Everything I Could Want to Know about Obstetrics

Nope, baby is still not here yet.  Way too comfy in there, especially with a stubborn cervix blocking the way.

Thus, as a result, I now know more than I'd ever wanted to know about induction methods.  From cervical dilators to contraction stimulating drugs (ie, pitocin) to cervical balloon catheters, I can probably tell you almost as much as the nurses or doctors can.

I really wasn't planning on sharing this, but it's going to come out eventually, I guess.  I don't know why I haven't really wanted to tell too many people, since it's not really a big deal except that it makes me feel like my body is failing me in the whole childbirth process and I'm embarrassed for whatever reason.  I've been at the hospital since 7pm on Tuesday night (continuing for a very boring 72 hours) for labor induction, obviously with no luck.  My very stubborn cervix and the very comfortable baby have made trying multiple doses of 2 different cervical dilators and 2 days of pitocin unsuccessful. 

We thought s/he might end up being a Halloween baby, especially after we've spent the last 10 months talking about how we did NOT want baby to be born on Halloween (and frankly, we never realistically considered it because baby was due a whopping 11 days ago!).  I tried to come around to the idea of a Halloween baby - an easy theme for birthday parties! 

However, it being Halloween and pretty far into the evening with a still-unfavorable cervix, Craig & I are now looking at a November baby instead of an October baby.  But, hey, maybe that's ok because October's birthstones are opal (very hard to come by the natural form) or pink tourmaline (expensive and not really appropriate if it's a boy), whereas November's are topaz or citrine (both yellow and conveniently gender-neutral).  (Obviously, this is trivial, but it was something my mom made me look up to distract me during this long hospital stay.)

Our last resort before c-section is a balloon catheter, which will be placed within the next hour or so.  If that helps to dilate me by morning, then it's one more round of pitocin tomorrow to help initiate contractions.

So, for those of you still waiting, praying, and hoping, if tonight's balloon catheter is unsuccessful, we are probably going to end up scheduling a c-section within the next few days, since babies born after 42 weeks (which I hit on Monday) have a significantly higher risk of stillbirth.  We especially appreciate the prayers, since a c-section is a major surgery with significant recovery demands.  At this point, we are just wanting a healthy baby.  Craig has been wonderful and super-supportive with my desires regarding these medical decisions over the last few days, which has made this process a little smoother.

So, I hope there are no hard feelings that I didn't share this information with you on a more timely basis.  I'm hoping blogging about it will help me come to terms with this unexpected birth process both mentally and emotionally.  I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel - our beautiful new baby!  And the other thing that has kept me sane over the last few days is the curiosity of whether it's a he or a she!  That will be an exciting moment for sure!