Wednesday evening Chris and I packed our bags and headed to the hospital with anticipation of the arrival of our little bambina Isabella. We checked in and thought surely we had good luck...we were assigned to labor and delivery room #1! As the nurses came in to to ask a million questions, I was receiving an IV by another. Mean while, Chris is at the edge of cracking up while I was holding my breathe and looking up at the ceiling trying not to concentrate on the pain that was only the beginning. Ha! That was nothing compared to the rest of the lovely stay in room #1. About an hour later, the doc came in to administer the cervix softener. I was instructed to keep it in for 12 hours and they'd wake me up at 5am to take it out and start the Pitocin which would induce my labor. After the doc left, Chris was so sweet and bought me my "last" meal (I wasn't allowed to eat the next day while taking Pitocin in case I needed an emergency surgery in case something went wrong). It was a BLT. Finally 10pm came along and the nurse gave me half a sleeping pill so I could get rest since I would need it for labor the next day. So...I zonked out and rested peacefully while my poor husband got stuck on a futon in the room. Later in the evening, 5 am came around. They took the cervix softener out. My cervix had softened, but there was no dilation. Immediately they started the Pitocin and said it should induce labor and dilate the cervix also. I was pretty excited at this point and was sure that my baby was on her way. About an hour later, contractions started. My contractions were steady (2 minutes apart). They had me set on a low dosage of Pitocin because they were concerned that if they went any higher, it would stress the baby. So, around noon the doc came into check on me. My cervix had only dilated to .5cm and I went from 80% effaced to 60% (which is the opposite way we want it to go). I was a little disappointed, but the doc said she wanted to continue the Pitocin for another 6 hours so I'd get it's full effect. Supposedly, it works at a slow rate. The doctor then said she couldn't break my water until I was about 2-3cm dilated. From that point on we waited, waited, and waited while staring at the walls until 6pm. We had so much hope and anticipation, yet I was so tired by this point and in pain. Not only did I have consistent contractions, but cramping was now playing a huge factor. I'll admit we we were getting excited. We thought that maybe the cramps were causing me to dilate. No....the doctor came back at 6:00pm and there was no change in my cervix! In a nutshell, it doesn't matter if you're having great contractions. If your cervix is not effaced at 100% and dilated, you can't push! Talk about a long, painful, and disappointing day.
The doc gave us our options and suggested that we try again next week. So...we're scheduled for another cervix softener next Wednesday evening and Pitocin to induce labor next Thursday in the early morning. If it does not work again, my doctor will perform a c-section that evening. Although little Isabella's actual due date is around the corner, she's gaining weight at an accelerated speed. The induction is in hopes that I'll be able to birth naturally. Who knows...maybe she's too big to even pass through my pelvis? Oh, I forgot we had another sonogram while I was in the hospital to confirm Isabella's position. She is head down. That's great news, but her legs are ginormous! Her legs are measuring at 42 weeks and I'm only 38 weeks along. She's going to be one tall drink of water!
To say the least, our first attempt at an induction was a failure. We were so sad leaving the hospital without our prize in hand, but we know she'll come soon enough and god has a good reason for her delay. Meanwhile, Chris and I have come up with an eviction notice above to vacate our little rebel. Chris is convinced that I'm spoiling her in the womb. She doesn't want to come out! I hope this is not a trait she'll continue to have once she comes out (being stubborn like her mommy)!
