Well, here we are :-) Here is a family picture that was taken at my brothers wedding about 3 weeks ago. I'm looking huge 34 weeks prego, but we were so glad that we were able to go down to Mesa to be there for the wedding and to see family before our next little one arrives. It is looking like little Gavin will be here before we know it. I had my 37 week appointment this morning and we discovered a number of things. One of the most important things is that I have made it to 37 weeks which means this little guy is a "full term" baby. I am so glad to be past this cut off as it could cause issues for pregnancies in the future to have 2 pre-term deliveries in my history. Any way, it was a big deal as there were a few weeks there that we really weren't sure if I would make it.
Well, we made it and things are looking great with this little guy. We have hit a bit of a snag though. As of this morning I am dilated just passed 4 cm and I am 70% effaced. The fact that I am progressing on my own is great, but we were never really concerned about that. One thing that is scary is that I am this far progressed with out actually being "in labor". While I am having contractions and at times they get coming rather consistently, I am not having consistent LABOR contractions. I can tell the ones that are productive and the ones that are just annoying, but I need to have all of them being productive before I go in to have this baby.
So, since I am already passed 4cm as soon as labor begins I will be in "active labor" and with a 3rd baby this stage can go rather quickly. My doctor is hoping that I will go into labor on my own this week because she doesn't want me progressing further and being closer to delivery when labor starts. We could run into several potential risks if that were to happen the most serious of which would be us not making it to the hospital in time. As scary as delivering out of the hospital would be, the fact that I am a VBAC delivery, meaning I have had a C-Section in the past, presents even more risks to the situation. Long story short, I want to be at the hospital when every thing goes down ;-) If I don't go into labor on my own this week but I progress to a 5 by my appointment next week my doctor wants to induce labor. While I like the idea of being done in a week, I don't like the prospect of being induced. This is also because of my VBAC status.
The most favorable conditions for a successful VBAC include spontaneous start of labor, meaning my body is ready on its own and is not being forced into it. The methods which would be used to induce would be breaking my water and putting me on pitocin, both of which I am not a supporter of. While I understand their uses and importance when warranted, I would rather my water break on its own (as it has with my last 2 babies) and I ask that I not be given pitocin during labor as I don't really need it to help me progress. The use of pitocin ups the chances of a repeat C-Section significantly. While I know the most important thing is getting Gavin here safely, my hope is that that is through a VBAC delivery.
So in a nut shell, I really really hope that true labor starts in the next couple days completely on its own. While I understand that no pregnancy is without risk, and I understand the risks that all my options present, my most ideal set up would be me having this baby on his time and my body's time and not on a forced time table to avoid other complications and risks. So, prayers for a safe delivery would be appreciated and hopefully I can update about Gavin's arrival very soon!!
