As of Thursday, I will be 37 weeks. FULL TERM. “You made it,” my doctor beamed as she entered the room today. I could only smile and nod, because if I tried to say anything right then, I would have cried.

Next Tuesday she’ll perform another internal exam to see if there’s any progress, and I’m scheduled for a Fetal Weight Estimate ultrasound next Thursday. Now, the Fetal Weight Estimate is only going to give us a rough idea because it can be off by plus or minus an entire POUND. For example, if they estimate that he’ll only be 7 lb 8 oz by my November 5 due date, he could be anywhere between 6 lb 8 oz and 8 lb 8 oz. In that case, he’s probably average-sized, so we’d just relax and let nature handle things (up to a certain point). However, if the estimate says he’ll be 9 lb 4 oz, it’s more likely that he IS a bruiser. And if so, we’re probably going to talk induction.

So. The Official List of Possible Scenarios for the next 24 days:

Scenario A: I go into labor on my own. (Ha ha haaaaaa… ha.)

Scenario B: If baby’s fetal weight estimate (FWE) is higher than average at next week’s ultrasound (meaning, if they think that he will be 8½ lb or larger), then we will start cervical prep on the night of October 29 and induce/deliver on Friday, October 30—which also happens to be MY birthday. (Crazy, huh?! But the perfect gift!)

Scenario C: If baby’s FWE is average but he doesn’t make an entrance on his own by my November 5 due date, we’ll start cervical prep that night and induce/deliver the following day, Friday, November 6. (And we’ll still be home before my mother-in-law arrives on Nov 9, yay!)

Obviously, Scenario A is the ideal one, but the likelihood of me going into labor before my due date is pretty slim. My second choice is waiting until my due date to see if he comes on his own. Even if they predict he will between 8½ and 9 lb, I’d prefer to wait until I’m 40 weeks to induce.

I have mixed feelings about being induced anyway, as I have written before, whether it’s at 39 weeks or 40 weeks. First, it’s not truly necessary for ME (I don’t have high blood pressure or any other medical indications) and I’d rather avoid the risks that go along with being induced if I don’t need it. I believe in letting nature take its course and so does my doctor. Second, I feel like 39 weeks is too “early” to induce, and honestly, I’d just feel really weird about not letting the baby pick his own birth date. And third, I dread—DREAD—the idea of those horrible Pitocin contractions again. But I also remember QUITE vividly how difficult my labor was last time due to Oliver’s size (8 lb 12 oz) and the irregular shape of my cervix. I hated that it stressed Oliver’s little heart and I don’t want to put Andrew through that if I don’t have to. It is for his sake that my doctor has even considered an induction, and in the end, whatever is in HIS best interest will be the deciding factor for me. All I want is a healthy baby. Nothing else matters—not his estimated size, not what day he arrives.

One way or the other, he’ll be here soon! Any guesses as to when he’ll arrive?