So. Here we are at the end.
After 2 weeks of off and on false labor, cramps, stress and general freak outs...it's all added up to a dilation of:
2.
Wow. That's...not spectacular.
When Dr. Loompa checked me today and announced no changes, I seriously wanted to throw back my head and howl. How is it that I can walk so much that I'm in "contractions" and my hip joints are locking up in pain, yet it does NOTHING?!? How can I wake up in the middle of the night with painful period cramps and back aches and it's not dilating or thinning out or doing anything productive? And, even better, why did my body have it all figured out the first time but has now decided to turn re-re and forget how this works?
I'd also like to take this moment to confess that before last month, I was an Only Child Labor and Delivery Asshole - noun. Mom of one who thinks that she knows all about labor because she went through it, and, smugly assumes that every birth thereafter will be exactly the same. See also: Annoying, Self-righteous, Talks-out-her-ass.
I rolled my eyes when The Experienced Moms would say, "Well, with my first..." and then drone on with the entire litany of their birth stories. I zoned out and didn't care to hear the details, because, gawd people, it's freaking birth! Been there, done that.
I fully expected this birth to be a repeat of Elizabeth's--at week 38. Instead I'm sitting here at week 40 wondering what the hell happened.
On Wednesday morning, I'll go in and have my membranes stripped. (Sounds yummy, huh?)
Then, Thursday morning, I'll head to the hospital for a pitocin drip.
I didn't want pitocin. But, I also didn't think I'd spend a couple weeks in false labor and end up facing my due date still very much pregnant! I'd love to go into labor naturally, but I'm not loving the idea of chugging castor oil (and possibly causing the baby to poop meconium in utero) or trying every ridiculous old wives tale floating around the internet.
The funny thing about a birth plan is that the uterus doesn't read it. And I'm not going to be one of those Birth Crusaders who hangs out until week 42 because by-god-we're-doing-this-my-way!!! The whole point is a healthy baby. Who cares how I get there?
Besides, I'm kind of excited about the idea of calmly walking into the hospital and laboring--start to finish--stress free. No analyzing cramps...no counting contractions...no last minute babysitting...no 3 am rides to the hospital...
Induction sure has it's upside.
18 comments:
I know this sounds crazy, but this is why I wouldn't let them tell me my due date. Yep, right, I didn't know. There was a big post it note on my chart to make sure no one would tell me and let me just say that I got some VERY quizzical looks from nurses when they would walk in the room and read the note. However, I knew I would be right where you are..counting days, feeling early...feeling late...stressing...GAH!
So next time when you have make up sex and get knocked up, (sorry, couldn't help myself!) keep the due date a secret from yourself. It will give you peace of mind.
Holly, that really is a wonderful idea! Then you just tell people, "I'm due sometime this fall." and not only would it benefit yourself (who would otherwise count down seconds) it would bug the CRAP out of your friends and family. LOL
Jaci - I was induced with my second child because I had gestational diabetes. It was nice knowing when I would deliver. The night before I shaved my legs, gave myself a pedicure and *sorry* an enima.
I didn't care about pooping on the table in front of the doctors or nurses (hey - that's what they get paid for) but didn't want to embarass myself in front of my new husband.
Hang in there - it will all be over before you know it.
I was induced when they saw that I had had a leak and had nearly no fluid but was only dilated a 3. Even though it was scary what with the leak and the baby's heart rate doing things it wasn't supposed to- it was not a bad experience physically.
I have no clue why this works - but it did for the last of my 3 kids (wish I'd known about it for the first 2) - I was so disgusted with being pregnant and wanting it over I was on the internet looking for anything to help. They stripped the membranes and it hurt like crap and still nothing . . . so here it is - get a dum dum sucker and roll in in the top of your mouth right past where the hard pallet ends and where the soft pallet starts - that's it! Some people say that the mouth has parts that correspond to the rest of your body - that's why health gurus always want to see your tongue I guess. Anyway it can't hurt and they taste good and I think it must have done something - I did the sucker thing around 11 PM and by 6 AM I was finally in active labor. Google it and see what they say - I just know it seemed to work. Good luck!
I was induced...it went perfectly!
Goddd I remember that feeling... Hang in there! You're almost done! You can dooo iiitttt!
When I was induced with my son, I was 90% effaced and 5 cm dilated and NOT IN LABOR. I couldn't believe it. How can you be halfway there and not even in labor? Geez.
Either way the induction went perfectly.
Take comfort from the fact that no one has ever stayed pregnant forever. even tho it may feel like it!!! :)
Inductions arent so bad, there are just people who live in a fantasy world where babies come on time. My second was induced. My first came on her due date and set that "precedent" in my mind that surely my next children would be early. Not so much. Overdue with second, early labor for a couple days, was 3 days before Christmas, and they finally took pity on me. Babies just like to bogart all the thunder in life, lol.
Best wishes that it happens sooner, but if not I am sure the induction will go well and soon baby girl will be here safe and sound.
May I just say I LOVE Holly's idea. Something to keep in mind for next time.
Of course, then my little sister and mom would each call me twice a day hoping I would slip up. Hmm...
And it's all about making the experience your own, IMO. Go Jaci! Good luck!
Holly....interesting idea!! I am assuming you had a general idea like the month right. But to not know the exact date. I might have to use that!
but hang in there!!! Look on the brightside this time next week no way you are still preggo! You are going to have this baby this week whether SHE is ready or not
All 5 of mine were born by scheduled induction. It wasn't my first choice, but given the alternative of staying pregnant for another several days; I wasn't that hard to convince either. Also, all my deliveries went just fine and, most importantly, I could schedule babysitters in advance and I WASN'T PREGNANT ANYMORE. Good luck!
The funny thing about a birth plan is that the uterus doesn't read it. - You crack me up. That is possible one of the best lines I've ever read.
You have a great attitude at this stage of the game. You're right -- the baby's healthy arrival is the most important thing. And honestly I've never felt "natural" contractions and the Pitocin ones I had weren't any picnic, but I can't imagine they're that different than mother nature's. Hang in there -- almost there!
I've got another week before I hit the big 4-0, but I'm DETERMINED to have a natural birth this time, even if I go past my due date (please, God, no). I have a feeling it'll be in the next few days, but who knows? I wish you lots of luck with the induction, and that everything goes smoothly.
Also, this: "The funny thing about a birth plan is that the uterus doesn't read it." is a great piece of wisdom for all pregnant moms! So true.
I was induced with my second at 39 weeks due to the expected size of the little porkchop (which by the way, when they say the weight could be off by a pound either way, they mean it...mine just happened to be a pound heavier!), and it really was nice not worrying about when you were going to go in labor. I think it helps to already be a little ahead of the game (dilating).
I was induced with my first son when my water broke in the family mart and I didn't go into labor for 24 hours. It sucked, but it was 24 years ago. Then I was induced with my third son because he was VBAC & getting too big. That was really good. Things improved a lot from 24 years ago to 12 years ago. It's probably better (or not worse) now.
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