I’m about to take a much-needed shower but I thought I’d do a quick update. We had a long day at the doctor’s office, mainly due to being made to wait for extended periods and the fact that my doctor was called away suddenly to deliver two babies.

First we did another 20-minute non-stress test. Again, baby passed with flying colors, kicking it up like she always does. Then we waited an entire hour for the ultrasound to start. We haven’t had one of those in about three months or more. Since she is now full grown, we could only see her one part at a time rather than a big picture. But we did see her little lips opening and closing, and her sticking her hand into her mouth, and sticking her tongue out, and being cute. She moved around a lot then, too. She’s just an enthusiastic baby.

Finally we went up to wait some more for my doctor, and soon learned she wouldn’t be back before the office closed. We had been there almost three hours and I really needed to see someone as I am 41 wks 5 days, and my amniotic fluid was low in the ultrasound measurement (which is normal for this stage, plus I know I was dehydrated from sitting in that goddamn waiting room for an hour).

So we saw a different doctor. I was pleased that she didn’t immediately discuss induction with me, having perhaps seen my doctor’s notes that I’d rather avoid inducing until it becomes absolutely necessary. However I am now willing to try other natural methods to inspire labor, so I had her sweep my membranes. Holy cow that was uncomfortable. However, my cervix is still 3cm dilated, tilted anterior (forward), and “soft and mushy”, so it was really the most favorable conditions to do it. What this does is to detach part of the bag of waters from the uterine wall, which releases hormones that can initiate labor. It has a certain measure of success, so I was willing to give it a go.

Then Brian and I went and got a pizza. I talked to my doula on the phone and she said I need to stay well-hydrated because of my low fluid, and it’s good to do anyway. All of my pre-labor signs are still pointing toward starting very soon, god I hope it is this weekend. My doctor is working this weekend too, extra good. We are so ready.

However if nothing has happened by Monday, Tuesday will probably be The Day. But I don’t want to think about that. Medical induction is my last resort; it’s giving up in a way. But, on the other hand, it will bring me my baby. So I am excited to know I am guaranteed to become a mother at last some time in the next four or five days.