GREG AND LARA

Top 10 Things I've Learned in the Last 5 Days

1. I am madly in love with Julia
2. Sleep deprivation = Insane and irrational behavior and thoughts
3. Always trust Greg who is sane and rational at all times
4. It is okay to supplement with formula if you have an inadequate milk supply
5. There is no time to do anything anymore
6. Greg can cut an umbilical cord after all
7. Labor and delivery is way easier than caring for an infant
8. You may think staying at the hospital is great at first, but by the end you realize it's not
9. Just because the baby's bald does NOT mean she looks like Greg!
10. Emory Reproductive Center did a great job of helping us create the most perfect daughter!

I am getting induced on Monday at 7am, assuming there is room for me at the hospital and my appointment doesn't get canceled. No, I did not want to be induced. No, this was not part of my plan. But yes, it is nice to know when this little girl is going to finally make her appearance.

I expected Dr. Cook to reassure and comfort me and tell me everything is fine at my appointment today, but that did not happen at all. Instead, he sat down with me before the ultrasound and asked me how I was feeling about things. I said, "You mean about the baby being small?" He said, "Let me tell you how I feel." Apparently he really didn't want to know how I felt. :)

He explained that I have been over-monitored recently because of two factors. The first is that this is an IVF pregnancy, and IVF pregnancies have a greater risk of stillborn births. He said because of this I am in a high-risk category. I didn't know any of this and was shocked and horrified since my deepest fear all along has been that I'm going to make it this far and have something happen to the baby. He then told me about how it happened to one of his patients just last week, and I said, "I don't want to hear this story. Why are you telling me this?!"

He said the second reason I'm being over-monitored is because the baby is measuring small gestationally. I asked what his recommendation was and he said, "I would take the baby today. There's no reason not to. Your cervix is ripe and you're ready to go. I'm on call next week Monday, Friday and Saturday and I would be happy to induce at any time." I then went and did the ultrasound Bio-Physical Profile, and she scored an 8/8 and looks perfect! I met with him again afterwards, and he said although the baby is perfectly healthy right now, he agrees with Dr. Carter's opinion that I shouldn't go past my due date. So basically he said I can go home and talk to my husband, but recommended I induce on my due date next Friday the 16th.

I didn't make any progress this week. I'm still dilated to a 2, 60% effaced, but the baby has dropped and is at a Station 2. She is in the right position.

I left the office feeling extremely conflicted and confused. After talking it through with Greg and family, I decided that if all three doctors have concerns, then I should probably listen to what they're saying and go ahead with induction. Then Greg and I decided if I'm going to have to be induced, then why not just go ahead and do it now. I'm officially on maternity leave, so I will just be sitting around the house all next week freaking out about my baby dying before getting to deliver. So I scheduled for Monday at 7am.

Since making that decision, I feel a little more at peace. Now I only have 48 hours to worry rather than a week. Greg says thank goodness nobody told me any of this earlier and that I just found out!

And with that, I'll leave you with the wise words of Dr. Cook when I expressed concern about being induced or having an "intervention." He said, "You have already had intervention after intervention after intervention just to get pregnant. So what is one more intervention that is going to help bring your baby safely here?"

Good point, Dr. Cook. Wish us luck!