29-4-2008 - To induce or not to induce...

My mood while writing this blog: unsure

I'm 38 weeks, 3 days today. My daughter was born at 38 w 5 days...

I had a wonderful, drug and epidural-free birth with Emily, my first child. It was extremely fast too..I awakened at 12:18 AM in labor (not painful, not even sure I was really in labor at all) and an hour later, we were at the hospital and I was 10 CM and ready to push.

Fast forward to now. Of course I want another L&D just like that, but there are other considerations:

1) I tested positive for Group-B Strep. I'll need antibiotics, preferably 4 hours worth, before delivery. My chances of that actually happening are slim to none. The docs predict this birth will be even faster.

2) I don't really have anyone lined up to watch my daughter. Family is very far away. If I go into labor in the night, I can have a neighbor come over, and I will, but this is not something I relish. I have to awaken my neighbor's entire household and get her out of her bed in the middle of the night and wait for my MIL to come, who lives about 3 hrs. away. If it's during the day, I have to get ahold of a friend (most of whom are moms involved in other stuff) for that 3-hour wait.

3) I've been 80% effaced, 1 cm dilated, station 0 for two weeks + (as of last Friday). I've been taking Evening Primrose Oil, but I have seen NO signs of my mucous plug whatsoever and I really don't think EPO is helping.

Induction of some sort (not necessarily pitocin, which I DON'T WANT) would solve these problems...somewhat. But I've been so against all interventions. Every intervention I invite increases the chances of needing pitocin, and meds. I've nothing against meds or an epidural...but since I had such a fabulous birth experience without them, I'd like to repeat that. I felt like dynamite after delivering my daughter. We breastfed immediately and were both so alert...

Lesser invasive induction methods, like cervadil or breaking my waters won't guarantee I'll go into labor soon, and then I'll need pitocin. Once they've got me in the hospital, pitocin is probably in my future. For anyone out there with planned inductions, I've got nothing against the use of pitocin...I just prefer not to have it. My natural contractions (without P) were very manageable...my labor was relatively easy.

I just don't know what to do. My next cervical check will be Friday, and I'll be a day short of 39 weeks. We'll see what my progress has been, if any, and I can discuss this with the doc then.

But I would appreciate any advice and opinions!!!!!!