3rd Birth: How I Felt About

Two Due Dates...

I had two estimated due dates. My obstetrician had one based on my last menstrual cycle and my midwife team had one based on my dating ultrasound. For my OB, I was due 2/28 and for my midwives 3/3. I passed both estimated due dates. I never expected to remain pregnant long enough to get to the later due date. However, I think the dating ultrasound was more accurate in terms of when I ovulated.

40 Weeks & Counting....

Once I got passed 40 weeks for both my health care providers, my obstetrician and my midwives, I started to get impatient for something to happen. My mom had come for three weeks and two weeks had gone by and I was still pregnant. I was worried that my mom was going to go back to her state and I would still be pregnant. Family and friends were regularly calling early in the morning, texting, or posting on Facebook if I had gone into labor yet. I myself started trying every natural induction I could think of to help move things along, such as I tried to walk a lot. I ate spicy foods.

Cervical Checks....

I declined all cervical checks from my obstetrician and membrane stripping, I allowed for my first and second pregnancy. When I finally got my cervical check at 40 weeks with my midwives, I was disappointed. I had hoped things would be further along, given that it was my third baby.

Labor....

Even though I had done this before twice, I was nervous! I want to say to the expecting moms out there, it's normal to be nervous, whether it's your first time or third, but a great support team makes a difference in addressing your fears and concerns about going into labor. My biggest fear with my first was the pain. How will I handle being in pain? With my second, how will I have a successful unmedicated birth in a hospital setting? And my third, how will I handle an unmedicated birth if I am in labor and pain for a long time or end up induced? The support from my midwives and birth team was a must in finding my strength as a mom.

My Expectations....

Some people say your third is your wild card, you never know what you're going to get. This was absolutely true for me. My third took me by surprise. It was my longest pregnancy, the most weight I had ever gained, and longest labor and delivery and longest length of time I've been pregnant for. I thought I knew what to expect and sort of had expectations that being my third this was going to be easier and go by faster. Wrong! This was longer and took a lot more work than my other two. I really learned the lesson, that no two labors are the same. You can have three children and have three completely different labors. Keep flexible expectations on how long or short you think the process is going to be.

Last Edited: July 14, 2017

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Unfolding Dreams

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