Year: 2011

I had another doctor's appointment this morning. We started with a non-stress test, which involved an ultrasound to check fluid levels and then monitoring to see how the baby's heart rate changed with her movements. Everything looks good, which is great. (Though I will admit to trying to come up with something they could find that would require a quick induction but not actually be problematic. I couldn't think of anything.) Then I met with the midwife, and while she was glad to hear that I've been having (extremely sporadic) contractions since Saturday and agrees that the baby has definitely dropped, she says I have still not progressed, cervix-wise. I was really hoping those contractions would have accomplished something, but apparently I fail at this.

We scheduled an induction for Monday night (yep, we'll be spending Halloween in the hospital, unless this baby gets a move on). We're to call at 6pm to make sure they're not swamped and then be there at 7 (please note that this is precisely the time of day we had hoped to avoid driving to the hospital because traffic is going to suuuuuuuck). Assuming I'm still not progressed at all, they'll start me with Cytotec and then give me Pitocin in the morning. (Though it sounds like they'll just keep giving me Cytotec until they see good progress, so it may take longer.) She warned me that inductions can take a couple of days, start to finish. So it looks like we'll be having a November baby, which is something I really never even considered. (Technically, I could still go into labor on my own before then, but it's not very likely.)

To make my day even more fun, I discovered that my car, which has been parked under a tree for the last week, is covered in bird poop. It's truly disgusting. Like I'm in any condition to wash my car at this point! Also, when I left the doctor's office, I couldn't get into my nasty car because the car next to me was parked too close (jerk!). I had to get in the passenger's side and clamber over to my seat, which was super fun and easy to do. But it's all okay because in the opinion of Random Guy in the Parking Lot, it's awesome that I'm pregnant because his daughter is flying from an island off Alaska to the mainland to have her baby today. Yes, that makes up for everything. (Actually, he was very nice and even offered to back my car out for me if I couldn't get in. It's just that there's very little in the world I don't resent at this point.)

Lastly, I discovered that the mascara I just bought (a curse on makeup companies who keep changing their product lines so you are continually forced to try new things instead of just sticking with the great one you finally found) needs replacing. Apparently, "water-resistant" is not even close to "waterproof" and will not hold up against tears. Stupid me for thinking it might be good enough.

Blah. If it sounds like I'm in a lousy mood, it's because I am. Hopefully I'll get through the next 5 days and have a blissfully easy labor that does not end in a c-section (I really think I've had enough surgeries) and I can write a happy blog next week. Cross your fingers.

Well, today's the due date. Big whoop. I saw the midwife again on Wednesday, and we've still got no progress. Everything looks healthy, though, which is fantastic. I have another appointment this Wednesday, along with a non-stress test (to monitor the baby's heart rate, movements, etc.) and we can schedule an induction then. I'm still really hoping she comes earlier, though! I don't want to do this for another week...

The day won't be a total loss, though: Kyle and I decided we'd go out for dinner tonight if we didn't have a baby yet. I'm betting we'll try out our new local California Pizza Kitchen, which never disappoints. And hey, mebbe we'll require dessert from the Cheesecake Factory next door. Who knows?