So THAT Explains It: OB Appointment Update

Hey Humble Readers...

Thank you all for putting up with my freak out yesterday.  The fears and worries are still there, but they seem to be at a dull roar today. 

So, I had an appointment with Dr. W this morning.  I found her much more personable today, which was reassuring.  Several outcomes from today's appointment...

• Halfling 2.0 is still sitting transverse.  Not a big deal, but should be turning soon.
• 24 hr urine collection showed a slight elevation in protiens, but nothing to be concerned about
• Had blood in my urine today.  Need to go for a test to see if I have another kidney infection (I think I do have one)
• C-section is planned for May 10th.  I signed the paperwork and everything.  With delivering at 38 weeks, there is a possibility that the baby may need to be in the Special Care Nursery for a couple of days, particularly if the baby is a boy (slower lung development). 
• Bloodwork from last week showed that I have low iron.  This is likely why I have been so blasted tired for the past few weeks.  Rx'd iron pills and stool softeners. 
• Next appointment will be on the L&D floor at the hospital, for an NST

So all in all, a good appointment.  My weight stayed fairly steady (thank heaven!  Especially given how hungry I've been recently) and my blood pressure was good, so the move to lowering my HBP meds was a good one. 

I'm so glad to know that there is a reason why I have been so tired, but not feeling like I'm getting any rest.  Seriously, I've been back to falling asleep at 8pm, and then sleeping through the night, and waking up in a fog.  I guess I'm not such a lazy slug after all.

The only thing that she didn't ask about was my blood sugars, but they have been pretty well controlled over the last couple of weeks.  I think I may need an insulin increase in the next few days, but I'm going to wait and see the outcome of this whole possible kidney infection situation. 

Blog Challenge Day 14: A Non-Fiction Book & The Birth Plan

Greetings Humble Readers!

Today's assignment is a non-fiction book... and all the non-fiction I have been reading lately has been baby or birth related, and this has been my favourite:

Not to be confused with Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake, The Best Birth by Sarah McMoyler offers what I thought was the most balanced view of what birth can and should be.  McMoyler states at the outset that her goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and doing what is needed to get there is what needs to happen.  Her viewpoint focusses on natural childbirth, and that if you need to avail yourself of pain meds or more in depth interventions IT IS NOT A FAILURE.  Every woman has a different tolerance for pain, every birth experience is different, so it is not for someone outside of your experience to tell you what is right or wrong for you.  She offers a lot of great coping techniques and there are great sections for dads-to-be too.  Honestly, the only thing I have against this book is her opinion of doulas.  She is very anti-doula. 

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I thought it would be fitting today to tell you all about my birth plan.  It may seem moot to have written one, considering that I know, at the minimum, I'm going to be induced, but I wanted to have a few specifics written down.  This is the birth plan that I shared with Dr. U this morning at my appointment (of which he was very supportive):

Our ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and we are willing to do whatever we need to do to achieve that.

We are aware that being induced requires a certain amount of medical intervention (IVs, meds, monitoring, etc), and that a caesarean section is a distinct possibility. With that in mind, there are a few things we would really like, if at all possible.

• Mrs. Gamgee’s mom S is the only family, other than Beloved of course, that will be at the hospital during the delivery.
• We know that an epidural will be necessary (in order to be prepared for a possible c-section), but Mrs. Gamgee would like to remain mobile for as long as possible.
• Mrs. Gamgee would like to avoid having an episiotomy. A small tear is preferable, should the situation arise.
• A vaginal birth is preferred, although we understand that a c-section may become necessary. If this happens, Beloved is to go with the baby after delivery. (This is also true if the baby needs to go to the Special Care Nursery or leave our room for any reason.)
• We would like to have skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as possible. If Mrs. Gamgee has a c-section, we would like for Beloved to have skin to skin contact with the baby while Mrs. Gamgee is in recovery.
• Breastfeeding is very important for us. We would like to start trying as early as possible. An early visit from a lactation consultant would be greatly appreciated.
• We are not inviting friends and family to visit during the first 24 hours after delivery. We want to have that time to focus on our new family member.

Other highlights from today's appointment & NST:  Blood pressure is holding steady... 126/75.  Blood sugars are looking good and I no longer have to increase my insulin, just maintain where I'm at and work to keep tabs on my lows.  Weight is bang on my pre-pregnancy weight.  Results of my u/s last week... Halfling is 'growing beautifully' according to Dr. U.  He/she is sitting between the 75th & 90th percentile.  No giant babies here!  And... we have a date for D-day!  November 25th. 

At my next Dr. U appointment (in 2 weeks, he's on vacation next week so I have to go see Dr. B... Ugh!), we are going to discuss stripping my membranes.  I'm a bit unsure about that (have heard some horror stories), but I do like the idea of my body starting labour more on it's own rather than having to be induced.  Any thoughts ladies?