It's not much of a game actually, waiting for a baby that is now a couple of days overdue (by our estimate). On average, first-time mothers give birth about 5 days later than the due date for normal pregnancies, so we are not feeling hasty yet. Besides, the doctor's estimated due date had always been today (Jul-25), so as far as she's concerned, we are still "term". Maybe she was right-er than our FAM calculation, as good as estimates go.
We are still intent on letting labor start naturally, but if it doesn't, the plan is to induce late next week. Meanwhile, at least the non-stress test (NST) will be done, possibly along with an amniotic fluid index (AFI), or simply a full biophysical profile (BPP). This is all standard procedure for overdue babies. At the last doctors visit 3 days ago, everything looked great. Technically, there is no additional benefit for the baby after 40 weeks (he won't be any more ready to be born), but there is a benefit to avoiding medications to get things going (Lamaze). So we'll just wait a little while longer.
Waiting is not as easy as we imagined, of course. I now understand why some people opt for scheduled induction or c-section as soon as the due date passes. It's about managing expectations and anxiety. Delays like this are also a reminder that a lot will not happen according to plan, that we should be ready to improvise without notice. But ready we are! The hospital bag now lives in the car, and our support people have our birth plan (already in danger of irrelevance). Anytime now.
2 comments:
With the updates we have been receiving, we are waiting too. Praying for you brother. Your ready..
Parenthood is really a job every man has gotta do. Praying for the best for you
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