Pregnancy day 280...0 days to go!
Baby is now 20 inches long and weighs about 7.5 pounds.
So today is my due date and I'm still pregnant, yep - still here and no sign that baby is going to be making an appearance anytime soon! I read today that fewer than 5% of women deliver on their due date, but 50% deliver within 1 week of their due date. So I suppose it's not a big deal that I'm still pregnant and perhaps baby just needs a couple more days to cook before entering the big world. He seems pretty comfortable and continues to make lots of movements. I am feeling well too, if not a little uncomfortable at times, especially when walking. I have a midwife appointment later today where I'm sure we will discuss next steps.
I am terrified of being chemically induced though and am considering refusing chemical induction prior to 42 weeks, if it's offered before this time. This is because there are a number of risks with chemical induction, namely increased risk of:
I am terrified of being chemically induced though and am considering refusing chemical induction prior to 42 weeks, if it's offered before this time. This is because there are a number of risks with chemical induction, namely increased risk of:
- Fetal distress and therefore the baby needing special care after birth
- Forceps or vacuum delivery (ouch!)
- Epidural
- C-Section
- Placental and Uterine rupture
Also, it would mean that I would have to go to the consultant unit and would probably need to be continuously monitored which would restrict my movement. Of the 3 women I know who had babies in the past couple weeks, only the woman who was chemically induced had a C-Section. The other 2 women who went into labour naturally had vaginal births. So yeah, I'm a bit scared. But if the time comes where I must be chemically induced (because sometimes the benefits of induction would outweigh the risks) I will deal with it...it's just a little scary.
This past week I have been very busy. I met up with various friends, saw the Olympic Torch run through a village near-by, celebrated my 7-year anniversary with hubby and went out for a meal and did lots of cooking and baking.
This week coming I am not quite as booked up, only because I don't know when I might go into labour! I'm actually a little excited about contractions starting though....as strange as that sounds.
