Come Hell or Broken Water

If there is a natural way to induce labor, believe me we have tried it--except for Castor Oil, which I cannot find in Korea (gee shucks). The breast pump gives me the best contractions but is the least enjoyable. Acupuncture is relaxing and the signs on the way are a bonus!

This view is me looking down at my tummy.
Five in my tummy, one in each hand, more on my inner calves, feet and pinky toes,
then they burn the herbs (also at the pinky toes)

And I thought my feet were bad. Seems like these pics would have
showcased a better "after" with a little mani/pedi, no?
 And I think the pic to the right is to correct bowed legs?
I had no idea that was something people didn't like about themselves.

The most popular procedure in Korea is blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery.

Kyle and I stayed busy through the due date and the weekend with all our various natural induction strategies and stocking up at Costco for my parents' visit .  And while we had not achieved active labor by Sunday, I felt like I could use a couple more days to try to go "on my own" rather than being induced.

After talking to our Doula Sunday night, we made the decision to ask our doc to let us go a few more days.  I just really wasn't ready and felt true anxiety about being induced. I even cried. I really surprised myself.  Lisa (our Doula) said that it was our decision and that if we felt that strongly that we should talk to our doctor. I must say, I appreciate that Lisa is able to support and inform without offering an opinion.  On Monday Dr. Kwon agreed to delay the induction until Thursday.  Note: From what we've learned, Korean docs do not like to let people go past their due date. Dr. Kwon, very comfortable dealing with expats, has been most agreeable to our wishes, mostly because I have had such an "unremarkable" pregnancy.

Kyle took the week off in anticipation of our labor being induced on Tuesday. He was a very good sport, indeed, about supporting me in delaying the induction, even though he was scheduled to be off work. He was like, "It will be just the two of us hanging out, it will be fun!" And it has been. I told him he could go into the office, but he admitted--mostly because of the little episode of anxiety Sunday--that he would rather be here to keep me relaxed and calm. Yes, he is really that sweet.

Staying relaxed has been a challenge for both of us, I will admit, but not because of Baby C. More because of this:

Living Room
(we spent the day upstairs playing Wii and having a picnic lunch using our ironing board as a table)

Kitchen
(needless to say we ordered out for lunch)

Pete hasn't really had a problem staying relaxed.

Demonstrating the proper use of a body pillow

Anyway, contractions are more severe as time passes (pretty brutal one right now actually) even though they are not yet steady for more than four or five hours. I don't know what happened, but I no longer feel anxiety about the induction.

I feel like my body is ready and I feel positive about the result that might come from giving my body a little push, where on Monday I felt like I was racing against a deadline and was usurping my own natural process.

So, come hell or broken water, Baby C will be on his or her way!

:)sbc

PS--I finally had a "gender" dream last night: Twins. African American. Girls. I remember in my dream putting my arm against their bodies and being like, "Yeah, that is pretty close." So much for having a dream about the gender!

When I told my mom my dream this morning, she said that I am ready because I am now hallucinating. Hahahaha!