Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Week 25: The Mysterious Dr. W

Hey Humble Readers!

(Fair warning: this is a long post.)

Well, I've just gotten back from my first appointment with my new OB.  I confess, I was nervous.  Would she be one of those doctors who doesn't like questions?  Would she take issue with my weight, as other doctors have?  Would I feel confident in her abilities? 

While she isn't my wonderful Dr. U, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.  She took a full half hour with me (unheard of!), asking questions about this pregnancy, and my previous pregnancies.  She asked about how I understood my IF/RPL issues, and how they have been resolved.  She asked about my family history and my Beloved's, and about Ginny's development. 

Then she let me ask all my questions, and she actually answered them!
  • Rapid/sudden weight gain?  Not worried at this point, but we will monitor it.  My target should be no more than 10 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight (which I'm still below).  If I see any big jumps that concern me, I should call her office.
  • Heartburn?  Zan.tac is no longer working, so it's time to switch it up.  Will now be taking 60mg of Pan.ta.loc (also known as Pro.tonix) once a day. 
  • Low-Lying Placenta?  This is actually an unknown at this point, as the tech at my last u/s was unable to get a clear look at the whole placenta.  It appears to be a partial previa, but it's still uncertain. 
  • Next Ultrasound? At 28 weeks.  Requisition in hand, just waiting to hear back from the medical imaging clinic with my appointment date and time.
  • Scheduled c-section or induction?  We briefly discussed VBAC, and the unlikely possibility that an induction would work.  I am not bent on delivering vaginally, and after my induction experience last time, I would rather just get straight to the point.  So, scheduled c-section at 38 weeks it is.  The Halfling will be making his/her introduction to the world sometime between May 10-15, most likely the 10th or 11th.  Woohoo!
  • Tubal Ligation?  Absolutely!
  • Do I keep seeing Dr. B?  Nope!!! Yay! She will be managing my care until the baby is born.  Then it's back to the unremarkable Dr. B, but at least I will feel more secure in my obstetrical care. 
Other outcomes of the appointment?  We discussed the fact that I haven't been able to have any genetic test results (no NT measurement, maternal screen bloodwork was botched), and the possibility of an amnio.  I have decided against it, at least for now.  Halfling's heartrate was 145 bpm.  My blood pressure was actually on the lower side, and she has asked me to reduce my Lo.beta.lol back to 50mg three times a day.  She is a strong advocate of breastfeeding and we will be discussing the issues I had with bf-ing Ginny at future appointments, to see if there is anything that we can do to make things go better this time around.  She is sending me for some bloodwork (just some basic stuff) and I have to do a 24hr urine collection.  And I see her again in two weeks. 

I think it will take me a little while to feel completely comfortable with her, and she made several mentions of my weight being a big issue (duh!  Talk to any fat person.  They KNOW that their weight is a big issue.).  But overall, I'm happy with how today's appointment went, and I think I will be okay with her.  She's younger than any doctor I've ever had before, and I've never had a female doc either. 

On to the update...

How far along? 25w0d

Maternity clothes? Yup..

Body Oddities? VERY dry skin, alternating constipation and IBS flares, acne, bruises from insulin injections, back ache, cracking joints, super sore & slightly leaky boobs, increased earwax, dry/itchy eyes, leg cramps, round ligament pain, heartburn is much worse, tingly fingertips, NEW THIS WEEK: heavy fatigue

Sleep? I've been very tired this week.  Almost like first trimester tired.  I've been sleeping well, and heavy.  I haven't even been waking up to pee. 

Best moment this week?  I had the most glorious nap on Sunday afternoon.  My Beloved looked after Ginny and I woke up feeling great.

Worst moment?  When we were grocery shopping on Saturday, I had a lot of lower back and hip pain. 

Movement?  All the time.  I'm pretty sure that the baby is transverse, as I feel movement on either side and down low.  Only occasional movement higher than my belly button.

Food cravings/aversions? Chocolate.  I made some no-bake chocolate cookies with Splenda, but they didn't quite fill the need.

Rings? Still on.

Gender? Still think it's a girl.

Intense Dreams? Nothing baby related, but very strange combinations of people, places and situations.

Medical Concerns? Gestational Diabetes (insulin 5 times a day), High blood pressure (on 50mg of lobetalol 3x daily), continued heartburn (on 60mg of Pan.taloc daily), kidney stones, low lying placenta.

What I miss? walking without waddlng, being able to lift Ginny without grunting like a mule

What I look forward to?  Sushi, ice cream, chocolate milk, my next ultrasound

Emtional State?  Okay most of the time, but my blood sugars have been a tad wonky and that frustrates me

4 comments :

  1. If you're going to have a planned C-Section, is your OB going to be able to do the tubal ligation at the same time or would that be a surgery for another time? It would be so convenient to get both done together!

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  2. May11th- a GREAT day! That is my boy's birthday!

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  3. Dr. W sounds good, well much better than Dr. B, that's for certain. I like that she took her time with you and answered your questions. Yay that you gt another u/s. I feel weird not having had one for like 12 weeks! Enjoy the sleep, can you send some my way?? ;)

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  4. I like the new OB! So glad she spent so much time with you and you were able to come to a clear plan. Cool.

    Yay for Taurus babies (I'm one and will probably have one!). Oh, and I think you're going to have a girl, too. Just for the record.

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