Not yet. Soon. Verrah, verrah soon.
There’s been several comments/emails expressing concern over Jes’s possible inducement. So I figured I’d just keep everyone in the loop.
First, I sincerely appreciate both the concern and the support. So thank you.
Is she being induced?
No, she’s not necessarily going to be induced (right now anyway).
On Monday**, if she hasn’t gone into labor on her own, then she’s to go in and have an ultrasound and a non-stress test (among other tests) so they can determine whether or not the baby, or Jes, is under any duress.
If everything is looking good, they’re sending her home for a couple more days.
If something is off (and it might be. I know they’ve been concerned with Jes’s blood pressure the last couple of visits), then they’ll have to induce.
I know inducement comes with possible complications, but so does carrying the baby too long. At some point, it’s a matter of weighing which option carries the least amount of risk.
I was induced twice myself. It’s not risk free, but we all came out terrific in the end. :)
But, the doctor has said that by Wednesday of next week, she’ll have had the baby, even if it means they have to take it. That any time beyond that is too far overdue to be safe.
There are a lot of things that indicate that an inducement is necessary, and less risky than waiting for nature to take its course.
One- though her due date was just a week ago, that date was based solely on her last period, which, unfortunately, she’s not entirely sure of. The ultrasounds have all indicated that the baby is larger than she should be according to that timeline. They said that the due date, based on the baby’s size, could be as much as 2 or 3 weeks off- meaning 2 or 3 weeks BEFORE the 4th. So she could possibly already be 2 or 3 weeks overdue.
Or? It’s just a big baby. Some of this is impossible to tell.
Two- she has low fluid. Not alarmingly low, but low.
Three- the baby’s going to be too big to deliver if we continue to wait and we’d *really* like to avoid a c-section if possible.
Four- fetal movement is slowing. While that’s normal for late term, it can also be a sign of distress.
Five- Jes just doesn’t feel good. She’s not going to be able to withstand labor if she’s not healthy. It’s not just that she’s uncomfortable (which she is. Very very much), she really doesn’t feel well.
We’re trusting the doctor’s decisions. She’s under strict orders to take it easy through the weekend, to pay attention to the baby’s movements and if anything feels off or if she feels bad, then go in.
Right now, my concern is almost entirely centered on Jes. I may be a grandma soon, but first, I’m her mother. Her health and well-being, and her future, is what I’m focused on. I’m willing to believe that the doctor knows what he’s doing but if it starts to compromise her health in any way, baby is coming OUT. ASAP.
I hate to sound cold, but if there’s a choice between Jes’s health and the baby’s health, I’d choose Jes.
I promise if it’s at all possible I’ll throw a note up here before we take off for the hospital. I’m sure that if she starts on her own, it’ll be a slow-moving process. It usually is for the first time.
Otherwise… *SQUEE!!* I’m gonna be a grandma in a matter of days!!
:D :D :D :D
**They’ve changed the date from Sunday to Monday already. I’m not surprised, though. Doctors don’t usually volunteer to work weekends.
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Uncategorized | kaya | 
Friday July 10th, 2009 7:29am
thanks for the update mama-bear :)
fingers and toes are crossed for you all, can’t wait to hear the next update :)
warm hugs
weirdgirl
Thanks. I’m excited. Does it show? :D
Gee, can I be the first to say it???? Grandma kaya!!!! No fucking way, baby! We can’t be that old!!!!
I know, right? I don’t FEEL that old! *sob*
This is so exciting! I keep coming here to check if you’re a grandma yet.
Thinking of you!
Ps: I came three weeks too late and I turned out *cough* just fine. ;)
I’m getting so excited for you all! OMG BABY.
Baby baby baby.
I have no advice. Oh, wait, except that make sure the baby’s initials don’t spell anything stupid. (Both in the 1-2-3 pattern, and the 1-3-2 pattern that they use for some monogramming.)
~Chloe, on top of the important things.
[rq=23523,0,blog][/rq]Culture Shock
They predicted that my youngest would be at least 8 lbs. She arrived at 9 lbs, 11 oz so weight may not be accurate in this case.
Here’s hoping that she goes into labour soon. Congratulations Grandma!
[rq=23866,0,blog][/rq]Crash
Kaya,
Souds like you guys have everything in hand. Oh, and you can’t be a G-ma, I’m older than you and I’m not a parent yet. ;)
Dave
You’re doing great! Warrior Mom is as it should be – and you’re doing great hiding it and looking like a normal, reasonable mom in front of the medical types. Keep up the good work – will keep you all in mind.
you all hang in there.. been there done that got the tshirt and am still wearing it !!!
i get to “meet” the grandbaby to be next week (ultrasound)…
take care and let us know when it is all over…
got my fingers crossed
morningstar (owned by Warren)
[rq=24446,0,blog][/rq]On writer’s block….
I have been reading your blog for a while now and want to thank you for the window into your journey.
I just want to weigh in on the babies and due date thing. As the survivor of two 10+ gestations, I learned it motherhoods first lesson, babies do what they want, when they want.
My best wishes to Jes and all.
xantu
Both of my children were two weeks late..and fine. and Yes my BP went up both times.. ( if Jes can eat tons of protein and not so much carbs..it may help.)
I am sorry she doesn’t feel well.. that is the worst when you feel so “READY”
When I was two weeks late with my first.. my mom said . just DO something.
So.. the stairway of our building needed painting ~~ I got paint and forced the other owners of the building to HELP ME..
Grin.. don’cha know .. darling daughter came out. in 4 hours.. only two weeks late!
“crossing fingers and toes for you all”
I was induced for my first, my daughter was induced in April and my best friend was induced for her third four years ago, now. I’m not saying it’s something everyone *should* do, nor am I saying there cannot be complications, just sayin’ we all came through it just fine, mamas and babies all. :)
And of course your concern is Jes’ first. Just as I was with my Lucy when she was in childbirth.
So excited for you!
[rq=25094,0,blog][/rq]The Golden Calf
My older sister was induced with her first kid. He was born two weeks after he was supposed to be.
I too am getting excited for you. I’m still thinking about you all.
[rq=25223,0,blog][/rq]Tit For Tat
All my love to you and Jes. I feel for her – it seems like just yesterday I was that miserable.
Kiss the baby for me :-*
(And yeah, I’m also here every two hours or so checking in on everyone :-)
(And do you remember labor might not feel like labor at first? It could feel like a backache, or even like she needs to use the bathroom. I had been in labor with Jonathan for close to three hours; good thing I went to the dr that day. I was at 4 cm and had no clue. It just felt like I needed to take a crap.)
(So there, my two cents, finally … which means y’all are probably already at the hospital. Good thoughts coming your way.)
We are keeping all of you in our thoughts, sending lots of good wishes and positive energy to a smooth delivery and healthy mama and baby.
Don’t rely too much on the first labors taking a while. my first labor was only 4 hours.
Let Jes know if she goes to the bathroom and can’t stop peeing, she likely isn’t peeing.
i think the doctor’s advise about Jes relaxing should apply to everyone at home. Rest up, enjoy your weekend and prepare for the fun
all are in my thoughts and sending good energy…here is your mantra (not that you asked for one) – everything is working exactly as it should be.
here is a thought – not that it is of any comfort for jes who i can full appreciate is ready to get this deal over with..but all human beings are born three month premature in essence, the only reason we come out at 9 months is because our head gets too big, and it literally makes passage thru the birth canal impossible. we really need another 3 months to cook! and no i am not advocating waiting one minute longer than absolutely necessary..i am all for inducement..enough already!
…and yes i am getting a little ocd-ish on checking your page..waiting for a blurb that says we are on our way to the hospital..or we are home with a new addition to the family! hurry up already! i am starting to feel like i am stalking you guys in cyberspace! – geez time to get a life huh?
Yay, it’s almost over, one way or the other. I hope all goes well! Send hugs and comfort to you all and especially Jes. If you can, put me on the phone call list when the action starts :)
I was induced, despite already being in labor. I dialated really fast, as I’d been at 3 for about five weeks. What happened? I pushed fruitlessly for two hours, then had an emergency c-section because he wasn’t even at 0 station yet and his heart rate was declining. If they had left me alone my labor would’ve been long. Probably really long, since it was 33 hours as it was. But he would’ve come out the right hole. :/ I know, it doesn’t happen like that every time, but it’s that fear, and those ‘birth rape’ issues that make me go all psycho and “avoid it if you can!” As a nation our c-section rates are right about 33%. Really, do we believe that 33% of the women in this country can’t have babies the way they’re supposed to? Really, doctors are in a damn hurry and don’t want to deal with unexpected. Except pregnancy isn’t a medical condition, and birth isn’t an emergency. (And since then, thanks to the spinal, if I’m the least bit sedated…I stop breathing. Every. single. time since his birth, where I stopped breathing, I just…stop. It made my tooth surgery fun, LOL).
/soapboxiness.
Aside from that, that due date could also be two weeks off…in the other direction. Measuring large, particularly at the end of a pregnancy, means naught. Because they can’t really measure the baby well in the womb. Just sayin’. Please, ignore me. I mean that sincerely, because I know I’m a pain in the ass but I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t at least SAY it, even if it means nothing. From a distance and through space, I love you and the Jes I know. *Hugs*
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Oh, and I gotta say…there aren’t nearly as many risks of ‘carrying the baby too long’ as one would think. The placenta doesn’t really magically deteriorate or anything like that. That’s mostly scare tactics doctors use to have it done on their terms.
There is part of me that is truly, honestly, sorry that I feel the need to say these things when Jes is huge and uncomfortable and you’re gonna be a grandma. I swear I’m not trying to piss on anyone’s Wheaties. I was just an ignorant, uninformed welfare rat – and treated as one – when I had my son. It wasn’t until AFTER it went to shit that I was informed, and I’d hate that to ever happen to anyone again.
[rq=26192,0,blog][/rq]Public Post
For what it’s worth, I agree 100% with the choices made to date and the choices you’ve indicated you’ll make if circumstances demand it. I’m expectant that it will be much ado about nothing and both Jes and baby return home healthy and happy.
It really isn’t an exact science because due dates are based upon “perceived” date of conception, which can really vary. Sperm can live for several days, eggs can drop late, it’s just not that cut and dry. I carried my child 289 days (knew the exact date of conception). She had to be taken by a C-section because she had actually started to get smaller, which happens if babies don’t come out on time when they’re s’posed to.
Kaya, you and Jes are so in our thoughts this weekend. Enjoy the time you have together this weekend, it’s all gonna change REAL FAST :-)
I started crying reading this post. I can’t wait to see baby photos soon.
Please tell Jes she’s in my thoughts and prayers.
[rq=27124,0,blog][/rq]Long Day
just want to reassure you, you’re in NO way “cold” when you say you would put Jes first if things went really bad and it came to that (and I am sending positive thoughts that it won’t). Jes is your baby, you’ve had 17 years bonding and loving her. IMO, perfectly natural.
omg, if she has low fluid, delver now. my due date was september 15, i was induced on october 4 because my doctor was stupid and wanted to go on vacation the third week in september. when he got back, (i was unaware of all this at the time he told me it was normal for a first baby to be late) it was an emergency potosin induced delivery, where my baby was too large. Instead of a C section i delivered a 10and a half pound baby to the tune of 152 stitches internal and out.