Lisa--Im sorry you are in a state of in between, but obviously something is happening, which is good! I think it means your little prince is getting ready to make an appearance! I will be thinking about you all

__________________
Krissy

Lisa, I had a fantastic time. I'm not too sure on the taking it easy part, but it was super nice to finally see people and mingle with my friends, fam and a few coworkers for awhile. I actually started to get sciatac nerve pain yesterday am, so I knew it was going to be a challenge. After standing for awhile opening gifts, my leg def started to want to give, but I was determined to open them. I had my aunt help with the wrapping paper and we got throught everything just fine. I guess planning the super bowl party for my house afterwards was just the icing on the cake, however I made it well known that everyone was on their own. I pretty much spent my game time on the couch just talking to diff ppl. Again it was nice.. I must say by the time everyone left, I was beyond exhausted. Funny bc for as tired as I was, am... here I sit wide awake since 4 am eating my cereal stuck in the comp room bc my parents have taken over the living room which is pretty much attached to tthe rest of the house. I'm sure today will be means for a nap. (Did I mention that we haven't even begun to bring shower gifts in???) Hope dh and my step father are well rested

__________________

Ashley, do you think you got everything you need now? Congrats to making it to term, it is on and you can get Evan out of there now!


I was up from about 1-4 thinking that I was headed to the hospital but even though the contractions were timeable, they never got super painful. I fell back asleep and I am going to try to go to work today. I am thinking though that I may tell my boss I am done after this week even if he is not here yet. The thought of teaching my 3 year old class is hard right now, I have 2 or 3 of the boys that are obsessed with touching my belly and driving their cars on it and stuff.

BTW I think Nolan is now Carson. Dave switched it yesterday and I like Carson too, so whatever he wants at this point is fine. Plus Molly really likes Nolan but Morgan did not and I dont want Morgan to think we chose Molly over her.

__________________

Lisa--I love Carson! I think it was on our list I still think it sounds like you are getting ready to go anytime, I had off and on contrax for about a week before delivering, and had actually begun to ignore them entirely when my water broke! I hope you get to meet him soon

Ash--Yay on being term!

__________________
Krissy

Lisa, I think that we are pretty set. I honestly was super tired as we started to open gifts that I kinda just ran throught them quickly so that I could sit and rest. I really didn't find out everything that we had until today after I got dh and step dad to unpack the trucks for me. (Wow, look, i already wrote that...) I'm dumb. Prego brain and stress I suppose... whcih leads me to my next vent.

We just got home from the OB and dh and I are spatting. I'm so upset that he actually has me in tears. Dr said that he is excited we made it this far and that the only real change so far is my wt +4 from last week, but he's not concerned bc I really haven't gained much. He says that hes sure the reason for my early dilitation was an incomp cervix and that if we ever get pg again I'll need a cerclage. That doesnt really worry me now, bc we honestly havent thought of having more than one, and I have plenty of time to deal with that. What aggravates me is that he also said that next week he wants to talk to us about a controlled birth and induction. (I think that I warrnetd this by precceding with asking about being able to get an epi). He made it seem like we should prob seriously think about induction, but that we would talk about it next week. I was ok with that, esp bc by next wk (if we make it there) i'll be 38 wks which is 4 wks farther than our first episode at 34. Dh then says well do you have to induce or could you carry out until she goes back into labor. (I'm super glad he's into asking ??'s and all, but his reasoning is terrible). Dr says that we def could wait and see what happens, but that theres always a poss with the incomp cervix that I could quickly further dilate even though he's not thinking thats what'll happen. After we got in the car, I asked dh what his question was all about and why he would question the prof opinion (Not that i'm against it, bc I'd love to carry to FT if thats whats safest), he proceeds to tell me that he feels the only reason I would choose induction is bc my parents are here. I was beyond floored. I'm still floored. I honestly cannot believe that he would think I would jeopardize my baby for the sake of my mother. REALLY!!! I just talked to Crystal and I think that bc MIL is a very naturalistic and holistic woman that she would ultimately be upsset if we "chose" to induce. Is he really going here with me??? UGH! I feel so confused??? And maybe I'm the one who does need the reality check, so thats why im venting. (Goodness knows that with the shower and SB party here last night, then me waking up again this am at 4 and not being able to get back to sleep other than for like a 2 hr nap, i'm exhausted and cranky and goodness knows what else)... So I suppose i'm asking for your suggestions/opinions on the whole situation. Its so weird how I feel like all of this has made me want to go from attempting a completely natural birth to being way beyond uncomfortable and in pain to the point that I'm asking ahead of time for an epi, and now to feeling like I have no idea whats right or wrong for my baby????

Sorry to vent.... I don't know where else to go. (And I'm sure there are some crazy hormonal imbalances going on insde of me right now).

__________________

Ash - Glad you made it this far and hope you got everything you need at your shower!

Lisa - Very exciting!

__________________

Ash--that sucks that you are fighting, and that you are so uncomfortable. The end of pg sucks; it is so uncomfortable and hard to sleep/eat/move. Hopefully your body will go into labor on its own and you wont have to make any difficult choices. I think it is great that you have made it this far. Personally, I wouldnt push pitocin until fourty weeks, but that is just a personal choice. I think you know what is best for you body and baby, not your dh, and not even your doctor.

__________________
Krissy

Ashley, I am so sorry that you and your DH are fighting. I think sometimes they are feeling so helpless at this point that they just want to be able to have their opinion heard, even if it is not followed. Let us know what you decide.

I just was at the doctor for the second time today and I havent really changed from last week I would have thought for sure that I was dialating. Just goes to show that even after 3 I still cant be sure about anything. So as of right now I am just in a holding pattern, I have an appt scheduled for next week but my doc said he doesnt think he will see me but cant quarentee anything.

__________________

Ashley, im confused as to why he is already talking about an induction? I guess i only thought that an induction was needed if your over due, baby is not doing well inutero, or mama is having complications, I really do not know much about an incompetant cervix but if its holding for now isnt that ok? I was induced at almost 40 weeks due to my blood pressure and it took me 3 days to have Braeden, if I had to do it over again I absolutely would but if it wasnt needed then no way 3 days is a stressfull, not to mention all of the drugs I was given cervadal, citotek, and a enough pitocin to induce muichelle Duggar for all 19 of her pregnancies!!

__________________

Allison, I think they are talking induction because I think Ashley will a VERY fast labor and the docs dont want her to not make it to the hospital? I could be wrong though

__________________

From what I understand about incompetant cervix, the labor CAN go very fast, but that is not a given, especially with a first baby. I guess I am also kind of confused; Ash, do you live really far away from a hospital? A lot of people have fast labors, but that is usually not a reason to induce so early, unless maybe if they were to live hours away from a hospital or something. I would like to hear the doctors reasoning, too, just out of curiosity.

__________________
Krissy

Ashley-Congrats on making it full term! If you are still dilated to a 4-5cm the chances are you will have a fast labor if you do go on your own, but of course there is no way to tell. I know its not a popular way of thinking but I was actually much more relaxed and relieved to be induced (and I was only 38weeks but there is a whole other story behind that) because I was very anxious/stressed about going into labor on my own in regards to getting someone here in time to take care of Avery, and then getting to the hospital on time (not just for the epi, but also for the birth!) since it is about a 30min drive and Dh worked another 30mins away in the opposite direction. I think that because most women do have long labors, not everyone understands what it is like to worry about a "quick" labor and all that entails. Maybe if you share with Dh your worries about having the baby at home or in the car it will help him understand some of your fears? The main thing is that the baby gets here safely whether that is by a "natural" or "induced" birth

__________________

Bina I did appreciate the knowing when, I am a major control freak and the hospital is 45 minutes from our house so when he told me I was going to get induced I was relieved. I never had the fear of a fast delivery but I did of the unknown so for knowing when I was extrememly relieved but since it took so long for my body to cooperate with all of the drugs Im on the fence with inductions Im assuming I will probaly be induced this time around also depending on my B/P i was just curious as the the Dr.'s reasoning like I said I have no idea what an incompetant cervix is

__________________

Allison- "incompetant cervix" is pretty much just as it sounds. It's kind of a catch-all term for a cervix that dialates too soon. Sometimes there's a reason, like having had surgery or some trauma to the cervix, but most of the time they don't know why. If they catch it soon enough they will sew up the cervix (cerclage) to hold the baby in till it's done cooking.

With my induction, in a way it made my anxiety worse, but that's only because I thought I had a whole month to prepare for the baby. I mean, I hadn't even taken the baby shower gifts out of the packaging yet! But in another way it was nice because everything was so controlled and monitored. But then again, I wasn't against drugs of any sort for the birth process. I can see it both ways.

Ash- Sorry things are so stressful. I would have been angry at DH for making me feel like I would put anything above the needs of my baby, too.

__________________

I definitely understand how being induced could be more convenient, especially if you have another baby/child at home to get childcare for. For me, it would have been WAY easier to get induced--being pg for 42 full weeks was AWFUL, painful, and just really stressfull. I remember I gained 7 lbs in two days the last week. Ugh. But, in the end I am glad I didnt induce. I would think an induction would work well with someone who is dilated as much as ashley, but for me I dont think it would have even worked since I did not dilate more than one cm until my water broke. And with the health problems that Ely had at birth I think it could have been dangerous to get him out of there before he was ready. Does anyone know the "rules" on pitocin for a vbac? I am hoping to have vbac for next delivery, and I think that they cannot induce for that, but Im not sure. Something about how strong the contrax would be? I know they wont let you do vbac if you go over your due date, so Im wondering if induction is an option, or if they only allow vbac if you go into spontaneous labor BEFORE your edd??

__________________
Krissy

Krissy-I had heard something about that too..that pitocin can make contractions too intense for a VBAC? She doesn't post here much anymore but she is on FB, but Stacey had a successful VBAC so would be a great one to talk to when your time comes I'm sure Kristy (Kedney) would also know.

Claire-I hear you on not being ready! When Avery was born, we didn't even have the carseat in or ANYTHING washed or sterilized! Dh had to go home the night she was born and do all that. This time I had everything done by 32-34 weeks and then she didn't come until 38 weeks. I prefered the over-prepared route, lol.

Lisa-I think Carson is a great name too! Sounds like he may be here soon.

All this talk of childbirth is giving me baby fever, I should stay away from this section

__________________

Krissy- They were willing to induce me for a vbac. I had to deliver by 37w; had I been dilated to either 3 or 4 (I forget which), they were willing to induce. Even though I was against induction, I really wanted a vbac over c/s, so would have been willing to try.
It came down to when I went in for my c/s. The dr. checked one last time to see if it would be possible to induce (he's very pro Vbac and was really excited that I wanted to try.) Unfortunately, as he put it, inducing me would have been as useful as inducing someone who's not pregnant. So c/s was necessary.

If I ever get pg again, I really, REALLY want a homebirth, but w/ 2 c/s and a history of my liver condition, I think it is most likely I will still end up having to deliver by 37w.
Is it weird that it makes me sad? I really would like to experience going into labor. I mean, w/ the twins I dealt with contractions for a long time, but never actually dilated or advanced. With Luke, I was still well away from close to ready to deliver when I was forced to with him. I would love to experience making it to the end of pregnancy, where baby is ready to come on his own, instead of me being forced to deliver before it's time.

__________________

Sara--I dont think it is wierd at all for that to make you sad! I am still bummed about having to have c/s. I did go into labor and do the whole labor and pushing, with no drugs, but in a way that is why I feel so cheated. I feel like I did all the work, and then missed out on the reward! I am glad Ely is healthy, but would love to try vbac if I am ever lucky enough. I dilated fine, he was just too darned big and in the wrong position!
I would also love a homebirth, but I dont think I would ever really try for it since there is the chance I would need another c/s.

__________________
Krissy

I was pretty much induced with Jackson b/c I wasn't having any contractions after my water broke. I felt like it was pretty easy and controlled - they pretty much knew when I would have him after an hour or so (based on the way I was responding to the meds).

I am scheduled for an induction this time at 39 weeks, at my request. I am such a planner and it would be too hard to figure out what to do with Jackson if I go into labor unexpectedly (I am nervous it may happen anyway). But, I have to be at least 2cm to be induced.

__________________

Sarah, I dont think it is weird at all. My sister had to have an emergency section with her first because Annie's heartrate kept dipping REALLY low, like into the 40s (her cord was in a true knot when they took her out, wierd) but then when she had her 2nd she had complete previa so they had to do another section. But with both babies she actually went into labor on her own so she was okay with the sections. With her last she just went in on her scheduled day and had her section and she has always felt cheated because she didnt go into labor. I think most people want to know what the labor feels like so they can have that connection.

I have been induced with 2 of my kids, Molly because she was so late and Mia because they were concerned about her size, and I have had 1 that was spontaneous. I really dont have a huge preferance either way. I never had to have pit though so maybe that is why I am okay with induction? I dont know what we will do with Carson, all signs point to him coming on his own in the next week or so, but if I get to my due date and he hasnt shown yet I may be willing to be induced. For me this whole going to bed every night not know what is happening is driving me crazy because I have the kids to worry about. It was fun with Molly, Dave and I love the going to bed wondering if it would happen that night. But this time I keep having all these panic attacks because of stuff the girls have going on. Like Morgan has a party on Friday and Molly is going skating and what if I go into labor then? Morgan has been saying for months that she thinks he is coming on the 12th, and since she told her teacher a couple months before I got pg that I was going to have another baby and it would be a boy, maybe she knows what she is talking about?
Anyways, short story really long, I can really understand why some woman want to be induced.

__________________