Need a pep talk!

[sunshine*girl]

Ok....yesterday I went for a run of appointments about this baby. I ended up having to do the glucose test which I wasn't happy about but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't that big a deal so I just went with it.

Then the ultrasound to check the baby's size. 3 weeks ago we had one done and baby was measuring 23% bigger than "average" sized babies at the same gestation. Yeah. Yesterday the woman started the ultrasound then got up and said "I'm going to get another midwife to help me with the measurements". Fine. So the other midwife comes in and gets going. First they changed the colour from black and white to sepia and black which was interesting. As the new woman was measuring and they were agreeing the original woman was making these "ohmygod" sounds at some of the numbers. But they also showed us some great shots of baby....profile, sucking/breathing, playing around. In the end baby is approximately 5006g or just over 11lbs which puts it 41% bigger than "average". The ultrasound midwife was very good at pointing out to us that it is very difficult to get the exact weight by ultrasound, especially this late in the game, but it is a good estimate. She also joined the "that's a big baby" group.

After that we saw the doctor in charge of my case at the hospital. And I think she's great! She looked at the report from the ultrasound and talked to dh and I then said she was going to go consult with another doctor about my case. Turns out she talked to one person that was at the hospital and then the head of the special MVC by phone.

I asked her to attempt a sweep. She tried but my cervix is pretty far back still and not dialated at all. She said that what they want to do at this point is give me another week to start labor naturally because that is the best for everyone. Then next Monday I go in again so they can check the baby's heartbeat and the amniotic fluid. Then we will discuss induction options and revisit the section discussion. I'm really happy that they are giving me another week to get things started-both dh and I were pretty sure they would want to start induction yesterday.

Now I'm second guessing everything though. Can I really do this? I was so sure that I was dialated at least a bit and I'm starting to lose faith in my ability to have a vaginal birth. I told dh yesterday that if the doctor tried to sell me on a section yesterday I probably would have gone for it quite quickly. To which he said "It's my job to remind you why another section is a bad idea".

So I need a good pep talk from some like minded women who've been there done that.

[RosesToys]

I haven't "been there done that" exactly, but I've got my own concerns about my labor and birth too. I hope that your baby decides to come soon and that everything goes smoothly for you.

I am glad that your dh is going to be there for you and will support your desire to have a vaginal birth. You are very lucky that he is on your side and willing to remind you of why you don't want to jump into another section.

Btw, my due date is just after yours - Nov. 22 or 23, depending on who you believe. I am hoping for the 22nd, as that is my mom's birthday. Unfortunately Mom passed away on November 2nd.

[citymama]

mama!!

Remember, those measurements have a HUGE margin of error - 10%. So if they are saying 11lbs, that baby could just as easily be less than 10lbs. And the estimates on the larger weight estimates tend to be less acurrate than for smaller babies. The truth of the matter is that no one really knows how big your baby is and we won't know until the little one is born.

I haven't BTDT, but I wanted to say that it is only natural to have concerns at this time. It doesn't matter if the baby is big or small or what your history may be. All the testing just amplifies our natural anxiety, especially the 24 hours after the last test. I've been taking my doula's advice and taking a bath and have a cup of chamomille tea or teensy bit of red wine in the evening. Spoil yourself and try to make some space to relax and put all this out of your head for at least part of the day. I find that it helps put things in perspective later on.

[sunshine*girl]

Well technically my "real" edd was the 16th going by my dates but we took the later dd so we would have some wiggle room.

My mom is hoping I can have the baby on the 27th because it is my grandparent's anniversary. As nice as that would be I don't want to have to wait that long!

I am really lucky that dh has been so supportive of my goals. I know he is more than a little bit scared for me and for baby but he's really changed the way he thinks as this pregnancy has progressed. It's really hard to appreciate what you have sometimes when it's always there, kwim? Thanks for pointing it out.

Here's some dust for both of us.....baby can't stay in there forever!

[sunshine*girl]

citymama, the midwife that did the test was very very clear with us that the weight the ultrasound came up with was in no way set in stone and that as the pregnancy progresses and the baby gets bigger it gets harder and harder to be accurate. She told us the only way to be sure of the weight of the baby is to have the baby in arms and put it on a scale. But the fact is that the baby is big and it was a bit.....unsettling to actually hear a doctor tell you that baby might be 5kg. A very different experience from just hearing big baby or saying it myself.

I plan on uncorking some red wine tonight. I've been told by more than one person that it can help things start. I don't really like red wine but I feel it certainly can't hurt to try it.

I'm trying not to think about this but every so often it does creep into my head.....this baby could be 11lbs. But it isn't always on my mind.

I just love you guys to death for helping me put this in perspective and reassuring me.

[papercranegirl]

I haven't BTDT but my father-in-law was 12.5 lbs at birth, frank breach, and delivered naturally*. I keep that in mind whenever I start to worry. It can be done.

*DH's grandmother deserves sainthood after that (she also nursed him to 2 while nursing her younger sister because their mother had breast cancer... she totally rocked.)

[mamaw/two]

I have heard that your body will not grow a baby that is to big for you to give birth to. I hope you go into labor soon and can avoid the whole section talk. BTW, I think you were very smart to give yourself some wiggle room on your EDD ( I sure wish I had done that).