Scheduled for induction? When your due date doesn’t go as planned
On Friday I had a bit of a meltdown at/after my doctor’s appointment because my timeline is being cut in about half. It started out like a normal doctor’s visit, but this one was a little more involved because the doctor took the Group B strep culture and I also got my flu shot and my Tdap vaccine. I also brought a copy of my draft birth plan because I wanted to go over it with my doctor before meeting with my doula. My original thinking was I’d go into labor and wait it out a bit at home until the contractions got unbearable. That way I could still move around and eat and be comfortable before going to get the epidural and being strapped to a bed for the remainder of the time.
What the doctor told me instead was because of my gestational diabetes they will need to induce me, and may do so as early as 38 weeks or maybe up to 39 weeks, so the baby doesn’t get too large. I was almost 36 weeks at the time of the appointment, so I kind of had an OMG moment since that’s just over 2 weeks away! I really didn’t want to be induced, partly because I’ve read that can increase the chances of a C-section, it makes the overall experience last longer since they need to give you all kinds of medication to prep your body for delivery since it hasn’t done that on its own yet, plus the Pitocin makes the contractions come hard and fast, so no gradual increase in pain as labor progresses. That means I’ll be asking for an epidural right away and won’t be able to walk around for any of it.
That will certainly throw a lot of what is on my birth plan out the window, but I definitely understand the risk of a large baby. I was just thinking that I was controlling that with diet and since my blood sugar numbers have been good and the doctor hasn’t needed to put me on insulin yet I thought I was in the clear. I’m really glad I brought the topic up since that really changes my plans quite a bit.
So the doctor said he might be inducing between November 3-10. I thought I had another month to go with my due date being November 17th. So, bear with me while I get the rest of my mind wrapped around this change.
My Mom isn’t flying in until November 8th, and I wanted her to be here for the birth so she could help me get around during recovery. But now that Dad has decided to fly out with her and take a couple of vacation days to stay until mid-week, perhaps this is a good thing. At least if I have the baby before they arrive, Daddy will get to see his grandson in the short time he’s visiting. Mom will stay for a month and a half though since she can do some of her work from my house.
On a more fun and less stressful note, I had my Houston baby shower on Saturday. I hosted at my house since few people had been over yet and now my friends know where I live and can visit me and the baby. I had a really good turn out and I’m so happy with the great friends I have here. I got a lot of fun toys and good stuff for me that I didn’t have yet, so I’m very thankful. Also, look at the Smurf cake for Smurfberry!
Join the Working Mom List
Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.
Suzanna says
I was induced with #babyD at 39 weeks (because of my high blood pressure). It wasn’t what I had “planned” but it ended up going fabulously and my “little” 8 lb 14 oz baby showed up 12 hours after they started the induction process. Keep your chin up, mama! You’ll be meeting your little one so very, very soon!
Julie says
So being induced isn’t as scary as it sounds? I’m starting to accept the fact that I have no control over how this plays out (the planner in me is screaming, but oh well). The important part is everyone is healthy.
Deanna says
That would be shocking to know you are going to meet baby sooner than you thought. But I think it will be a good thing. All my friends that have gone to full term (or beyond) have been counting down the days and telling their baby to hurry up. I think a shorter pregnancy is probably a better way to go. But I also wouldn’t want to have a C-Section so hopefully you’ll be able to avoid that.
That’s wonderful that your family is going to be there for you when you have your baby. I worry about that sometimes when I think about if I was to get pregnant. My parents live on the other side of the country. I wonder sometimes if they would come out to meet the baby. I worry that I would have no one to come help me take care of the house. But I guess it’s useless to worry about things like that when I’m not even pregnant haha.
Julie says
Ha I think you’re right – I have heard people say the baby has overstayed their welcome when they went past their due date. I guess it really does get so uncomfortable that you just can’t stand it anymore. The family thing is a big concern since everyone has to travel to be here from far away – but I’m sure at whatever point you decide to do this yourself, your family will want to be there and they’ll make an effort.
Dee says
*side note: nice banner!
Oy – that does sound not-so-fun to have to change and rearrange your plans for the baby; I guess he’s starting you early! Babies change plans all the time on me! Ack. So unpredictable! But at least it was good you went over the plan with the doc so the doc could advise you a different route.
You are definitely loved! This is your… 4th baby shower? I can’t imagine all the stuff Smurfberry’s spoiled with!
Julie says
(Thanks! I found the editable file on my laptop and was able to re-size it and remove text yay.)
Ha you’re right though, I’ve had a ton of showers – 3 family, 1 friends, 1 book club, and 1 work already. Sheesh. Who knew having a baby is such a big deal. I think I’ve been more spoiled now than when I got married.
April says
I can totally understand. I had to be on pitocin three times. For me atleast it wasn’t true that it increased the chance of c-section or increased the length of my delivery. Is that something the Dr. told you? Maybe they just know about it more now than when I went through it. The part about the contractions being more painful and closer together, that was definitely true for me. The end of pregnancy is always scary. It is even worse when things don’t go as planned. Just breathe and go with the flow. Being stressed about it will only make it more difficult. I know that is so much easier said than done.
Julie says
I’ve been reading a lot of books and articles and many of them state the increased risks of c-section if you’re induced. That’s not something the doctor will tell you I don’t think. They did tell us in the hospital’s birth class that if you get induced add 12 hours to the labor because they have to start you on medication to make your body ready and that takes time to ripen everything if it isn’t already there. But you’re so right about stressing out making it more difficult so I’m doing my best now to just accept it for what it is and think about the most important part – a healthy baby. Thanks for stopping by!