Well, it looks like we'll need that induction after all. Freka appears quite content to remain in my uterus, thank you very much, so tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., Luke and I will head to the hospital and see what we can do to persuade her to join us.
It's been a weird day, and more than a little unnerving to think about having to jumpstart a process so intimate and normally so intuitive. I'm sure the baby would've come on her own eventually, but the longer she stays in here, the more on edge I get, wondering if her activity level is normal, if my placenta's still taking care of her the way it should, if her ever-growing body is going to fit through my wee-by-comparison vagina. I never thought I'd need an induction, but I still feel good knowing that I didn't rush into things the minute my due date passed and that I gave her some more time to get with the program. Now, though, her lease is up, and Momma wants to collect what's due.
Until then, it's time to clean up and go to bed. I've got a big day tomorrow.
(By the way, let's all give three cheers for Molly, who has moved Heaven and Earth to be able to come to the hospital tomorrow and see my baby. She's being charged with the very important task of updating this blog with pictures and news once she gets home, so be sure to be nice to her.)
Promise me that you won't waste a single minute feeling even the LEAST BIT guilty or sad that you are being induced or that your body didn't cooperate fully with the whole "before 41 weeks" thing. Because when you finally hold this baby, and kiss this baby, and get to know this baby, you'll know it was wasted effort worrying about the way she got here. That she gets here is the important part, not how or when.
Will be thinking of you tomorrow. See you on the other side, Frema. You won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Emily | December 16, 2007 at 09:14 PM
Also, P.S.
I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT HER NAME.
Posted by: Emily | December 16, 2007 at 09:16 PM
Good luck and best wishes tomorrow!
Posted by: Katie | December 16, 2007 at 09:32 PM
I'm so excited for you! Good luck tomorrow and get a good night's sleep tonight!
Posted by: christine | December 16, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Here's to a healthy baby and a safe delivery. I'm so excited for you!
Posted by: kenandbelly | December 16, 2007 at 09:38 PM
How exciting! For the past week I've been anxiously checking your blog, wondering if Freka's made her debut yet. I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow & hope everything goes smoothly!
Posted by: bdogg_mcgee | December 16, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Can't wait to see you (all three of you!!) tomorrow!!
Posted by: Molly | December 16, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Wishing you a safe and healthy delivery. Can't wait to find out her name, either! And yay for Molly!
Posted by: H | December 16, 2007 at 10:09 PM
An epidural, a little pitocin, and Freka will be out in no time at all!
We'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck, sweetheart. And congratulations to the new Mommy and Daddy, welcome Freka!
Posted by: Liz | December 16, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Your post made me think back to when I was induced, back on May 31st. And on June 1st, my boy was born. It was amazing and incredible, and it will be for you, too.
Can't wait to hear the good news, and her name!!
Posted by: Kelly | December 16, 2007 at 10:14 PM
WOO HOO! Good luck - I promise it will be the most wonderful day of your life. So happy for you!
Posted by: Stacey | December 16, 2007 at 10:15 PM
There's still time for Freka to come on her own. My mother went into labor with me when she was in the car on the way to the hospital to have labor induced. Perhaps like me, Freka just needs to know that her time is up!
Good luck tomorrow!
Posted by: Lisa | December 16, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Oh yippy! Just think, by this time tomorrow night she will be here. I have my doubts about the epidural. Maybe just breaking your water will do the trick. Your body has done a great job getting you to 5 cm. Thanks Molly. Hope the weather doesn't give you any trouble.Keeping the lot of you in my prayers.
Posted by: debi | December 16, 2007 at 10:24 PM
I really can't believe it! I thought for sure you'd have her in your arms by now! I bet you'll have a baby by 10am! Good luck and congratulations in advance!
Posted by: ambitiousmrs | December 16, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Debi: No doubts about anything please! Just think happy thoughts!
Posted by: Frema | December 16, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Good luck! I'll be thinking happy baby thoughts all day for you!
Posted by: Lindsey | December 16, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Good Luck! I'll be praying for you guys tomorrow morning, and we can't wait to "meet" your new baby.
Posted by: Amanda | December 16, 2007 at 11:08 PM
Best of luck tomorrow, to all three of you! Can't wait to meet Freka!
Posted by: Audrey | December 16, 2007 at 11:08 PM
Good luck tomorrow you 3 - oh and Molly too!
Do not feel the least bit guilty for kicking her out - it's time!! You got my 2nd set of twins beat by 10 weeks!!! WAHOOOO! Good for you!
Rest up.....it maybe the last for a VERY long time! Cherish every single moment - even if it hurts like hell!!!
Hugs
Posted by: Cindy | December 16, 2007 at 11:12 PM
The time has come for the coming out as you have planned. Good plan.
Posted by: daddy d | December 16, 2007 at 11:17 PM
Good luck! You and your (VERY soon to be) expanding family are in my prayers.
Posted by: Charese | December 16, 2007 at 11:53 PM
I'm so excited for you! And you just barely made it to the average length of non-induced 1st pregnancies :-) I am sure it will go very well - inductions done on women at your stage of dilation and effacement usually go great.
Posted by: Katie | December 16, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Take the epidural! It's great! :o)~
Posted by: Brooke | December 16, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Sweetie, don't forget that although women have been doing this for millions of years, up until the last century, a huge scary number of them have died in childbirth. Jump-starting labor is but one tool modern medicine has that helps you avoid that.
I'm so excited that later today you and Luke and Molly will actually get to meet and see and HOLD your darling girl. (And extra sorry that even my pessimistic due date guesstimate of yesterday was too early.)
Posted by: Liza | December 17, 2007 at 05:34 AM
I think you've done amazing waiting so long and letting things happen the way they have.
I know things will be wonderful with Freka, no matter how the events are started!
Perhaps she wanted to be a Christmas gift? ;)
Posted by: alyndabear | December 17, 2007 at 05:53 AM
i don't know if i've ever commented before, but i've been checking your blog every once in a while since amalah mentioned on the club-mom sight.
and, well? now i'm in. i can't resist babies. at all.
i'll be checking back for updates and sending thoughts of slippery babies that slide right out with very little effort your way.
internet hugs surround you, but you know that already.
Posted by: supertiff | December 17, 2007 at 06:48 AM
Good luck today! Can't wait to see pictures. How awesome that Molly will be able to be there.
Posted by: Erica | December 17, 2007 at 08:20 AM
Yaaaay!! She's almost here, for reals! Good luck and best wishes. And thanks in advance to Molly for taking over blog duties.
Posted by: Fraulein N | December 17, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Go, baby, go!!!! Such an exciting time.
Posted by: CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela | December 17, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Thinking of you, and looking forward to hearing all about it!
Posted by: Kathie | December 17, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Woohoo!!
Good luck!
Posted by: Bethany | December 17, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Thinking about you. Good luck!
Posted by: Hilary | December 17, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Tons of luck! I hope everything goes well and that you and Luke will happily welcome your sweet baby girl into the world very soon! :)
Posted by: Liana | December 17, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Thank God my daughter has tooth trouble and we didn't have to leave the house. All I can think of is Luke, Frema and baby Freka. Can't wait for Mollys update. Oh happy day!
Posted by: debi | December 17, 2007 at 10:39 AM
You and Luke (and bebe) will be in my thoughts all day.
Looking forward to the updates from Molly!
Posted by: Isabel | December 17, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Good luck Frema!!!!
Posted by: Christin | December 17, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Just adding to the chorus of well wishes. You've done great and you will be great today. This is very exciting and I cannot wait for pictures.
Posted by: Heather B. | December 17, 2007 at 11:38 AM
My mom coaxed my sister out by saying "PJ we want to see you. PJ it's time to come out now."
We're fully convinced that Alice came when she did because she was tired of everyone thinking she was a boy and calling her by a boy's name.
You'll do great today! And I'll be obsessively checking for updates.
Posted by: Anna | December 17, 2007 at 12:07 PM
I'm checking here and at lostasock for updates! I think you will get about 300 times more hits than usual today! Also, I think it is time for some live blogging :-D
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Cannot wait to see her! And find out her name!! Good luck to you and Luke. I will be thinking about you guys!! Eeeeee!
Posted by: Rachel | December 17, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Oh my God, how exciting!!! You're probably having a baby right now!!!
Posted by: Angela | December 17, 2007 at 12:42 PM
I am so excited for you guys!
All kinds of wonderful, warm, happy wishes to your new little family! I cannot wait to see pictures!
Posted by: Erin | December 17, 2007 at 02:39 PM
OK, seriously, I have checked this page it feels like a million times today! Hope you're doing well right now Frema and I can't wait to hear the update!! :)
Posted by: Jessica L. Tucker | December 17, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Yay! I'm so excited for you! You will do great! And I can't wait to see her!!!
Congrats!
Posted by: Christar | December 17, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Thinking good thoughts and anxiously awaiting news!
Posted by: Mandee | December 17, 2007 at 03:23 PM
squeeeeeeee! OH my gosh, you might have already had her by now! How crazy is that??? I'll be totally checking my Google reader every 5 minutes tonight, waiting for news.
And don't feel guilty or weird about being induced- she's fully cooked, it's time to meet her! :)
Posted by: Jen | December 17, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Jen -
don't rely on Reader - it's so slow! Sometimes things take hours to show up. Best be sure and check here directly. That way we can drive Frema's hit counter up to something like 40000 hits today :-D
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 04:39 PM
I have a update....
bre is 8 and half cent. and she took the happy juice they give you in the spine
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 05:17 PM
Okay what a relief to see that I am not alone here with the checking every 5-15 minutes for news.
Posted by: debi | December 17, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Oh thank you for the update auntie betty. It won't be long now. Bless her heart.
Posted by: debi | December 17, 2007 at 05:22 PM
fully effaced and loving her epidural. So maybe baby?
as of 5:30 indy time
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Thanks Auntie! I've been on this site at least five times today.
Posted by: Jenn | December 17, 2007 at 07:05 PM
There will be no dinner cooked until this baby comes. I cannot concentrate and who could blame me? Hey family, how bout some fresh made Fruit Loops?
Posted by: debi | December 17, 2007 at 07:51 PM
talked to her sister AT 7:00 chicago time and no one heard anything yet
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I just keep coming back...hoping.
Posted by: Rachel | December 17, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Baby Freka, come out, come out wherever you are! :)
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 09:08 PM
Hi: I talked to Molly....and as of 7:45p no baby. She stop dialating and they think the baby is to big to get through. Maybe a c-section. I bet she is going to be a
10 pounder! :)
Posted by: Cindy | December 17, 2007 at 09:25 PM
9:49 indy time , she is in c-section now
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Oh goodness!! ((hugs)) and thinking of you! Praying the c section is going well and she's in your arms!
Posted by: Kelly | December 17, 2007 at 09:59 PM
baby born info in a few
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Praying
Posted by: debi | December 17, 2007 at 10:09 PM
We are all thinking of you and praying Bree!
Posted by: Lindsey | December 17, 2007 at 10:12 PM
Congratulations Bree!!! I hope you are both doing well!!
Posted by: Rachel | December 17, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Congrats, Bree! Hope you are all doing well!
Posted by: Audrey | December 17, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Congrats!!! Can't wait to hear details. I must have checked this blog 300 times today. So exciting!
Posted by: Jen | December 17, 2007 at 10:49 PM
So very happy for you! I hope all is well. Congrats to you and your brand new little family.
Posted by: Anna | December 17, 2007 at 10:52 PM
So excited! Can't wait for the details. CONGRATS!
Posted by: Stacey | December 17, 2007 at 10:55 PM
She had the BABY!!! Molly sent me a pic on the phone! She's a cutie! I don't know the weight yet. I will let Molly reveal the name.
Posted by: Jenny | December 17, 2007 at 11:04 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to meet her and hear details!
Posted by: Kathleen | December 17, 2007 at 11:10 PM
11lbs 4oz 23inches girl
Posted by: auntie betty | December 17, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Sounds like a healthy beautiful baby! Can't wait to find out her name and see pictures!! :)
Congrats Luke and Frema!
Posted by: Jessi | December 17, 2007 at 11:45 PM
WOW. You DESERVED that c-section, girl! I've heard of 11 pounders in legend only. I'm amazed. Welcome to the mommy club...you're going to love it. Best wishes! Now WHAT is her name?
And auntie betty, I don't know you, but thank you for taking time for updates! :)
Posted by: Stacey | December 17, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Congratulations you guys! Can't wait to meet her and hear all about.
I'm so excited for you two!
Posted by: SJ | December 17, 2007 at 11:48 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Yay, the impatiently awaited baby arrives! And wow, what a big girl... Lots of love to baby and parents.
Posted by: Alicia | December 17, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Oh my gosh Frema!! 11 pounds!?! And I was SO smug about my 9 pound 13 ouncer. And you're an inch shorter than me.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I hope you heal FAST and can enjoy every second of your maternity leave with little Freka :-)
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 11:51 PM
Excuse me, I misspoke. I meant enjoy every second of your maternity leave with HUGE Freka ;-)
Posted by: Katie | December 17, 2007 at 11:52 PM
Holy Moly!! Congrats guys.
Posted by: Jana | December 17, 2007 at 11:54 PM
Oh, and the name. WE NEED THE NAME!!
Posted by: Jana | December 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM
I am in shock. How did they(Drs) not notice that this baby was getting so big? She must be a beautiful girl. I am so happy for you all. We all made guesses but none of us even got close to her true weight. I hope you are resting peacefully now after your long day.Wow!
Posted by: debi | December 18, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Rest well tonight! I am so happy for you guys. Can't wait to see more pictures!
Posted by: Jenny | December 18, 2007 at 12:37 AM