OVERDUE! But not really....

 For memories sake, here is a timeline of the past week or so (that I am adding to throughout the day today, December 17).

1. Smidgey is definitely headed south. There is much less pressure on my ribs. Still feeling great.
2. Mucus plug came out on the night of Sunday evening, December 14.
3. We received a call that our doula has had a death in the family. This means we now have the back-up doula, Kate. We had interviewed her originally and had a VERY difficult time deciding who to go with. They are two amazing women. We met with Kate yesterday, December 16, and are feeling great about having her with us for this part of the adventure. 
4. I may be leaking "waters" as of Wednesday morning, December 17.
5. 1:30 p.m. midwife appointment today for a non-stress test to monitor's the baby's heart rate and check the blood flow to the placenta and the level of amniotic fluid.
6. 11:00 a.m.: Just called Jim to tell him that I am feeling infrequent, but consistent low cramping. He is planning to come home at lunch at see how things are going. I am feeling really calm and happy. I am grateful to be at home in a comfortable, calm environment. 

(POST SCRIPT: What I didn't know while I was typing this was that I was in early labor. The low cramping was most definitely contractions. The next post will describe what followed after this post. It will probably take me some time to get it all down. On to the next adventure!)

A rant about induction, women's rights and waivers:

I would like to say the OBGYN Associates of Ithaca have a hang up about 41 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately it seems like this entire country has this road block. From my research, stories of other moms and our doula I have learned that most first time moms go over their due date. Keep in mind that the due date is ESTIMATED. In fact, at our 20 week ultrasound the midwife said that it seemed like Smidgey was probably 7 days younger than originally ESTIMATED. They did not move the due date, which at the time was a comfort to me. I was not interested in having a week of progress "taken away." If only I had know what a difference a week would make. 

Now Jim and I are being asked to sign a waiver that says we understand the increased risks of going past 41 weeks without an induction. See form below for risks. Yes, if put increased risk of stillbirth on a piece of paper and put it in front of a new mom, I can completely understand why she would say, "Induce me now!!!!" Note that this waiver does not actually give evidence to support these risks making it difficult to feel that we can make an informed decision. We have decided to sign the waiver (which doesn't seem like it would ever hold up in court) and speak with the midwife about reviewing the 20 ultrasound data to consider moving our due date. We have a 1:30 appointment today so they can complete a non-stress test. 

What I think we should be giving a waiver for is the increased risks with an induction. Although this pregnancy has been maybe the most wonderful experience of my life, I have felt surprised all along at the amount of things that are simply done to me/us. There is very little conversation and I surmise that there would be even less if we were seeing OB's and not midwives or if we lived in a place that was just a hippie village wearing the disguise of a university town. The entire system is broken and this is coming from a woman who has had an overall positive experience and is looking forward to labor and delivery. The science of babies is inexact. I get that. I don't even mind the more close monitoring of the baby as we go past the ESTIMATED 40 week mark. What I do not like is that lack of information and resources that has been provided to us. I can see why 1/3 births in this country are by Cesarean Section. Anxious doctors, old habits and synthetic chemicals that increase stress in a mama who is working to remain calm, release oxytocin and soak up every last ounce of this beautiful process.