Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Weekly Visits

Today was the first of many (hopefully) weekly visits with the doc. As I’m taking Lovenox for clotting issues, my doc wanted to start weekly non-stress tests at around 29 weeks, to make sure that my placenta is working, and Alex is getting enough blood, and there are no clotting problems. So I went in today, had the machine strapped to my belly, and listed to her heartbeat for about 20 minutes, while pressing a button every time I felt her move. What a wonderful way to start my morning. Although it took the nurse a few minutes to find her heartbeat, which was a little stressful. I kept telling myself, I just felt her move, I just felt her move, it will be ok. And of course it was ok. Alex performed very well, as her heartbeat increased when she moved, so the doctor called her “reactive”, which apparently is a good thing!

The doc and I talked about the plan for the last part of my pregnancy. Weekly appointments with NST’s. An ultrasound at 36 weeks to check her growth, unless there’s any indication that her growth is off before that. And induction at 37-38 weeks. I asked about switching from Lovenox to Heparin, and he said no. He said there is a lot of discussion as to whether this is important, but he doesn’t think it is. He said that I could go into labor at any time, and with the weekly appointments and constant attention, they will try to control the timing of induction, but we really can’t control it. He plans to have me off of Lovenox for 24 hours prior to induction, but if I go into labor on my own, then it will be fine. He said that worst case, if I have to do a C-section, I won’t be able to do a spinal block and instead will need to have general anesthesia, but he thinks the chance of this is rare. So we’ll just continue to monitor the situation and see what happens.

I’m fine with this approach. I talked a lot with people at my baby shower last week about birth plans and such. I have a friend who did all these hypno-birthing classes, and was so disappointed when she ended up having a C-section. She grieved for a long time, and had a hard time getting over it. In fact, I don’t think she really got over it until she had a successful VBAC with her second pregnancy, with no meds. I completely respect those that place a lot of importance in how the birth takes place, but at this point, I really don’t care. Infertility has taught me that there is very little I can control in my reproductive plans, and it’s OK. I handed the conception of my child over to the doctors, and now I’m handing the birth of my child over to the doctors as well. So my birth plan consists of three things: at a hospital, healthy baby, healthy me. All I care about is being able to take my baby home, and I’d like to be alive to do it.

Moving to weekly appointments, and starting to talk about induction, makes it seem so very close! I’ll be at 30 weeks on Saturday! Which means that I’ll have a baby 7-8 weeks after that! Wow, I can’t believe it’s so close. We have so much to do – classes, her room, another baby shower – but none of it matters. I’m so excited to be able to meet her, and I’m thrilled that I’m getting even closer to that day.

21 comments:

  1. Your birth plan sounds a lot like mine. I think when you plan every detail out and it doesn't go that way it makes things tougher. I just wanted a healthy baby and didn't care how we got there.

    I can't believe you only have a couple more months to go!

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  2. I think your plan is healthy and realistic. I simply cannot believe you are 30 weeks and this makes me so happy!

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  3. I like your birth plan! Seems reasonable to me. I understand that some women really need to feel in control of the birth. But, at this point, I feel the way you do.

    I can't believe you're so close!

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  4. I am with you on the birth plan thing, it is about having a healthy baby, not a specific way of delivering her.

    As long as I have a healthy baby and I am healthy I will be happy however this goes down.

    So cool to hear her heartbeat once a week!!

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  5. Wow, 30 weeks.

    My friend went to a C-section support group and said hearing the ladies talk like your friend did about the birth made her feel kind of sick knowing what I went through. I try and respect it even if I don't understand it and IF, don't think I could. But, to each his own...

    I agree- healthy baby and mommy is most important.

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  6. Time will fly over the next several weeks! And it sounds like you are in a great place accepting that however she decides to come into this world will be the best way for both you and her.

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  7. I think your outlook on the birth is really good. I did a vag one time and c-section one time and they were both fine. I have more long lasting problems from the vag birth. If you have a c-section and grieve a vag birth just call me and I can tell you about lots of vag complications that will make you happy you had a c. :)

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  8. I love your attitude about the birth plan. Get my baby here and get her here safely! The end. Best perspective there is to have.

    You're so close now!! i am over the moon excited for you!!!

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  9. Happy nearly-30 weeks! Your birth plan sounds a lot about mine. I just can't be bothered to put energy into caring about the "how" of it. I want it to suck as little as possible for everyone involved. If my taking pain meds will make it more bearable and won't harm the little, cool! If not, I'll breathe like a mofo. You know? Healthy baby, healthy mama, please. xoxo

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  10. oh how uppity and self righteous I was before munchkin's birth. I was going pain med free and going to ride my birth ball into the beautiful sunset and unicorns were going to puke glitter all over the birth room. In reality I spent an exhausting 27 hours in labor with meds, interventions and almost the whole shebang. But you know what, I got over it because the baby is here and healthy and I love him a LOT! You will love the baby that much too, and just go into it with that expectation and it will go great!

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  11. Your birth plan sounds very much like mine. And yes, the important thing is for you and Alex to both be happy & healthy after the birth. That said, there's nothing wrong with having preferences (NOT plans) for the birth and doing what you can to help things go that way if possible.

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  12. Wow, I can't believe you're already to weekly appointments!

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  13. I liked reading this after my Mega Post of Doom on the topic of birth plans/choices earlier (and I appreciated your input on that). Maybe I should just keep it simple myself and say "healthy me, healthy babies" as well :)

    I have an ultrasound tomorrow, and then the start of my "every two weeks" appointments Thursday. I hope we get good pics tomorrow! Still crossing my fingers for a 4d :)

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  14. Well done for the very reactive baby girl in there! And I completely agree that at this stage what's important is that she is fine and the birth in itself won't matter too much. Big hugs, Fran

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  15. Excellent birth plan. It's all that matters in the end. I still hope you get some extra bonuses: that it goes super smoothly and is all beautiful and awesome. 'Cause hey, why not! It does happen! I know someone who had a four hour delivery, start to finish, with no tearing! That's what I hope for you. And yikes, yes, the weekly visits really bring it home! It's starting to get super exciting!

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  16. Your birth plan and my birth plan: pretty darned close. Interesting about not switching to Heparin, though it makes sense. And there are things that can be administered to counteract it, as well.

    You're getting close, Alex:)

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  17. So exciting about the weekly visits. I hear you on the birth plan. I was really happy with my c-section, but I (like Bunny) hope that you have a nice, easy, tear-free vaginal birth! But if not, it truly doesn't matter one bit. I kinda like that I have a 'Penelope' scar. It's like a tattoo, but much more meaningful that it's where she actually entered the world! I'm cool with reserving my vag for recreational purposes ;).

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  18. Wow Alex, little Alex is doing great! She will be here before you know it!
    Your birth plan sounds excellent, very sensible. I'm wishing it all goes very smoothly.

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  19. wow! you get to meet your little so soon! I am so excited for you!

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  20. YEAH!!! Congrats on the amazing milestone. Can't wait, can't wait AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH can't wait!!!

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