3.17.2012

37 Weeks

I'm officially "full term!" So if Tommy decides to come before 40 weeks, he should be strong and healthy enough. That's always good to know.

At my appointment on Thursday we learned that I am 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. Glad to know my cervix works! I was also told that because everything is looking good and because el bebe is a healthy size, we can be induced any day on or after March 30th if we want! Oh man...it's actually kind of a tough decision! Nate's mom and sister get here on the 6th, and I know his mom was hoping to be here for the birth... but at the same time do I really want to delay meeting this little boy any longer than necessary? Slash do I want to have this belly any longer than necessary? Before the option to induce came up  I always said I really didn't want to have to use Pitocin if it was avoidable... but my doctor said this practice is careful about not overdoing it- they give it in very small amounts, supposedly. I like to think my doctor knows what he's talking about and wouldn't just say that if it wasn't true. Guess I wouldn't know until I tried though! AND if I am induced, I get to choose which of the 3 doctors will do the delivery. There is one that I definitely don't want, one that would be fine, and one that is preferred. So that's appealing too. I've heard a few comments for and against being induced- anyone else have any thoughts? I need to decide by Monday!

In other news, some of you may have noticed my little Etsy shop things on the blog. I opened a shop and I'm really excited about it! I started by selling onesies and toddler-sized t-shirts, but I've had lots of requests for bigger tees too. I hope to work my way up to that. I'm also getting ready to post stationery for sale, which is what I actually intended to do in the first place. When I painted one of my stationery designs on a onesie for my own little one, my family decided that I should try selling those too. If you like my stuff, please show a little love and "like" my page on Facebook! :) Thanks!

5 comments:

Yara said...

I think you should do what feels right to you and tell anyone who's extremely opinionated one way or another to go to hell. It's *your* body. (Can you tell I felt pressured?)

I chose to be induced and to have an epidural. It was right for me, and I have never ever ever wished that I had waited to go into labor naturally. I also have never ever ever felt like I missed anything by choosing to avoid the pain.

Ultimately, it is up to *you*. Some women feel like they've achieved/experienced something really special by doing it entirely "naturally." One friend of mine said it was like running a marathon. If that's important to you, do it.

I do think there's an argument for waiting till Rachel gets there, though. It's neat to have all your family around. One of my most cherished experiences is having my and Aaron's entire families in the room while I was in labor - one of the best parties I have ever been to! On the other hand, some people like to labor quietly and in private. Up to you.

And yes, I'm one of those opinionated people. I will never tell you what I think you should do, though. If I do, tell me to go to hell.

Beardalls said...

I agree with Yara. It is your body and you know what is best. :) I was pressured into being induced with Tristan and it was not a horrible experience. I just preferred going into labor on my own. I puffed up like a balloon with the pitocin. So my pictures look better with the other two than with my first. Lol I know that was a vain comment :). As for the epidural, it is my friend :) I tried to go all natural with my second and as soon as I started feeling active labor. ( he was posterior and switched positions I went from a 5 to a 10 in 25mins) I decided that all natural thing was not for me. Give me drugs. Lol

April said...

Being induced hurt like crazy for me, but I didn't have an epidural standing by. After they got that thing in it was a cinch! Everyone I've talked to who have been induced AND had natural labor agrees that the contractions hurt worse when being induced. Unless you get that epidural in from the beginning! So yeah, both ways have pros and cons. Good luck! Hope all the advice you're getting helps!

Symantha said...

I. Am. So. Excited. I can't really give you any advice, but I'm sure you'll do what's best for you. You're good at that. GAH I can hardly wait! I love your picture!

Leslie said...

You look amazing! So excited for you! And yes, I stalk your blog from time to time. I did a lot of research on this topic, and personally I believe it's best not to be induced until absolutely necessary. Maybe it's because of the hospital in our small town, but I know several women who were induced, and the pitocin didn't do it's magic and they ended up in C-sections. I believe that in some of these situations, a c-section could've been avoided if they'd waited to go naturally into labor. But of course, any way you can get a baby safely into this world is a celebration! Good luck!