A seasoned mom in her third trimester of pregnancy was beginning to measure large for dates at her visits and an ultrasound was ordered to get an estimate of how big the fetus might be. Yes, It predicted a baby greater than 90% estimated fetal weight, and although the ultrasound in third trimester can be off by one pound or more either way, a decision was made, after discussing risks and benefits, for a planned induction of labor at 39 weeks. Multiparous mothers (greater than one prior pregnancy) are pretty easy to induce or start labor in, for the muscles have done that labor dance before, and sometimes all it takes to get things going is a little Pitocin through an IV or AROM (artificial rupture of membranes) and the body soon remembers just what it needs to do. So we had a plan.
Two days before planned induction, the mother to be called the answering service with regular contractions. Since this was her 7th term pregnancy she was advised to head to the hospital to be checked out. Sometimes mother nature kicks in and God blesses women with labor prior to a planned induction when that's just what they need. On admission she was 6-7cm dilated, still had time for IV fluids and antibiotics for group B strep x2 and a few hours later was delivered by my on call partner, Meg of a healthy viable ...drumroll...11# 3oz... baby girl! Wow! One of the benefits of a natural, unmedicated labor and birth is that the mother can feel the urge to push and assist her body with the delivery. Great job, ladies, and welcome to the world baby Grace. Can't wait to see what God's plan is for your sweet life.
