Kind of.
This morning we hit the birth center early - 8:30 in the AM. They checked, and the fluid I was leaking was of the amniotic variety. They then explained their INCREDIBLY liberal policies regarding ruptured membranes - as long as there is no sign of infection (rise in temp, elevated white blood count, change in vaginal discharge) they do not require patients to go to the hospital for a medical induction. I must go in every 48 hours for a non-stress test, bloodwork and general check. They start the "you must be in labor within 24 hours or be induced" countdown when you have your first vaginal exam - I chose this morning to forgo a vaginal exam so that clock has not yet started ticking.
So remember those contractions I had in the night? Yeah, they petered out when I got in the car to head over to the birth center. I had a few while sitting for the non-stress test. The baby looked fabulous during the NST, btw - fighting against the monitors, having nice accelerations in heartbeat when I had my contractions and during movement. Since I have a lot of bellyfat the monitors did not do a good job of picking up the contractions I was having.
In any case - I've been taking the labor tincture the midwives prescribed each hour for five hours, and spending a copious amount of time bonding with my new breastpump. Since I have had just a few rather wimpy contractions during that time I think the time has come for the Oil of Doom. We are about to take a walk up to our neighborhood pharmacy to get some. I had a good nap this afternoon and ate a big lunch earlier so I feel ok, or at least not as exhausted and crappy as I did this morning. Regardless of my birth center's liberal policies about ruptured membranes, they do want me to get into labor sooner rather than later - and I'd like this baby to come within a reasonable amount of time. E has officially turned in her family leave forms so we must maximize our time. She will have to go back to work on February 4.
We'll keep you posted.
So remember those contractions I had in the night? Yeah, they petered out when I got in the car to head over to the birth center. I had a few while sitting for the non-stress test. The baby looked fabulous during the NST, btw - fighting against the monitors, having nice accelerations in heartbeat when I had my contractions and during movement. Since I have a lot of bellyfat the monitors did not do a good job of picking up the contractions I was having.
In any case - I've been taking the labor tincture the midwives prescribed each hour for five hours, and spending a copious amount of time bonding with my new breastpump. Since I have had just a few rather wimpy contractions during that time I think the time has come for the Oil of Doom. We are about to take a walk up to our neighborhood pharmacy to get some. I had a good nap this afternoon and ate a big lunch earlier so I feel ok, or at least not as exhausted and crappy as I did this morning. Regardless of my birth center's liberal policies about ruptured membranes, they do want me to get into labor sooner rather than later - and I'd like this baby to come within a reasonable amount of time. E has officially turned in her family leave forms so we must maximize our time. She will have to go back to work on February 4.
We'll keep you posted.