Ish just got real
I’ve been back at my mom’s house for a little while, but after spending some time laying on the couch curled into a ball and a delicious lunch out with the fam, I can finally post.
Good news on all fronts:
Centimeters dilated: 2
% effaced: 80
Next appointment: Tuesday
Induction scheduled: Friday morning
So no matter what, by this time next week we’ll be about to meet the little lady, and some other reassuring news was that
SHE FLIPPED.
No longer a little egg, baby is in OA- direct occiput anterior- position, which is the ideal position for her to pass through the pelvis. This is such a comfort to know that the things we did (chiropractor, blanket trick, warm bath method, laying on my left side, crawling around on all fours) may have actually helped. I’m pretty sure I know the night she flipped- it was when I woke up and my belly looked like a cone. She’s engaged and ready to go!
Another thing that could possibly help move things along: I had my membranes stripped today.
[don’t read the rest if you’re feeling a little squeamish. Family page sometimes = TMI page]
It sounds terrible, and to be honest, it wasn’t a party.
She went to check me, and I think it made it worse because I was super nervous. After she was all up in my business –she could touch the baby’s head- she said “you are 2cm and 80% effaced. If you want to move things along, I could strip your membranes.” I told her to go ahead even though I was anxious/nervous/scared, because I know that it’s worked for quite a few friends and would like to avoid induction if we can. So she rubbed around my cervix, 4 times in each direction, and while it didn’t hurt, it was definitely uncomfortable. It was a good lesson to really relax as much as I can when game day is here, because with Tom telling me to breathe and relax, the second part of it wasn’t quite as terrible. Still terrible though, don’t get me wrong.
I’ve felt pretty weird since the appointment, cramping up pretty badly (which is normal) and have no idea if it’s going to do the trick. The thing about stripping membranes is that it could cause me to go into labor within the next 24 hours, or nothing at all could happen.
If she isn’t here by this weekend, I get to go through the fun of it, but more vigorously, on Tuesday. The good news is that I know what to expect next time and after all of this, we’ll finally get to meet her <3
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Wow, you must feel like you’re waiting for a (very large) pot of water to boil!
So exciting, Gina! You are an inspiration and you make me excited for the day I get pregnant! I hardly comment on here but you are amazing! Best of luck!!! I hope I am as happy as you one day.
Someone may have asked this already, but why induce labor if there is no medical emergency? The FDA (not that I think they are always right by any means) declared that this drug was not to be used for inductions for convenience or scheduling reasons.
Just curious, wanting to hear it straight from someone actually in the process.
An induction at 41+ weeks (which she will be next Friday) is not considered a measure of convenience or scheduling, it’s considered a measure of maternal/fetal safety and medical necessity. Going too far past your due date increases the risk for meconium aspiration and fetal dysmaturity, and Gina said in a previous post that her providers would not allow her to go past 41.
At 40 weeks/2cm/80% with a membrane sweep, it will probably be a moot point anyways, but no worries, the FDA would approve!
Weee!!! I’m so pumped for you! Every time I get my pap smears, I always cramps up and spot for like a day – which is probably nothing like what you experienced at all, but I’m hoping it moves the little lady along!
I’ve been anticipating an “it’s time” post every single time I check my Google Reader!!!! Yay! I’m going to be GLUED to it this week! GOOD LUCK!! 🙂
My doctor didn’t even warn me before she stripped my membranes. I don’t know why she did it. I wasn’t overdue. I think that pain was worse than my labor pain. And I felt violated. Regardless, my water broke the next night and here I am now with an unbelievably awesome 4 year old son!
Good luck, Gina. I wish you a beautiful labor 🙂
Something to read: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-lie-edd-why-due-date-isnt-you-1958162.html
Having been through Bradley, I figured you might appreciate it!
I was scheduled for an induction at 41 weeks. I was very blessed to go into labor on my own at 40.6 weeks. WHEW! I felt SO MUCH pressure after having done “everything right” during my pregnancy, being on the clock like that. This time I made a point to find midwives who actually follow ACOG guidelines and will allow you to gestate to 42 weeks. I feel very zen 😀 But all things considered, 41 weeks is a great chance of being long enough. I hope stripping your membranes does the trick, and doesn’t just cause your water to break prematurely. Sending happy baby vibes your way!!
Yay so exciting and she flipped!!!
What do you think about rice protein or pea protein powder? I use whey, but think I need to try something different. Are the pea and brown rice sources still good quality protein?
Look at your flippin babies! Crazy how all that stuff works. I love that you call it “game day”. I’m basically stalking your blog multiple times a day for updates! LOL. Keep trucking and whatever happens, happens. You’ll do great!
AHHHHH! Stripping my membranes is what did it for me! Got them stripped at 2:00PM on a Thursday, was headed to the hospital at 7:00AM the next morning! Good luck!
You will def not make it to your next appt! I did not have my membranes stripped but on Monday the nurse told me I was 2 dilated and 90% and next morning I went into labor! My back was hurting the night before, it was uncomfortable but now I realize it was probably the beginning! Good luck, Gina!
So happy she flipped Gina, and I have a feeling your baby girl is going to arrive very soon. I had my membrane stripped the night before Summer arrive. No fun, but we needed to get things moving. She arrived less than 12 hours later. 🙂 Thinking about you constantly!
I’ve gotten so used to and enjoy reading about your journey being pregnant. It’s on our five year plan (hah. sounds lame), and reading these past months of blog posts has been reassuring!
I’ve gotten so use to reading about you being pregnant that I keep forgetting in a few short days you won’t be!
Wishing you all the best!