The baby ticker I have on this blog, is mocking me. Yes, I am completely aware that I'm 40 weeks plus 4 days pregnant. Thank you very much. If I have to listen to one more well meaning soul to joke "gee, you're STILL pregnant?!" I am going to lose it.
Yesterday, I had my weekly appointment with my OB to see where things were at. Well...no good news or good options really. First let me say that I am still healthy and that the baby is still healthy. That is the good news to be had, actually. But...the downside: while he is still head down, he has not dropped into the birth canal. There are still no signs of labor (effacement, dilation. Sorry, if that is too much info for my readers). And...these issues compounded by the chance it might be necessary to induce labor at some point, complicated by that he *might* be bigger than they originally thought - means I am looking at a 50% chance of needing a c-section right now. It's all rather complex and I'm skimming the details here.
I burst into tears when she told me all this. I just couldn't help it. I'm so abjectly miserable & uncomfortable at this state of pregnancy - and I'm one of those women who actually liked being pregnant! I'm so swollen that I actually have cankles and am supposed to stay off my feet to help with the swelling. My fingers are in a state of constant numbness thanks to carpel tunnel (another lovely late-stage symptom of pregnancy no one tells you about). I can't sleep. I waddle when I walk. Oh, and I have to wear my bedroom slippers when I go out since none of my shoes fit. I'm sure there is something else I'm forgetting, but that gives you an idea.
When you are pregnant, you have in your head a certain hope for how the birth will go. And when that hope is dashed - it is like getting ice water thrown in the face. I had hoped for sure, something was happening...but no. That said, she gave me a couple of choices: we can move to start inducement now if we want. Or, we can wait a week, until next Monday, regroup and see where things are at then. If by then I still show no improvement...considering setting a date to induce is more likely by her as she has indicated she will not allow me to go 14 days past my due date (it doubles the risk of stillborn to go 2 weeks past the due date). If I choose not to induce..she'll send me for another ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid level. If it has dropped - they must induce right away, anyway.
Medical inducement does pose certain risks too - as do most medical procedures and most prescription drugs. Some are very serious - rare - but still the chance. She gave me a list of the drugs used to induce and told me to educate myself on them so I could make a better choice. Jesse and I looked them up and researched them last night & ruled out a couple. We have prayed about it and feel like we're supposed to wait a week. We feel like it's a faith thing. We have peace about that. Even if we wind up having to induce - there is no guarantee this will not end up in a c-section - a possibility when you induce labor. Neither are fantastic options. I'm trying not to think about that now. So, Jesse will go with me to the next appointment on Monday and we'll make a decision from there what to do.
So, if you are a prayer - please pray that Jess and I would have discernment and wisdom. Inducement would not be a hastily made choice - but a last resort rather. Pray for my health & safety too - I'm frightened. And the baby's health too, of course. Inducement is hard on them too.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Comments (3)
Darce - Hang in there. I know the last weeks are so hard. I know you want to meet your little boy, and on top of that, you're absolutely miserable. You can make it. You've made it so far. Just a little longer. Call me if you want to talk about stuff. C-section is scary, but you can do that too. Thinking about you three.
Love, Rachy
Agreeing with Rachael here. You can make it and you will be fine. You guys are making the right decision for you and no matter how the baby comes your doctor is there to make sure the best is done for both you and your baby. Some ladies swear by a c-section and personally I have been induced so even though they may not have been your first or even second choice they are something you can get through and that many many people have been through. On the other side you will have your little guy. It's almost over! I know how uncomfortable you are! We are praying for you for sure and our thoughts are with you. Try not to let the unknown scare you. It's all in God's hands and he will be with you. Just a little longer!
Hi! My first daughter's birthday was today, and I was just thinking about her birth story. She was 40 weeks plus 8 days. And after finally going into labor on my own, I was in labor for 12 hours and 2 pushing when they decided to give me a C-section. They had told me she was approximately 7 lbs according to the sonogram. She ended up being 9 lbs, 5 oz. Turns out the sonogram was "plus or minus 2 pounds!" Also, she was head-down, but sunny side up, which they couldn't tell ahead of time for some reason. She was facing "out" of my belly instead of "into" my back, like she was supposed to be. So the C-section ended up being a very good thing. After that birth, I've had two more babies -- both normally (not-C). Hang in there. You'll make it. (At least it's after Halloween. Mark wanted to paint my belly orange and make me a pumpkin for it 7 years ago!)