Induction February 7, 2010
There’s a fairly good chance our son’s birthday will be February 8th. We are scheduled to begin an induction at the hospital Monday morning, and unless Labor and Delivery is full and tells us not to come, he’ll be born tomorrow. I suppose there’s also the possibility that the induction will take so long that he doesn’t actually arrive until Tuesday the ninth, but I’m not going to dwell on that option.
Deciding what to do was difficult. We see a wonderful doctor/midwife team and plan to deliver with the midwife, who believes in patient-directed birth. She was willing to induce us on our time frame and also willing to wait with us for as long as we wanted (within reason). At our appointment last week we talked about inducing and the various methods we could try. I was induced at 41 weeks with Skylar using a drug called Cytotech. It was only supposed to prep my cervix, but it sent me immediately into a crazy-fast labor. The fast part was good; the crazy part was scary. None of us knows if my body is one that would naturally have quick labor or if the drug hyperstimulated my uterus, which is a rare, but very possible side-effect of Cytotech. In extreme cases Cytotech can even cause the uterus to rupture. So this time around the midwife is recommending Pitocin, since its effects on the body are more easily controlled.
Of course what I really want is to go into labor on my own, and I know I could wait longer than 41 weeks to see if that would happen. But there is a question in my mind as to whether my body would go into labor at all without something to stimulate it. I realize that probably sounds like an irrational, pregnant woman’s delusion, but one of my fertility issues is in my hypothalamus, which triggers both ovulation and the start of labor. I have ovulated several times in the past few years (obviously), but my hypothalamus still doesn’t function regularly. If I decided to hold out until 42 weeks or beyond, I can’t help but wonder if I’d still need to be induced, and just the thought of that is discouraging at this point.
Last week, as the days ticked by and Adam and I tried to figure out what to do, I knew we needed help. I decided to talk to my sister-in-law Aron, who’s currently in school on her way to becoming a midwife. After she said hello I said, “Aron-I’m-so-confused!” and then dumped out a zillion concerns and questions in one big breath. “Well, let’s stop and think this through,” she said calmly, and I knew I’d called the right person. Aron used to work as a doula and she loves to see women empowered through the birth experience, especially when they do it without drugs and out of the hospital setting. But Aron knows that giving birth in a hospital is a must for Adam and me, and she’s never tried to convince us otherwise. I know Aron would take a completely different approach if she found herself in my position, but instead of trying push her opinion on me, she simply answered my questions and helped me think logically about what I want from this labor and birth experience. At the end of the conversation she said, “What’s most important is that you and Adam pray together and make the decision you feel is best for you and this particular baby. Don’t do what you think the midwife wants or what I want or what anyone else wants. Do what you feel is best.”
The next day, after talking with the midwife again and praying through our options, Adam and I decided to be induced on Monday morning using Pitocin. I realize that Pitocin and epidurals typically go hand in hand, which will probably mean a much different birth experience than I had the first time. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I’m also aware that birth is unpredictable. I’d thought my first induction would take at least a full day, but it was lightening fast. I don’t know what Monday will be like, but as the weekend slips by I’m getting more and more excited at the thought of meeting our baby. A weight was lifted once we made our decision to be induced.
As Adam and I talked about it the other night he said, “I know the birth experience is really important and I don’t want to minimize it. I would support whatever you wanted to do. But the way I see it, birth is like a wedding. It’s a big deal and a lot of preparing goes into it. You have a picture in your head of what you want and you try to make that happen. But in the end, the wedding isn’t everything. It’s the marriage that matters. I want the birth to go well and be full of good memories. But what I want more than that is a healthy wife and a healthy son.” I like the idea of natural childbirth, but I’m grateful for modern medicine too and the options it has to offer. I’m also thankful beyond words for my amazing friend and sister-in-law Aron, who selflessly and consistently supports and loves her family. Aron, you are going to make a wonderful midwife.
I’m not sure how well I’ll sleep tonight with all that awaits me this week. I have no idea what tomorrow will hold. But I do know this: God has been especially good to me, and I can’t wait to share with you what happens.
I’ll be praying for you that this birth will be different than Sky’s and that you will maintain the peace you are showing now.
My SIL also had a bad labor with Cytotek, and my OB wouldn’t use it. He preferred Cervadil for the cervix and Pitocin for the contractions. In the end, I went on my own and had a section, so who knows what I know.
God knows, He made you and your body, and is even still knitting together your precious son. So if He gives you guys peace, don’t ever let it be disrupted by second guessing or doubt. You’re going to do great!
Linni, I’m so glad I read this today. Will be in prayer for you tomorrow. I know the Lord is with you, and if your little guy hasn’t arrived by tomorrow evening M&M’s will be praying for you as we meet together. May God encircle you with His loving arm and give you and Ad peace and calm in this birth.
Linnea,
You have been in my thoughts this week as you have been getting close to delivery! It is amazing how even though you have been through birth before, it still can be such a new and emotion-filled experience, because you can never predict how it will go. And for us planner-types that is really hard:) I don’t know why but when you wrote awhile ago on the type of labor and delivery you wanted to have, I wanted to respond but I just didn’t. I am such a big believer in the mother doing whatever she feels is best for her delivery, and I try not to judge anyone who sees this experience differently than I do. But it was interesting to read your update today. I also had to be induced with my second because they were worried about his size and having complications with letting me go any longer with him ( he ended up being 10 pounds and was born 2 days before his due date!) I was put on pitocin for an entire day and ended up home, only to go into labor that night on my own. (they think that the pictocing triggered this). Anyways when I got back to the hospital I asked immediately for an epidural just as I had with my first. I am a big believer in the epidural and have had two incredible and amazing birth experiences with no pain involved. It ended up being so good for me and so much easier on Tobey. Although I don’t believe this is for everyone, I just wanted to say that there is NO CONDEMNATION for whatever you choose to do! I know that you have prayed about it and will follow your heart, but please don’t feel any worse about the experience if you choose to have something to help with the pain. I wish you and Adam all the best and can’t wait to see the new pictures of your baby boy!!
I have tears in my eyes as I sit here reading that. You too are a wonderful friend and sister-in-law. I’m so blessed to have the kind of relationship with you where we can call each other up and talk/pray things through together. I’ll be praying tonight that the peace of God will wash over you and Adam so that you sleep deeply all night and wake strengthened for whatever the day brings. I’m so excited to know that the next time I see you it will be with your son in your arms!
Jon and I will be praying for you both as tomorrow morning approaches and throughout the day. I understand the anxiousness associated with being overdue…I was 11 days past with Leilani and 14 days exactly with Dawson. Little Moses was a huge surprise and came 2 days early
I will tell you though, my SIL Kelly, was induced at 38 weeks due to high BP and did deliver naturally even though she had been on pitocin for 8 hours and it was her first baby! So it can be done!
We cannot wait to hear of his safe arrival!
Great post, Linni…I’ll be looking at my phone every minute, just like I have been these last few days. And by the way, I’m hoping for a red head!
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow! It will be a wonderful day…enjoy it!
OK Linni and Ad, you’re there! Good job. We’ll be rooting for you as you cross the finish line tomorrow. I love the 8th. It has served your mom, Julia and me well for many years. Cherish every bit of February 8, 2010. God bless all four of you!
“Desire accomplished is sweet to the soul”
Prov.13:19a
I know I am pretty far removed from your journey, but I have followed your blog and am excited to celebrate your son’s arrival soon! I Just want to encourage you that if your wonderful care team all say it is time to go, you are wise to follow their advice! Andrew was born at 42 weeks and he was 11 pounds! I think I have told you that with all 6 of my deliveries I had to be induced. I never have liked labor of any kind
Just take it one step at a time and don’t give in to a spirit of fear no matter what.
I will keep praying until someone posts your good news! (Maybe your mom will post it on her blog?) I can’t wait! God bless all FOUR of you!
Today you and Adam will be in my prayers, so will the doctors, midwives and all the hospital staff that attends to you and the birth of you precious miracle baby boy.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us”.
YOU GO GIRL ….with HIS Almighty blessing!!!