I mentioned the whole gauze count thing to DH (he also used to veterinary tech before joining the military) and I was like - 'you got the gauze count under control?' He gave me the nod. Of course, we'll probably be busy and occupied and totally spaced out, but we're both on guard now.
Had my 37 week appointment. Midwife is over the moon excited that I made it to term. Baby is still measuring small but is growing each week so she's not concerned. My contractions and cramping continue but what's new? GBS negative. That's good. Now I'm ready to have this baby! Come on out little one!
On a sad note, I asked about water births in the hospital (a big reason I picked this hospital) and she informed me that in April of this year they decided they will no longer do them. I can labor in the water but not birth. Apparently this hospital was one of the last hold outs in the state to finally say no. I'm pretty bummed about that. I've had that in mind for my births for years and years now. Just trying to look at the big picture that a happy healthy baby is all that really matters.
I went today, I am 38 weeks and 4 days. I have PUPPS, which I knew I did and I've been going crazy with an itchy belly. So she gave me a prescription cream for it. But she also checked me for dilation since I've been having a lot of contractions and pressure. My cervix is still really high and completely closed. I feel like after 16 hours of labor with my first and my cervix never even opening, resulting in a c section, I'm thankful to be having another planned section because apparently my body just doesn't progress even through labor. Anyway, c section is next week, unless I go into labor on my own, which I did with my daughter.
Saw my doula today and shared with her my worries over not leaking or producing colostrum/fears that I won't be able to successfully breastfeed baby. It took about 10 minutes but she showed me how to massage my boobs and lo and behold I got a bead out of each boob! It was extremely awkward because my mom and FI were there. I basically just whipped my boob out in my moms living room but I just figured well these three people are going to be present for the birth so they will see it all eventually I may as well get used to it now. I just feel really relieved to know that it is indeed in there somewhere and will come out when needed.
@mellymar@KarasTwin we use a fancy wand for both Virginia and cesarean deliveries that scans for sponges after completion of repair, or before the second to last layer of closing in surgery. We even scan if there was no repair...I seriously can't imagine leaving a sponge oh my goodness...Obviously it had to have been common enough (or enough money lost through lawsuits) for us to institute the wanding though!!
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
@Serenamarr I know it's hard, but try not to stress about that too much. I never leaked anything with my first daughter and was able to breastfeed for well over a year. This time (I'm 38 weeks 4 days) I still haven't.
I had my 40 week visit today; due date tomorrow. Still haven't dilated to a full 1CM and cervix is still high. They will let me go a little after 41 weeks and Im scheduled for induction on 6/21. Doctor stripped my membranes. Wasnt as painful as I thought. I've had some cramping but I've read that's expected with a membrane sweep. I'm hoping that works bc 6/21 seems so far away!!
Also getting set up with a NST for some time next week. My BP and baby's HR are good which I'm thankful for.
I had an appointment today at 39+3. OB asked if I wanted her to check me but caught on to the hesitation and said to make an appointment for early next week and they'd check me then. I made the appointment for Monday afternoon (40+1) and we'll schedule an induction then for around the 21st as my Due date is the 14th. Hoping this little girl decides to come out on her own, me no want induction
@dancegurl1118 a secret codeword! Fancy! Sounds like the one and only episode of Grey's Anatomy I've ever watched. Now in going to be listening for codewords, lol
And - super jealous of all you ladies getting induced on my preferred labor day, that I CAN'T get induced on. I have to wing it and just HOPE it happens on the 21st. Definitely giving all of you 21st inductions the jealous side-eye [-( (with love, tho)
@mellymar don't worry girl I won't have the baby on the 21st! plus it could def still happen for you.... I will do a rain dance or something. There was a nasty storm here tonight and I hoped that would put me into labor.......... Not yet. Nope. Sorry highjacked this for a sec. Carry on folks
My legs must have really been crossed, bc although my cervix is softer, it is still completely closed. Really uncomfortable exam.
Baby's BPM 134. My blood pressure was high, so they took it again, no change.
Scheduled a 40-week ultrasound and my first NST for Tuesday. Doc was kind of insistent about me getting in earlier in the week rather than later. She's normally pretty low-key, so I'm slightly concerned, but I'm just going to go with the flow.
I asked her if I needed to get on the hospital's calendar in case I continue to be "closed for business", and she said no, and that we "need to see what kind of medicines we'd need for you (suppository or IV) to schedule the induction. Made sense.
No real excitement, other than irregular contractions, which she said were good practice.
I'm not antsy for labor to start, but I don't want to be pregnant for 2.5 more weeks either!
Saw my doula today and shared with her my worries over not leaking or producing colostrum/fears that I won't be able to successfully breastfeed baby. It took about 10 minutes but she showed me how to massage my boobs and lo and behold I got a bead out of each boob! It was extremely awkward because my mom and FI were there. I basically just whipped my boob out in my moms living room but I just figured well these three people are going to be present for the birth so they will see it all eventually I may as well get used to it now. I just feel really relieved to know that it is indeed in there somewhere and will come out when needed.
I didn't produce anything prior to delivery (born 40 +2) and I nursed immediately after she was born with no issues.
Baby is still breech and I chose not to try the version. C section is scheduled for Monday, June 22 at 10 am. No dilation and only a tiny bit thinned. Got a good pic of his little face.
Yippee! Being induced in the morning. Dr didn't seem too happy that she won't be delivering and the on call dr will, but I love both who are on call and could care less. I'm in too much pain to walk and would have had her today if given the chance. My appointment was very productive in other words.
Also, hubs took me out for an awesome pre-induction lunch today on the way home since I can't eat after a certain time tonight. It's been a good day.
38+2 appt. today. I was expecting to be high, closed, and thick like the last two weeks (this was also the case until I was induced with DD), but holy moly, I'm 3cm and 50% effaced and baby's head is very much down. Obvi doesn't mean a whole lot, but I am thrilled! Doc said that will make induction much easier if it comes to that, and to go home and "get busy" this weekend. DH didn't catch her drift, so I said, "sex!" I told the doctor ok, but late pregnancy sex is just pretty hilarious! We both can't wait for normalcy again!
Appt this morning at 41+1. Everything still looks great, baby girl has plenty of fluid and her HR was 147 bpm, and my BP was 106/74. So, we're allowed to continue waiting!
Induction set for Wed. the 17th (42 weeks exactly) if labor doesn't start before then. Dr said I'm now 2cm and 60% effaced. She stimulated my cervix again today, uncomfortable but not really painful.
Husband has not been on board with late-pregnancy sex at all, he's really weirded out by it... but my dr admitted it might get things moving, so we may have to try in the next couple days. Would love to avoid that induction!
38+2 and I'm 2cm and 60%. I'm on the wait list for the 17th at 7am. The hospital doesn't recognize precipitous labor as an indicator for early induction, so I'm considered elective and low on the priority list. But the OB I saw today said that they will call the hospital every hour to check availability starting the 17th if I haven't heard. She was very nice and said they would do everything in their power to get me in. The practice feels precipitous labor should be an indicator and I had the fastest labor she's ever heard of. I just hope LO stays put until then.
@Sammy K I've been following your saga - I hope they can get you in! Sending lots of 'go into labor' vibes towards the other pregnant women in your area.
Well ladies, I had my 39 week appointment today and even with the meds they have put me on my BP was still high today so after talking with my doctor we decided to induce. I have to be at the hospital at 5am in the morning. I'm both excited and a nervous wreck :-SS
Freaking out after my 38 week appt today. At this one we were supposed to schedule an induction date for next week. I thought my doctor would be prepared with the dates and times we could do it, but he didn't have all the info about hospital bed availability and schedules of the 3 OB GYNs. Since I'm 40 years old my doctor strongly advises me not to go over my due date (June 21). I had been thinking I could do it June 20 or 19th, then I'd at least have a few days off work first to relax and hope to go into labor on my own. But today he tells me the only dates he's on call next week are Monday and Tuesday! Today is Thursday and my last day of work is tomorrow! Tuesday is too soon! He checked my cervix and it has not progressed at all since last week, and the baby is still too "high", so even he agreed it's not favorable yet for induction. Time is running out! I have had my heart set on a natural birth without an epidural, definitely don't want a C section if I can help it. Really worried about money too. Our hospital overcharges us for every little thing and my insurance is crappy and tries to get out of paying. We already have so much debt, the idea of adding so much more $$$$ for an unwanted induction and maybe even C section is so depressing. My pregnancy has been great up until this, now I'm so stressed out wondering how it will end. With unbearable pain and tens of thousands dollars worth of debt? I just want a simple, natural birth!!! So after discussing my concerns with my doctor he is going to check the hospital availability and get in touch with another of the OBs (whom I've heard is good, but haven't met) to see if he can do my induction on the 18th or 19th, which would be closer to my due date and therefore somewhat more tolerable to me. My husband agrees with my doctor that I shouldn't go over my due date because of my age. On the other hand every woman I know is telling me I should trust my intuition, not the doctor and fight this, go into labor when I'm ready. I made a conscious decision early in my pregnancy to have a hospital birth and accept interventions if needed for the safety of my baby, knowing that having a first baby at my age comes with extra risk. But now my emotions are taking over and it's hard to think rationally about it anymore. Everyone thought I'd go into labor early because my belly was so huge, but now there's a very real danger I'll go too late to avoid a costly and stressful induction.
39w1d apt. I suspected things were progressing, I'm on day 2 of some mad Braxton Hicks and lightening crotch, and she reported that I'm now 4cm and 80% effaced.
Baby's head is very low, she still thinks he's weighing around the 6lb mark and commented that she thinks he'll be long. BP and LO's heart rate is great!
38+2 and I'm 2cm and 60%. I'm on the wait list for the 17th at 7am. The hospital doesn't recognize precipitous labor as an indicator for early induction, so I'm considered elective and low on the priority list. But the OB I saw today said that they will call the hospital every hour to check availability starting the 17th if I haven't heard. She was very nice and said they would do everything in their power to get me in. The practice feels precipitous labor should be an indicator and I had the fastest labor she's ever heard of. I just hope LO stays put until then.
I have faith that you're gonna get in-- my ESPN is strong on this. Keep on your doc and your doc will keep on them. Lots of love your way.
40 weeks exactly today. Nothing has changed from my last 2 appointments, still 2cm and 50%. Doctor did yet another membrane sweep, third week in a row....obviously it does nothing to me but whatever. I was a bit bummed out that there hasn't been any progress. If she doesn't come by next Thursday then it's time to start looking into scheduling an induction, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed !
@heidiiwa My doc has never mentioned to me about not going over EDD because of my age. This was the first I heard of that. I just did a little Googling to see what I could find but there is conflicting info out there and didn't find much of an answer. Did he tell you what the risks are due to age?
I pray it all works out for you!
ETA: After a little more research, the only thing I found is there is a "slightly" higher risk of baby being stillborn due to the placenta deteriorating if you go past EDD after age 40. However, the studies on that don't appear to be concrete. Still curious as to what your doc said. I'll be asking mine at my next appointment.
Freaking out after my 38 week appt today. At this one we were supposed to schedule an induction date for next week. I thought my doctor would be prepared with the dates and times we could do it, but he didn't have all the info about hospital bed availability and schedules of the 3 OB GYNs. Since I'm 40 years old my doctor strongly advises me not to go over my due date (June 21). I had been thinking I could do it June 20 or 19th, then I'd at least have a few days off work first to relax and hope to go into labor on my own. But today he tells me the only dates he's on call next week are Monday and Tuesday! Today is Thursday and my last day of work is tomorrow! Tuesday is too soon! He checked my cervix and it has not progressed at all since last week, and the baby is still too "high", so even he agreed it's not favorable yet for induction. Time is running out! I have had my heart set on a natural birth without an epidural, definitely don't want a C section if I can help it. Really worried about money too. Our hospital overcharges us for every little thing and my insurance is crappy and tries to get out of paying. We already have so much debt, the idea of adding so much more $$$$ for an unwanted induction and maybe even C section is so depressing. My pregnancy has been great up until this, now I'm so stressed out wondering how it will end. With unbearable pain and tens of thousands dollars worth of debt? I just want a simple, natural birth!!! So after discussing my concerns with my doctor he is going to check the hospital availability and get in touch with another of the OBs (whom I've heard is good, but haven't met) to see if he can do my induction on the 18th or 19th, which would be closer to my due date and therefore somewhat more tolerable to me. My husband agrees with my doctor that I shouldn't go over my due date because of my age. On the other hand every woman I know is telling me I should trust my intuition, not the doctor and fight this, go into labor when I'm ready. I made a conscious decision early in my pregnancy to have a hospital birth and accept interventions if needed for the safety of my baby, knowing that having a first baby at my age comes with extra risk. But now my emotions are taking over and it's hard to think rationally about it anymore. Everyone thought I'd go into labor early because my belly was so huge, but now there's a very real danger I'll go too late to avoid a costly and stressful induction.
Age alone is not a good enough reason to justify inducing before EDD if your cervix is unfavorable in my opinion. My mother was 42 when she had me-- at 40+6, in an alternative birthing center, with no interventions. She was monitored closely (daily) by her midwife of course, and if there had been any sign of me not doing well obviously she would have considered inducing, but every woman is different, and just because statistics show an INCREASED risk of placental deterioration in women over a certain age, that does not mean every woman over a certain age will experience that! Maybe you could discuss close monitoring with your Doc that would allow you to wait even a few extra days to allow your cervix more time to at least become favorable for induction.
39 week appointment today. Haven't had an internal exam yet, but baby is still high, no mucus to be seen, no bloody show. The doctor was very comforting about all of that, saying it doesn't mean anything as far as labor being imminent or far off.
Got my first want-to-jump-off-the-couch lightening crotch today, though! And my pelvis is feeling mighty stretched out on the underside, so there's that.
39 week appointment today. Haven't had an internal exam yet, but baby is still high, no mucus to be seen, no bloody show. The doctor was very comforting about all of that, saying it doesn't mean anything as far as labor being imminent or far off.
Got my first want-to-jump-off-the-couch lightening crotch today, though! And my pelvis is feeling mighty stretched out on the underside, so there's that.
39+5 today! Woot! Got an internal done at the Dr office today and we are 2cm dialted and 100% effaced...dr did a membrane sweep which was just very odd...and now I can't stop pooping.....got HB on standby at work incase anything else starts up or comes down....wishing you all the best!!!!
38 week appointment. Today, I am at 2 cm and 50% effaced. Last week I was at 1 cm 0%. I've had more cramping and a very small amount of blood last night. Also, doctor is a little worried about my feet swelling. Doctor thinks I'll go this weekend or next weekend! As long as I make it past Monday, I will be happy,
@heidiiwa My doc has never mentioned to me about not going over EDD because of my age. This was the first I heard of that. I just did a little Googling to see what I could find but there is conflicting info out there and didn't find much of an answer. Did he tell you what the risks are due to age?
I pray it all works out for you!
ETA: After a little more research, the only thing I found is there is a "slightly" higher risk of baby being stillborn due to the placenta deteriorating if you go past EDD after age 40. However, the studies on that don't appear to be concrete. Still curious as to what your doc said. I'll be asking mine at my next appointment.
@HisSunshineLove, thanks for commenting. How old are you? If you're under 40, they might not insist on induction for you. I think the cutoff at my clinic is 40 and older, so if I was still 39 they might still "let" me go over my due date. It seems so arbitrary...I think I'm in good health for 40, look young for my age & don't have any health problems. However, the issue is the increased rate of stillbirth, which, although small, is statistically significant in 40+ women who go over 40 weeks. Two important facts about stillbirth: 1)it's irreversible, 2) the medical establishment still has no clue what causes it most of the time. It's not like we can prevent it with good health or medicine or anything. And when it happens, it's about the worst pregnancy outcome you can get. So I don't blame them for being scared of allowing factors that increase the risk, even if the overall risk is still low. I hope more research is done that shows positive factors that offset the risk in healthy women, though, so that all women over 40 aren't automatically treated as high risk when we might not be. Age is just one of many factors, and I think no one really understand yet or can predict how all the factors might work together to cause stillbirth or protect you from it.
@heidiiwa My doc has never mentioned to me about not going over EDD because of my age. This was the first I heard of that. I just did a little Googling to see what I could find but there is conflicting info out there and didn't find much of an answer. Did he tell you what the risks are due to age?
I pray it all works out for you!
ETA: After a little more research, the only thing I found is there is a "slightly" higher risk of baby being stillborn due to the placenta deteriorating if you go past EDD after age 40. However, the studies on that don't appear to be concrete. Still curious as to what your doc said. I'll be asking mine at my next appointment.
@HisSunshineLove, thanks for commenting. How old are you? If you're under 40, they might not insist on induction for you. I think the cutoff at my clinic is 40 and older, so if I was still 39 they might still "let" me go over my due date. It seems so arbitrary...I think I'm in good health for 40, look young for my age & don't have any health problems. However, the issue is the increased rate of stillbirth, which, although small, is statistically significant in 40+ women who go over 40 weeks. Two important facts about stillbirth: 1)it's irreversible, 2) the medical establishment still has no clue what causes it most of the time. It's not like we can prevent it with good health or medicine or anything. And when it happens, it's about the worst pregnancy outcome you can get. So I don't blame them for being scared of allowing factors that increase the risk, even if the overall risk is still low. I hope more research is done that shows positive factors that offset the risk in healthy women, though, so that all women over 40 aren't automatically treated as high risk when we might not be. Age is just one of many factors, and I think no one really understand yet or can predict how all the factors might work together to cause stillbirth or protect you from it.
I'm 40 as well in good health. I will definitely be asking my doctor about this at the next visit. I'm surprised it has not been brought up. He is concerned about her size at this point (as previously mentioned due to my being borderline GD). So with a potential of multiple risk factors, even though I'm not overdue at this point, I will have to consider what is best for our little one if it comes to it. In the mean time, I will be praying for everything to be just how it should be.
Freaking out after my 38 week appt today. At this one we were supposed to schedule an induction date for next week. I thought my doctor would be prepared with the dates and times we could do it, but he didn't have all the info about hospital bed availability and schedules of the 3 OB GYNs. Since I'm 40 years old my doctor strongly advises me not to go over my due date (June 21). I had been thinking I could do it June 20 or 19th, then I'd at least have a few days off work first to relax and hope to go into labor on my own. But today he tells me the only dates he's on call next week are Monday and Tuesday! Today is Thursday and my last day of work is tomorrow! Tuesday is too soon! He checked my cervix and it has not progressed at all since last week, and the baby is still too "high", so even he agreed it's not favorable yet for induction. Time is running out! I have had my heart set on a natural birth without an epidural, definitely don't want a C section if I can help it. Really worried about money too. Our hospital overcharges us for every little thing and my insurance is crappy and tries to get out of paying. We already have so much debt, the idea of adding so much more $$$$ for an unwanted induction and maybe even C section is so depressing. My pregnancy has been great up until this, now I'm so stressed out wondering how it will end. With unbearable pain and tens of thousands dollars worth of debt? I just want a simple, natural birth!!! So after discussing my concerns with my doctor he is going to check the hospital availability and get in touch with another of the OBs (whom I've heard is good, but haven't met) to see if he can do my induction on the 18th or 19th, which would be closer to my due date and therefore somewhat more tolerable to me. My husband agrees with my doctor that I shouldn't go over my due date because of my age. On the other hand every woman I know is telling me I should trust my intuition, not the doctor and fight this, go into labor when I'm ready. I made a conscious decision early in my pregnancy to have a hospital birth and accept interventions if needed for the safety of my baby, knowing that having a first baby at my age comes with extra risk. But now my emotions are taking over and it's hard to think rationally about it anymore. Everyone thought I'd go into labor early because my belly was so huge, but now there's a very real danger I'll go too late to avoid a costly and stressful induction.
Age alone is not a good enough reason to justify inducing before EDD if your cervix is unfavorable in my opinion. My mother was 42 when she had me-- at 40+6, in an alternative birthing center, with no interventions. She was monitored closely (daily) by her midwife of course, and if there had been any sign of me not doing well obviously she would have considered inducing, but every woman is different, and just because statistics show an INCREASED risk of placental deterioration in women over a certain age, that does not mean every woman over a certain age will experience that! Maybe you could discuss close monitoring with your Doc that would allow you to wait even a few extra days to allow your cervix more time to at least become favorable for induction.
@Serenamarr, yes that's probably one of the many differences between a mainstream US hospital and an alternative birthing center. I don't doubt if I'd chosen a birthing center, they would have allowed me a more natural, intervention-free experience. And I think that's great. Earlier today I kind of regretted not choosing that path, but it wasn't really realistic for me. I wanted the convenience and sense of safety of a hospital. I chose a hospital birth but I want to have as few interventions as possible...that's a delicate line to walk sometimes. I'm not against all interventions but I want to make an informed choice.
I did try arguing with my doctor a little and suggesting going over my due date by a few days with increased close monitoring etc., but he was dead set against it. He said risk of maternal death increases as well as stillbirth and that he's "seen dead babies before and I don't want to see any more dead babies." My husband is also a rule-follower who wants to go by the book. Nowhere is the difference between men and women so wide as when it comes to attitudes about childbirth!! Maybe that's simplistic and sexist of me to say, but it seems most women I've talked to favor a more "trust your body" approach to going into labor, and the men are going by the statistics, the numbers. Stands to reason our perspective would be different when we are the ones who actually experience it.
It is still my choice ultimately whether to have the induction or not...they can't make me have one against my will. But it would be against medical advice. So if you're over 40 and brave enough you could still refuse to get an induction. But I'm leaning towards getting one now because they were able to schedule me on my preferred date of June 19, closer to my due date according to last menstrual period, and one day over my due date estimated by first ultrasound. For me it makes a big difference just being able to have it later next week when there is more of a chance my cervix will be favorable and I have a few more days to relax and hope labor comes on its own.
@heidiiwa that's great that you got your date and found something both you and your doc are comfortable with! A few days might make all the difference.
I am sorry though that your doctor felt the need to use that scare tactic kind of language with you (dead babies etc). I had a doctor speak to me that way a few months ago because I said I wanted to labor at home and it really upset me.
Re: Weekly Appt's...June 8-12
On a sad note, I asked about water births in the hospital (a big reason I picked this hospital) and she informed me that in April of this year they decided they will no longer do them. I can labor in the water but not birth. Apparently this hospital was one of the last hold outs in the state to finally say no. I'm pretty bummed about that. I've had that in mind for my births for years and years now. Just trying to look at the big picture that a happy healthy baby is all that really matters.
Also getting set up with a NST for some time next week. My BP and baby's HR are good which I'm thankful for.
And - super jealous of all you ladies getting induced on my preferred labor day, that I CAN'T get induced on. I have to wing it and just HOPE it happens on the 21st. Definitely giving all of you 21st inductions the jealous side-eye [-( (with love, tho)
I will do a rain dance or something.
There was a nasty storm here tonight and I hoped that would put me into labor.......... Not yet. Nope. Sorry highjacked this for a sec. Carry on folks
My legs must have really been crossed, bc although my cervix is softer, it is still completely closed. Really uncomfortable exam.
Baby's BPM 134. My blood pressure was high, so they took it again, no change.
Scheduled a 40-week ultrasound and my first NST for Tuesday. Doc was kind of insistent about me getting in earlier in the week rather than later. She's normally pretty low-key, so I'm slightly concerned, but I'm just going to go with the flow.
I asked her if I needed to get on the hospital's calendar in case I continue to be "closed for business", and she said no, and that we "need to see what kind of medicines we'd need for you (suppository or IV) to schedule the induction. Made sense.
No real excitement, other than irregular contractions, which she said were good practice.
I'm not antsy for labor to start, but I don't want to be pregnant for 2.5 more weeks either!
Also, hubs took me out for an awesome pre-induction lunch today on the way home since I can't eat after a certain time tonight. It's been a good day.
Induction set for Wed. the 17th (42 weeks exactly) if labor doesn't start before then. Dr said I'm now 2cm and 60% effaced. She stimulated my cervix again today, uncomfortable but not really painful.
Husband has not been on board with late-pregnancy sex at all, he's really weirded out by it... but my dr admitted it might get things moving, so we may have to try in the next couple days. Would love to avoid that induction!
So after discussing my concerns with my doctor he is going to check the hospital availability and get in touch with another of the OBs (whom I've heard is good, but haven't met) to see if he can do my induction on the 18th or 19th, which would be closer to my due date and therefore somewhat more tolerable to me. My husband agrees with my doctor that I shouldn't go over my due date because of my age. On the other hand every woman I know is telling me I should trust my intuition, not the doctor and fight this, go into labor when I'm ready. I made a conscious decision early in my pregnancy to have a hospital birth and accept interventions if needed for the safety of my baby, knowing that having a first baby at my age comes with extra risk. But now my emotions are taking over and it's hard to think rationally about it anymore. Everyone thought I'd go into labor early because my belly was so huge, but now there's a very real danger I'll go too late to avoid a costly and stressful induction.
Baby's head is very low, she still thinks he's weighing around the 6lb mark and commented that she thinks he'll be long. BP and LO's heart rate is great!
@KarasTwin beautiful photo!!
I pray it all works out for you!
ETA: After a little more research, the only thing I found is there is a "slightly" higher risk of baby being stillborn due to the placenta deteriorating if you go past EDD after age 40. However, the studies on that don't appear to be concrete. Still curious as to what your doc said. I'll be asking mine at my next appointment.
Got my first want-to-jump-off-the-couch lightening crotch today, though! And my pelvis is feeling mighty stretched out on the underside, so there's that.
Boom, pow!
I did try arguing with my doctor a little and suggesting going over my due date by a few days with increased close monitoring etc., but he was dead set against it. He said risk of maternal death increases as well as stillbirth and that he's "seen dead babies before and I don't want to see any more dead babies." My husband is also a rule-follower who wants to go by the book. Nowhere is the difference between men and women so wide as when it comes to attitudes about childbirth!! Maybe that's simplistic and sexist of me to say, but it seems most women I've talked to favor a more "trust your body" approach to going into labor, and the men are going by the statistics, the numbers. Stands to reason our perspective would be different when we are the ones who actually experience it.
It is still my choice ultimately whether to have the induction or not...they can't make me have one against my will. But it would be against medical advice. So if you're over 40 and brave enough you could still refuse to get an induction. But I'm leaning towards getting one now because they were able to schedule me on my preferred date of June 19, closer to my due date according to last menstrual period, and one day over my due date estimated by first ultrasound. For me it makes a big difference just being able to have it later next week when there is more of a chance my cervix will be favorable and I have a few more days to relax and hope labor comes on its own.
I am sorry though that your doctor felt the need to use that scare tactic kind of language with you (dead babies etc). I had a doctor speak to me that way a few months ago because I said I wanted to labor at home and it really upset me.