This baby should know something about his mama: She’s a journalist. Which means 1) she’s sarcastic as hell (get the picture? ;) ) and 2) she really really hates blowing deadlines. And due dates.
Whichhhh….brings me to today’s doctor’s appointment. Wherein my doctor told me that yes, I’m officially overdue and no, I’m making “no progress” on this baby coming out anytime soon. (I’m not even like, a centimeter dilated.) Sigh. I’d like to say I expected him to tell me differently, but the truth is, I’ve accepted that I have a stubborn kid (or, as I’d prefer to think it, a kid who is so laid-back, he’s content to be the last one to show up for his own birthday party).
We have an induction date set for early next week (and I’ll be honest, I’m a bit intimidated at being induced…so all you formerly induced mamas of cute kiddos out there, leave me some reassuring words about the process, would ya?), which means I know FINALLY that by next week at this time, I’ll be holding my son in my arms.
At this point, the idea of that feels so surreal. Because I think I’ve honestly convinced myself I’m going to be pregnant forever. Over pancakes at IHOP on Sunday, I gave Nick my best forlorn look, sighed, and told him, “I feel like this is never going to end.” Around a mouth full of biscuits and gravy, Nick came back with, “You’re right. He’ll be turning six and we’ll be singing him ‘Happy Birthday’ in the womb.’” (Did I mention he’s a sarcastic journalist, too?)
Last night, as we were watching the presidential debate, Nick leaned over my stomach and whispered, “It’s really awesome out here. And if you come out soon, your dad will buy you a Nintendo Wii.” Me: “Did you just bribe our kid with a present when he hasn’t even been born yet?” Nick: “Maybbeeee….” Drastic parenting measures, I tell ya…
In the meantime (and do understand this is the late pregnancy hormones bringing out a bit of an attitude) I’m over the sympathetic smiles I get from people these days. The way the woman at the grocery store whispered to my husband, “She’s due any day now isn’t she?” and the exclamations of “You’re still here?” from well-intended coworkers who can’t believe I’m working right up to — and apparently past—the ‘ol due date. Also over? All the ways in which people are encouraging me to bring on labor. Long walks? Check. Spicy food? Check. Seaweed injections into the cervix? Uhhhhh …. yeah, not so much.
While I’d intended this month’s self-portrait to be a shot of me with a newborn in my arms, instead I’ll save that for next month’s image. Because while October will still be my little guy’s birth month (at least, that’s what the doctor tells me!), I have to say, I feel like what I’m going to remember about so much of it is the tedium of these final days of pregnancy, wherein we’re still (ever so anxiously) waiting for our world to change.
Such a cute post! I’m sure you ARE getting an earful of ideas. This has got to be the most surreal time ever!
PS Just realized that voting might be your first big outing with the baby!
PPS I have to be honest and say that it’s really hard to realize my “hip friend who doesn’t have kids but she is still, thankfully, my friend even though I’m a mom” is ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY. It’s not real to me and this over due business is making it even harder to wrap my head around it!!
SEAWEED INJECTIONS???? in your cervix????? *shudder*
Hope he hurries up!
I’m SO excited for you! You’re almost there!! I was induced with Gabe and had a wonderful experience! Pitocin started at 8am, water broke at noon, had him by 5pm. You’ve got this! Can’t wait to meet him and give you a big hug!! xoxo
Haha! Love it. *insert sympathetic smile with a head tilt
A friend suggested I read your blog because I can totally relate. I was due August 28th but the little bugger did not come until September 8th. Yes, 41 weeks and 4 days I waited to see his little face. I had an amazing pregnancy but after my due date came and went I started to get antsy. I tried everything even castor oil, which by the way was not awful. My midwife finally scheduled an induction date and did a second membrane sweep. The sweep actually worked in just over 24 hours. I had a quick and amazing birth. I was really loathing the thought of an induction but I made peace with it but was certainly relieved I didn’t have to go through witb it. Ultimately I was more ready for him to come out.
Regardless of whether you go into labor naturally or have to induced the outcome is the same, a beautiful baby you have been waiting for. No worries!
I just did the induction thing for the first time with Peter. It wasn’t so bad, except that I had unrealistic expectations based on the speed of my first two deliveries. Maybe I should have brought a book, or a good board game. When I finally admitted that I could be there a while (after 5.5 sl-o-o-o-ow hours… still probably record time for induction, but already longer than I’d ever labored before) and asked for the epidural (that the nurse was so good about helping me avoid) so that I could take a nap, BOOM! I had a baby within the hour. (To be honest, I was mad, because I wanted that last nap more than I wanted to push right then.) So I guess my advice is to rest early. :)
I should also mention that if you do vote with the baby, be sure you have someone on hand to hold him while you’re in the booth, or be prepared to hand him over to the poll place people. For reasons I may NEVER understand, I was not allowed to carry my infant into the voting booth.
Baby W, get a move on!
Hahaha I like Nick’s IHOP comment. Exactly what Jay would have said:) I don’t have a baby, but my sister was induced with both of her births and they were a breeze (as much of a breeze as labor can be) – I know the same will happen for you! Make sure to keep telling them to up the drugs and you’ll be golden:) Thinking of ya all the time, I can’t WAIT to see this little man of yours!
stink i love your blog. i’m in the process of redesigning mine too and i’m so anxious to see it all new and pretty. love this.
Uh oh, I’m a double cliché offender! I’ve been surprised to see you *and* asked if the Mexican food might help. Promise I’ll be on my best behavior from now on! ;-)
Alright, mom of an induced kid checking in. My first born was 27 hours of labor and was exactly like that Friends episode when Rachel had her baby. People came in after, had their baby, left, and she was still there, waiting. Although my water broke early, he took forever to finally arrive. My second child was induced. And we got that one down to 8 hours. It was a little surreal getting induced after the surprise of my first one just coming on his own when he darn well felt like it. But in the end? Two happy healthy babies, so by any means necessary. Hang in there!
I LOVE the photo so much! I hope he gets a move on! And I’m with Nick– go with bribery if necessary. Call it “incentive” and it just sounds like good parenting. ;)
I was induced with my second baby. Went into the hospital the night before and they put stuff on your cervix to soften it and give you a couple sleeping pulls to relax you. Even with 2 sleeping pills I think I only got an hour of sleep because I was just too nervous and excited.
At about 7 am they put in an IV and started me on pitocin, and I had the baby around 3pm, so it wasn’t a super long labor. Just a few minutes of pushing. The pitocin makes the contractions intense (although I had pitocin with both births, so I really don’t know otherwise. With my first son my water broke but I didn’t go into labor on my own, so they gave me pitocin). Anyway, I got epidurals with both kids which helps with the pain, but it was still crazy painful. Not to scare you, but no one told me this going into it. When the nurses talk about “feeling pressure” you will want to kill them because you realize that pressure = pain. But, once the baby comes it will be the greatest feeling of relief ever!
Sorry for the rambling, my point is that the induction is nothing to worry about!! And hopefully your little dude will decide to come sooner, because being 40 weeks pregnant is no fun :)
Of course, I HAD to leave a comment when you talk about births:))))))
Let me point out at least 2 good things about your situation! 1.) You still have about a week to enjoy your “normal” live, being pampered as pregnant woman; even with your big, sweet “belly”, heartburn and all other “preg. stuff”, you still get more sleep and rest then you will have in a week. 2.) For the person who likes to be on schedule being induced is almost a perfect thing :)
My doctor decided to induce me with Sasha…. I was in panic mode, i just did not want to do it. BUT… It turned out to be the most perfect experience. Why! Because YOU HAVE TIME to get everything ready, make yourself pretty, go, NOT FLY to the hospital during the day, not at night: NOT be in pain while waiting in the emergency room in tears (because it hurts :), get your induction medication, epidural a bit later (strongly recommended :), relax and wait (might as well type another post while you are waiting:))….(however with first pregnancies, doctor might not add more epidural before the actual birth so you will have a chance to experience some pain too, which you will forget immediately after your son is born :)
Every birth experience is different. No matter how many stories you hear – YOURS will be your own, unique and memorable for the rest of your life! Good luck, my dear, and I love your attitude:)
Ah, induction. Something I know well. As Tina told you, I was induced with both of my pregnancies and I kind of preferred it to be honest. Granted I don’t know any different, but like you, I like schedules and deadlines and structure. I liked having a day and time to go to the hospital. I liked the stressfree aspect of that.. Having time to shower, get ready, etc. I also had an epidural both times so it was nice that when my contractions got intense enough for me to request my epidural, I was already in the hospital. Sorry for the rambling, but my main point is that induction is nothing to be scared of. I know I don’t know any different, but both of my experiences were good :)
One last thing. Definitely bring a book, I Pad, magazines, music, etc. With it being your first baby it will likely take awhile, even with induction. With Addy we went in on Tuesday night and I didn’t have her until early Thursday morning. Lots of twiddling your yhumbs.
The most important thing is that one way or the other, your little man will be here soon!!!
when my daughter “heard” induced she decided that she wanted to pop out herself so I was so happy not to scare you but I had heard that inducing is actually worse “natural” labor I cannot confirm that for sure but either way, at the end of it you will have a healthy, big baby and you guys will be ready to start a new chapter in your life….i hope things go well I cannot wait to see the baby. GOOD LUCK!!!
“Eviction Notice”
GENIUS!
Eviction notice! Love it. Best of luck (and patience) in these last days of your pregnancy!
Gail, YOU GOT THIS. :)
We went to our final doctor appt on Monday, and he said, “Soo, you probably don’t want him to get much bigger, am I right?” To which I replied, “Not if I’m pushing him out of me!” :) And we also told him that we’d like to be out of the hospital by Friday since Brandon had a wedding to shoot on Saturday. :) The Doc agreed because he had weekend plans, as well. Win-win.
We went to the hospital on Tuesday night (8pm), had a balloon placed overnight – which was a wee bit uncomfortable at first, but then the nurse gave me something beautiful that relaxed my entire body – ugh. Just heavenly. ;) Started pitocin around 8am-ish on Wednesday. Watched a lot of Friends and How I Met Your Mother throughout the day (actually, I’m pretty sure Friends was still playing when it was go-time). Then it was epidural time – HOLLAAAA for some drugs! :)
Doc broke my water around noonish? (Eh, that time could be off). Waited and watched Friends a bit more (“‘Fonzie’ is the nickname of Arthur Fonzarelli. The Fonz.”). It was kinda slow going up until 7cm – then I went from 7cm to 9.5cm in about an hour. Only in active, pushing-like-you’re-pooping labor for 45 minutes until he arrived at 6:28pm. Even then, I don’t remember feeling that much pain – it really was just pressure (and I even had an episiotomy) ***high fives to the epidural*** TMI? Perhaps. But we’re all friends here. ;)
I had a great experience and certainly wish you the same. This little baby is going to rock your world. Being a mama is awesome. :)
HA. I love the eviction notice. Good luck with everything that’s coming your way soon! You have lots of people wishing you the very best.
Good morning Missy, I know you are miserable and discouraged. It could be worse. You could be a pioneer woman on a wagon train, a native woman in a hut in Africa, an Eskimo woman in an igloo at -50 degrees or your great-grandmother birthing 8children at home with no doctor present. There is a bright side. When he is born he will be ready for baby food. With the teeth he will have, he can chew off his own umbilical cord. His first words will be—- “What are you griping about? I just spent nine months in a cramped balloon with no air-conditioning”. Or—as you said yourself, you like to be in control and are used to meeting your deadlines. You have always excelled at everything you set out to do.
Maybe this is God’s way of saying proficient as you are, I AM STILL IN CHARGE. I JUST WANT YOU TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE FAITH THAT I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING. I HAVEN’T FAILED YOU YET. Let’s try that–in God’s good time. Praying for a swift delivery and a healthy baby. Much love . Mom.
Hang in there sweet friend! Praying for a smooth delivery.
LOVE the picture – that’s hilarious! I know you are anxious, but it will all be fine. I almost choked my dr at my last visit when he told me I might have another couple weeks to go – but then I delivered 3 days later! BTW, your mom’s comments CRACK ME UP!! What a hoot!
Dude, having never been pregnant I can’t empathize, but man oh man I can totally sympathize with wanting to be over the pregnancy. Hugs to you lady!
And LOVE the eviction notice. I think you should take baby’s first photo on one side and the eviction notice on the other in a frame. :-) But, I’m kinda mean like that. If you can’t make your kids feel bad (from pre-day one), when can you?
Good luck! Can’t wait to see pics of the newest family member!
Another day closer. Praying for a swift delivery and a healthy baby. Soon I hope. Love, mom
Love the eviction notice! So cute! I can’t wait to see next months photo. :) Hang in there!
You are such a beautiful writer, Gail! I keep checking back, so excited to see the big announcement!! :)
I had an induction with my first baby, too. Not because she was overdue, but because she had stopped growing and there was little fluid left. I was disappointed that I wouldn’t just go into labor, but it was all fine in the end. The doc broke my water around 10pm, I had an epidural at about 1am and my daughter was born after an hour and a half of pushing at 8:30am. Remember that labor will take just a day (give or take), but mamahood is every single day there on out. It’s just a hurdle to get over and then the real work begins. And no matter what happens, your birth story will be different than all the others here. Best wishes, Gail!
Next month – you WILL have a baby in your self portrait. So close and you’ll be holding him!
Big, big hugs to you, Gail. And very clever photo, too. We’re thinking of you here in the Eagleman household and sending you and Nick positive labor and delivery vibes. Not that you’re asking for it, but my only advice is for you to enjoy this time alone. For obvious reasons. ;) Come on Baby Werner, this world is just waiting to cradle you in its arms!
Oh Gail. I feel for ya. Hope he comes soon!
(This may be weird but I will say it anyway. One word: sex. That baby will pop right out! Ha. But really.)
I also worked up and past due date…and I was also going to be induced, but a) I prayed LIKE MAD that He would just start it and b) I stopped working. looking back I think working up till me due date didn’t allow me to relax, even if I thought I was- Good luck!