Pregnancy Update: The Final Days

I’m now 39.5 weeks pregnant and we’ve scheduled our induction. Finally, we have a timeline for getting this baby out! We’ll go into the hospital Wednesday night for the first stage of induction (administering Cervidil) and then the doctor will administer Pitocin the next morning to stimulate contractions. We’re hoping that everything progresses quickly, safely, and smoothly, so we can have Riley in our arms by Thursday evening.

There are a number of reasons we opted to go with induction. First, Andy starts a new rotation next Monday; not showing up to a rotation can cause you to forfeit that rotation, which wouldn’t be beneficial for his graduation timeline. If I happened to go into labor on that first day, there’s a risk that he would have to miss some or all of the birth, which is not a risk I am willing to take. Second, his current attending is understanding of the pregnancy situation, having three kids himself. Who’s to say that the next physician will be so understanding? Also, I’m incredibly uncomfortable. All women in their ninth month are uncomfortable, but Riley is very large (especially on my frame) and putting a lot of pressure on my joints, causing a lot of pain for me. He’s sitting on my veins and causing a significant amount of swelling from my feet to my knees, which is also quite painful (and gross looking). I’m far too heavy for my own good and I really need this weight removed from me. It’s difficult to sleep through the night and getting up to go to the restroom is very difficult, as well. All in all, I don’t think I could last much longer if induction weren’t a possibility. Nevertheless, I’m still healthy as can be with a low blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, a high degree of activity (lots of daily walks), and the ability to still work. Riley is doing great, he just wants to keep waiting in the womb and Andy and I can’t permit that any longer.

While the induction eliminates some of the “magic” of the event happening naturally, we have to be smart about what’s best for me, for Andy, and for Riley, as well as for our bank accounts and graduation. Hopefully, we can have pictures put up before the end of the week!