, as my SIL and BIL are throwing us a very early shower (lots of reasons why it's so early). I will get to meet my long-lost half-sister from Australia for the first time on Thursday night, when she flies in from London - I only found out she existed last year! Then my Mum and J the Elder's family are coming in on Friday. I'll have to be very disciplined about my rest and staying off my feet...