Nine Months, Baby!
My little Christian is still snug as a bug! I am 39 weeks, 2 days pregnant. (I am also officially 9 months pregnant, as of today.) Last week I had made slight progression (dilated to a fingertip) and this week, I was exactly the same. Alas, all of those Braxton Hicks and backaches don’t seem to have been moving me along at all.
My doctors (I rotate through a team of five female doctors and one midwife) don’t want me to go past 41 weeks. They will induce if I get to that point, which is 12 days from now.
Today’s doctor spent awhile talking with me about induction. She said it would be extremely hard on me if they induced me now while my cervix is so unfavorable. It would take days for me to progress, in all likelihood, and induction increases the risk of needing a C-section. However, she also said that in inducing past 41 weeks, the risk of a C-section is lower as compared to inducing before 41 weeks.
I do not want to be induced – it increases the risk of other interventions. It makes me more likely to get an epidural because contractions come on more quickly and strongly, thus more painfully. If my body is not ready to give birth, I’ll be less likely to progress, which may mean fetal distress and/or a C-section.
Of course, induction isn’t the end of the world. Lots of women are induced with no problems. I know there are benefits to inducing once I’m a week past my due date, and I’m not against it – I just hope it won’t be necessary.
If you think of me, blog readers, please pray that my body will prepare to deliver my baby on its own over the next week and a half. It’s still quite possible - I’m not even officially “due” yet, and things can happen very quickly.
Either way, Lord willing, we will be welcoming little Christian into the world in less than two weeks! God is good!
The baby in the picture is so cute! Reminds me of Juliette. You know I’m praying with you.
I’ll will be praying for you.
Oh I am so excited for you as the time you will be able to meet your baby in person is getting closer 
Wow! You must be so excited! I will definitely be praying that you will be able to naturally give birth without needing to be induced and for safety for you both.
Blessings
Katy
Hello! I don’t think I’ve commented before, but we “met” a couple of years back on “Heart Thoughts”. I was so happy when I found your blog, not so long ago! I just want you to know that I’m thinking of you and praying for you – may God pour every good and wonderful blessing upon you and your husband and baby at this time!
– praying for you. God bless!
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and your prayers. They really mean a lot to me!
I’ll be praying for you!
Your Auntie Karen is praying for you, too, dear Anna. (And AJ and Christian, too . . .).
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I will pray! I was induced at almost 39 weeks and it wasn’t pleasant. I do know many women who have been induced w/out epidurals, though. If you do, ask for Cervadil over the cervix ripening “pill”. Cervadil is easily removed so if your body reacts strongly, they can pull it out and you’ll quit receiving the meds. Unlike the pill (Cytec???I can’t remember what it’s called…) which stays in until it’s dissolved.
However, I will pray you go into labor naturally! Have you been reading up on some things to do to help kick start it? You can e-mail me if you have any questions about that, I know MANY women who have had success using the techniques that a lot of books talk about. Walk, walk, walk if you can, too!