For our specialist and OB appointments for weeks 35 and 36 baby brother was still looking good. Non-Stress Tests and Biophysical profiles with each were still holding on great. We were lucky to be able to get more pictures of him and find him in good health.
At my appointment with the specialist last week (37 weeks) we measured for growth again. It had been 3 weeks since we had measured growth so I was really antsy for this appointment. It was kind of our "next step" moment in deciding the course of things.
Earlier in the week at my OB appointment, he had mentioned that if at the specialist appointment this week baby brother had dropped below the 10th percentile that he would consider taking him. It wasn't something that I had quite expected him to say, but considering his drop at our last appointment it made me realize that it very well could happen and that we could be meeting our little boy sooner than we had anticipated. After that appointment, my mind started racing as to what would happen when we visited our specialist just two days later.
So, at our specialist appointment, we found out that baby brother had dropped in percentile again. His head measurements were still right on track just like they've always been, but his abdomen (the measurement that they've been most concerned about and have been watching closely) had dropped below the 2nd percentile and 5 weeks behind the due date. He had also only gained 12 ounces over a 3 week period (they should gain 8 ounces per week) and they estimated him at only 4lbs12oz. So, after all our measurements were in he was below the 10th percentile, but no one would ever tell us exactly how low. It was the gut feeling that I had going in to the specialist appointment. So in some ways it wasn't a surprise, but definitely still took us a little time to process.
The specialist came in and discussed with us that she would definitely reccomend that we get him out sooner rather than later and that after discussing with my OB that we should be induced sometime next week (this week). After speaking with my OB later in the day, he decided to set me up for an induction date of March 6th.
When Jake and I had talked, we really didn't want Audree and Baby Brother's birthday to be this close to each other, but in the end it really didn't matter. Birthdays close to each other was far less important than the health of baby brother and I.
So over the past few days, we've had some time to process it all and I think I'm finally coming to terms with the decision. Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I was having a lot of anxiety about having to be induced. It really wasn't what I wanted to happen, especially since I'm still planning on having this baby without an epidural. I've been reading and searching to see if people have had success stories of delivering without an epidural while being induced with pitocin and I get mixed reviews. I would much rather deliver the baby without an epidural, just to be sure to start him out right and give him the best start possible, but over the past day or two I've decided that I need to set realistic expectations of myself.
Pitocin brings on very different contractions than with a normal delivery. They are longer and harder and sometimes hypnobirthing may not be enough of a pain reliever to get through them, so an epidural might be the best option for me. And that's OKAY. Also, if I'm needing to stay on constant fetal monitoring, I probably won't have much freedom as far as positions, birthing ball or walking around which might hinder the natural pain relieving process and I may need an epidural. And that's OKAY. I mean, for all I know he may not even be able to handle labor at all and then they'd need to do a c-section. And that's OKAY. I need to remind myself that the most important part of all of this is that he arrives safely and in good health and that I also am in good health. It's OKAY if I opt for an epidural and have to be induced with pitocin. I'm sure going to try my hardest to avoid all of that, but it'll be fine no matter what's decided.
I had my last specialist appointment this morning and we got the final news that he's still looking good on his BPP. I also asked her about the possibility of a NICU visit and she feels positive that baby brother's chances will be low for a stay at the NICU which was really good to hear. She mentioned that she is really glad that things are getting a move on this week. She feels that baby's "environment" is starting to slow down and look less and less healthy so we want to get him out before he starts to get sick or stressed. And I absolutely trust her judgement in this. She gave me a hug before leaving and wished me luck. I'm definitely grateful for her close watch and excellent care for the past 10 weeks. I'm so grateful that we've been able to make it this far and that he's done as well as he has.
We get the final news on things tomorrow at my OB visit. He was going to check me then to see how far dilated and effaced I am. If things are looking favorable then I won't need to do anything until Thursday morning at 6am when we come to the hospital. If I'm not looking favorable at all, then we may need to come in Wednesday night and get some prostaglandin gel started on my cervix and see if that can't move things along. I'm really hoping that a more natural approach can get things started versus a pitocin induction, but we'll just have to wait and see.
So, here we go! Thursday is our big day. It's been really weird knowing what day my baby will arrive to me. It's been weird to be able to prep everything (i.e. groceries, house cleaning, chores, errands, child care for the other kids, Jake's work schedule, etc.) in accordance to this big day. It's been nice to be able to prepare everything, but in many ways very weird. I've always gone into labor on my own and so I'm thinking this will be a completely different experience, but hopefully still a good and positive one.
So wish me luck. I'm praying for a safe, healthy and fast delivery with a healthy baby in my arms at the finish line.
P.S. I never got a 36 week belly shot in, oh well. I will definitely be getting one last and final picture in before he decides to come though.
