An Amazing Journey: Ch. 18 -- Expiration Date About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

Expiration Date

My pregnancy now has the shelf life of a loaf of bread. At today's appointment, we decided together with our midwife that if baby Alexander hadn't made his appearance on his own by August 12 (my due date) that we would induce on August 13 (yes, Friday the 13th -- a good luck day in Jewish culture). BUT, as you can expect, we're really hoping to encourage Alexander to make his debut before the 13th. And we have good reason to believe it can happen.

Monday's appointment brought more progress. I'd dilated to 1-2 cm. and effaced to 80%. Perhaps more significantly, the application of the prostaglandin gel brought immediate contractions that lasted for the next 24 hours. After that, they petered out but didn't completely go away. My blood pressure and bloodwork continue to be normal.

Today's appointment saw more progress. While I hadn't dilated or effaced further, the baby's station changed from -3 to -1 (which means he dropped a bit, a very good sign). I had more gel applied today, and the midwife also stripped the membranes near the cervix. While the stripping was quick and painless, it was a surprise. We'd been warned it might be done very quickly and without warning. I do wish the midwife had mentioned she was going to do it before she actually did it.

Contractions began again in earnest after today's appointment, and while they aren't regular, they are definitely stronger. I find I have to concentrate more to get through a contraction and they are bordering on painful rather than just uncomfortable.

So we have nine days and three more applications of gel to encourage Alexander's entrance in the world. We'll also be trying home labor inducers, such as walking, bouncing gently on the birthing ball, eating certain (safe) foods, and so on. If anyone wants to contribute their favorite labor inducer, feel free to do so! We'll take any and all suggestions. The only thing I'm reluctant to do is take herbs, as I feel they can have unknown side effects and I'm not willing to take risks with that. If you're interested in this topic, here's a link to a good article: http://bbs.babycenter.com/board/preg.../thread/122779

When the contractions began on Monday, I felt anxiety that labor would come too soon. I've now had some time to get used to it, and I feel ready. Part of me still wishes that I could have the baby when he's ready to be born, even if he's several weeks overdue, but I know that is really too great a risk in my particular case. Learning to accept what I cannot control has been a great lesson throughout this experience.

[Belle*]

I'm glad everything is going so well! Continued on the way.

[Irenaroo]

Oh Jen...I remember too well having my membranes stripped. I think I cried on the table, and I had a midwife who warned me. In a subsequent pregnancy, I declined the stripping.

A few weeks ago my family and I were at the Ground Round Restaurant will all the kids. I ordered sizzling chicken fajitas. My 11 y/o daughter said, "Oh, mom, the last time you ate those, you had a baby that day. Are you sure you want to have those?" (I'm not pregnant!) We all had a good laugh. So my 2 cents says fajitas induce labor. Who really knows, as I was already 5 days overdue! Wishing you all the best for a fast, safe and easy delivery. We are all so excited for you!

[OffKilter_Lynn]

Pixie dust wishes that you both come thru this safely, healthy (and quickly wouldn't hurt either!)



Don't know if raspberry tea had anything to do with it, but I was drinking it when I went into labor with #1 (#2 made his entrance 5 weeks early via induction so I don't recommend that!)

Good luck & we're thinking of you all!

[debe]

"Expiration Date" LOL I like that!

Still keeping that dust flowing in hopes that Alexander will make his presence into the world soon. HANG IN THERE Jennifer!

[Holly I.]

I really hope you deliver on the 13th...that is my birthday and it has always been lucky and full of magic!!! ---but for your sake I hope it is sooner. I did deliver the evening my membranes were stripped if that gives you any hope Good luck and best wishes for a short and easy labor!

[MegglesMom]

Jennifer, sending lots of your way... A thing *not* to try--castor oil. I did, and it didn't do anything at all. Plus, it was sooooo gross! Can't wait for another update...

[rescuesk]

Ooooh....it's so close!! Lot of for you!!

[Ears42]

I second Sue's recommendation for fajitas. I too ate them the night before my DD was born, five weeks early after being on bed rest for 10 weeks! Actually, my mother recommends any "gassy" food. Sorry that's the polietest way I could describe it.

I've had friends who recommend walking and drinking lots of water. But let face it, women have been having babies for thousands of years and they come when they are good and ready! Good Luck, keeping good thoughts for you.

Janet

[CRCrazy]

Around here, the food of choice for labor induction was Folkhouse pizza. I'm not sure if that was due to the LONG bumpy road to get there - it's in the middle of nowhere - or the spicy pizza sauce, but it did work for me - one time out of 3!

[Shell_of_the_South]

DH rode me around on the back of the tractor to start my labor, maybe that might help?

[wdwlovers]

Thanks for the update Jen!! I love the term "expiration date"! Isn't that really what it is?! I hope baby Alexander makes his way into this world soon! I don't have any labor-inducing advice as I had to be medically induced with cervadil and pitocin, then finally breaking the bag to get me going with DD. I don't know what you're going through as we had to deliver just over 5 weeks early with her. Either way, I don't think a person is totally prepared for labor/delivery!! Sending lots of pixie dust for a safe and fast delivery!!!

[karmic]

When I was 11 days late with my DS- he was born on 1/1 kept us in suspense thru the holidays- my OB suggested a natural induction technique not printable here- fyi- it worked. Good wishes for a safe and speedy delivery!

[wdwlovers]

[ QUOTE ]
- my OB suggested a natural induction technique not printable here- fyi- it worked.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm...I wonder what that was?! My cousin was told the same thing, but she just wasn't up to participating.

[Tink and co.]

I tried mopping the floor on hands and knees, and it didn't put me into labor, but gave me a terrific backache.I wouldn't advise it! A good friend walked the mall with me and that was relatively painless, and it worked (the next day). And we have some very memorable picture/buttons made at a kiosk in the mall! They were a great addition to the baby book! Wishing you an easy delivery...by the way, tried the unmentionable method in the previous post, and it didn't help, but made DH happy!