Induction Day 3

>So, we checked in Thursday night and got Cervidil, which dilated me to 2 and caused me to have a bloody show.

Got Pitocin at 11 am yesterday. Got the max dose in just a few hours. Didn't start having regular contractions until 3:30.

Got checked again at 5...no change.

So, then, at 7:30, they placed a Foley cath into my cervix to try to dilate it that way...with the result being, it would pop out on it's own at 3 or 4 cm. Well, no sooner did they get it in (excrutiating by the way), then it popped right back out when they attempted to put the tension on it (also excrutiating). Put it this way, the Foley balloon is definitely something I can check off my bucket list of top 5 most excruciating things to do before I die.

Without another check, they assumed I was 3 and started slowly giving me Pitocin through the night. Had more contractions through my Ambien-induced sleep.

Went to the bathroom and have been bleeding ever since the Foley cath. Came back, and the nurse checked me. My cervix is still high and thick, but soft. 50 % effaced, 3 cm outside, 1 and a half cm on the inside. No real change to report.

So, right now, we're still pitting slowly. They are going to jump back into things at 6 this morning. Hoping the Pitocin works. They are going to discuss putting a pin sized hole in my amniotic sac to release fluid slowly later today. I have polyhydramnios, so he keeps floating back up when they feel his head. They don't want to actually rupture my membranes because they worry about the cord prolapsing. So, they are thinking of doing a small hole to relieve some pressure, causing his head to come down and connect with my cervix....because right now, my uterus is doing all the work....poorly.

The good news is my doc even said, when I asked what he thought about a CS, "It would be a shame to do a c-section on a second-time mom who has proven herself through a previous successful vaginal delivery." So, I am really happy about that. That being said, if there is still zero progress by this evening, they are probably going to discuss the possibility.

I'm hoping it won't come to that. I'm praying things go really well today. This is the difference between inducing at 37 weeks and letting nature take it's course. Let this be a fair warning to all of you who think you want to be induced early...don't do it. I'm only doing it because it's medically necessary. If it doesn't work, you're stuck in the hospital until they either do a C-section or for a couple of days (laboring) until it does work. Seeing your baby sooner than it should get here is just not worth this....except in the cases of medical necessity. Be patient, go for a walk, have sex and enjoy the last few weeks/days until your LO arrives.  Everything happens in it's own time. :)

So, here I am at 4 am....wide awake...slightly discouraged...SOOOOOO over this whole ordeal. Praying for a miracle today. Please, pray with me and for me. I need my little boy to get here, safely...and be healthy. I miss my little girl. I haven't seen her in over 24 hours. L&D doesn't allow children under 10 here...she is allowed in the postpartum ward after I give birth.

Good luck to everyone today!

Induction Today

Got my Cervidil last night after being admitted.  They will be removing it at 9:40 this morning.  Then, I get to shower and get cleaned up before they start the Pitocin at 10:40.  I'm excited and nervous.  Been having a few contractions this morning, but nothing major.  Definitely ready to get clean up...before cleaning up again tonight after James is born.  :)

Just praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby.  :)  It's been awesome here at the hospital.  My nurses are amazing.  I love my midwife.  The doc should be checking in on things at some point. So ready to get this part over.  :)

Induction Scheduled

Well, had my appointment today.  James was awesome on the NST and the ultrasound.  He is doing beautifully! I got diagnosed with polyhydramnios by the actual doc today.  My levels have gone up to 24 cm instead of going down.  They are now concerned about my water breaking before his head is engaged, which could result in the cord slipping through the cervix.  One more thing to be concerned about.  Good news, though - he's head down!  Let's hope he stays that way.

I am set for induction on December 2!  I have an appointment at 7:30 am on Thursday to check my cervix again.  Right now, I'm 1 full cm dilated, and my cervix is soft.  So, maybe with some walking and such, my cervix should dilate some more.  If not, they are going to admit me to L&D on Thursday for Cervadil to dilate me some more, and then give me Pitocin on Friday to bring on contractions.  Our little boy should be here this weekend!  Praying for everything to go smoothly, and for him to be healthy and breathing on his own.

Mom's coming on Wednesday to watch Ella for us.  I'm certainly thankful to have her.  :)

I'll Take the Pregnancy With a Side of Stress, Please

Had my ultrasound, NST and group B strep test this morning.  James is now transverse...hopefully that means he's turning.  He also is measuring about 6 lbs, 15 oz.  He didn't want to wake up for the NST, so the OB referred me to L&D for a repeat NST after lunch.  Apparently, they also do GBS tests differently at this office.  Instead of swiping the swab up and down the nether parts, she stuck them in places they weren't meant to go.  Joy.  It was not a pleasant experience....along with that, she decided to pick at my brain through my cervix again.  1 cm and very thick, by the way.

Jay, doc and I had an honest discussion about cholestasis and early induction.  She's all for inducing on December 2.  I'll be 37 weeks, 2 days.  On top of that, I have to leave from Mom's earlier than planned this weekend just so I can go back to L&D for a repeat NST.  I now have to have them twice a week until I'm induced.  Also, I get another ultrasound on Monday...along with yet another NST.  If he is still sideways or breech, they will be scheduling a version and an induction for Friday, December 2...or so that was the game plan when I left the office.

After eating lunch and going to L&D, spoke with another OB in the practice.  He agreed with the whole game plan but wanted to speak with a doctor at ECU (East Carolina University) for more information regarding bile salt levels and early induction.  The doc at ECU said he doesn't go by the bile salt levels because they aren't really indicative of anything.  He performs an amniocentesis at 37 weeks, and if the lungs are mature, then he induces.  Oh, and Urso is crap...apparently, it doesn't lower the bile salt levels, but it's supposed to reduce the itch.  Great.  So, now, I have to discuss the amniocentesis with the doc on Monday when I go in for my appointment.

I haven't been home since about 9 this morning.  Jay took Ella with him to work after my appointment because they don't allow children under 12 in L&D.  She barely got a nap today.  He told me she fell asleep in the car on the way to his work, and he even got her into the stroller asleep....but, OF COURSE, a Howitzer went off, and the loud blast woke her up...about 30-45 minutes into her nap.  Hoping she hasn't been a complete butthead.

As if all of that wasn't bad enough, I got pulled over on the way home...for expired registration...on Jay's vehicle.  Thankfully, the police officer was really nice.  He cited me and let me go.  Told me to get Jay to get the registration taken care of, and if I go to court on January 13, the ticket would be dismissed.  Yay.

If I wasn't pregnant, I think I would deserve an adult beverage right about now.

Starting to Feel Better

So after being on Ursodiol since Wednesday night, I'm finally starting to feel a bit of a difference with my itching.  It's still pretty intense in the morning and at night...and when I get stressed out...but at least I'm getting some relief during the day.  Baby steps, right?

We go in the morning for our ultrasound, NST, Group B Strep test, and our consultation with the OB.  Thankfully, Jay is going with me, and the OB who originally told me that they would induce before 39 weeks is one of the 2 available tomorrow.  The other is a gentleman whom I have never met.  I'm hoping the OB will override the decision to induce at 39 weeks.  I think I'm almost supposed to have bloodwork done tomorrow to see if my bile salt and LFT levels are coming down.  We shall see.  I'm sure they are.  They have to be.

Had a rude awakening this morning.  After Ella came to sleep with us at 2 this morning, she woke up dry heaving and crying at 6 this morning.  Got her to our bathroom, but she just dry heaved a couple more times and then calmed down.  Not sure what happened.  Guess she got my tendency to get really sick when she gets hot.  Once she calmed down and cooled off, she slept just as calmly as can be until about 7 this morning. She seems to be doing well today and has been in a really great mood all day.  So, hopefully, whatever it was, is over.  I felt so bad for her.  :(

Anyway.  Looking forward to our little man getting here.  Hoping they will still allow us to have a December date for our induction.  Mainly because I don't want to be induced this coming week.  I want to enjoy my Thanksgiving with Mom, Doug and the rest of the family.  Plus, I don't want James's birthday to be anywhere near Thanksgiving.  December 1 would even work.  lol