Labor, Being Induced: Are You Ready?

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I am a planner. I always have been. It makes me feel very anxious and uneasy when events have uncertainty. We found out all three times what the sex of our baby was so I could shop, decorate and have everything ready when the time came for our baby to arrive. Waiting for the moment that labor would begin was difficult.

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I was relieved when my doctor finally gave the go ahead to schedule the day that I would be induced. Granted, it was one day prior to my due date, but I was still thankful. My body felt so expanded that I imagined my baby boy was growing by the hour. After almost 10 months of build-up, the time was finally here.

At the appointment when my doctor gave me the good news that he would induce me, he gave me a few dates choose from when he knew that he was on call. It took me only a few minutes to pick the date that would give us a long weekend and start my husband’s time off exactly where we wanted it. The planner inside of me was happy. I made one final appointment to see my doctor the morning before I was scheduled to go to the hospital.

I couldn’t stop fidgeting in the waiting room before my doctor’s appointment. I kept playing scenarios in my mind about my appointment. Maybe he will send me over right now, I thought happily to myself. Like every appointment before that one, I thought for sure that I would be told that I was dilated to a six or seven. But the truth was I was barely dilated to a two. “A two? I have been at a two for three weeks!” Still, it didn’t matter because I was scheduled to go the hospital and start my labor tonight. My doctor’s final words were to suggest I call the hospital before driving over to be sure that they were ready for me. Sure thing.

I spent the day checking my packed bags and preparing my kids for the next few days that Grandma would be taking care of them. My husband came home from work, my Mother-in law arrived and I felt confident that I had everything taken care of. I was excited, nervous and couldn’t keep that jittery feeling from pulsing in my chest. We were ready to leave. The last thing to do was to call the hospital like my doctor had suggested.

“Hi, I am scheduled to be induced tonight and my doctor suggested that I call before we leave,” the smile on my face beamed as I spoke. She answered, “We are full tonight. All inductions are canceled. We will have to call you when we actually have a room available. It could be tomorrow morning or afternoon.” WHAT? The pulsing in my chest was now a horrible sinking feeling.

My bottom lip began to quiver and I started to cry as I hung up the phone. Did I just get bumped? My due date is tomorrow. I have been growing this person for 10 months now. It hasn’t been an easy ride. I deserve a room. When will I be able to have this baby? Nervously, I began to pick at the color on the nails that I polished so carefully the night before. My plan was gone.

To be continued…

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.