First off, let me say how much I adore Dr. Halden. He's awesome. He never makes me feel like a crazy, neurotic mommy, and he is just great with her. I like a doctor that talks my baby through things even knowing that she won't necessarily understand the words. She seems to like him as well, since she always smiles at him throughout the entire examination. She's so charming. Just like her mommy :)
Anyhow, the visit went well. Ava now weighs an even 11.5lbs (50%), and is 23" long (80%). Her head circumference is 15" (25%). What a little cutie patootie!
I also had the doctor check on something while we were there, since it had kept me up all night worrying. Last night Ava took a bath with mommy, one of her favorite things in the world. As I was holding her facing away from me and letting her kick and splash with her little hands and feet in the water, I noticed something...unique. Ava's cute little baby butt crack veers slightly to the right. Yep, that's right. She has a slightly crooked butt crack (there's just no nicer way to phrase that part of the body..you should've seen me trying to mention it to the doctor without using the phrase butt crack. "Um, can you look at this...right here. Behind her. At the top of the back of her diaper." HAHAHA). Anyhow, when I naturally got all freaked-out mommy and headed to the internet, I read that this can be a serious indicator of undetected spina bifida occulta, or some other misalignment of the spine. It can also mean a tethered spinal cord. All three things would mean major spinal surgery on my just-turned two-month-old precious baby daughter. Holy crapballs. I naturally stayed up all night worried sick, while my wee one slept pretty peacefully next to me in her bassinet. Dr. Halden said he was glad that I had noticed and would happily check it out, but after examination declared that it was just a normal variation, one that would probably straighten out itself, and that her backbone was perfectly straight and closed. WHEW.
Then came immunization time. In case I haven't mentioned before, I am severely allergic to the Pertussis vaccination (the P part of the DPT/DTaP), and after my first and only dose at two-months-old, stopped breathing. Yikes. Anyhow, I've been dreading these immunizations basically, like, forever, and was quite nervous. I wanted to make sure that she had it, though, especially considering that I am not vaccinated, and pertussis is making a comeback both in the US and in my particular area. No way am I going to risk infecting her. Adults can handle it. Babies die from it. Anyhow, Dr. H was great about it, and had us stay an hour after to make sure that she didn't have a reaction, since mine was delayed. It was heartbreaking to see her get the four vaccinations, but I'm so glad that she's protected, and she recovered quickly. I then nursed her in the patient room while we waited the hour to ensure she was ok, and we went on our way.
I'm going to take this opportunity to get up on my soapbox for a second. Please, please, PLEASE vaccinate your babies. I know that it's becoming increasingly common to opt not to vaccinate for fear of the possibility of side effects/repurcussions, but I am 100% opposed to this practice. Yes, the diseases we are vaccinating against are rare these days, but only because of the implementation of such an effective early vaccination program in the U.S. The U.S. has also seen an increase in what were previously thought to be eradicated diseases since this movement towards non-vaccination. This stems from both increasing populations of susceptible children, and increasingly populations of immigrant children who didn't have the privilege of receiving vaccinations. I do not mean to imply anything negative about the immigrant population, but as we see increasing immigration from countries without the luxury of vaccinations, we also see a corresponding increase in the spread of the disease within the U.S. because we are leaving our children susceptible. Please, for your children, DO NOT think that they're invincible. Your babies rely on you for protection, as does the country as a whole. If everyone relied on everyone else to get the flu shot and no one actually got it themselves, we'd have an entire country full of bed-ridden and hospitalized individuals. PLEASE VACCINATE. OK. Stepping down now.
Off to hold my baby and hope that I can make the rest of her day can amazing to compensate for the morning shots!
Showing posts with label Visits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visits. Show all posts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Just Another Manic Monday.
This morning was my six-week postpartum visit (Happy 6 weeks, A!). It also happened to be the morning of the worst downpour I have ever driven in, and also the latest I have ever slept through my alarm. Oops!
The doctor's visit went well. I am cleared to begin training for whichever run I end up participating in this spring. While I'm anxious to get my abs back, I'm not so psyched about actually having to put forth the effort, but I digress. In other good news, I've lost all my baby weight. At this rate, ill breastfeed forever! I suddenly understand the skinny women with a two-year-old attached to their breast ;)
Now that we've knocked that appointment out of the way, it's off to Barnes & Noble and the post office to send my littlest sister's birthday gift (only two weeks late :/), and then time to go to work! Four and a half weeks until Spring Break!
The doctor's visit went well. I am cleared to begin training for whichever run I end up participating in this spring. While I'm anxious to get my abs back, I'm not so psyched about actually having to put forth the effort, but I digress. In other good news, I've lost all my baby weight. At this rate, ill breastfeed forever! I suddenly understand the skinny women with a two-year-old attached to their breast ;)
Now that we've knocked that appointment out of the way, it's off to Barnes & Noble and the post office to send my littlest sister's birthday gift (only two weeks late :/), and then time to go to work! Four and a half weeks until Spring Break!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
First Solo Outing!
Yesterday was my first solo outing with Ava. I took this extra week off knowing that I wouldn't want to have my first solo outing coincide with my first day of work, so I decided it was time to brave leaving her in the backseat by herself, and get back behind the wheel.
First stop - weight check with the lactation consultant. All the steps I have taken to increase my milk supply must be working, since little A is up to 8lbs, 8ozs. Score! This makes me so happy! Especially given that if she hadn't gained weight still by yesterday, I wouldve had to start supplementing with formula, which I really didn't want to do. Yay success! That makes all the pumping and supplements entirely worthwhile.
After that we met D for pizza rolls at Doubledave's, through which little miss Ava slept the entire time! She had no clue we had lunch with dad.
Then came the best decision I have made for my sanity as a mother: I picked up the Bebesounds Angelcare sound and movement monitor. This thing is amazing! While I wouldve said it was entirely over the top before Ava was born, knowing how much sleep I lose watching and waking up to check if she's breathing, I am now 100% behind this monitor. How it works is you place the movement sensor pad under the mattress and then set the handset units up just like you would a normal monitor, connecting the movement sensor to the nursery handset. The sensor is sensitive enough to detect the rise and fall of baby's chest, as well as his/her larger movements of course, and if at anytime it goes 20 seconds without sensing movement, an alarm goes off, prompting both the baby to move/breathe, and the parents to wake up to check on and possibly take revival efforts for baby. It literally saves lives. Best money I have ever spent.
Despite this new monitor, I slept like utter crap last night. Ava was on a sleep strike, and didn't fall asleep and STAY asleep until 2:45. Holy crapballs. That being said, I'm exhausted. Back to bed!
First stop - weight check with the lactation consultant. All the steps I have taken to increase my milk supply must be working, since little A is up to 8lbs, 8ozs. Score! This makes me so happy! Especially given that if she hadn't gained weight still by yesterday, I wouldve had to start supplementing with formula, which I really didn't want to do. Yay success! That makes all the pumping and supplements entirely worthwhile.
After that we met D for pizza rolls at Doubledave's, through which little miss Ava slept the entire time! She had no clue we had lunch with dad.
Then came the best decision I have made for my sanity as a mother: I picked up the Bebesounds Angelcare sound and movement monitor. This thing is amazing! While I wouldve said it was entirely over the top before Ava was born, knowing how much sleep I lose watching and waking up to check if she's breathing, I am now 100% behind this monitor. How it works is you place the movement sensor pad under the mattress and then set the handset units up just like you would a normal monitor, connecting the movement sensor to the nursery handset. The sensor is sensitive enough to detect the rise and fall of baby's chest, as well as his/her larger movements of course, and if at anytime it goes 20 seconds without sensing movement, an alarm goes off, prompting both the baby to move/breathe, and the parents to wake up to check on and possibly take revival efforts for baby. It literally saves lives. Best money I have ever spent.
Despite this new monitor, I slept like utter crap last night. Ava was on a sleep strike, and didn't fall asleep and STAY asleep until 2:45. Holy crapballs. That being said, I'm exhausted. Back to bed!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy One Week Birthday, Ava!
Wow, time flies.
This has been such an amazing first week. There has been a flurry of emotions running wild, but I can say with certainty that despite the depression, this week has been overwhelmingly positive and joyful. I've seen the fulfillment of a lifelong dream after all - I am a mother, I have a daughter, the three of us are a family. Is there anything more than that?!
Ava had her first pediatrician appointment this afternoon. She has already regained and surpassed her birthweight, weighing in at a whopping 8lbs!!! Holy moly. On top of that, she's measuring 21 inches! Is it possible to grow TWO INCHES in one week?!? I know a lot about babies, and that just seems impossible to me! The pediatrician gave her a glowing review, saying that she's absolutely thriving. She also went ahead and did her follow-up heel stick, since at one week you can technically do it, and said she would be comfortable not seeing us again until Ava is one month, since the main concern at their two-week visit is that they regain their birth weight, and little A has no trouble there! Not sure how I feel about that, since it seems half the point of ped appts is for mom to ask questions, but we'll see. I can always call in if I need to know anything.
We also talked about my depression, and she said that the medication they put me on is perfectly fine for breastfed babies, and is the frontline med for PPD. She said to call anytime though if I feel I need more help. It was reassuring.
Ok, Ava's asleep, so I should hit the hay also. Happy one-week birthday, Ava! We adore you.
This has been such an amazing first week. There has been a flurry of emotions running wild, but I can say with certainty that despite the depression, this week has been overwhelmingly positive and joyful. I've seen the fulfillment of a lifelong dream after all - I am a mother, I have a daughter, the three of us are a family. Is there anything more than that?!
Ava had her first pediatrician appointment this afternoon. She has already regained and surpassed her birthweight, weighing in at a whopping 8lbs!!! Holy moly. On top of that, she's measuring 21 inches! Is it possible to grow TWO INCHES in one week?!? I know a lot about babies, and that just seems impossible to me! The pediatrician gave her a glowing review, saying that she's absolutely thriving. She also went ahead and did her follow-up heel stick, since at one week you can technically do it, and said she would be comfortable not seeing us again until Ava is one month, since the main concern at their two-week visit is that they regain their birth weight, and little A has no trouble there! Not sure how I feel about that, since it seems half the point of ped appts is for mom to ask questions, but we'll see. I can always call in if I need to know anything.
We also talked about my depression, and she said that the medication they put me on is perfectly fine for breastfed babies, and is the frontline med for PPD. She said to call anytime though if I feel I need more help. It was reassuring.
Ok, Ava's asleep, so I should hit the hay also. Happy one-week birthday, Ava! We adore you.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Drumroll, please!
You may not believe this, because I know I sure as hell still don't, but I'm scheduled to be admitted to the hospital to begin my induction at 4pm on Sunday evening! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
They're going to start with cervidil to soften and dilate my cervix, and then move on to pitocin if things are 'ripening' at 6am Monday morning. HECK. YEAH. If not, we'll make decisions from there, but he mentioned maybe a second round of cervidil. It could very well be Tuesday before we have a baby, but um, THAT'S A WEEK AWAY! Holy moly! In one week, I should 100% no longer be pregnant, and be holding our baby daughter.
I was so unprepared for him to say yes. He hadn't even checked me yet before he asked me, "How badly do you want to have this baby Monday?!" Um, is that even a question?! So there you have it. 4PM Sunday, and I'll be MIA (unless I take the laptop with the intention of blogging throughout labor - ha!), and when I arrive back on the blogosphere, I'll be a certified mommy.
Now to start feeling a bit nervous!
On a side note, I think it's very funny that of all the mommy blogs I follow, the three of us having girls for sure are all being induced on the very same day, despite our different due dates. Good luck, fellow mommies of girls!
They're going to start with cervidil to soften and dilate my cervix, and then move on to pitocin if things are 'ripening' at 6am Monday morning. HECK. YEAH. If not, we'll make decisions from there, but he mentioned maybe a second round of cervidil. It could very well be Tuesday before we have a baby, but um, THAT'S A WEEK AWAY! Holy moly! In one week, I should 100% no longer be pregnant, and be holding our baby daughter.
I was so unprepared for him to say yes. He hadn't even checked me yet before he asked me, "How badly do you want to have this baby Monday?!" Um, is that even a question?! So there you have it. 4PM Sunday, and I'll be MIA (unless I take the laptop with the intention of blogging throughout labor - ha!), and when I arrive back on the blogosphere, I'll be a certified mommy.
Now to start feeling a bit nervous!
On a side note, I think it's very funny that of all the mommy blogs I follow, the three of us having girls for sure are all being induced on the very same day, despite our different due dates. Good luck, fellow mommies of girls!
Monday, December 14, 2009
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
I could just scream. And not the happy, excited kind. The are you freaking kidding me?!? kind.
Doctor's appointment went both good and bad. While it feels overwhelmingly bad, the good news is that my incessant water-drinking did in fact help me to shed 4 of the 6 lbs I gained last week, bringing my net gain to 2lbs over the past two weeks...ding ding ding. Back on track. That's a relief. I'm now at 26lbs. Whatever, I'll take it.
On another positive note(?), my abdominal ultrasound did not show gallstones. The negative there is that I experienced another bout of pain on Saturday night (though not as bad) and now we have no idea why....super duper. Maybe it'll just naturally go away as my internal organs return to their previous locations? Let's hope.
Also, I reclaimed my centimeter! I am dilated to 1cm, and still 80% effaced. Obnoxious. Better than nothing, but when I said, "So we can still have this baby in two weeks, right?!" I was met with a big, FAT maybe. Make up your damn mind, doc. Which is it? Do you just need me to come completely unglued in front of you all over again? Because considering I start most every appointment lately with an I will not cry at this appointment mantra, I'm pretty certain it can be arranged. Either way, D will be going to my visit next week with me for support.
What really gets me is that he seems totally willing to schedule a c-section, but is weary of the induction. Um, isn't that kind of backwards? Isn't a doctor weary of inductions due to their ability to lead increasingly to c-sections? And if so, shouldn't we at least try the induction route first?!?! I mean, I'm not the doctor here, but it doesn't take advanced medical training to see how that's not logical. And as any sane first-time mother would feel, I don't WANT to have a c-section. It's actually a total nightmare, and much more difficult recovery. But I feel like my options are these:
A.) Schedule an elective c-section so baby arrives on 12/28 and I won't spend my one week of paid maternity leave sitting around trying to will her out, and then have to return to work when she is two weeks old after having taken the two weeks off I can afford to unpaid, OR
B.) Spend my one week of paid leave (I can't change the dates because the D's are going on a trip and that coincides with my paid time off - already tried that) still pregnant, praying baby at least comes by her due date, and returning to work when baby is two weeks old, with D going back to work on her due date (his leave coincides with University leave due to Christmas break) aka while I'm in labor/delivery/recovering at first, and being out several thousand dollars in 2010 insurance expenses.
Can you see why I'm at my wits end?
Why can't this be an option:
C.) Attempt an induction on 12/28, wait it out and if absolutely necessary, then opt for a c-section, giving me an additional week of recovery time and bonding time with Baby B before I return to work, and giving D an entire week to adjust to our new family of three before he returns to work.
Isn't that clearly the best option?!?! Especially given that my doctor mentioned that women that have had cervical surgery frequently can't dilate on their own....which, to me, means I'll need to be induced anyhow?!?! WTF. I'm super pissed.
Not to mention, the first three exams I had weren't bad by any means, but today's hurt like hell, and at the risk of TMI, I'm bleeding pretty significantly from it.
I HATE BEING PREGNANT.
Doctor's appointment went both good and bad. While it feels overwhelmingly bad, the good news is that my incessant water-drinking did in fact help me to shed 4 of the 6 lbs I gained last week, bringing my net gain to 2lbs over the past two weeks...ding ding ding. Back on track. That's a relief. I'm now at 26lbs. Whatever, I'll take it.
On another positive note(?), my abdominal ultrasound did not show gallstones. The negative there is that I experienced another bout of pain on Saturday night (though not as bad) and now we have no idea why....super duper. Maybe it'll just naturally go away as my internal organs return to their previous locations? Let's hope.
Also, I reclaimed my centimeter! I am dilated to 1cm, and still 80% effaced. Obnoxious. Better than nothing, but when I said, "So we can still have this baby in two weeks, right?!" I was met with a big, FAT maybe. Make up your damn mind, doc. Which is it? Do you just need me to come completely unglued in front of you all over again? Because considering I start most every appointment lately with an I will not cry at this appointment mantra, I'm pretty certain it can be arranged. Either way, D will be going to my visit next week with me for support.
What really gets me is that he seems totally willing to schedule a c-section, but is weary of the induction. Um, isn't that kind of backwards? Isn't a doctor weary of inductions due to their ability to lead increasingly to c-sections? And if so, shouldn't we at least try the induction route first?!?! I mean, I'm not the doctor here, but it doesn't take advanced medical training to see how that's not logical. And as any sane first-time mother would feel, I don't WANT to have a c-section. It's actually a total nightmare, and much more difficult recovery. But I feel like my options are these:
A.) Schedule an elective c-section so baby arrives on 12/28 and I won't spend my one week of paid maternity leave sitting around trying to will her out, and then have to return to work when she is two weeks old after having taken the two weeks off I can afford to unpaid, OR
B.) Spend my one week of paid leave (I can't change the dates because the D's are going on a trip and that coincides with my paid time off - already tried that) still pregnant, praying baby at least comes by her due date, and returning to work when baby is two weeks old, with D going back to work on her due date (his leave coincides with University leave due to Christmas break) aka while I'm in labor/delivery/recovering at first, and being out several thousand dollars in 2010 insurance expenses.
Can you see why I'm at my wits end?
Why can't this be an option:
C.) Attempt an induction on 12/28, wait it out and if absolutely necessary, then opt for a c-section, giving me an additional week of recovery time and bonding time with Baby B before I return to work, and giving D an entire week to adjust to our new family of three before he returns to work.
Isn't that clearly the best option?!?! Especially given that my doctor mentioned that women that have had cervical surgery frequently can't dilate on their own....which, to me, means I'll need to be induced anyhow?!?! WTF. I'm super pissed.
Not to mention, the first three exams I had weren't bad by any means, but today's hurt like hell, and at the risk of TMI, I'm bleeding pretty significantly from it.
I HATE BEING PREGNANT.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
37-Week Appt.
First off, this day started off as hell on Earth, due to the FOUR straight hours I was awake last night. And as we all know, I tend to cry a lot when I'm overtired...so keep that in mind as you read on. Also, just to warn you, I'm too tired and fed up to even try to be positive right now, so this is going to be one long, massive rant, and I'm not even going to apologize for it. Consider yourself forewarned...
I woke up not feeling so hot, having slept a total of 3.5 hours, and was in no mood to go to the doc. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was nervous about my doctor not taking my gallstones seriously and so I may have gone in with a bit of a defeated attitude, just feeling like I wasn't getting the help/care I need. Besides being tired and upset, I was also quite hungry, seeing as how I'm terrified to eat anything for fear of another gallbladder 'attack', so that wasn't helping anything, since hunger + overtired + anxious = one bitchy, weepy B.
Anyhow, I get to the office, and am informed that they have made a mistake, and I should've been paying copayments this entire time, despite them telling me otherwise at 28 weeks, and so I may be getting a bill for $30/visit, and have to pay it starting today from here on out. While this isn't earth-shattering news, between my L&D visit Sunday and finding out last night I'll only be paid for ONE week of maternity leave, and that's Christmas leave I would've had off anyways, I'm feeling very stressed about finances and immediately freaked out. Super-effing-duper.
Next, I was weighed. And while this sounds absolutely impossible to EVERYONE, even my doctor who gave me a strange, disbelieving look when I brought it up to him while sobbing my eyes out (further proof that I doubt he looks at my chart at all before coming into the room), I GAINED SIX LBS IN SIX DAYS. Yep, you read that right. Which, as any pregnant woman should know, is a big red flag. But since my BP wasn't through the roof, he just said, "Well you do look puffier, and your weight gain has been so low so far that it's hardly problematic." I just sat there, wide-eyed, sobbing uncontrollably, and finally, after many visits of keeping my mouth shut as to be a good patient, let him have it. I told him how awful I've been feeling, how I never, ever sleep, how little I've been eating the past few days for fear of another gallstone attack and how I lie awake at night fairly certain I'm losing my mind as I plot ways to get the baby to come out for fear I'm going to lose it entirely and test my surgical skills myself. And finally, finally, I got a reaction. My normally laidback doctor finally abandoned his laissez faire attitude to realize that for whatever reason, I am not cut out for this experience, and said that if I am not making progress that would make for a favorable induction on the 28th, and I want an elective c-section, that he will not make me go past the 28th, if I can hang on that long. Frankly, I think he thinks I'm losing my mind. And because of my fear of postpartum depression and psychosis, and my family history of it, his fears are probably warranted. While I know that most women at the end of their pregnancy feel at the end of their rope, I think I may be feeling things that are a bit more serious and desolate than that. While I don't exactly want him to think I'm a nutcase, especially since he wasn't my doctor before I was pregnant and doesn't realize that I'm actually a pretty sane, reasonable, emotionally stable individual, I am happy to have him taking things seriously for a change.
His nurse also scheduled the abdominal ultrasound for me, though it did require me to say, "Even if you don't think it's critical right now, I do, so just do it." And so they did.
In other shitty news, I'm Group B Strep positive. While that means something as silly as just needing antibiotics, it was earth-shattering news to hear in the midst of my mental collapse at his office. Oh, and he forgot to tell me. I overheard the nurse telling the other nurse to notate it in my chart. Good thing I'm a good listener.
Abdominal ultrasound is scheduled for Thursday morning. Until then, I can't eat any meat, dairy, or fat. That's right. Fat free meals beforehand, and fasting after midnight tomorrow. As if I have any appetite at all after gaining a pound a day. He wanted to see me back on Friday, but seeing as how I now have to pay a $30 copay per visit, I just scheduled it for Monday to combine that follow-up with next week's visit.
I am so frustrated and overtired. I'm just praying that the next 20 days flies by, or that my body decides I've had enough beforehand.
I woke up not feeling so hot, having slept a total of 3.5 hours, and was in no mood to go to the doc. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was nervous about my doctor not taking my gallstones seriously and so I may have gone in with a bit of a defeated attitude, just feeling like I wasn't getting the help/care I need. Besides being tired and upset, I was also quite hungry, seeing as how I'm terrified to eat anything for fear of another gallbladder 'attack', so that wasn't helping anything, since hunger + overtired + anxious = one bitchy, weepy B.
Anyhow, I get to the office, and am informed that they have made a mistake, and I should've been paying copayments this entire time, despite them telling me otherwise at 28 weeks, and so I may be getting a bill for $30/visit, and have to pay it starting today from here on out. While this isn't earth-shattering news, between my L&D visit Sunday and finding out last night I'll only be paid for ONE week of maternity leave, and that's Christmas leave I would've had off anyways, I'm feeling very stressed about finances and immediately freaked out. Super-effing-duper.
Next, I was weighed. And while this sounds absolutely impossible to EVERYONE, even my doctor who gave me a strange, disbelieving look when I brought it up to him while sobbing my eyes out (further proof that I doubt he looks at my chart at all before coming into the room), I GAINED SIX LBS IN SIX DAYS. Yep, you read that right. Which, as any pregnant woman should know, is a big red flag. But since my BP wasn't through the roof, he just said, "Well you do look puffier, and your weight gain has been so low so far that it's hardly problematic." I just sat there, wide-eyed, sobbing uncontrollably, and finally, after many visits of keeping my mouth shut as to be a good patient, let him have it. I told him how awful I've been feeling, how I never, ever sleep, how little I've been eating the past few days for fear of another gallstone attack and how I lie awake at night fairly certain I'm losing my mind as I plot ways to get the baby to come out for fear I'm going to lose it entirely and test my surgical skills myself. And finally, finally, I got a reaction. My normally laidback doctor finally abandoned his laissez faire attitude to realize that for whatever reason, I am not cut out for this experience, and said that if I am not making progress that would make for a favorable induction on the 28th, and I want an elective c-section, that he will not make me go past the 28th, if I can hang on that long. Frankly, I think he thinks I'm losing my mind. And because of my fear of postpartum depression and psychosis, and my family history of it, his fears are probably warranted. While I know that most women at the end of their pregnancy feel at the end of their rope, I think I may be feeling things that are a bit more serious and desolate than that. While I don't exactly want him to think I'm a nutcase, especially since he wasn't my doctor before I was pregnant and doesn't realize that I'm actually a pretty sane, reasonable, emotionally stable individual, I am happy to have him taking things seriously for a change.
His nurse also scheduled the abdominal ultrasound for me, though it did require me to say, "Even if you don't think it's critical right now, I do, so just do it." And so they did.
In other shitty news, I'm Group B Strep positive. While that means something as silly as just needing antibiotics, it was earth-shattering news to hear in the midst of my mental collapse at his office. Oh, and he forgot to tell me. I overheard the nurse telling the other nurse to notate it in my chart. Good thing I'm a good listener.
Abdominal ultrasound is scheduled for Thursday morning. Until then, I can't eat any meat, dairy, or fat. That's right. Fat free meals beforehand, and fasting after midnight tomorrow. As if I have any appetite at all after gaining a pound a day. He wanted to see me back on Friday, but seeing as how I now have to pay a $30 copay per visit, I just scheduled it for Monday to combine that follow-up with next week's visit.
I am so frustrated and overtired. I'm just praying that the next 20 days flies by, or that my body decides I've had enough beforehand.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
36-Week Appointment!
My sights have been set on today for a whiiiiiile. My every hope of having this baby before Christmas was resting on this appointment. Sound like a recipe for an enormous letdown to anyone else?!
First off, let me say that there are some horror stories out there about the pain of cervical exams. God knows at my first I was shaking in my boots (not proverbial boots, either, people. It's freakin' cold here!) Let me assure you: THEY ARE NOT THAT BAD. Nothing to lose sleep over, that's for sure. There was maybe a good five seconds where I wanted to say, "Excuse me, but could you please remove your hand immediately?!" Then, it was over. The best part of my appointment today was definitely when I asked my charming, handsome 35-year-old doctor if it was going to hurt, only to have him reply, "Seeing as I'm the only one in the room without a vagina, I can't tell you for sure, but it may get uncomfortable." And then he winked at me. If that's why I was so relaxed during the exam, so be it :)
There was also a low point, though. When asking if he needed me to undress for the exam he turned back around and said, "How far along are you?" Um, I'm not a doctor or anything, but shouldn't you know that, or at least have consulted my chart for a second before coming into the room?!? Maybe he's just a jokester...I hope. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me when he can't remember what week I'm in...at my 36-week visit.
Ok - so down to the nitty gritty. Miracle of miracles, I did NOT gain excessive weight due to Thanksgiving...just 2 lbs. since 2 weeks ago. I was worried that all the chocolate chip banana bread I'd been scarfing morning, noon and night would put on this visit's two pounds and the prior visit's two pounds as well, but I somehow got to escape those two without any penalty...cha-ching! I'm officially at 24 lbs. gained for my pregnancy. With three and a half weeks to go, that should bring me to a total of 27-28 lbs. I can live with that!!!
As for the exam, here's the depressing part. I am not dilated. That 1cm I claimed four weeks ago? She's gone. Zilch. Zip. Nada. I am, however, 50% effaced, which he assured me was more important. On top of that, my cervix has moved from facing the back of my body (posterior), to neutral-anterior, which means it's rapidly approaching it's final position to let out Baby B. AND Baby B is engaged, with her head being not just in the birth canal, but putting quite a bit of pressure on it. Dr. R said sometimes he can feel the baby's head but they'll still spring back up a bit, but that Baby B was set in her final position. That's great news, since if she hadn't budged, they were going to have to try to manually move her....ouch. My risk of having a c-section (unless she spazzes out completely and finds herself transverse again) has just tanked, at least until the actual day of...good news!
After typing the above paragraph, I've drawn two conclusions. First of all, TMI. Sorry folks, I'm sure you're not dying to hear about my cervix, but pregnancy and childbirth aren't for the faint of heart, so if you're weirded out, rest assured that I am too, and we can be weirded out together while I update you on my progress :) Second: I left the doctor's office practically in tears, and did what any reasonable, disappointed, sick-of-being-pregnant woman would do. I took to my BlackBerry and went searching for information. And from what I've read and discussed with family, it seems like in first-time mommies effacement is a.) more important, and b.) a more reliable sign of progress, especially when coupled with an anterior cervix and engagement. Baby B seems to be setting up shop to lay on the pressure and get things going. I'm totally fine with that now.
My 37-week appt. will be Tuesday since my doc is heading out of the office for the remainder of the week after that. I'll only be 36w3d, but I'm hoping for either more effacement or a centimeter of dilation...any suggestions on how to make this happen?
First off, let me say that there are some horror stories out there about the pain of cervical exams. God knows at my first I was shaking in my boots (not proverbial boots, either, people. It's freakin' cold here!) Let me assure you: THEY ARE NOT THAT BAD. Nothing to lose sleep over, that's for sure. There was maybe a good five seconds where I wanted to say, "Excuse me, but could you please remove your hand immediately?!" Then, it was over. The best part of my appointment today was definitely when I asked my charming, handsome 35-year-old doctor if it was going to hurt, only to have him reply, "Seeing as I'm the only one in the room without a vagina, I can't tell you for sure, but it may get uncomfortable." And then he winked at me. If that's why I was so relaxed during the exam, so be it :)
There was also a low point, though. When asking if he needed me to undress for the exam he turned back around and said, "How far along are you?" Um, I'm not a doctor or anything, but shouldn't you know that, or at least have consulted my chart for a second before coming into the room?!? Maybe he's just a jokester...I hope. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me when he can't remember what week I'm in...at my 36-week visit.
Ok - so down to the nitty gritty. Miracle of miracles, I did NOT gain excessive weight due to Thanksgiving...just 2 lbs. since 2 weeks ago. I was worried that all the chocolate chip banana bread I'd been scarfing morning, noon and night would put on this visit's two pounds and the prior visit's two pounds as well, but I somehow got to escape those two without any penalty...cha-ching! I'm officially at 24 lbs. gained for my pregnancy. With three and a half weeks to go, that should bring me to a total of 27-28 lbs. I can live with that!!!
As for the exam, here's the depressing part. I am not dilated. That 1cm I claimed four weeks ago? She's gone. Zilch. Zip. Nada. I am, however, 50% effaced, which he assured me was more important. On top of that, my cervix has moved from facing the back of my body (posterior), to neutral-anterior, which means it's rapidly approaching it's final position to let out Baby B. AND Baby B is engaged, with her head being not just in the birth canal, but putting quite a bit of pressure on it. Dr. R said sometimes he can feel the baby's head but they'll still spring back up a bit, but that Baby B was set in her final position. That's great news, since if she hadn't budged, they were going to have to try to manually move her....ouch. My risk of having a c-section (unless she spazzes out completely and finds herself transverse again) has just tanked, at least until the actual day of...good news!
After typing the above paragraph, I've drawn two conclusions. First of all, TMI. Sorry folks, I'm sure you're not dying to hear about my cervix, but pregnancy and childbirth aren't for the faint of heart, so if you're weirded out, rest assured that I am too, and we can be weirded out together while I update you on my progress :) Second: I left the doctor's office practically in tears, and did what any reasonable, disappointed, sick-of-being-pregnant woman would do. I took to my BlackBerry and went searching for information. And from what I've read and discussed with family, it seems like in first-time mommies effacement is a.) more important, and b.) a more reliable sign of progress, especially when coupled with an anterior cervix and engagement. Baby B seems to be setting up shop to lay on the pressure and get things going. I'm totally fine with that now.
My 37-week appt. will be Tuesday since my doc is heading out of the office for the remainder of the week after that. I'll only be 36w3d, but I'm hoping for either more effacement or a centimeter of dilation...any suggestions on how to make this happen?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
34-Week Appointment!
My appointment this morning went very well. First off, I hadn't gained any weight. Maybe .2 of a pound or something, but overall, no weight gain. YAY! And before certain individuals start lecturing me, know that when I asked my doctor about this he said that it's perfectly fine, and that he's not concerned about it a shred. That brings me to a total of 21 lbs. in 34 weeks. Not too shabby! I'm definitely on track to stay under 30, which is my goal. Or at least it has been, since I realized keeping it to 25 probably wasn't going to happen, nor did my doctor want me to.
It was hard at first for them to find Baby B's heartbeat. Despite having felt her move as I was laying back for them to measure me and use the doppler to find her heartbeat, my heart stood still for a minute as I watched the nurse search and search. When she finally did find it, it was up right near my rib cage, further adding to my suspicions that Baby B is breech, if not flat out transverse. Either that or she's got her legs split to kick me on each far side, and has a long torso! Dr. R said not to worry about it for the time being - she still has time to drop. If she hasn't by my 36-week appointment, though, he may need to try an external version to get her to move. Doesn't sound too fun, but I'm hoping she'll settle on in where she should be with due time. If she won't move, though, it'll be c-section time, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there!
I haven't mentioned this because it's just plain weird, but I've been experiencing a touch of pica. For those of you unfamiliar with this condition, it's the experience of craving non-food objects. Many times people will crave dirt, gravel, etc., but in my case it's shown it's affections for toothpaste, aspirin and paper. I haven't acted on these cravings, of course, but I will freely admit that it's the strangest thing in the world to ask yourself, "What do I feel like eating?" and have your inner voice respond, "A napkin." My doctor said that this is very common in pregnant women so not to be upset by it, but to be sure not to act on any of the cravings, particularly aspirin. Well, duh. Anyway, I mention this not only to single myself out as a freak of nature, but so that if anyone else out there is experiencing this same phenomenon, now you know that not only are you not alone, but you're considered par for the course.
With regards to my near trip to L&D a week and a half ago, my doc said that this is likely to start occuring more and more often and with more intensity, and that if I have more than ten contractions in the course of an hour, to go to the hospital and call him immediately. Other than that, to trust my judgment like I did before :) It seems for as much as his nurse seems to dismiss my concerns as overreacting, my doctor and I seem to be on the same wavelength, for which I am eternally grateful.
Two weeks until my 36-week appointment, and then weekly from there on out until Baby B arrives! YAY! The only crappy thing is that from here on out I'll have weekly cervical checks, and I'm not really psyched for that. Oh well, though. At least she'll be closer to being here!
It was hard at first for them to find Baby B's heartbeat. Despite having felt her move as I was laying back for them to measure me and use the doppler to find her heartbeat, my heart stood still for a minute as I watched the nurse search and search. When she finally did find it, it was up right near my rib cage, further adding to my suspicions that Baby B is breech, if not flat out transverse. Either that or she's got her legs split to kick me on each far side, and has a long torso! Dr. R said not to worry about it for the time being - she still has time to drop. If she hasn't by my 36-week appointment, though, he may need to try an external version to get her to move. Doesn't sound too fun, but I'm hoping she'll settle on in where she should be with due time. If she won't move, though, it'll be c-section time, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there!
I haven't mentioned this because it's just plain weird, but I've been experiencing a touch of pica. For those of you unfamiliar with this condition, it's the experience of craving non-food objects. Many times people will crave dirt, gravel, etc., but in my case it's shown it's affections for toothpaste, aspirin and paper. I haven't acted on these cravings, of course, but I will freely admit that it's the strangest thing in the world to ask yourself, "What do I feel like eating?" and have your inner voice respond, "A napkin." My doctor said that this is very common in pregnant women so not to be upset by it, but to be sure not to act on any of the cravings, particularly aspirin. Well, duh. Anyway, I mention this not only to single myself out as a freak of nature, but so that if anyone else out there is experiencing this same phenomenon, now you know that not only are you not alone, but you're considered par for the course.
With regards to my near trip to L&D a week and a half ago, my doc said that this is likely to start occuring more and more often and with more intensity, and that if I have more than ten contractions in the course of an hour, to go to the hospital and call him immediately. Other than that, to trust my judgment like I did before :) It seems for as much as his nurse seems to dismiss my concerns as overreacting, my doctor and I seem to be on the same wavelength, for which I am eternally grateful.
Two weeks until my 36-week appointment, and then weekly from there on out until Baby B arrives! YAY! The only crappy thing is that from here on out I'll have weekly cervical checks, and I'm not really psyched for that. Oh well, though. At least she'll be closer to being here!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
32-Week Appointment!
My 32-week appointment was today, moved up from tomorrow due to some chest pains I started having Sunday night that have continued a few times a day. My doc isn't too worried, since I have had intermittent chest pain since I was little, but told me to call ASAP if they're accompanied by any shortness of breath, pressure or a squeezing sensation in my chest, or pain in my left side, between my shoulder blades or in my face.
The other news? I'm starting to dilate! Apparently the pain I've been having that they thought was Round Ligament Pain (but I figured wasn't, since I've been having it when lying down, waking me up at night, etc.) has been the start of real contractions, though they're not very intense just yet (*Note: If this is what he considers "not very intense", I'm going to need to be hooked up to a constant epidural starting in about three weeks!). He said that this is normal, and that they're probably going to start to occur more frequently and with more intensity in the coming weeks. AWESOME! I know I shouldn't be nearly this excited, but he gave me a definite green light on the induction since my body is starting to 'ready itself' already, and said we have a good shot at a pre-Christmas baby! These are all things I love to hear, despite how unpredictable labor is and how frequently doctors can be wrong about these things. I know all that - but this gives me hope!
Apparently my excessive thirst is normal as well - he actually recommends drinking a gallon of water a day. For those of you who aren't too keen on conversions, that's SIXTEEN glasses of water a DAY. No joke. I am topping out between 12-14, so though I won't be hustling to fit those other 2-4 in, it's good to know that my thirst isn't a symptom of a larger problem!
Next appointment - 11/18 at 34 weeks! Two weeks after that start the weekly appointments. Despite my impatience, time is starting to fly by :)
The other news? I'm starting to dilate! Apparently the pain I've been having that they thought was Round Ligament Pain (but I figured wasn't, since I've been having it when lying down, waking me up at night, etc.) has been the start of real contractions, though they're not very intense just yet (*Note: If this is what he considers "not very intense", I'm going to need to be hooked up to a constant epidural starting in about three weeks!). He said that this is normal, and that they're probably going to start to occur more frequently and with more intensity in the coming weeks. AWESOME! I know I shouldn't be nearly this excited, but he gave me a definite green light on the induction since my body is starting to 'ready itself' already, and said we have a good shot at a pre-Christmas baby! These are all things I love to hear, despite how unpredictable labor is and how frequently doctors can be wrong about these things. I know all that - but this gives me hope!
Apparently my excessive thirst is normal as well - he actually recommends drinking a gallon of water a day. For those of you who aren't too keen on conversions, that's SIXTEEN glasses of water a DAY. No joke. I am topping out between 12-14, so though I won't be hustling to fit those other 2-4 in, it's good to know that my thirst isn't a symptom of a larger problem!
Next appointment - 11/18 at 34 weeks! Two weeks after that start the weekly appointments. Despite my impatience, time is starting to fly by :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
One More Day!
Tomorrow night my mom is coming into town to visit and help throw my baby shower - SO exciting! She hasn't been to Texas since my college graduation four-and-a-half years ago, so it's high time I must say! Makes me feel less guilty about my once yearly trips ;)
I'm VERY excited to see her, and to be honest, have some help with the baby shower. While technically I'm not throwing it, as I've mentioned before I've had to do all the planning up until now since she doesn't know any of my friends/the area, so it'll be a HUGE relief to have someone else to set up, have decorating ideas, etc. We're also planning to paint the baby's room and finish putting the nursery together, so expect mucho picture uploads by the time she leaves on Sunday!!
I also can't wait to show her around Austin, since she's spent minimal time here, and as such can't understand why I'm so in love with this place. Hopefully I can show her a lovely enough time that she'll move here...yeah, right. Wishful thinking, I suppose. With the baby heading full force towards us, it'd be GREAT to have a set of grandparents nearby, but oh well...I'm giving up that dream.
Just 24 more hours til she's here!
I'm VERY excited to see her, and to be honest, have some help with the baby shower. While technically I'm not throwing it, as I've mentioned before I've had to do all the planning up until now since she doesn't know any of my friends/the area, so it'll be a HUGE relief to have someone else to set up, have decorating ideas, etc. We're also planning to paint the baby's room and finish putting the nursery together, so expect mucho picture uploads by the time she leaves on Sunday!!
I also can't wait to show her around Austin, since she's spent minimal time here, and as such can't understand why I'm so in love with this place. Hopefully I can show her a lovely enough time that she'll move here...yeah, right. Wishful thinking, I suppose. With the baby heading full force towards us, it'd be GREAT to have a set of grandparents nearby, but oh well...I'm giving up that dream.
Just 24 more hours til she's here!
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