I'm "On the Clock"

[blizzard_babe]

Yup, I have an "induction due date." I had an appointment today, and my MW set an induction date for next Tuesday if the kid hasn't come on his own by then. It was supposed to be Thursday, but they were full for Thursday, and for Wednesday... so, it's Tuesday. She's concerned about how much water I'm holding onto (I won't even SAY how much weight I've put on in the last two weeks, and I've been eating pretty sensibly), even though my urine dips have never come back anything but normal and my blood pressure has only been in the "borderline high" category ONCE this entire pregnancy, and that's the time I had to drive myself to the office, got lost, and arrived late in tears having been yelling and crying to no one in particular in the car.

So... I'm not sure. I KNOW that I'm ridiculously swollen right now. More than is normal, even for late pregnancy, I'd say. I'm just not sure whether I'm UNHEALTHY, or if it's just some freaky way my body just naturally reacts and it's healthy (if uncomfortable and a little unsightly) for me, even if it is out of normal ranges.

I've gone from happily waiting for baby to super stressed out, hoping that every little tiny twinge is the start of something. I cried most of the bus ride back to the house we're staying at. I can plan to stand up for myself, say no, ask questions, etc., as much as I want, but I just can't do it. She told me all this about the induction, and I just sat there, nodding. If DH hadn't been there with me, I wouldn't have even asked any questions. HE recognized that I was upset/uncomfortable and spoke up.

Why am I so afraid to confront people? And not even confront... I couldn't even ask basic questions. I couldn't look her in the eye. I'm a freakin' pushover.

[smeisnotapirate]

s

Keep positive, drink some RRL tea, and talk to your babe. Help him understand you need him to come out NOW!

I'll be praying for you and sending labor vibes your way.

[Intertwined]

It's so unfair to expect hugely pregnant women to be advocates in the fight over maternity care. I'm so sorry. I have no idea if your swelling really indicates an induction. I hope labor starts for you soon.

[blizzard_babe]

She reassured me that she thinks I'll go into labor on my own before then, but who really knows? I'm a first-timer, so I don't have any previous pregnancies to base timing on.

I'm 50% effaced and 1.5 cm, but, again, who really knows what that means, timing-wise?

[amyaebi]

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I was induced with my first and really wished I would have asked more questions ahead of time, because I was truly shocked at the process once I got to the hospital. I know the stress of waiting for baby to come "on the clock" probably kept him inside. It took two days of interventions for my son to be born, and I just did not expect that. I think if I had been more mentally prepared, it wouldn't have been so hard on me.

I think the most important question to ask is what procedure they will do to start your labor. Prostaglandin gel the night before is much better than other methods. The success of your induction also depends on how ready your body is for birth -- how dilated and effaced are you?

I won't tell you not to do it or beware, as I know this is such a tough decision. Hopefully you will go into labor in the next week!!!

Amy

[blizzard_babe]

Originally Posted by amyaebi

The success of your induction also depends on how ready your body is for birth -- how dilated and effaced are you?

I'm 50% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated...

UGH. I have not been afraid of birth AT ALL up until now. I've been all go-with-the-flow and very willing to accept things as they come (which is VERY against my nature, by the way). Now I'm back to my usual tense, imagining-the-worse-case-scenario self.

[Breeder]

Oh no! I hope you don't get induced. Start trying all the tricks in the book and I'll send some psychic messages to your babe that he's been evicted and it's time to vacate the premises.

[bubs8]

Try to relax as much as possible. Stress can delay and slow labor. I'm sorry that you have to deal with all this now

[cj'smommy]

Another vote to try and relax. Maybe do something fun to get your mind off it for a bit, can you get to the pool?

labor : coming your way!

[kalisage]

Oh, I'm so sorry I second/third the idea to relax, rest up! And sending some start labor now vibes your way

[Molck]

Sorry you're having to deal with this added stress. Hope the baby comes on his own! Even if not, though, the relaxations and visualizations will help you feel better .

[JoyofBirth]

Not in your ddc, but wanting to send you labor vibes. Also, if you really feel okay and there is no other indication of trouble, increase your water, rest a lot and wait. It is possible that you will have car trouble on Tuesday.Even a new car can break. Good luck to you.

[SumnerRain]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I was induced with my second and I really wish I had just not shown up for my appointment, mine was for no medical reason whatsoever, but for convenience.

Start your reading now, get some dialog going so you can ask things like "Once I am in a regular laboring pattern, could we try turning off the pitocin to see if my body takes over?" Some people just need a little bit of pit to make the baby go "Oh, it's time?? Ok"

Are you still eating lots of protein and salt? Do you take calcium & magnesium? Remember, we should not cut out salt in pregnancy, that is old school thinking. The RRL tea might help with swelling too, and I agree with the others... hit the pool!

PS. I too am a chicken when it comes to standing up to authority.... maybe a little white lie would help, "DH had to take care of a family emergency and Tuesday does not work well for me, can we reschedule to Friday?"

[MarchWillow]

If it's any consolation, I'll tell ya this; I am a sweller. Big time. My ankles and calves blend into one solid piece of nasty flesh the last couple weeks of pregnancy. I can totally relate. But, usually when it's at it worst, it somehow triggers my labors to get going. I think it's somehow all related to placenta, and baby size and my body saying "okay enough, I cannot process anymore!" I hope that's what's going on for you mama. As hard as it is not to stress, try and take it real easy.

Also the best advice is that protien and salt! If you can stand a nice steak and baked potato dinner-seriously-that will bring down my swelling super well in a matter of hours! My mw also has me on dandilion for the swelling and passion flower for my stress.

Sending you "baby it's time" vibes! And I also agree-maybe you can ask dh to talk to mw for you, you need an advocate...who can ask for some alternative methods. Is there an herbal induction you can try at home first? Or can we shut off the pitocin after a little while etc etc. I am a total pushover too, sitting there nodding and at the same time shoving a giant imaginary foot up my arse for doing it. I beat myself up for days. Luckily my hubby is real good at speaking up for me if i give him some advance notice, and it gives me courage to chime in a little bit. It's even harder to argue with two parents anyway

Keep us posted mama. And hey, do your kegals! :P

[happyfrog]

((hugs))

as long as you and baby are doing ok - even if you are swolllen and uncomfortable, I would STRONGLY suggest that you have car trouble the day of your induction.... wish i had. i wouldn't have been cut open because they don't tell you that inductions don't always work. baby could have complications from water breaking/pitocin, etc. esp if your body isn't ready. i know now i'm a long gestator so 41weeks (when i was induced) was not time yet for my baby. he wasn't fully cooked even.

and i feel for you on the swelling. i'm expecting that to hit anytime now for me. i swell REALLY bad - huge pitting edema with sausage toes that hurt when anything is even in the proximity of them not even touching. . .

my midwife told me she looks at edema as built in iv fluids for labor. .. (I have an AWESOME midwife!) - i had warned her that the pitting edema is coming. . .

some things that are natural diuretics:

watermelon
cranberry
blueberry
grapefruit

increase YOUR fluid intake - sometimes that might help a bit.

activity level will also help - the more active, seems like the better my edema is - it's still pretty horrid and pitting but i can at least sort of walk once i get going . . . . it's just hard the first couple of minutes to walk when one is 'that' swollen. ...

and i put on 20 lbs in one week - i think it's the beginning of the water retention for me. ..

the upside of water retention is after baby is born, we will lose 30-40 lbs in a couple of days. *gentle smile*

bettyann
37w4d today. ..

[joyfilledmomma]

i was "on the clock" for a stress test with dd since she was past due my last pregnancy and so scared that it would end in worrisome results and induction dh swears that i "willed" the baby to come since she arrived on sunday and my test was scheduled for monday. our instructor from our childbirth class actually encouraged us to "forget" the appointment (pregnant women can't remember these things can they?) as she had done with her previous 3 kiddos who all arrived at least 2 weeks past due. at any rate... sending you peaceful thoughts and labor vibes...

[bugnbean]

I can only echo the sentiments already written. Stay strong mama.

[NatureMama3]

[battymama]

Hugs, i will be thinking of you. I hope everything goes ok no matter what happens.