"Not dilated."
Yeah, I expected that. What I didn't expect is that would be the good news part of the good news - bad news pair. The bad news?
"I am not sure the baby is still head down."
Well, crap. (In case you don't know, if I go into labor with the baby sideways or feet down, I will end up with an emergency C-section).
So, the next order of business is to get an ultrasound. Unfortunately, they can't schedule me in till A WEEK from now. I am not even supposed to be pregnant anymore then. So this is not good. Of course, they are keeping me on a wait list for cancellations, etc., but you can see how this would be like sitting on pins and needles for someone who is supposed to go into labor ANY MINUTE NOW.
So yeah. If she is not head down, the doctor will attempt to rotate her. If that doesn't work, I will be scheduled for a C-section.
Otherwise, if I am still pregnant in a week and the baby is in fact head down, I will be scheduled for an induction.
So, now I have to hope that I don't go into labor until we find out which way the baby is positioned. Then, I have to hope that it is fixable if needed. Then, I have to hope to go into labor before the doctor pulls the plug.
And wouldn't you know, I am having very persistent contractions. At this point, it is probably a good thing that stress is a labor inhibitor (wouldn't want to go into labor while being chased by a bear, eh?). I will work on relaxing after we make sure the baby is head down.
The perverse incentives of academia
6 years ago
10 comments:
Wow, that's a lot of news all at once.
And I didn't know stress was a labor inhibitor, that ruins all those movies where women go into labor at intense points in the plot.
And, my advice was going to be to stay relaxed (having never been in labor) but sounds like a stressed state would be the better option.
Good luck!
My husband and I both ended up being C-section and while it's not an ideal method of childbirth I just wanted to show you two data points that c-section babies are great! and their mom's turned out fine :)
All of those options could result in healthy mom, healthy baby. So they are all good options.
Let us know!!!
Yikes! I hope you get the best case scenario!
Oh, my goodness. Pins and needles indeed!
Thinking of you. As PUI prof said, any of those scenarios still result in healthy mom and baby.
I have read that even very experienced doctors have a difficult time determining where the head actually is, so maybe the ultrasound will turn out A-OK.
I'll be thinking about you (and a pregnant woman getting chased by a bear).
Jennie - I was surprised to find out about stress as labor inhibitor as well, but it makes sense now. I know lots of people end up with C-sections and do fine, but I was really hoping to avoid one with my first!
PUI prof - I know that none of those would be the end of the world, but I was hoping to not end up with a surgery!
EGF - Thanks!!
The bean-mom - I know, and I am grateful that I don't need to worry about things that would be much, much worse. But a prospect of a surgery is still a tad scary...
MXX - what is alarming is that in the last 2 months the doc was sure she was head down, and now suddenly he wants external validation. A least there is no bears here :)
Those kids always know how to surprise their parents, even in the womb :-)
Have you considered bribing another future mum to be for her ultrasound spot?
Anyways: Hang in there, just be you and you will be fine. The scenario will need with the baby out, and you happy, no uncertainties there.
I feel your pain. I second the idea that although c-sections aren't ideal, or what you wanted, but they're not that bad either. A positive attitude is half the battle.
And I speak from personal experience that babies are remarkable agile, even this late in pregnancy. They can flip over fairly quickly. If you feel discomfort and kicking and stretching, it may be that your daughter in still turning.
I know someone who was schedule for a c-section the next day because her baby was feet up (and a few other complicating issues), but that night she was in pain and went to the hospital. A quick ultrasound showed the baby was diagonal (yuck, that probably hurts!). When she check back in in the morning, the baby was head down, long and painful, but happy and natural birth followed.
Good luck -- and stay away from those bears!
Lin - she is definitely keeping me on my toes already, I am sure she'll be creative when she comes out as well :)
Makita - I think that was exactly what was happening - she was repositioning herself for one reason or another. I am glad she settled back head down, lets hope she stays that way!
Amelie - thanks! And I am at least 100 miles away from any bears :)
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