Induction and Crunchy Guilt

[PaigeC]

Saw the midwife today. My cervix is not progressing well. I'm due Wednesday and will be induced on Thursday due to GD. I tried to prepare myself for this. Basically to continue with the m/w I have to do what the OB in charge says. I do want to have the midwife coach me (at this birth center they are almost like doulas). But, I find myself having crunchy guilt. KWIM? My mom calls it hippie guilt and I tend to get it a lot like when I was a vegan and I'd sneak cheese! I feel like a bad crunchy mom for being induced and I'm trying to find peace with this.

I want to enjoy my birth experience no matter what it throws at me. I just want my daughter to be healthy and safe.

I'm rambling, does any of this make sense?

[nighten]

I don't know much about GD, but I thought if you had it under control then you didn't have to take any other steps outside the norm in terms of birth. Is that incorrect?

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

[notjustmamie]

I'm not sure if this is what you want to hear, but you are being induced for a medical reason. From what I understand, GD can cause the placenta to age prematurely, so it is important for you not to carry too long as your risk of stillbirth with post-dates pregnancy is greater than average.

Be kind to yourself!

ishing you an excellent birth!

[tak]

Originally Posted by notjustmamie

I'm not sure if this is what you want to hear, but you are being induced for a medical reason. From what I understand, GD can cause the placenta to age prematurely, so it is important for you not to carry too long as your risk of stillbirth with post-dates pregnancy is greater than average.

Be kind to yourself!

ishing you an excellent birth!

All of this. You are a good mama no matter what! As my doula says, your baby will be born the way your baby was meant to be born. Big hugs!

[nighten]

That's good to know about the potential effects of GD. Can they start with things like stripping your membranes rather than just going straight to the pitocin drip?

Good luck, mama. Try not to feel guilty.

[Nillarilla]

As mother's we carry a lot of guilt anyways. It is something we seem to put upon ourselves. Most of the time it is not helpful. Your induction is not for selfish reasons. It is for the health of your baby. You are doing what is best for her so let go of the guilt. It sounds like you are nervous about the induction (just reading between the lines correct me if I'm wrong). Maybe talk to your midwife on coping strategies if the contractions get intense if you have to have the drip. Ask if they can start with cervidil (a prostaglandin inserted vaginally) and then strip your membranes. Maybe try the labour cocktail after that. You can still have a natural "crunchy" birth being induced. It doesn't change who you are as a mother or a person you are not comprising your beliefs.

[PaigeC]

Thanks everyone! All your comments make me feel so much better. I've had my membranes stripped twice and I've been doing EPO and nipple stim, so we are down to induction. They are going to try Cervadil first starting Wed night.

Guilt is such a useless emotion, huh? I love my baby so much and I'm going to focus on that. Also, I'm going to plan in my head for it to be a looong induction so I don't get frustrated. Hopefully I'll be kissing my newborn on Valentine's Day!

[SaraC]

Not in your DDC but in March's. I PM'd you and I hope you have a great birth.: