Baby doctor appointment this morning at 41 weeks and 3 days. Blood pressure was 120/72, weight 192 (!!), and baby's heart rate was 139. I am 3cm dilated and about 80% effaced. Yay!! Dr. H stripped my membranes again and WOWEE! I thought I knew what to expect having had it done a few times already but boy oh boy membrane stripping at 3cm is a different story than at 1cm. I was totally caught off guard and involuntarily yelped a little bit. Dr. H apologized and said typically that will get labor started within 24-48 hours since I'm dilated enough he had a little better access this time. If not, well, then we are going ahead and getting induced on Wednesday morning at 6am. Since I've made some progress we can skip the Cervadil, etc, and go straight to Pitocin and/or AROM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes, i.e. breaking my water). I asked him if we could try just breaking my water first so I could avoid drugs and he (somewhat reluctantly) agreed that I could probably have 3-4 hours to get going on my own before they'd start pushing the Pitocin. So I can live with that. Being induced was not something I had planned on, but was always a possibility in the back of my mind. Except when I pictured it, I assumed it would be before my due date because the baby was starting to get too big or something. Haha. So much for that. Anyway, if it comes down to an induction, I've had quite a bit of time to think it over (and do my research of course) and I am at peace with going that route. One thing I am happy about is that I have not felt pressured to do it. Dr. H brought it up today as just an option, and not at all in a manner that suggested I would be a fool to keep waiting. I'll honestly be surprised if we even make it to Wednesday and I'll be even more surprised if my water breaking isn't enough to jump start things. On the other hand, this pregnancy has been full of surprises, especially here at the tail end.
Dr. H also confirmed the results of the ultrasound and NST were fine. Estimated weight of baby Seth is 8lbs 11oz, which means he's grown about 1/2 lb per week since the last ultrasound. At that rate by Wed he'll be over 9lbs, DANG! Granted, that is just an estimate and can be off by 1/2 lb to 1 lb in either direction. I also have a normal amount of amniotic fluid, so plenty of cushion in there for my little guy. For now.
Ok I only got about 3 or 4 hours of sleep last night so I am going to go try to take a long nap snuggled in bed with Max. And Eric started his vacation today too so he can be available later on this afternoon when things really get going ;)
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