Here We Go Again...

[Aliantha]

37 and a half weeks now. They said last week that they wouldn't induce till the 39th week unless something happened such as my BP going sky high. Guess what, it has gone up. 140/100 last night. That'll probably be enough for them to consider it in any case. I think it'd depend how busy the birthing unit is.

I think she's on her way over the next few days anyway. My bowels have been what you might refer to as 'loose' over the last couple of days. I can feel her down pretty low now. I can breath again (which is great) and the indigestion has lessened somewhat. I've had a few minor contractions, but nothing to write home about and my lower back is aching and I've had small bits of the mucous plug coming out.

All pretty classic signs which can mean imminent labour. Those things can go on for weeks though. They'll probably do an internal today and find out if my cervix is dilated at all. That will be a better indication, although still wont confirm anything much.

Over here, when you're considered a high risk pregnancy - which I am because of my age, the GDM, previous issues with pregnancy related depression and hypertension - many hospitals will choose to induce at somewhere between 37 and 38 weeks. The one I'm going to this time prefers not to induce which is fine, but I'd still like her out sooner rather than later. Preferably today.

eta: As the patient, unless you're considered mentally unfit, you do have the choice to decline induction. It's a tough decision really, because it is usually only considered if it's in the best interest of the mother and child, so you would have to agree to other strategies such as bed rest etc if the hospital considers your choice to be wrong. Often the choice to decline will mean the hospital will want to give you drugs of one form or another to help with symptoms of whatever it is that's causing you to be high risk, but induction means taking drugs to get you started on labour anyway, so it really comes down to personal choice and weighing up your options and pros vs cons.

[monster]

Good Luck.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Sundae

No point in keeping the baby in if she is fully developed and increased weight will cause more birth trauma for mother and daughter.

And you do have the two week window as discussed in the other thread.

"fully developed" ??? a human baby isn't fully developed in the womb. They're born just before their heads can't fit through the birth canal. being able to survive outside the womb is one definition of "fully developed", but not the most helpful one. I think in most cases, the baby / mother "know" when it's time to be born, and OF COURSE this has been the most successful method for countless generations before doctors with tee times were involved in the process.

I don't know about downunda, but here in the US, there's an alarming rise in the number of c-sections, and frankly, the evidence for the medical necessity of the increase was less than the evidence for the convenience of the doctor or the mother etc. Not always what is best for the baby. The jab about tee times is not all snark.

I just want the best for Aliantha and her baby. If that means induction, or natural birth or c-section, whatever. Some would say not having a womb disqualifies me for an opinion, but I have one anyway. Lots of them, strong ones, ones I hold deeply inside myself.

Opinions that is.

[BigV]

"...preferably today"

Best of luck Ali! You can do it.

[Aliantha]

Well, after about 5 hours at the hospital they let me go home. I have to go back for another ecg on the baby's heart on Sunday just to make sure it's not under duress. she was fine today though, so that's good. They did a scan also to confirm that her head is down now which is a relief, so the chances of a natural delivery just went up by about 200%. To use the doctors words, 'the head is firmly in place and unlikely to pop out again', so the signs for a spontaneous labour are looking good. All my bloods and urine are good. They are still concerned about my BP though, so when I go back next Wednesday if she hasn't come naturally, they want to discuss induction.

I think she'll be here in the next few days though.

[orthodoc]

All the best, Ali ... sending good wishes and positive thoughts for you and the baby, hoping all happens naturally and goes well in the next few days.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by BigV

"fully developed" ??? a human baby isn't fully developed in the womb. They're born just before their heads can't fit through the birth canal. being able to survive outside the womb is one definition of "fully developed", but not the most helpful one. I think in most cases, the baby / mother "know" when it's time to be born, and OF COURSE this has been the most successful method for countless generations before doctors with tee times were involved in the process.

Nature doesn't always get it right though. Especially in these days where mothers and babies are heavier and better nourished than when we evolved.

Childbirth is still a gamble for mother and baby, even in the West, let alone globally. I understand that you are saying it should not be done for convenience sake, but there are many C-sections and inductions done for the health and the safety of mother and baby. Countless generations only succeeded in passing on their genes by having a large amount of children and/ or marrying a second time. That's nature.

Leaving a baby in the womb until natural childbirth occurs is not always feasible. My great nephews for example. And yet many women do carry twins to term.

[Sundae]

Sorry, forgot to say - all the best Ali and babba!
I expect that the next time I read a post from you it will have a photo attached.

[Happy Monkey]

Evolution gets us to the point where the increased intelligence of giant-headed babies is enough of an advantage that it offsets the increased deaths in childbirth. I'm all for using those giant heads to find ways to decrease birth complications.

Of course, medical procedures can have unintended consequences, but that hardly distinguishes them from nature's way.

Best of luck, however you do it, Aliantha!

[Aliantha]

Well, I'm still here, and no pics. Sorry Sundae.

Going to test drive a new (second hand) car today. Maybe the excitement will have benefits. lol

[zippyt]

Please take these Pics with the Humor intended

[Happy Monkey]

A hard, calcified heart, and a baby teething in the womb! That's a scary Halloween costume!

[Sundae]

Witches and wizards are born with a full set of teeth.

[orthodoc]

Now THAT would be scary.

Any news, Ali?

[Aliantha]

Nope. She feels like she's moved even lower though, and I've lost a few chunks of gunk, so things are progressing, albeit slowly.