The End/Beginning is well in sight!

[c'est moi]

So I've hit my range of due dates yesterday with my last possible due date being a week from today. The due date in my chart is next Wednesday. When people ask when I'm due, I tell them there will be a baby by Valentine's Day. I'm getting really excited!

I had sworn that I would refuse all internal exams for the standard reasons (can go from nothing to baby and can walk around with progress for weeks). However, today I decided that refusing the exams was my own way of trying to master/control my mind. I didn't want to know something that might be disappointing. I figured that ignorance was bliss. However, I realized that this logic really came back to bite me in the butt for the birth of my first child. I told them not to tell me how far dilated I was from the get go. That meant that I did not know I arrived at the hospital only at a 2 and should have just gone back home. Instead I stuck it out at the hospital and pushed for something that I really shouldn't have.

Anyhow, I just wanted to get a thread where I can get my thoughts off my chest.

Currently, I'm feeling pretty upbeat. I don't know the gender and I'm getting really antsy to find out. I'm nervous/anxious about whether I'll be able to manage the intensity of labor. I'm nervous about timing our drive to the hospital since it can take up to an hour, but no less than 40 minutes. My thoughts are all over the place.

Oh, and results from the cervical check: 2-3 cm, 60% effaced, 0 station. I'm further along now than I was when I arrived at the hospital "in labor" to give birth to my daughter. It's hard not to be excited about that.

[neveraim]

Yay!!! 

[alyrie]

That's so awesome! 

[c'est moi]

thanks, ladies! i'm really glad i decided to let him check me. it was a HUGE boost of confidence for me in my body. after 38 hours of labor, i never got further than a 3-4 with my daughter. so it's nice to know that my body can get to almost that point again effortlessly.

[c'est moi]

oh how the mighty has fallen. with my first, i was super pumped about the prospect of laboring and putting my strength, will, and determination to the test. i was all about a drug and intervention free birth. i was determined.

with labor soon on the horizon, i'm feeling super humbled. i'm nervous and scared and anxious. i mean, the labor i went through to get to the 4 cm before my c-section were really tough. i can't imagine how the additional 6 cm will feel like. and every time i hear the phrase ring of fire, i feel a little nauseous!

[Monkey Keeper]

You can do it! 

[neveraim]

For me...getting past 4 was great...because I knew I was going somewhere...getting closer....and honestly, the labor part doesn't "hurt" any more....pushing sucks though!  sorry but it did for me.  I never felt the "ring of fire" LOL!

 

Originally Posted by c'est moi 

oh how the mighty has fallen. with my first, i was super pumped about the prospect of laboring and putting my strength, will, and determination to the test. i was all about a drug and intervention free birth. i was determined.

with labor soon on the horizon, i'm feeling super humbled. i'm nervous and scared and anxious. i mean, the labor i went through to get to the 4 cm before my c-section were really tough. i can't imagine how the additional 6 cm will feel like. and every time i hear the phrase ring of fire, i feel a little nauseous!

[c'est moi]

i love to hear that it's possible to escape the ring of fire. gives a smidge of hope ;) .

lost mucus plug today. oh my!

[GOPLawyer]

WRT the ring of fire...maybe I'm just weird or maybe it's that I fought so hard for it as a VBA2C but...I didn't think it was that bad.  In fact, I thought it was really kinda cool. lol  I will never forget thinking in my head, "oh...wow...that must be the ring of fire...cool!"  Yes, it hurt, but it doesn't last and it's a pretty darn good indicator that you are about to have your baby vaginally which is totally awesome after a c/s. :-)

Good luck and ELVs!!!

[neveraim]

LOL!  No ring of fire for me because I had forceps assisted birth...then an episiostomy on the last contraction.  The episiotomy didn't hurt...but pushing that baby out sure did!  I was lucky to have my doc...any one else would have sectioned me for low FHTs...He is wonderfully skilled with forceps and doesn't have to cut an episiotomy to use them...but in the end my babe's heart rate was 54 and dropping fast...it was actually necessary....I was so glad it was over!

That probably won't happen to you!  I'd have taken the ring of fire over the forceps any day!!!

 

Originally Posted by c'est moi 

i love to hear that it's possible to escape the ring of fire. gives a smidge of hope ;) .

lost mucus plug today. oh my!

[neveraim]

Originally Posted by c'est moi 

lost mucus plug today. oh my!

Yay!!!! YOU can do this!!!! 

[c'est moi]

3-4 cm and 75% this morning. A slow march towards 10 :)

Thanks for all your kind words of encouragement and support! Every little bit counts.

Abbey, I read your birth story. So glad you got your VBAC!

Now I'm just thumb twiddling. I really want to know how this will all play out!

[jenniro]

YAY!!  Let us know how everything goes.

[Monkey Keeper]

Yaaay!!  1/3 of the way there :D

[c'est moi]

really thought i'd be able to be more patient. i'm "only" 3 days past my due date (a fairly conservative one at that though) and i'm feeling antsy. i went and saw the king's speech this afternoon and was so thrilled because for 2 whole hours i forgot i was pregnant and just lived in the moment.

[JFTB1177]

Hey just wanted to send you good thoughts!! I am also "past due" (40+5 today) and waiting anxiously... this part is so hard, isn't it?

About the "ring of fire", I never even felt my baby crown or come out (my HBAC baby, 2 years ago)! Now, the contractions were a totally different story- very painful. Pushing for me was a relief and I swear I never even felt myself tear even though I did have 2 small tears!

This VBAC will be in a hospital, my doc is "letting" me go to 42 weeks so I am feeling the pressure too!

GL and I hope you get your VBAC!!! :) :)

[c'est moi]

thanks JFTB! i've been thinking of you!

friend of a friend was induced today with an unfavorable cervix and it ended in a c-section. i knew the induction was coming. suspected it could turn out that way and desperately wanted to be proven wrong :( . the other woman and i shared the same due date, so it was quite humbling for me and my impatience.

when i really stop to think that i'll be 42 weeks in 8 days and will likely have had the baby by then, it feels silly that i'm being so impatient.

now i just need to address my fears that seem to be creeping back in...

• big baby. dd was 9lbs4oz at 41w6d.
• posterior baby and tough labor. dd was.
• posterior baby not pushing on cervix to dilate it.
• labor not starting on its own.

i have an amazing OB. no bait and switch with him. he's the real deal when it comes to VBACs and not just among OBs. i know plenty of midwives that are less VBAC supportive than him. my doula is a rockstar and my husband is AWESOME. i've got an amazing support team.

I NEED to keep my head in the game these last few days!

[Monkey Keeper]

You can do it, mama!!

I shared so many of your fears since my c/s was due to a big, badly positioned baby who prevented labor from ever really getting going.  My VBAC baby was 9lb, 5oz at 41+2.  Spontaneous labor started in the wee hours of the morning of 41+1, and even though his head was very poorly applied, my BOW dilated me to 9.5cm!  And he was out in four pushes.

"Baby will come when baby is ready."

"My body will not grow a baby too big for me to birth."

And crawl around on your hands and knees ;)

[Simonsez2u]

That is wonderful news so glad to hear that you are on your way and will be holding your little soon!  You can do it and it sounds like you have a wonderful support team.  Good Luck to you and ELV.

[CookAMH]

You are doing great!!  I can't wait to hear about your fabulous VBAC!!