The More I Know the More I am Thinking!

The more I find out now the more I am realizing how different the births of AJ and Gabby should have gone. Honestly it pisses me off! Here is the latest realization concerning AJ's "high heart rate" and her emergency delivery.

Incubated AJ since she was taken out so suddenly

I have been having to go to Labor and Delivery every week for non-stress tests. It has been overall a good experience because I get to know the nurses there and have made good connections. It is a little stressful though because I have noticed that Miss M has a pretty high heart rate and when she gets going it easily is in the 210 range- right where AJ was when the old OB demanded that she come out right now. The first time that Miss M was getting all rowdy and I was seeing these really high heart rates, I started to panic. The nurse came in and she said, "Well, I just got off the phone with Dr. Gingo..." and immediately I thought the worst. BUT then she continued. "He said I wasn't doing a good job positioning you." What?!!!

Apparently, when a pregnant woman is either laying in a bad position or a position that the baby doesn't care for, the heart rate will get elevated and she can't settle down. The nurse also gave me some water and what do you know? Miss M settled down and I was on my way!! Amazing! I had thought for sure that I was going to be wheeled in for an emergency c-section, because that is what happened last time.

Going home! 4 days in the NICU

But now I can look at the facts surrounding what happened with AJ. 1. I was probably dehydrated because I was trying to get through the appointment and get to work. 2. I was sitting flat in a reclining chair with the monitors on. 3. I had never had a NST before so there was no way for the OB to know whether this was normal or not for AJ. And finally, 4. She didn't try to adjust me or anything to get the heart rate lower. In fact, I couldn't see the monitor at all so I have no clue whether the elevation was for a short time or whatnot.

So did I really need that emergency c-section? I don't know... but given the old OB's track record with honestly and such, I know that nothing was done to prevent it before the decision was made. Maybe I did really need to get her out asap... but it putting a pillow under my side and giving me a glass of water calmed Miss M down, maybe it would have done the same for AJ?

Just food for thought!

 

Homestretch is in Sight

It is hard to believe that these months have passed by so fast.... From that shocking first moment, holding the pregnancy test in my hand  and yelling "Shit, shit, OH MY GOD SHIT" (lol) to now when I am seeing my OB every week, talking to my Doula, and feeling this little girl gear up for her big debut.

Last night I had a great conversation with my friend Tara, who is a certified Doula in the WNY area. She is a HUGE birth advocate and called to tell me about her latest birth that she attended- a VBAC that almost didn't happen. It was a great story with a lot of important information such as the usefulness of certain interventions like epidurals and Pitocin. What struck me about our conversation though is that Tara pointed out how different my views on birth are now compared to when I first found out I was expecting again.

I used to think that my OB was always looking out for my best interests and the health of the baby. I used to think that c-sections were the only way for me since I had 2 previously. I used to think that c-sections were easier for everyone and that there was NO WAY in heck I was going to birth naturally. (I used to tell people that unless I was getting a free car at the end of my hospital stay, why put myself through all that pain?) I used to think that women who birthed naturally were gluttons for pain, hippies, or trying to prove something. And I used to think that I didn't have the option to say No to an intervention that I didn't want to happen without good reason.

What a difference a movie, some books, a network of devoted women, a web board that offers information, and some cojones can do in a mere 4 months!

 

I Found My Nurse!

So I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but starting at 31 weeks I have had to go for Non Stress Tests as a "precaution", Usually you only hear about high risk preggos having to go for these, but since my OB is really cautious, apparently having 2 previous c-sections puts me in the high risk category in his book. I complied because the tests are non-invasive and I see it as a chance to develop a relationship with the nurses in L&D.

Well, today that plan worked! There is one nurse in particular that is really nice and was actually offered a job as a doula by a mutual contact of ours, so I know that she is very supportive to a laboring woman. This nurse offered today to come attend my birth, even if she is off, and talked to my OB about it to let him know that she is who I wanted with me at delivery time. All in all, I LOVE her! She is really supportive of my VBA2C and knows that I am planning to go all natural. I am relieved because that takes away my worry of having a nurse that is not supportive and will try to push interventions on me that I don't want.

Even though I hate going to these NSTs because I think that my pregnancy does not warrant them, at least now I can visit with Annie!

 

Meeting My Doula!

Last night I got to meet my Doula for the first time and am happier than ever! She is everything I could hope for my labor support and more... she is super personable, has a great laugh, and I think is a great fit for our family. During this first meeting we went over the Birth Plan... a very long plan that is pretty specific since I want to give myself the best chance possible for a natural unmedicated VBA2C. We talked about things that I expected to... what comforts me, how do I want to handle transitioning, and what I plan on doing to handle to pain without medication.

There were a few surprises though such as choosing a "code word" for when I REALLY want some pain meds. This way I can talk crazy and verbalize my pain without actually giving in to the pain.... cool huh?
(Basically she told me that during transition I will probably talk some serious crazy talk and this way I can scream my dear little butt off and no one will take me seriously until I say the code word which is not a normal word I would use!)

She asked Klint how he thinks he is going to handle me laboring and I can honestly say that I am sure he feels relieved that I now have a person who will be there from start to finish and he can do what he needs to do, like take the girls to a friend's house, without fear of having to leave me alone.

There are so many reasons to find a Doula, but here is what a Doula can do according to DONA which is the organization that trains Doulas:

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
• reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for
• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
• Have greater success with breastfeeding
• Have greater self-confidence
• Have less postpartum depression
• Have lower incidence of abuse

I really think that having a Doula is one of the best choices I can make for this birth, which is coming up fast! I am sure you will be hearing more about Michelle as time goes on! 

 

What's The Difference?

This is the difference between a "hospital managed" birth and a VBAC where the woman is in control of labor and naturally lets birth happen, rather than be given orders. How inspiring!




 

A Beautiful All Natural Hospital VBAC

This wonderful photo slide show of a VBAC that was all natural AND took place in the hospital has taken my breathe away. Especially since I am nearing the end of this journey and have periods of doubt and such, this is just the inspiration that I needed to keep my resolve. I know in my head that this VBA2C is the best for me and the baby... it is just the unknown that is a bit scary.
But, just look at the resolve in her eyes.... it is wonderful, beautiful, and sooooo inspiring! Check out the whole thing here!!

 

Update on Miss M

Since Miss M is the reason for this blog I figured that I would give you all a quick update. Last Weds I went for a Level 2 Ultrasound to check on Miss M's little oddities that were discovered at her 20 week anatomy scan. I wasn't really concerned with the findings because a) My quad screen had come back negative for Downs and such, b) It was done in my OB's office not at a real Ultrasound Tech's office, c) My former OB had a tendency to turn pregnancy into a medical emergency so I did my research on what the findings were and knew that they were common. So what were these oddities?

Well Miss M had a small cyst on her brain, a slight dilation of one of her kidneys, and ....the tech couldn't see the top bone in her pinkie.... seriously, her pinkie!

My new (and awesome) OB was most interested in making sure that kidney was not dilated more, he laughed actually at the pinkie thing. And he sent me to an office that only does this sort of thing so that we knew that the findings were more conclusive.

Luckily not only is everything 100% perfect but she is actually growing a little ahead of schedule. Do you see those chubby cheeks?! No wonder I am not gaining any weight, this kiddo is taking all the good stuff! The tech was really cool and I got to see all 4 chambers of her heart working away, her tugging on her cord like it is a dinner bell, and she even got feisty with the tech by kicking the doppler off my belly!

So there ya go... everything is good and on schedule. Maybe this little chipmunk will cook a little faster and be a November baby instead of the December baby she is supposed to be!