I know most of you must be thinking that the correct answer to my survey in the right column must be ‘C: A pillow stuffed under Brittany’s shirt’. Trust me, I’m beginning to think that myself!
But the saying is right… no one is pregnant forever… because doctor’s won’t let you. And so we’ve reached crunch time.
If you are squeamish about pregnancy talk, go ahead and exit out. Please revisit when my life isn’t consumed by evicting this baby anymore.
At my doctor appointment on Friday, the doc brought up the word I’ve been dreading: INDUCTION. I knew it was time to discuss it, but wow, I didn’t think I’d end up here. But…
I will be introducing Baby D to you by this Friday, no matter what.
So we just enjoyed our last weekend as a family of two… for real this time!
I still want to give Baby D every chance possible to come on his/her own, so I’m looking into options I hadn’t considered before.
Though I’ve eaten labor-inducing food with other beautiful pregnant ladies:
Gone on many, many long walks:
Done my squats, like a good girl:
…and more; desperate times call for more medical measures.
Like a membrane sweep.
Sounds pleasant, no? I struggled with whether I wanted this or not, but decided I would prefer this to work over having to use pitocin. What is a membrane sweep?
Basically the doctor goes in and sweeps around the bottom on the amniotic sac. This does not puncture the sac, but rather it stimulates the release of hormones that can bring on contractions and labor. It will not start labor if you are not ready, but if you are, it should put you into labor within 48 hours.
So, after reviewing my options over the weekend, I’m going to call this morning and try to get into the office for a membrane sweep. One caveat, though, is that I must be progressed enough on my own for the doctor to be able to reach my membranes. Friday I wasn’t there, so I’m really keeping my fingers crossed that the doctor today is able to complete the process.
Then I’ll have 48 hours to hopefully go into labor on my own before being induced, which I believe would happen on Thursday morning.
How I’m feeling…
Mostly excited! We finally have a true end date in site and know by this weekend, we’ll be holding our baby. It feels so surreal!
A bit nervous that I may have to get to the point of induction. As you all know, it’s something I wanted to avoid with every fiber of my body, but I said from the beginning, the safety of my baby comes first and I have to trust my doctor when he says he doesn’t want me going over 10 days past due.
Points of Interest…
- currently 6 days overdue
- signs it is time for baby to arrive: I spotted the beginning of a stretch mark on top of my belly button. Ah!
- the snacks I bought for L&D are close to expiring
- I’m at the point I no longer fear labor. Bring it on.
And finally- thank you all so, SO much for your support. The emails, tweets, facebook messages, comments and love you send my way really make me so amazing and supported. I long to get back to blogging that isn’t consumed by baby (which I promise it won’t be!) and it really means the world to me that you’re sticking it out with me.
I promise to keep you updated through facebook and twitter!
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I kept thinking about you all weekend and felt like I was Twitter stalking you! Glad to hear that it’s Friday or bust!
me too!
Pump/massage your nipples like CRAZY like an hour a day or more.
It’s said to start contractions….. It worked for me!
I was going to suggest that too. Also castor oil (if nothing else, at least you’re cleaned out!) And ask your doctor about evening primrose oil as well.
Also forgot to mention, you tried reflexology but maybe try accupuncture as well!?
Castor oil scares me a little bit… my doc told me scary stories about dehydration… but I do want to look into acupuncture! Maybe this afternoon
I have been thinking about you constantly and praying that Baby D comes on his or her own. It’s so hard dealing with something beyond your control
But no matter what happens, you will have a healthy baby by the end of the week and that’s all that matters! I am so excited for you!
Aw, Brittany. Sorry that life is happening and this is now somewhat (depending on said membrane sweep) out of your control. As a fellow Type A, I can’t begin to fathom it. BUT, as we both know, things are going to happen how they are supposed to. What will be, will be.
With that being said, we wait anxiously to meet Baby D and I couldn’t be happier for you and the Hubbs.
So many congratulations
I have been thinking about you all weekend, I hope Baby D comes on his/her own! Praying all is well!
I had my membranes stripped, then I went shopping. Ha! Didn’t get anything going for me anyways. Good luck! Can’t wait to hear the news!
Ahhh good luck I hope the membrane sweep works so you don’t have to do something you don’t want to! Either way I can’t wait to see the stubborn little bugger!!
Brittany I thought for sure I’d see some tweets this past weekend! I hope you’re able to do the membrane sweep — I have never heard of that before, but I hope it does the trick.
Whoo hoo for baby! I skipped a bit in the middle, but I got the basic gist, and welcome to the world Baby D!!!
Are u willing to try acupuncture? I already made an appt for Wed (my due date) for a labor inducing chiro adjustment and acupuncture. We’ll see if it works…
Can’t wait to hear back on the membrane sweep, I’ve been thinking of u this weekend. Good luck hon!
I do want to look into acupuncture. I know CaitlinHTP’s hubby owns a practice, so I might give him a call this afternoon!
I kept checking facebook this weekend to see if Baby D had made an appearance yet! Good luck with the membrane sweep! I pray all will go well and s/he will be with you soon!
Membrane sweep& then a brisk 3 mile walk worked for my 2nd. Some loving with hubby got the 3rd going, but for my first I had to be induced. The Dr. only had to break my water for me though, no drugs required. Perhaps that’s an induction option to discuss before pitocin is used.
Plus you still have a few days for things to get going on their own first.
Interesting! I didn’t even think to ask if just water breaking is an option- I’ll ask my doc. Thanks!
My sis-in-law had the membrane sweep done and went into labor less than a day later, so I know it can get things going. How exciting to really know, for real, that you’ll be meeting Baby D in less than a week. I’m so jealous of your one little stretch mark. I didn’t have any for the first 7 months, and thought I was pretty lucky…then boom, they all showed up in months 8 and 9, making my belly look like a crazy road map.
The talk of a membrane sweep doesn’t gross me out, but it does give me the chills! I hope it’s not too painful or anything! Good luck this week, at least like you said, the end is in sight. Can’t wait to hear the good news!
I’ll be there!
fingers crossed for you!
I just finished reading Ina May’s guide to childbirth and she has me all freaked out about pitocin. I still plan on using an epidural and while I’m glad I read the book, I think the end was scare tactics re: having a medicated birth- which sometimes you just can’t control!
So exciting that baby D will be here within the week. I can’t wait!
I’ve never heard of the membrane sweep…sounds interesting! I’m praying it works for you
So funny–your L&D snacks expiring!
hahah, your snacks are expiring! that’s so cute. i’m so ready for your baby toooooo!! best of luck this week!
I know I’m a new reader of your blog but all weekend I kept thinking… maybe she’s in labor? Maybe she’s holding the baby with her hubby?
That’s so exciting to have an official end date
It’ll be definitely different but a great new chapter in your life!
Thanks for thinking of me! I’ve felt like such a tease for the past couple of weeks, so I’m excited to finally say, IT’S THIS WEEK!
baby week! baby week! baby week!
so excited for you and hoping that baby d makes an appearance on his/her own.
you are too cute with your big belly. love that you’re still out and about!
ahhh, baby d will be here so soon!! I bet you are so excited! I had my membranes swept and my water broke two days later. So hopefully that will be your answer so you don’t have to be induced!
Hopefully it is not a sign of your child’s timeliness in the future! I joke with my best friend that her daughter is going to be stubborn because she stayed breech over a month and had to have a c-section.
good luck I hope the membrane sweep works!!
I can’t wait to meet baby D!!!!
Hope the membrane sweep works for ya!
And I had to be induced with M for medical reasons. It was upsetting and scary, but it ended up going JUST fine. Definitely hope you can have the all natural delivery you hope for, but try not to worry about induction if it does end up being the best option. Can’t wait to “meet” the little one sometime this week!
Praying for you!
I love your “bring it on” attitude. I’m so excited for you!
So close! good luck with everything.
I got to work this morning early and opened up your blog and didn’t see a post so I thought for sure it was baby time! Boy was I wrong. You’re almost there
Glad you two got to enjoy your last weekend together as a 2 person family.
P.S. Go Gamecocks!
(Sorry I had to)
Saying that you no longer fear labor means a lot to me. You must be ready! I say that because the thought of child birth terrifies me. I know women have been having babies a loooong time, so it shouldn’t be that intimidating. But for whatever reason, it is! You can do it!
Yeah!!! Can’t wait to meet Baby D. Hope the membrane sweep goes well.
You’ll do great, the membrane sweep is well worth it to get the show on the road. And it’s not 100% natural because they are jump starting you but like you said it will be better then getting induced. It worked for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat. But you still may have to have pitocin later on (I did because my contractions weren’t where they are suppose to be). So you never know, either way you’ll have your bundle of joy! I’m so excited for you … it’s an amazing experience. Did I tell you I already want another one!
I hope the best for ya and I can’t wait to meet the little one!
PS … look at that squat girl! So Proud of you!
Good luck this week. I can’t wait to see your little man/gal
Fingers crossed you go into labor before your induction! Of the three people I know who have had inductions set in the last month (including myself), all of us have gone into labor the day/night before we were scheduled to check in for our induction.
I had a membrane sweep with my second. It hurt (a lot) and didn’t help. On my 7th day overdue I went in for induction. The dr tried breaking my water (which is a great option before pitocin), but it didn’t progress things enough. I ended up with pitocin, but was still able to go epidural free. It was intense, but short.
I say try the membrane sweep, then the water breaking and then go to pitocin. You can do this!
Just found your blog today! Hey, I feel for you! I have ALL the same intentions as you do about natural birth….I am 36.2 weeks and so far my baby girl is plugged up tight. I am beginning to think that in 27 days she may not be ready to exit…a bit like yours! I guess sometimes we make it so cozy in there it’s hard for them to resist, right?
But I really wish you the best of luck! I hope sweeping the membranes works….hopefully (sometime in the week or 2 after your baby comes) you’ll let us know what worked, if anything, before induction. I, too, want to go as long as possible if I’m late (naturally), but by when it gets to 14 days you start to think the drs. might have a point! I hope you can still stick to your general plan, though. I can tell you want to! Best of luck and so excited for you!
Good luck Brittany! I’m hoping for you that labor will start on its own, but like you said, in the end all that matters is healthy baby and mom at the end. I’ll be thinking of you!
We will be there!!!!!!
SO CLOSE!!!! Ahh the excitement!!!
I too had a membrane sweep with my second child before the induction decision was made. Unfortunately, the membrane sweet did not do it for me and induction it was.
So glad for you and your husband that D-day is now near. Enjoy everything from now till the baby comes and there-after.
Sorry I haven’t had as much time to comment Brittany – I’m thinking of you and I hope Baby D is arriving right as I type this!!