I finally have an answer to the question that seems to pop up at least a dozen times daily: “When are you having that baby?” Well, the answer is four days from now! It could happen a bit sooner, but at the latest, it will definitely be in four days. I know this thanks to my doctor scheduling the induction. That little nugget of information is the only thing keeping me from packing my bags and retreating to a cave until my little one finally arrives.
This is my first (and probably my only) experience with pregnancy, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride. I’ve heard tales of women who revel in their pregnancies; I even met one who adored it. But I just can’t seem to relate. My intense dislike for being pregnant is even more perplexing when I try to rationalize it.
No, I didn’t suffer from morning sickness or any other ailments.
No, it hasn’t been an unusually hot summer.
No, I’m not alone in this journey. My partner, his family, my family, and our friends have all been incredibly supportive. My partner, especially, has earned himself a halo for his patience. So, that’s not why I’ve struggled with this experience.
And yes, I will absolutely adore my child when he arrives. That distinction matters. Do I enjoy being pregnant? Absolutely not. Do I cherish my son and know I will continue to love him once he’s here? Yes, without a doubt.
As my belly has grown, the flood of unsolicited questions, advice, and horror stories has reached an annoying level. Recently, these interactions have sparked a new, alarming reaction in me that makes even a simple grocery run feel perilous. Before I set my induction date, even the benign “When are you due?” would send me into a tailspin.
It felt like the due date was light-years away. Each day, I’d negotiate a fragile peace with the realization that the answer likely wasn’t “today,” just to muster the motivation to get out of bed. And then, here comes a stranger with that question! Why would anyone want to remind me of how much longer I have to wait?
I’d find myself on high alert, battling a barrage of snarky or rude thoughts that made it impossible for me to respond with something as simple as “July 28th.” Instead, I’d blurt out responses like “Who knows?” or “Not soon enough,” or sometimes, I’d just freeze in the cereal aisle, leaving the poor inquirer to walk away thinking either, “What was that about?” or “That woman looks like she’s about to pop!”
But now, in this glorious post-induction-date world, I can cheerfully say, “On or before July 28th!” And guess what? I can say it with a genuine smile! Hooray!! Unfortunately, this happy news seems to invite unexpected judgment. “Oh, you’re inducing? You shouldn’t do that,” people say. Actually, yes, yes I really do want to induce.
It turns out there’s a stigma I was unaware of regarding inductions. Some people interpret it as being selfish or uncaring about my child’s well-being. (Did I mention this was arranged with a qualified doctor who specializes in these decisions?) I wasn’t completely shocked by the judgment; after all, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this pregnancy, it’s that everyone has an opinion on what you should do and how you should do it. They seem to believe that not sharing their thoughts is somehow a disservice to you. I anticipated some disapproval, but I didn’t expect the majority to respond that way. Seriously, can’t they see the smile on my face? I’m excited about this; why rain on my parade?
So, here I am, just four days away from meeting my son, from no longer being pregnant, and yes, from inducing. I’ve decided to retreat from public life. I won’t be going to work or out socializing. I’m staying home and counting down the days with eager anticipation. Because on or before the 28th, it’s all coming to an end, and you’re absolutely right—I’m inducing.
If you’re curious about other aspects of pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on treating infertility at the ACOG website. For those looking for a practical home insemination kit, visit Make A Mom, a trusted source for all your needs. And if you want to dive deeper into the world of home insemination, you can explore our other blog posts here.
In summary, this journey through pregnancy has been challenging, but the countdown to meeting my baby is finally here. Induction is a choice I’m excited about, despite the judgments.