Baby Not Included

I was hoping that by now I would have a wonderful baby announcement to share...but here I am, 13 days overdue.  THIRTEEN.  

Yesterday UPS delivered a new stroller (a convertible one that will hold my toddler and baby!) to my house.  The box cheekily declared, 'baby not included' -- the delivery man had a good chuckle at that.  I did too...how ironic that when I'm sitting here waiting for a baby to arrive it's not included with my delivery?!  I promised to provide the baby myself.

All joking aside, I am so ready for this baby to arrive.  I don't have to still be pregnant; this was my choice.  I just didn't think it would take this long.  I COULD have had an elective c-section and the baby would have been here two weeks ago.  I COULD have been induced days ago and the baby would be here.  I made the choice to try a VBAC and to wait to go into labour naturally.  I am still waiting...a little less patiently everyday.

I was induced at 11 days overdue with my first pregnancy.  I had wanted a natural childbirth so badly.  The whole experience was one medical intervention after another, and I desperately want a different experience this time.  My first experience felt artificial - the medical team was forcing my body to labour and deliver a baby that wasn't ready from a body that wasn't ready.  It ended with an emergency c-section after 24ish hours of horrible contractions.  I feel that this could have been prevented had my body gone into labour on its own.

Now, being 13 days overdue I have heard every bit of advice out there on "how to induce labour naturally at home."  Believe me, I'm trying.  I tried with my first baby too.  I think my body just needs that extra time to prepare itself.  My mother went two weeks over with her babies; my grandmother even went three weeks over with one of hers!  Every woman is different, but it sure is hard to be hearing the good news from friends this month who have been delivering their babies at 40 weeks.  I want to be holding and cuddling my baby too!

My baby is happy and healthy.  In the last five days I've had a biophysical ultrasound and two non stress tests to monitor fetal activity.  All is well - there is no medical need to evict this baby yet.  I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow at 14 days overdue.  I am slightly worried that I will be strongly encouraged to go through with an induction.  I guess I will soon find out what my - and my baby's - fate will be. 

In the meantime I'll be crossing my fingers that contractions will begin on their own shortly and I will have some good news to share with those who are also waiting to hear!