If this is too long, please skip to the last paragraph to help me with advice on delivery!
I saw my beloved doctor yesterday. He said things are still closed up tight in there but that with the pre-labor signs starting and all that, that he could be born in either December or January. (Remember he's due the 5th). He thinks this baby is going to be fine in either case now. He also said he would like for me to not go more than a week late since the baby is already measuring as best they can estimate larger than average and more each week, and he's concerned about that for me. But he also said he would not like to induce without me dilating first. He thinks that's too risky unless you have no other option.
I've also learned that I am so lucky in my doctor and hospital. I've been talking about the things I've learned about what my delivery options are and what both support with other mothers. Through that, I've found that many other moms aren't even told they have these options or are not given the support they need to make their own decisions. It doesn't surprise me that so many women are moving toward midwives and doulas for this very reason. I just got really lucky. One example is that most moms I spoke to thought there was only one way to have an epidural - with your body completely useless from the waist down. However, my hospital and doctor have made sure I know that I can go in stages and different drug cocktails if I'd like. They can give you an epidural mix that allows you to still walk around, get up to go to the bathroom etc, and everything in between. That makes me feel fabulous because if I go for that, I think that's what I'd choose first.
In other news, I called and left an anonymous tip about the parking garage attendant. After all your advice and thinking about how he was actually hurting his coworkers by lowering the money intake into the hospital, I felt it was the right thing to do. The greater good ya know?
Finally, I have a call for advice. Tell me what were the things you could not have lived without during delivery and recovery. OR tell me what you most wished you'd brought or done. It's all a big wide open unknown for me, but I'm trying to make sure I do my best to be ready.