Induction

(Originally posted on 3/7/13)

Well since being induced isn’t as exhilarating as one might think I might as well write about our experience so far.

Yesterday, we had an appointment scheduled at 11:15 a.m. to do a growth ultrasound and check Casey’s cervix. They had gone out of their way to squeeze us in so we made sure we were on time. We got there and they were behind from earlier. While in the waiting room, Kathy (the nurse who coordinates all the appointments and things outside the practice) came out and told us they wanted to schedule an induction. I think the main reason being that they want to be in control of the situation. She asked us what we thought and we were both in agreement that we wanted to do it as soon as possible.

She said she’d let us know by 2:00 p.m. and then went on her way. The nurse practitioner checked her cervix and there was really no change from the last visit. She still wasn’t dilated.

The ultrasound tech Sara came and got us and we went to the back room for the last ultrasound of Elliot. The main thing that came from this ultrasound was that her had grown another 8 ounces putting him just over 4 pounds. There is a 2-pound margin of error and she told us they are generally bigger than smaller when it comes to that.

We left the appointment and for the last first time we didn’t have to make follow-up appointments. It was weird.

We had a couple hours to kill so we went to the bank and then ate Café Rio for lunch. We headed home and sat around waiting for the call to come. At 2:10 Kathy called and asked if we would be able to be at the hospital at 5:30 for a 7:00 induction. It was quite surprising just how quick the turnaround was. We were expecting to maybe go in Thursday night or Friday morning.

Packing commenced immediately. I sent emails to my professors and my internship boss letting them know about the situation.

We got to the hospital at 5:15 and checked in. After 20 minutes in the waiting room we were called back and placed in a huge delivery room! Jennifer was the nurse who got us settled. She is super nice and very accommodating. Her shift ended at 7:00 but she liked us so much she requested to be on our service when she got back this morning!

A resident came in and explained the induction process to us. Because Casey wasn’t dilated at all they placed a gel substance on her cervix. It is designed to ripen and dilate the cervix over a 12-hour period. They told us that it might take a couple twelve-hour cycles before they were ready to inject the Pitocin, which induces labor.

They put the gel in and the waiting began.

Casey’s mom brought us dinner at 8:00ish and then her dad came and visited for a while. We gave her a blessing and then Scott went home and Eileen, Casey and I dug in for the night.

My friend Zachary is an EMT and brought someone here at 4:30 a.m. I was having trouble sleeping and he just happened to text to see if I was up. I was, so he came up and we talked for a while. That was nice. After he left I fell asleep.

I woke up and a new doctor was talking to Casey about the next round of induction. She was only dilated to a 1 when they checked her this morning so they are using what seems to be a more heavy-duty procedure. Jennifer was back too! I’m not 100% sure what they are doing as far as the procedure as she had finished explaining it to Casey before I woke up.

Our favorite neonatologist Dr. Patel came in and talked to us. He is great at lifting our spirits. He promised to do everything he could for Elliot once he is born, imploring us to be as positive as we can. He said there is no point in trying if we aren’t going to think positively.

Now we are watching the Hunger Games and playing the waiting game some more. This new procedure seems to be working as Casey is becoming a little fidgety.

Please continue to keep Elliot and us in your prayers. We can’t wait to meet our son!

Thanks again for you love and prayers.

Jordan, Casey and Elliot.