Here's my story. . .
When I was exactly 37 weeks pregnant I had an ultrasound. The baby was measured to weigh exactly 9 pounds. The doctor (a very good OB - he was my backup at the time) told me that he did not think I would be able to deliver vaginally.
I decided to go with another backup doctor and ask that backup for a second opinion. At 38 1/2 weeks he did an ultrasound and concurred with the first doctor's opinion that I would be unlikely to deliver vaginally. He said his standard of care would be to schedule a c-section, but that he respected my decision to proceed and try for a vaginal delivery.
My midwife recommended that I induce labor ASAP and suggested that maybe I would be able to have a vaginal delivery if we got the baby out before it got to the 10-12 pounds that they were estimating it would weigh by the time I went into labor naturally.
My husband and I really struggled with the decision, but decided to wait things out. We had lots of sex, I had my membranes swept, I took castor oil, I exercised every day, and I watched my sugar intake.
At 40 W 5 D I went into labor. 16 hours later I delivered an 8 pound 12 ounce baby boy at home. It was a totally normal and completely natural birth.
The thing that I remember most clearly about holding Joseph for the first time was how solid, strong, and alert he was. He could hold up his head at birth. He was so healthy and ready to be born. I'm glad that we waited for him to be ready. The confidence that comes with holding a so obviously healthy baby was totally worth the weeks of worrying that came before.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the very very best.
When I was exactly 37 weeks pregnant I had an ultrasound. The baby was measured to weigh exactly 9 pounds. The doctor (a very good OB - he was my backup at the time) told me that he did not think I would be able to deliver vaginally.
I decided to go with another backup doctor and ask that backup for a second opinion. At 38 1/2 weeks he did an ultrasound and concurred with the first doctor's opinion that I would be unlikely to deliver vaginally. He said his standard of care would be to schedule a c-section, but that he respected my decision to proceed and try for a vaginal delivery.
My midwife recommended that I induce labor ASAP and suggested that maybe I would be able to have a vaginal delivery if we got the baby out before it got to the 10-12 pounds that they were estimating it would weigh by the time I went into labor naturally.
My husband and I really struggled with the decision, but decided to wait things out. We had lots of sex, I had my membranes swept, I took castor oil, I exercised every day, and I watched my sugar intake.
At 40 W 5 D I went into labor. 16 hours later I delivered an 8 pound 12 ounce baby boy at home. It was a totally normal and completely natural birth.
The thing that I remember most clearly about holding Joseph for the first time was how solid, strong, and alert he was. He could hold up his head at birth. He was so healthy and ready to be born. I'm glad that we waited for him to be ready. The confidence that comes with holding a so obviously healthy baby was totally worth the weeks of worrying that came before.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the very very best.
