Like a little girl on Christmas Eve, I cannot sleep tonight so I decided to write a little to help clear my mind.

I had my final check-up with the doctor yesterday. Final because it’s been decided that I will undergo induction later this evening.

The check-up went as routinely as it always does. My weight was up 2kgs since the last visit. My blood pressure was normal. The urine test was normal. There was little change, if any, to my symptoms and no sign of Gavin’s impending delivery.

I thought my bump had descended somewhat, but according to the doctor’s physical examination, Gavin’s head is still protruding out of the birth canal by about 4/5. We don’t appear to be any closer to labour.

The ultrasound scan revealed that one of Gavin’s measurements was off the scale. His stomach size is equivalent to the average baby at 42weeks. A rough estimate of his weight (since any real prediction is now quite unreliable) is that he’s hovering somewhere around the 4kg mark.

The internal examination revealed that my cervix is nowhere near ready for delivery and that labour within the next week is highly unlikely. Out of a scale of 13, where 13 is ready for delivery, my score was 1. My mucous plug has not dropped, my water has not broken, and I have yet to feel my first contraction.

The doctor’s professional recommendation was to induced within the next day or two. He felt that Gavin is growing too large and the risk of a c-section increases the larger he grows. If Gavin goes beyond term, his sutures will begin to fuse making it difficult for me to deliver naturally. Not only will there be trauma to the baby (due to prolonged birth and difficulties getting through the birth canal) but there is an increase likelihood of a CPD (cephalo-pelvic disproportion - where the baby’s head is too large to fit through the birth canal and the delivery is arrested) which means a c-section will be necessary.

Since I am unlikely to go into labour within the next week, the possibility that I may still end up with an induction at a later date is probable with an even greater likelihood of a c-section since Gavin will be even larger. Although we were reluctant to go with the induction, given the current situation, an induction within the next day or so appears to be the lesser of two evils. So we have concluded that this is the best avenue to take at this point.

Since my cervix is nowhere near ready for delivery, the process of induction is anticipated to be a lengthy one. The first step is to insert the prostaglandin pill to open the cervix and trigger the start of the contractions. If that fails, a second pill will be inserted. The next step after that involves the rupturing of the membranes and the insertion of a drip that will trigger the labour contractions for delivery. This will require an overnight stay at the hospital.

I keep telling myself that this is the best course of action but I can’t help feeling a little bit of a cop-out for not giving Gavin more time to find his own way out. My MIL delivered the hubby naturally even though he was overweight, overdue and in breech (although the current practice no longer allows a natural delivery for babies in breech). My mother delivered me at almost ten pounds (although she told me I was the reason why she never had a third child). Gavin is far from either of these scenarios yet I’m ready to go for an induction.

I am still hopeful that Gavin will decide to arrive on his own. He has nine more hours.

In the meantime, I’m feeling desperate enough to attempt a few home remedies - like eating pineapples… SC has recommended meditation which I have been trying for the last hour or so. Perhaps my mind is too cluttered at this point. I’m going to try it again later.

This will be my last update for the next couple of week or so since I will be heading into the hospital tonight.

Popularity: 6% [?]