41 Weeks … The Stork is Late

41 weeks belly pic.

Picture

The last video available for info on baby’s progress.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ3KkPxaebA&w=400&h=330]
I guess the membrane sweep didn’t work.  The mild cramps and tightness I was feeling went away.  Drinking the red raspberry leaf tea hasn’t caused any contractions either.Tomorrow is another baby check-up.  I’ll have another cervical exam done, and blood pressure check.  I will give them my 24 hour urine sample.  I believe I will be having another non-stress test done.  I’m not sure if I’ll be having another ultrasound done.I have been checking my blood pressure at home all day today and it’s been fairly good all day long.  120’s/70’s up to 130’s/70’s.  Not too bad.  At least it’s been under 140/90, which is the number when doctors start getting worried.

I have a sinking feeling that I will have no choice but to schedule an induction.  I am a week overdue now, with pregnancy induced hypertension.  I don’t see the doctors allowing me to wait another week (which I gladly will do if they would just let me…)

I just hope that the doctor will allow me to at least schedule an induction for Monday morning, instead of tomorrow night.  The doctor we like isn’t on call tomorrow night, but she will be on call Monday and Tuesday.

I’m scared.  I have read about so many complications that start with a forced labor.

Pitocin side effects and risks

Pitocin Induction

I wouldn’t be as worried with an induction if I were having a smaller baby that could be delivered more easily, and if this weren’t my first baby at 36 years of age, and if I had lower blood pressure, but all of these issues I believe could increase complications for me with a forced labor.  Inductions are hard enough on a young woman’s body who is healthy with no blood pressure issues, and may be having a normal 6 to 7 pound baby… but I don’t fall into this category.

Baby Faith will probably be around 9 pounds.  I’m 36 years old with hypertension.  This is my very first pregnancy, and my body isn’t being given the opportunity to naturally begin labor on its own.  I feel like my joy has been stolen from me.  This is the time I should be excited with anticipation, and waiting to feel my body start labor on its own.  I’ve been dreaming of the day to know what that feels like.  Now, I just feel like a vessel that is holding a baby until the doctor take control.  They will plan her birth-date, and they will be in control of what my body does.  I feel like I’m already sitting in a waiting room, getting ready for the doctors to take over … instead of happily getting ready for my body to bring my baby into this world.

I know I have to leave this in God’s hands … but fear is taking over, and I’m struggling to find peace.  I wanted to be a happy and excited first time mother, but that has been taken from me.  I know the doctors have our best interests at heart, but I feel like they have invaded my space, and my mind, and stolen my opportunity for a true birth experience.  Everything will be orchestrated by the doctors and hospital policies when induction takes place.  Will this feel like a real birth experience?  I believe the only thing I will care to look back on when Faith is born is holding her in my arms.

I am thankful for my loving husband, who is going through this stress as well, but still tries to comfort me and put a smile on my face.  I love you Aaron ♥  I’m thankful for my friends and family that are praying for us.

We can all still pray for a miraculous natural birth that could happen at the last minute, but I’m losing hope.

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Baby Update

We just got back from our baby check-up.  My blood pressure was 140/90.  That’s the number that starts concerning doctors.  It could be that it jumped up that high because I had a surprise blood test done.  For everyone that knows me, I’m terrified of needles.

I had an ultrasound done.  Everything is still perfect.  A normal amount of amniotic fluid, the placenta is good, baby’s heartbeat is good, and the new estimate on her weight is 8 pounds 12 ounces.

We talked with the doctor.  He asked, “What are your plans for delivery?”   It felt comforting to know that he was asking me what I’d like to do.  I told him that I was hoping to avoid induction, but I know my blood pressure is a concern.  He said, “Well, everything looks fine right now.”   However, he did suggest I go to the hospital on Monday for an induction.  I haven’t dilated more, or effaced more.   He did do another membrane sweep, which was painful this time.  As of now…  I feel nothing.  No contractions.

We are going to the hospital Sunday night to start Cervidil.  Then on Monday morning Pitocin will be started.  I give up.

I’m going to bed now.  I just want to sleep.

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At Hospital

It is almost 10:00 now after getting settled in.  I signed some papers first.  Changed into my gown.  Got my blood pressure taken several times.  It was very high at first.  I think the highest was 157/97.  I know it’s because of the stress I’m feeling.  After lying down for almost an hour it went down as low 120/65.

Then I had blood drawn.  It hurt.  After that, I had to have a Heparin Lock placed in my arm, in case I will need medication soon.  I’ve never had an IV put into my arm.  It hurt very much.  They couldn’t get the first IV placed successfully, so I went through that pain for nothing.  Then they tried my second arm.  Again, alot of pain, but this time it was put in successfully.  I squeezed Aaron’s hand and never took my eyes off his face.  I didn’t like that experience at all.  I’m a baby about needles, and I wish I could get over it already.
The Cervidil was placed in my cervix about a half hour ago.  Now I am just sitting up in bed, waiting to see if contractions may start.  The monitor shows contractions that have reached over 100, but I only feel pressure.  No pain.  The nurse said that she has seen about 30 to 40% of women go into labor with the Cervidil.  She said if I go into labor, it could be around 1 or 2am.  Usually she just sees women try and sleep during the night, and sometimes they’ve dilated, and sometimes they didn’t.
Pitocin will start at 7 am if I don’t go into labor with the Cervidil.  She said I can get up, take a shower, and eat a light breakfast before starting the Pitocin in the morning.  If I have dilated overnight, they may try to first break my water to see if labor will start. I may want to try that before the Pitocin.
Praying that the Cervidil kicks in soon, and I can labor on my own tonight.   I’m incredibly sleepy, and hungry.  Right now Aaron is looking to order some food for delivery.  I’m allowed to eat something before going to sleep tonight.
The nurses I have are nice.  I gave all of the nurses their gift basket of candy and cookies.  They loved it.  I’m glad all of the injections are over with.  I hope to eat something, and then try to sleep… all the while praying that the Cervidil will start my dilation and labor.
Please keep us in your prayers tonight.