My baby is sleepy.

[same_sky]

I know that she's sleepy because we totally saw her yawning this morning on the ultrasound! It was approximately the most adorable thing, ever. And her little hand was up by her face! We didn't get any pictures this time (boo) but oh, it was cute. She looked like a baby instead of kind of scary and skull-like. You couldn't really tell what she looked like, of course (which is good because we can have some surprises!) but definitely baby-shaped. They're not very photogenic this late in the game, as they're all squished up. The technician tried to see if she was still a girl, but couldn't look at her bottom. She probed at my belly while trying to see, and I can tell you this--Ducky did NOT like that at ALL, so we have decided that she is a modest, shy child. Friend KP raised her eyebrows at this and said, "Really? Cause I have met your husband." There is skepticism on that shy baby thing, apparently.

As for the rest, she was declared very "content" (not sure what that means but both the tech and the doctor said it) and she scored 8/8 on a biophysical profile test. Dr. Google says that it tests breathing, movements, muscle tone, fluids, etc. She is head down but face up, which isn't the optimal position, but at least her head is still down! I believe that part can happen very late in the game anyway. Oh, and what's that you said? How did the size thing turn out?

They think she's eight pounds. Did we talk about that part where I'm 36 weeks?

Okay, I will be officially 37 weeks on Saturday (unofficially, but accurately, 37 weeks today), and the estimate can be off a pound either way. I'm measuring 38.5 weeks. They are now saying that they will not only not try to stop me if I go into labor, but they will likely want to induce in a week or two. I thought I had four weeks before induction (41) so this did not quite please me--most of my labor fears have been tied up into an induction/epidural/c-section ball. Since I talked to the doctor today, he suggested that we reschedule my next appointment for the end of next week instead of on Monday. I said that was fine, but I do have Monday off work already so it would be more convenient for me to come then, and he was fine with that. I realized afterward that it might have bought me another week of induction-free time. He mentioned that they would maybe/probably check my cervix again (sigh) at the next visit, and decide what to do based on how things measure/look then, and possibly if I'm dilated. I figure that they're less likely to want to do anything on Monday than they would be on Friday next week, so that's good. The thing is.. I am anti-induction, and in particular I am not impressed with the idea of inducing just because she is a big baby, but at the same time, if they really feel like it would be in Ducky's best interest, then fine. I just would rather not go that route.

So, in light of that, this morning's appointment sort of changed the strategy. While every day before today, we have said, "I really hope Ducky doesn't come today,"... now we are changing our minds. I'm essentially 37 weeks, which they count as full term. I know that it doesn't mean that she's necessarily mature, but I would rather her make up her mind about that than inducing her while she's possibly not ready. So, we are now hoping that something DOES happen in the next week or two before they force an induction on me, and meanwhile praying that she really is healthy like they seem to think she is.

Maybe it helps that I have been having (relatively mild, not too frequent and certainly not regular) contractions, cramping and back pain all day long. And I think I lost a little bit of my mucus plug this afternoon. Of course.. who really knows? But it's kind of exciting anyway. M is on his way home, and I told him that I really think we need to spend the evening doing anything that we think really, really should be done before we have ourselves a baby. It may be three more weeks before I end up with a baby duck, but it's beginning to have a bit of urgency to the plans.

Comments

[drottningen.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't let them induce just due to size. Ultrasounds are notoriously unreliable for sizing.. they can be much more than a pound off. Even if it is a big baby, it wouldn't mean you couldn't deliver it naturally at term. At any rate, if you do end up being induced hopefully it will go well. I was induced at 37 weeks with Jonas and it was a breeze (thanks to the epidural) but I was already 3cm 70% at 36 weeks with him.

Go with your gut! Good luck! Its so close :)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

So close, and from where I'm sitting... still so far! ;) I don't want to induce for having a big baby but I'd still rather avoid the issue entirely... although, of course I'm still not so sure that if I could choose, I'd want to choose for her to be early. We'll see what next week looks like, I guess. I suppose I don't have a medical degree but the big baby stuff seems a little BS to me..

[ms-jacket.livejournal.com]

If you have questions about this, my friend on here Etoilech is a great person to ask. She's a baby guru and can tell you more about the big baby thing. She loves talking pregnancy and won't mind at all. If you like, I can tell her to snoop around in here. I know you trust your people, but she could give you a nice perspective. It's your call. :-)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I'm open to talking baby with other nice people, of course, but I would hate to put someone I've never met to any trouble, so only if she really does want to. :)

I think I didn't phrase this entry very well. I do agree that the big baby thing is not a valid reason for me to want to be induced, certainly not at a suspected eight pounds, and I can refuse it if I want. I was thinking more of the fact that it would be so much better if I didn't have to have the discussion because labor started naturally before they tried to sell me on the idea than literally being forced into it, but I realize that's not entirely what I said. :)

[mayna.livejournal.com]

I agree, ditto to that! I measure a week big and Maylie was 9 lb at birth (3 days before her due date). Greg apparently measured a week "small" but he was born at 41.5 weeks and was also 9 lb. A 9 lb baby is no big deal. This one is also measuring a week "big", and who knows, she'll probably be 9 lb to or maybe even bigger than that. Greg came out with no pushing required and no tears or anything (I was semi-standing over a toilet because that's where my water broke and he decided to practically fall out)

Doctors are notorious for wanting to induce for "big babies" and they're also notorious for being wrong. And even if the baby IS big... so what??? A 9 lb baby (or even 10 or more) is not going to rip you in two or be impossible to birth. I can't stand OB's, or midwives who work under OB's. My cousin (who was at my daughter's birth, the first one she ever went to) used to be a proponent of natural birth, and now that she's starting her residency to be an OB, she's all about the inducing and whatnot.

anyway, they can't force an induction on you. They can suggest it but you can always say "no thank you". You also don't want to have a preemie and that's always a possibility when trying to get the baby out before you actually go into labor.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I think I phrased this entry pretty badly. I totally see where I gave the wrong impression, but my mind had already moved on without filling in the gaps. *laugh* I am kind of thinking that much like cervical checks, the ultrasound-estimate of weight is Interesting Information, but it's not really Useful Information. I'm glad to hear that she's of decent size. I think she IS a big baby (my belly look a little scary) so I'm not doubting that she's close to that, though I know it could be wrong. Mainly, I was just alarmed that they were already talking induction at this stage when I was still half-thinking I had a lot of time left. I looked at a calendar.. in two weeks (he sounded like that was more likely than the one week) I'll be 39 weeks, so it's not all THAT early (not that it makes it all that great.)

BUT I really don't intend to let them talk me into an induction based on one ultrasound estimate weight at 36w5d. My plan is to foil them by not needing an induction. ;) (Who knows if THAT will work out, but it's my goal!) I mainly just don't want to be in the situation where I have to REFUSE one, because I don't like confrontation and I don't want to cause a scene, but I won't let them do anything I don't agree to. Maybe they'll convince me at the time, if there's something legitimate by then, but I'm not too keen on the idea right now, at least. And also, I will see a different doctor on Monday. He may think that there's no reason to even discuss induction yet.. that's one of the nice things about seeing seven different people. ;)

It's nice to have people looking out for you. :)

[mayna.livejournal.com]

It shouldn't be common practice to do an ultrasound late in the game to even do a size estimate. It pisses me off (and it's not even me or my doctor) that they're mentioning induction AT ALL. Induction should be for things like pre-eclampsia, and if the NSTs after 40 weeks aren't as good as they should be. But I hear all the time, women being told "Well, we won't let you go past " when it should be more like "something bad is happening and we need to induce today/tomorrow". My one friend got induced for the ONLY reason being it was her due date and she wasn't in labor yet. No big baby, just the doctor said it was time.

My cousin (the one who is becoming an OB), when I found out taht she decided on her specialty, I laughed and said "oh there go your nights and weekends!" And she said I kid you not "well, everyone gets induced these days"

Yes you can pick your chin up off the floor now. This is the same girl who told me before she was in med school that her dad didn't believe in epidurals because he was a spinal surgeon and got to fix all the epidural mistakes, and seemed more pro-natural birth then. She even freaked out at the idea of a home birth because "What if something goes wrong??? I see it all the time!"

[courtesy.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *dances* This is getting REALLY exciting. I hope she comes soon!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the anticipation factor is going up quickly right around now. Exciting!

Oh, and thank you for the card! It was very sweet. You know, you should go into business writing on the inside of cards for other people. Although I think you are rubbing off on me because I wrote a sympathy card recently that I think turned out really well. I thought of you when I did it. *laugh* It is not a skill I have usually. :)

[e11en.livejournal.com]

You can start trying all those natural methods to bring labor on. You know the ones.

My sister-in-law had two babies, both natural, very long labors, one was 9lbs and the other 10lbs.

My youngest sister had her second child induced four weeks early because she started bleeding and it turned out to be placental abruption so they said, no you will not go home, you will have this baby now. She was small, 5lbs. 14ozs. or some such, but was able to go home with my sister after the normal hospital stay.

So, I guess I'm saying I hope you get what you want and try not to worry either way. Big isn't necessarily hard or bad and a few weeks early/small isn't necessarily scary or bad. Just don't let them force you into something you don't want.

[e11en.livejournal.com]

Oh, and youngest sister had a vaginal birth for her daughter, despite it being induced and four weeks early and an epidural so while that isn't the scenario anyone would like, it can have a happy ending just the same.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Good! :) Really, basically everyone I know in real life has had an epidural, some induced and some not, and they all probably would think I'm crazy for even considering the idea of not wanting one. (Definitely not set on it because I can totally see changing my mind on it.) There is much epidural love in my friends and family. I'm just.. ahh, you know how I am. I just worry. :)

[mayna.livejournal.com]

I had an epidural with Maylie and a natural birth with Greg. it was like night and day. I get squeamed out by people DOING THINGS TO ME. Like, once you have the epidural, you're this blob that can't move around or even go pee. And getting the epidural in was a level of trust that I find hard to give to an anesthesiologist who takes 5 times to get it in (pretty common). I didn't want one originally but I hadn't slept well in a month and after 18 hours of labor was too tired. Labor really isn't that bad (getting some good birthing classes is a good idea) until transition hits (aka, when you think you can't possibly do this any longer, that means it's about over). I felt like a million bucks after I had Greg, and it felt empowering to me to not be manhandled. And I never ever ever want another epidural if I can help it. Big adrenaline rush, like running a marathon. I'm looking forward to this baby. :-)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly! I honestly don't think that the big baby theory holds much weight (ha! pardon the pun), especially since they're so inaccurate. However, I don't particularly want to refuse an induction. I don't think I phrased that very well. I will if I think it's best, or just generally try to get out of it without making a scene, but I just don't want to be That Person.. for purely practical reasons. I dislike confrontation, and I just think that if I was the doctor, and That Person is always griping at me and refusing treatment (whether validly or not) then I am going to be less invested in their case, rightly or not. I think it's human nature. So, clearly, what needs to happen is that I go into labor on my own! It's still a bit earlier than I wanted, but the natural methods of induction are going into effect, and I should still have a couple of weeks before they get induction-happy. I'm not feeling too concerned about it because I figure that a) if I'm not ready, the natural methods won't help and b) if they DO work, they won't work instantly or anything and c) I just have a feeling that an induction will be unnecessary all of a sudden. Might be wrong but still.

Also, in two weeks, I'll be 39 weeks so it doesn't sound as alarming as it felt at first. I was just thinking of myself as still having plenty of time, and being 36 weeks instead of (in practicality) 37.

[e11en.livejournal.com]

Also, everyone tells first time pregnant women that they will go late because many do. Many, but far from all. Ingrid was two days early, and while two days isn't much, it was a lot better than the two weeks late everyone kept telling me to expect.

Based on that, everyone, myself included, expected Anders to come early and he rather preferred to be a teeny bit late. Still within the due date range but far from early.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

I tried all the natural methods with my son when I was getting close to 41 weeks and NOTHING worked. He was born at 41.5 weeks. I always tell people not to bother. :-)