Oct. 17, 2006 - Obstetrician Today
I had the weirdest OB appointment today. First of all, I couldn't find my keys (which were under a placemat on the dining table) and so we were running late. Had to stop in at a clinic for a blood draw prior to getting this last Rhogam shot. Finally got to the appointment. The waiting room was just packed with big preggo women and crabby toddlers -- there was a HUGE backup because the OB's who were supposed to be doing the prenatal appointments were both on call for deliveries and stitches and all that. And today a lot of women decided to have babies. So we waited, and waited, and waited. My kids all sat on the floor as all the seats were taken.
Finally, I got into see the OB. Neg protein, Neg sugar (great!) and BP was fine at 120/80. (It's remained at that level ever since I cut back on all that stress!). Then I hopped up on the table for an ultrasound to see if the placenta had moved up or not since 22 weeks ago. I think he glanced at the placenta but was a LOT more interested in where the baby's head had gone?!? Well, if he'd have asked me, I would have told him that the baby's head was well and truly under my right ribs and that lump he was feeling down in the pelvis was his little bony behind. The OB kept saying, "There's heart...there's abdomen...where's the head? Where's the head?" I mean, it was one of those things where if you didn't know for sure that your baby HAD to have a head somewhere and if he hadn't been kicking only a minute before, it could have been seriously worrying, you know?
So OB finally caught on to the fact that baby is indeed breech. So then things got interesting. I only have 3 weeks to go, and OB doesn't deliver breech babies. He said, "You cannot deliver this baby like that. I'll see you back here in a week for another ultrasound and if he has not turned, I'll have to schedule you in for a C-section." Well, I just laughed at that, because this is the 3rd baby in a row that has still been happily turning around and around at 37 weeks. But I was like, "Ok, whatever," being fairly confident that baby still has plenty of room and hopefully enough time to turn. Then OB worried my by saying that "If you feel a sudden or violent movement, you MUST come in straight away because the baby might have the cord around it's neck, and he might be in danger!" Oh that's just great, because this little one, as his brothers have before him, sometimes just FLIPS. That's the only way to describe it. And that, my friends, involves some sudden and violent movement. Well, I just thought that was what they did. Now I'm going to worry about it for sure.
The OB had to run off to stitch some poor woman back together and as soon as he left, the midwife quickly shut the door and said, "I've been WAITING for him to leave! Don't let him pressure you into a C-section! There is an OB here who will deliver breech babies! If your baby is still breech next week, you must talk to her! You have already had 3 babies -- you can probably birth a breech one without much trouble!" Which is exactly what I was thinking considering I never had a delivery that was any longer than 15 minutes, or a couple of pushes. No tearing or anything with the last 2 of them either. I know things can change with every baby, every delivery, but good golly -- I'd think a breech birth would be worth a try.
So at least, if baby is still breech next week, I have another option to try for.
The thing is, I think in the 9 hours since I've been at the appointment, baby has turned head down again, and now back to transverse. I'm telling you, this is some travelling baby I've got here.
The question is, WHY don't docs listen to you when you say, "Baby has plenty of room and rocks around the clock just about every day!" They must persist in worrying, mustn't they!
At least I get yet another ultrasound. I do hope there doesn't prove to be a problem with the cord though. I tend to worry about that anyway, and the tighter the squeeze in there, the less room baby has to slip through a loop that might otherwise go around his neck and tighten. Ugh...
The last few weeks are so hard! When you know if baby was born now he'd be fine, and yet there he is inside where you can't see him or tell if he's in trouble! I do know that God knows everything and is in control of everything, and I'm just leaving it all in His hands right now.
Anyway...I went after my apptmt back into the waiting room where I had left my two olders, a bunch of very grumpy women and their several cranky toddlers. When I came back in, everyone looked up and smiled at me. A semi-circle of toddlers were sitting on the floor happily listening to books being read by my 8yods and 9yodd. Even the crabby stressed out receptionist was smiling.
My kids are so cool sometimes.
When we left, a couple toddlers came with us. We had to return them to their mommas!
Reading through Isaiah has been great. I'll say more about that some other time. But it's been so enlightening and I couldn't be gladder that I'm into it, now! The Bible is SOOOOO amazing!
Comments
Oct. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by tallenmomof5
Praying for you!
I am so thankful for the midwife who popped in after the OB left. What a blessing!
I hope this next few weeks goes smoothly and I pray that you have another quick delivery.
My last few babies were acrobats too. In fact, my last was breech on an U/S when I got to the hospital and and hour later they found her in perfect position during the "necessary" c-section.
Don't let the cord thing worry you. I think they just tell you all that scary stuff to convince you of how much you need them.
I'm so glad that you are less stressed...what's your secret?!
Blessings,
Trish
Oct. 20, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Lilliepad
I used to be a labor and delivery nurse and it sounds to me as though the OB needs a little refresher course in bedside manner. In his defense, though, I'm sure he feels he has to tell you all that stuff to cover himself from a liability standpoint. He probably blurted it all out knowing that he would probably be called from your side at any moment given the busy day. Praise the Lord that the midwife was there and popped in!
Kudos to your kiddos for helping entertain all those toddlers and giving their moms (and the receptionist) a break. Those waiting rooms can be awful. The last time I went for a gyn visit the waiting room was slam packed and I think I was the only person there that spoke English. I was very thankful that I wasn't pregnant and miserable at that point.
Put your mind at ease and give your cares to God. If this baby is doing what all the others did then things will probably turn out much like the other births- just fine.
Oct. 23, 2006 - The babies...
Posted by MinistryofEncouragement
Please take some time to read my entry on Partial Birth Abortion. It is urgent, babies are dying. There is a video to watch, just click on a link. Spread the news. Time is running out. Thank you for listening. God Bless You
