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BR: still pregnant. getting induced tomorrow. a bit long, sorry.
I'll try to keep this as short as I can...it's a bit long and complicated though!
So after I saw my GD doctor on Thurs, I went up to the local hospital to see the alternate high risk doctor. He said that if it was up to him, he'd induce me that night...but it wasn't. The problem was that my hospital couldn't handle my birth because it was too complicated (this is after my other doctor and all of the nurses telling me numerous times that it wouldn't pose a problem - I was NOT amused). My case had to be transferred to an alternate hospital, which is about a 45-minute drive away.
So we went up there Thurs night; I couldn't see their high risk specialist until the next day, so I got to spend a cozy night in THE most uncomfortable hospital bed ever (I mean seriously, insanely uncomfortable).
I saw the specialist the next day, and she felt that there was no need for an emergency induction because my BP, while high, was still only just over the limit and my GD was well managed. So she scheduled me for an induction 5 days later but said she wanted to keep me in the hospital for observation until then. Joy.
The reason for the delayed scheduling is because although this hospital is larger than the one in my town, it's still not huge by any means, and she wanted to make sure that it would take place on a day when I would have all of the staff to myself vs sharing them with another induction (there were already inductions scheduled for the 2 days prior to mine). I guess that's the disadvantage to staying relatively local vs going to Sydney, where I'd almost certainly have been induced the same night I arrived.
I was pretty upset about all of this...not just having to stay in the hospital or having to wait to be induced, but also because I'm already so uncomfortable (the skin on my stomach is so tight that I can barely even stand the feeling of a sheet on it - even that hurts). But there wasn't much I could do about it.
After spending 2 nights in the hospital, the specialist told me that because my BP wasn't getting any worse (it had actually dropped down to just below the limit and seemed to be staying there), she would release me so I could go home to wait until the induction - I'd almost certainly be less stressed and more relaxed and comfortable. They gave me a laundry list of symptoms to look out for, and if I experience even a single one of them we have to head back to the hospital. I also have to get my BP checked daily at my local hospital to make sure it doesn't spike.
So that's where we are now! The induction is taking place tomorrow - I'll be 38.5 weeks by then, and no one - including yours truly - can believe that we've made it this far (and honestly we probably shouldn't have been allowed to get this far because of all my complications, but that's really neither here nor there at this point). But at least they won't be considered preemies, although they'll probably still be a bit smaller than a singleton. And it also means it's unlikely that they'll have any health problems, which means we'll be able to transfer back to my local hospital a day or so after the birth (much better for Ben since he won't have to drive back and forth all the time).
P.S. Question for anyone who has been induced...the doctor repeatedly referred to my induction as taking place on Wed. However, when I asked her what time I needed to be there, she said lunchtime on Tues. Apparently they consider the induction to take on Wed because that's when the babies will actually likely arrive even though I'm actually being induced (getting the gel, etc.) on Tues. This is bizarre logic to me. Is this common? Was that how yours worked?
Re: BR: still pregnant. getting induced tomorrow. a bit long, sorry.
WOW! Is all I really can say. You are a STRONG women.. Good luck and rest up as much as you can now.
I was induced. Mine was scheduled for a Thursday but they had me check in wed. night to get the cervadil and all that. The actual pitocin didn't start to thursday am so i guess that's why..
lisa
good luck-before you know it pirate babies - sending loads of good vibes and an easy delivery your way xo
Oy! I can't imagine the discomfort you are feeling. I'm sorry for your frustration but am glad to hear that they will unlikely have health problems, and you can be closer to home after they are born.
C'mon out, little pirates!!
Good luck, Lisa! We can't wait to meet the little pirates!
It is quite amazing you've made it this far. You never know, they might be big. My co-worker had her twins at 35 weeks and they were both around 6 lbs!
wow, at least you are finally getting induced! when i was getting induced, they said to come check in to the hospital the night before around 9pm. my ob said they used to tell women to check in by midnight but then by the time they were admitted, drugs ordered up, delivered from pharmacy, etc that it wasn't until 2am before the women were getting the cervadil... so they changed it to 9pm so that most women get the cervadil by 10-11pm, that way it has all night to work. she said that you need about 8 hrs or so for it get working on your cervix, and then they give you the pitocin at either 6am, 7am, or 8am depending on how many other inductions there are... so i hope that makes more sense. i didn't get it at first either!
though i don't know why they want you in at lunch time b/c that does seem pretty early... guess they want to have plenty of time?? i don't know!
either way, i hope that all goes smoothly for you! i can't wait to meet the pirates
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Wow! So sorry to hear of all that you are enduring right now! You are definitely a strong woman and you seem to be in good hands.
Thinking of you and wishing all the very best. Soon your little pirates will be in yours arms.
Whew, well at least the little guys are on their way soon!
I think we always referred to the induction date as the date we checked in. We were to report to the hospital at 4 pm on a Wed and they'd get us started on Cervadil that night, which needed to be in place til the next morning (12 hours), then they'd start the pitocin... so delivery would be sometime on Thursday. I didn't realize it was such a long process. And although we didn't end up getting induced, my labor took even longer. I was getting very impatient!
Sending you all some healthy and happy baby vibes!
I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. It will all be worth it!
Good Luck!
Ditto this. My co-worker had her twins 2 weeks ago and as small as she was at 38 weeks, they were each over 5 pounds.
Thanks for the well wishes, ladies!
Yeah that's what I didn't understand - I know a couple women here who have been induced, and all of them were told to show up at around 6pm, not 1pm. But hey, if it gets the ball rolling sooner, who am I to argue, right?
I'm wondering if maybe it has something to do with the scheduling issues that I mentioned in my main post (wanting to make sure they have all the staff on hand that they need) - maybe they're averaging out reaction times to the gel and have determined that they'll have everyone there that they need X hours later if they start things a bit earlier?
As a total side note, I've learned that telling people you're being induced - even for 100% medical reasons - is NOT popular! I'm astonished at how judgy some people can be about it...I mean it's not like I'm happy that this is taking place because I don't want it to interfere with a manicure appointment or something frivolous like that - this needs to happen, for the babies' health and mine! But I've had a surprising amount of women lecture me that it's basically evil and they'd never ever allow it to happen unless they or their baby was actually on death's door...I just don't get it.
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We're pretty sure that they'll both be well over 5lbs, maybe even over 6 - so a bit smaller than singles, but not tiny!
Good luck! I'm so glad you came back to update. Please keep us posted if possible.
You are a trooper!
Anyway, I'll be sending lots of vibes for you tomorrow. I'm so happy and excited for you and Ben! We can't wait to meet you, little pirates!!
Ah, forget them! People are judgy about everything with pregnancy, I've found. Just know that you're going to be a great mama, and you've done everything humanly possible to get these boys into the world safely. Good luck tomorrow (today?), and we can't wait to hear the great news!
finally we've got a for sure birthday for your pirates!! I honestly can't believe you've made it this long. I can't even imagine how uncomfortable you must be, but yay! tomorrow you get to meet your boys!
We'll be thinking about you & sending lots of safe & healthy vibes to you & your boys!!
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Wow Lisa. You go girl. You're SO close now and soon, this will all be a distant memory. I cannot believe your effing hospital didn't know they're not equiped to deliver your babies. WTH? I'd be writing a complaint after you're discharged and home with your babies. And post a review online so that future mamas of multiples are forewarned. It is good that the hospital is chosing a day where you'll have all the staff you could possibly need to attend to you and the pirates. That said, given how far you've been able to go...I bet you won't be needing all that staff and help anyway.
As for the induction date...yeah...if they're going to give you a cervix ripening agent (like Cytotek or Cervadil) you go in the night before and then they hood you up to the Pitocin the next morning, break your water and you're on your way! I didn't have to have the cervical ripening since I was already dilating on my own so we just went early on our induction day to get hooked up to the Pit.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Will they let you move around at all once they've induced or will you have to stay in bed? I hope they'll let you at least stand next to the bed/lean on it, bounce on a ball, etc. It's tricky with all of the monitors, IVs, etc. but so necessary to move the babies down and get your pelvis open. I'd insist on some mobility...even if the nurses have to hold the stinkin' fetal monitors on your belly with their hands. It felt great to stradle the yoga ball facing the end of the bed and lean on the bed with my forearms. Then my mom, doula or Joseph would provide counterpressure on my low back. You've said your hospital is anti-pain med, but I wonder if this new one is too...
Whatever happens...go with your instincts...if you feel you need an epi or pain meds, take them. If you feel your body and your babies are doing fine without them, then go for it. I imagine with all of the discomfort you've been dealing with these past couple of months it may feel like more of a relief (although uncomfortable at times) than pure pain when it comes to laboring.
I am sending you TONS of labor dust! Good luck mama! I cannot wait to see pics of your pirates and hear all about their birth story.
((((BIG HUGS))))
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
I was thinking this as well...if they start you earlier and there is a problem OR if you dilate really fast (sometimes Cervadil or Cytotek will jump start your labor and you might not need Pitocin and your membranes ruptured, etc.) they'll have the proper staff available then say if it happened at 2 a.m.
I hope you eat a GOOD dinner tonight...sounds like you may not have any food from tomorrow morning until well after your babies arrive...could be tricky with GD. I had a good, high protein dinner the night before (along with my last insulin shot) and scrambled eggs and cottage cheese the morning of my induction. I wanted to be sure I had something to sustain me. I was allowed clear liquids during labor (you may want to ask) so I had jello, apple juice and chicken broth while I was laboring.
Ugh. How weird. Here it was the opposite. Everyone, including hospital staff that I saw each week during my NST Tests always asked when my induction date was...people thought it was weird that I wanted to go into labor naturally and on my own. And here, people schedule inductions for convenience as well as medical reasons...it's totally acceptable.
I have learned when it comes to ALL things baby-related...the less you talk about things the better...otherwise you're inviting unwanted judgement and advice. It's annoying as hell and will come regarding everything from how you're feeding them to how they sleep, etc. Boo!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Yeah, I pretty much just roll my eyes at them. I mean it's one thing to SAY that, but I would bet a million dollars that if they were actually in my position, they'd be begging for an induction.
Weirdly, I even had a NURSE say it to me during my last hospital stay. She told me she didn't approve of people wanting to be induced at 37 weeks just because they were tired of being pregnant. I stared at her and said, "I'm pregnant with twins, have gestational diabetes and borderline pre-eclampsia. So yeah, I want - I NEED - to be induced." She just went "Hmmph!" and walked away. I seriously couldn't believe that a nurse said that to me, but I've noticed that Aussie nurses are a lot more outspoken than American ones (many of them are very vocally anti-pain meds, for example)...maybe they're less worried about a lawsuit than someone in the USA?
Yeah, Ben was PISSED. Apparently the problem was that my hospital is only allowed a certain number of complications in a delivery. So twins counts for one and GD counts for one, and the potential pre-eclampsia put it over the edge. I can understand that they couldn't foresee all problems, but you would think that someone would have at least informed me of the possibility of this happening (especially since multiple pregnancies are notoriously prone to complications in the last month or so).
Heh you know, I didn't even think of this. We had hot dogs for dinner - mine were chili dogs with cheese, so fairly crap food but it was high in protein!
No one has mentioned not eating after breakfast (which was oatmeal and milk - not ideal I know, but we have virtually no food in the house at the moment) so we were planning on driving to the other city, having lunch, and then turning up at the hospital. Maybe I should change this plan? Although from what I've read, the only reason some women (and theri doctors) don't like to eat before an induction is because the meds can upset your stomach, not because the food is actually bad to consume. Hmm...
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Good luck Lisa!!!! Will be thinking of you guys. My induction lasted from 12pm on a Sunday to Monday 9am. From the start and finish. It was non eventful until contractions started to kick in. Then just waited and waited until I was ready enough to push. Good luck and sending you the best labour vibes!!!