I caved.
Another doctor’s appointment, no progress whatsoever. This was totally expected as I haven’t felt any contractions yet. So what’s the next step – induction.
She laid it out for me. I could either set up induction next week (41 weeks) or the week after. If I took it to 42 weeks, I’d have to come in every 2 days of that final week and get stress tests and ultrasounds. She said that after 41 weeks the risk for stillbirth increases (I’ve read 42 weeks). There is also the possibility that I still might not go into labor on my own at that time. She did admit that with induction as a first-time mother there is a great risk for C-Section if my body is still not ready. They don’t do inductions Thurs-Sun (Hmm…guess doctors want their weekends off too!) so my options were even more limited.
As this conversation went on, I studied The Mister’s face and saw the concern in his eyes. She left and gave us the chance to talk it over. I’m all for waiting, he wants to go early, to not take any more risks than necessary. I can’t totally discount his feelings – this is his baby too. And there’s still that lingering fear – that what if I wait and something goes wrong? I don’t know that I’d ever forgive myself and stop wondering what if…even if the odds are small.
So it’s scheduled.
I visit the doctor again next Wednesday. If I’m progressing, I report to the hospital Thursday morning for Pitocin. If not, I go at midnight for Cervadil to soften my cervix and then water breaking and Pitocin in the morning.
I’m praying that The Baby comes on its own before this even has to happen. I’m praying that if I have to be induced, my body presents a favorable environment. I’m praying that I don’t end up with a C-Section.
Imagine this: You go into labor at 2:45am, and arrive at the hospital at 6am, only one centimeter and they send you home. Your crazy mother makes you walk around the track in December so the baby can ‘come down”. You go back at 9 and they admit you AND give you pitocin. At 7pm, you start to push, at 9pm (how many hours later?), you can’t do it anymore, the baby has a fever, the baby still isn’t “coming down”. At 10 he’s delivered via c-section.
The moral of the story is: even when what you think is the worst is happening, it is all going to be okay. You could still totally go into labor on your own and end up with pitocin and in the operating room, so don’t stress about it. They aren’t going to let ANYTHING happen to you or little Keyalus. Just go in there calmly, receptive, and full, and you will be fine.
Thanks for the story. It really is all out of my hands, huh? I really have to remember the “Doing The Next Best Thing” game we played in childbirth class. So I have to have Pitocin? So what’s next and how do I deal with this the best way I can?
That Pserendipity – she’s a wise one!
It really will all be fine. Welcome to motherhood – full of the unexpected, the uncontrollable, the unimaginable. Wouldn’t trade it for the world
I’d try se.x everyday. Sp.erm has natural pitocin. If you get the pitocin don’t get the epidural. The Epi slows down the pitocin and that is what lands you with a c-section.
I knew all this when I was having my babe. I got the epi because of other pain which was causing my blood pressure to go up. They gave me pitocin for nearly 48hrs and I could barely feel contractions. I was begging for a c-section at the same time they came to tell me I had no choice.
The epidural did allow me to be awake during the c section. They can also put up mirrors.
My birth day was not what I planned or prepped for but my memories of meeting my baby are wonderful. At this point I am pondering a c section for baby 2.
I guess the best answer is that you never know what’s next. The best way to deal with it for me was to take an epidural, sleep for 8 hours, and do whatever they told me to do when they woke me up.
But seriously, they always asked me what I wanted. Tell them what you want and don’t want, and since this is your birth story they’ll try to make it happen. When the time comes that what you want isn’t the best option, they’ll tell you and they won’t LET you make harmful decisions. So, I say just relax, understand that this is a situation that you really can’t control, that several doctors and nurses and the Mr. have your back, and let the good times roll! This is a day that you’ll remember forever, probably minute by minute. And its the last day that someone will pamper you, because believe me as soon as little Keyalus pops up, you’ll be a distant memory. Don’t fill it up with stressing over what you should and shouldn’t do. It’ll work out marvelously.
I will be praying for you too! Everything will work out fine and you and baby will do GREAT! I think you should follow Ames advice
Keep us posted!!
XOXO
I am still following your blog even though I don’t comment much these days. Since I do not have kids, I have no stories or good advice. I am praying for you, and I am confident that you will come through this with flying colors and beautiful new baby boy to boot.
Keep the Faith!
Jacey
Oh…. why is this my story, minus the c section. Why do doctors push us to induce so much and give us that blasted story that we’re increasing the chances that our baby might die in utero if we wait instead of induce. Why do they always spin this story when our husbands are there? Who do we really believe?
Geesh… Glad it all worked out for you.
Next time, I plan on being far less stressed. It’s one year later and I still havn’t finished my birth story
Yesss! So much pressure and who can fight the “dead baby” card?