Monday, March 27, 2017

33 Weeks

We covered lots of ground at our OB appointment last week. Apparently, the hospital doesn't like scheduling inductions more than a week out because they end up having to cancel a lot of them, so we won't know an exact date for another week or two. The doctor also shared that my bleeding throughout pregnancy puts me at risk for bleeding during birth. She said it would be like a "stress test" for my placenta. If I bleed during birth, we would have to do an emergency c-section. So this led me to ask about her recommendation around an epidural since if we have to do an emergency c-section, there would not be time to perform one if it isn't already in place. She agreed and said she would recommend one for me because, otherwise, if a c-section is needed, I would have to go under general anesthesia and Mike would not be able to be in the room. I told her that I am nervous about having an epidural and that I worry about having a panic attack. She said that there are plenty of good medicines they can give me for that. Besides all this, she thought that baby was laying across my belly which would obviously necessitate a c-section automatically if he didn't turn (did I mention that this one is already a troublemaker??).

I will admit that I was pretty emotional after this appointment. So much choice has been stripped away. So many worst-case scenarios running through my head. But I have to focus on baby and he is doing well and that's all that matters. Luckily my gloomy mood only lasted the day and I'm feeling more upbeat (though still stressed about getting everything done!).

Today, we had our weekly ultrasound and everything was still looking great with baby. The umbilical vein hasn't dilated further and blood flow looks good. And he was head down! Hurray! Now he needs to stay put :) As usual, he was moving like crazy and hiding his little face, so unfortunately no pictures. Maybe he is planning to surprise us all with his insane good looks and flowing locks of hair!

Also, today is Mike's birthday! He has been such a rock to me through this not-so-fun pregnancy and I can't wait to see him as daddy. I love you, Mike! <3


3 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, Mike!! Marriage makes you a team, and parenthood--beginning with pregnancy cements it! You all are doing great!! Ra-ra!

    I'm so glad that Baby is head-down now!! Jason turned head down around 33 weeks and it was painful. Did you have the same experience? I think he will stay put. There can't be much space!!

    I don't know about c-sections, except that I am glad doctor's perform them. So many moms and babies are here and healthy because of them. All five of my sisters' kids are c-section babies. The first of each of their's were emergency c-sections. The reassuring part is that the doctors have your and your baby's health as their first priority.

    I do know about epidurals since I had one with both Jason and Leo. They are heaven sent. I really don't remember the act of them being placed hurting--of course I was going through transition with both kids when I had them placed. I do remember that is was uncomfortable having to bend forward over my huge baby belly. I think that outweighed what was happening in my back. You'll do great! Think of how much you have overcome so far. You've got this. Ask for some Zofran. It will make you sleepy and you won't worry about anything! Ha! That's what happened at the end of my labor with Olivia. I threw up a couple of times and it was stressing Olivia, so they gave me Zofran and oxygen and everything seemed to calm down.

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    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence :) I mostly worry that not being able to feel my legs will cause me to have a panic attack! Maybe having the pain go away will outweigh that though. I also don't like the idea of a catheter but it comes with the territory apparently. Somehow I just have to accept that my body will be totally out of my control for a day or two!

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  2. I apologize for the many grammatical errors! Whoops!

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