Update

I've been to the doctor twice this week. My appointment on Tuesday was fine, but the doctor wanted to see me again yesterday since I am now past my due date. The doctor's due date was February 19th, and the ultrasound due date is today. Still no baby.

Everything with me and the baby looked good. They did all the normal things, plus they hooked me up to a monitor. It showed that I only had a couple of mild contractions over a span of 20 minutes. The doctor did an internal exam also. She said that my cervix is 80% effaced, and I've dilated 2-3 cm. That's different than what the midwife told me the week before (3-3.5 cm). Dr. Morgan said my cervix could change, but I'm not sure if I believe that her estimate was accurate. I know that every doctor can call it differently, since they're measuring with fingers and not a ruler, but she did everything really fast. I could tell she was trying to get me in and out as quickly as possible, and the whole thing was quite painful compared to when the midwife did it the week before.

She asked if I want to be induced next Tuesday or wait until I'm two weeks past my due date. I told her I'd rather be induced next week, or that she could go ahead and induce me that day, because I was ready to have my baby! She didn't go for that idea though. :) So the induction is set up for next Tuesday at 5 A.M. Yes, 5 A.M. That means we'll need to be up by three so we can leave by four. And we'll need to call first to make sure that there is a bed available for me. (Emergencies take precedence over inductions.) The only other time I've been up that early was last May, when I took my eighth grade students to New York. By the end of that day, I was beyond exhausted. I can't imagine what I'll feel like by the end of my labor - if I am induced, that is.

The doctor gave me a few suggestions for trying to get labor to start early. We've already tried some of those things, but some of the other ideas (like drinking castor oil) are a little out there as far as I'm concerned. Other people have told me to go for a walk or drive down a bumpy road. I have walked, but not because I'm trying to make myself go into labor. I'm walking because I know that the more active I am, the better my labor will be. And as for the bumpy road? I am not that desperate. Isaac will come when God's ready for him to be born.

At my doctor's appointment yesterday, all they did was hook me up to the monitor. The midwife saw me this time, and she said everything looked great. The baby's heartbeat is fine, and she can tell that he's moving around and that the placenta is working properly. The machine didn't pick up any contractions though. Before we left, I asked her some questions about the induction. It turns out that she will be the one inducing labor, so I'm really happy about that.

Part of me really wants the whole thing to happen naturally, because that is the best way. Another part of me would be relieved to have labor induced, because that takes away all the stress of rushing up to the hospital when it's time. Either way, I'm at peace about it.

I've been enjoying my week off too. I've been getting more things done around the house, and I've gotten to spend a good bit of time with Wes. And it's been nice to have some peace and quiet. I know it will be the last time for a while that I will have the house completely to myself, so I'm treasuring every moment.

Also, I've been studying more in my Bible study, Living Beyond Yourself, by Beth Moore. In this study, I've been learning about the fruit of the Spirit. This week, I've been learning about peace. I think it's been a pretty fitting topic for me to study, in light of what I'm about to go through with giving birth and adjusting to life as a new mom. At the end of each lesson, there's a space to write how God wants you to respond to what He's shown you that day. Basically, what He's been showing me is this. Be still before Him, and He will bless me with Isaac in His time. God's timing is perfect, and there's a reason I'm having to wait a little longer for him. God knows what I need, so I don't need to be fearful about labor/delivery. God will be there with me and provide for my needs during that time.

So am I still impatient? I'd be lying if I said no. I am still a little impatient. But I definitely am much more at peace about the whole thing. That's why I'm not desperate to start the labor process. In His time...