I'm facing a pretty monumental decision, and I could sure use your input.
This has been a pretty miserable pregnancy. I'd say "I'm not complaining," but I realize that would be a blatant lie. I am complaining. My first 20 weeks were filled with a combination of extreme morning all-day sickness, bordering on hyperemesis gravidarum, combined with the decidedly mixed feelings that accompany an unplanned pregnancy. I felt "solid" -- I won't use the word "good," because that would be an exaggeration -- for the next eight weeks, only to have the nausea return (along with stabbing pains down there) once I hit 28 weeks. On top of that, I've had a constant sinus infection for the past three weeks, which has completely knocked me off my feet.
So when my OB offered to induce me as early as 39 weeks (which was Easter Sunday), I should have leapt at the chance, right? RIGHT?
Only I didn't. If this had been my first pregnancy, I would have in a heartbeat. I was beyond ready to meet G. I was so sure that she was going to come around 37-39 
weeks, just like every other baby I'd ever known, that I started my maternity leave the day I hit full term... then proceeded to sit around the house, bored out of my mind, for another three and a half weeks. I had my bags packed, her room ready, the carseat installed for months before her ultimate arrival, two days after my due date. I was so desperate for her to come that I forced my OB to strip my membranes when I reached my due date and schedule an induction for three days later (which I never needed, as G managed to come on her own in the nick of time).
This time, I'm not so sure I want an induction at all. Strange as it sounds, I'm not ready for this pregnancy to be over. Maybe it's because I know it's going to be my last, and while "enjoy" isn't quite the right word, I want to remember this feeling for just a little while longer. Maybe it's because -- although Baby C's room is finally ready (and realllllllly cute, that is, if you like Duke basketball and Syracuse football!) -- I haven't packed anyone's bag or bothered even seeing if Baby C's carseat will fit into the car next to G's big girl seat. Maybe it's because G is 97% of the way to being potty trained (thanks to that trip earlier this month to my mom's, which I'm now dubbing "potty training boot camp"), and I'm worried the imminent appearance of her little brother could derail her efforts. Whatever the reason, I said no to my OB's offer.
But now I'm wavering in my decision, not for emotional reasons but for practical ones. With my never-ending sinus infection, taking care of G for 13 hours a day while DH is at work is more than a chore; I'd like my mom to come down now (rather than when my water breaks in a mad dash to make it to the hospital room before her grandson arrives) to help me out -- I don't want my mom to have to wait around for a week, maybe longer, as Baby C inevitably goes past his due date. DH's pay period ends Friday, making Saturday the ideal time for him to start his paternity leave. Plus, if Baby C were born a week from today -- May 2nd -- my OCD tendancies would be satisfied, as my family's birthdays would be on the 2nd, 6th (me), 10th (DH) and 14th (G) of different months (all four numerical digits apart, in case you didn't notice).
I'm at a crossroads. I have until my OB appointment Wednesday morning to make a decision regarding an induction; if I opt for one, I'll probably go in late Sunday to get the ball rolling. If not, I will simply wait for Baby C to come in his own good time.
If you've faced this decision before, share your story!
Well, I was MISERABLE at the end of my pregnancy with N: swollen, huge, in so much back & leg pain, waddling like it was my job, and did I mention swollen? An induction was the right choice for me because she needed to GET OUT. I was making no progress (even after walking a mall each day for a week). So, I begged my OB and was induced 3 days after her due date. Best decision I ever made ... then.
With our next one? I probably won't do it. I'm hoping to be in much better shape by then and I'm thinking I will want every minute I get with N before she has a sibling.
So, it's a tough one! I'll be praying for you as you make this decision!
Hang in there! While I'm all for letting your body go into labor naturally, that's not been my experience. Cate was an unplanned induction at 9 days late due to low amniotic fluid and a failure to dilate. But since she was our first, it didn't matter. We just had to drop the dog off with my grandmother before heading to the hospital. Our bags were already packed, car seat installed, room ready, etc. Because of Cate's size (head size specifically) and post-partum complications that resulted from that, my OB advised an induction with Brennan before my due date. Or take the risk and end up having to have surgeries later. I know women who have had both surgeries once they've finished having children and it wasn't pretty. So I opted to get induced with B five days before my due date.
He resulted in c-section only because I had a reaction to the epidural that I didn't have with Cate. It numbed the pain and stopped labor altogether. It had nothing to do with the pitocin and stuff they give you for an induction. I will say, while it wasn't my ideal birth-giving experience, scheduling the induction for him ahead of time was wonderful. We had a plan for Cate, a plan for the dog, family made arrangements to be off work and in town, and I knew just when I needed to have everything ready (though I had most stuff ready before then, just in case). I think it made it a little easier on Cate too. She kissed us goodbye that morning and knew she'd get to come to the hospital soon to meet her new brother.
It's personal preference at the end of the day. If you're miserable and ready to be done, then do it. If you want to hang in there and see if he comes on his own, then do it. Good luck!
I think you just do what is best for you & your family. I think you will know your answer by your OB appt this week. Just follow your instincts to if you feel that your little guy is ready to be born or not.
I would like to suggest the Netti Pot (or bottle) for your sinus issues. I know it's miserable and especially when you are pregnant & can't take much or do much about it. The Netti Pot/Bottle is a good flush of your sinuses with saline water & helps push out all the infection. They've always significantly helped shorten the duration & the suffering of any sinus issues I may have.
Good Luck! :-)
This is a really tough one. I wasn't given any choices and have no idea what I personally would do. I don't think you can go wrong. But it sounds like for you, the practical aspect of everything points to the decision of induction. Since you do have to think about childcare, your mom coming down, and DH's schedule (you know I can empathize on that one-the disk showing T's speed in the patrol car the night they told me I had to come right in is in the baby book :). If I were you I would go ahead and have your mom come down, you need the help, a sinus infection is absolutely no fun even when you are not pregnant. I say go for the induction and have both your children home with you on Mother's Day. Thinking of you!
Oooh! Pick me!
I was induced with A at 39 weeks, 2 days. I was given cervidil to help "ripen" my 80% effaced cervix and it kicked me into serious pain. They dubbed it a hyperstimulated uterus. I wasn't making any progress though, and so no epidural for me at my lousy 1cm, despite having contractions 2-3 minutes apart for 15 hours. Seriously, I'm not making this crap up!
I finally begged for my c-section after my OB dubbed me as having "the cervix of steel". I don't regret meeting A when I did, but I wouldn't do it over.
That being said, you have already had a successful vaginal delivery, so your chances of a section are much lower. I really just couldn't dilate, and that likely wouldn't have changed with a non-induction. Still, if you're okay with hanging out a bit longer, I'd say opt to wait.
Good luck with whatever you do! Can't wait to see pics of Baby C!!!
Personally, I say don't induce. Your body and your baby know what to do... and when your little baby is good and ready, he will come. An induction may lead to more unnecessary interventions, as well. Whatever your decision, though, I wish you the best. Congrats on your new baby!
Big decision! I have never been in your shoes, so please take my thoughts with a hunk of salt.
But- I love to plan things. So while the concept of an induction potentially veering off into things I can't control (like getting an epi or needing a csection) the ability to plan things and know what is going to happen when? Major boost for my sanity.
So I think its entirely up to you, but its ok to do what YOU want to do.
I would say for medical reasons not to. I don't know how your labor went the first time but usually it is just better for you and your body to let your body got into labor on it's own. That being said, I am 36 weeks and am already feeling your pain. I am so ready to have this baby I would do anything almost. However, my doc won't induce me b/c of a previous c-section so it's all up to little guy as to when he will make his arrival.
That would be a hard decision and it would be nice to know when he is going to be here. It would also stink to regret getting induced as well. Good luck on your decision!
i was induced for both. kinda wish i didn't for the 2nd so i could experience it on my own. i would at least ride it out until 40 weeks, but you have to be totally comfortable with your decision.
I am on my fifth pregnancy. Have gone both ways. My only advice to you is to go with your gut...sounds like you are fine with waiting for another week. Why not wait? Maybe by Sunday you will be absolutely ready!
Im sure you will make the best decision for you...good luck which ever way you go. We will all be waiting to hear about the little man's arrival when you have some time to post about it!
I'd induce... But that's just me...
:)
Can't wait to meet C.
Hi there! I've been a reader for a while but haven't commented in a long, long time.
I decided to comment on this one because I am a doula and while I am not against induction, if your plan is for a drug free labour, I'd strongly suggest not going the induction route.
The introduction of any interventions more often than not leads to other, more serious interventions.
Being Canadian, our practices are a bit different surrounding birth, but the domino effect of interventions is still the same.
It truly is better for you and baby to hang in there until baby is ready, but I totally understand that feeling of just being "done". I'd suggest researcing all the possible interventions and weighing your pros and cons to see if it is what is right for you.
At the very least, have your membranes stripped again. That is pretty minimal in the way of an intervention and it sounds like it worked last time!
Bottom line: do what is right for YOU and YOUR baby!
Best of luck!
Ditto Jan!
I spent the extra week wishing I hadn't picked a crunch granola birth center because at that point I was ready to be induced.
In the end, I went on my own, and it was the fastest, easiest labor ever.
The only thing I would change? Maybe my husband could have made it home if I were induced.
Good luck, you're almost there! You might already be there... haven't seen you posting much!