My Labor Story (Part 1)
I know its been 24 days overdue, but I’ve never got the time to relate my labor story to you. I finally have some time in between feeds and soothing Rebecca’s cries (shhh, she’s asleep) to share my experience, so listen now …
The adventure started on January 4th. I was 4 days overdue and was scheduled for a non-stress test in the morning, followed by another checkup with the midwife. I was strapped onto a monitor, where the baby’s heartrate was monitored. The test result showed that Rebecca was not stressed, and she was doing well in my womb. I was relieved. My main concern at the time was the safety of my baby. The nurse then re-confirmed my labor induction for January 11th, which was 2 weeks after my due date. I was mentally prepared to deliver on that day, but, the plot thickens …
We had a couple of hours to spare, so we went shopping (yes, shopping). I remember it well, that was when I bought my ipod video case from the Apple Store. I wasn’t expecting anything exciting at the Midwife’s (MW), so imagine my surprise when my MW told me that my blood pressure was high, and the doctor has strongly suggested that I go into labor induction that very day! Ok let me tell you about me and blood pressure. I’ve been having high blood pressure off and on during my third trimester, and the MW was worried I might be developing Preeclampsia, which I read can be a highly dangerous situation for me and the baby. I guess I was lucky that I managed to keep that from happening during my full term, but now that I’m overdue, according to the doctor, there wasn’t any reason to risk it from happening by holding out on delivering the baby. The only way to cure my high blood pressure was to deliver the baby, and waiting one more week till the 11th, who knows what might happen between now and then?
The decision therefore lies upon us on whether to do the induction that day (Jan 4th) or wait one week. After listening to advice from the MW, we decided that I would check in to the hospital that very day. I was going to deliver my baby! Who knew?