I've definitely learned a lot through this journey so far, not only about birth, but what is important to me as a birthing mother. When I thought about what I feel I need on delivery day, I knew that I wanted that continued support I've always felt from Doula M. I also knew that she wasn't taking as many clients as she is a super busy mom to four and I was only giving her a couple months notice. But as God's plan would have it, I e-mailed her and explained our crazy situation and for some crazy reason, she wanted to jump on this roller coaster! haha! I really felt peace after her and I talked because I truly felt like God was in control of my situation. Isn't funny how you try to live by that mantra and are continuously surprised by God's grace in your life?!
My 29 week appointment was set for this past Friday at 3:35pm. I hit the road around 7:45am and had to stop every hour or hour and a half because of my leg (more on that in a minute). I arrived to at Amiga C's house around 1:15pm and got to visit her, her 18 month old and her sweet little 6 week old boy. I could only stay for an hour and it was super hard to leave! I got to Dr. C's office at 3:30pm or so and then Doula M joined me shortly after. I was so glad she was able to come to the appointment! She has done plenty of deliveries with Dr. C and it was good for her to see first hand the details being made between myself and Dr. C and get a full scope on what was going on with this particular pregnancy.
Health wise, everything looks great. My blood pressure was 119/60, I put on a few pounds over Christmas, the baby sounded great at 148 bpm and is head down now. The only thing I've been concerned about is the large varicose vein that has developed on my left leg. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it on here before, but it starts in my groin area and wraps around behind my knee to continue on my calf. I did not have it before becoming pregnancy and it showed up about 8 weeks in to the pregnancy. It has only gotten worse and now aches quite a bit of the time. I told the nurse about it when she asked me if I had any concerns before seeing Dr. C and she had me undress from the waist down so he could take a look. What was funny is that Dr. C walked in and said to me, "I have to tell you, you look great! But why are you not wearing any pants?" haha!! He did a really thorough exam on it and wasn't too pleased with how nasty it looked. What scares him is what he can't see that could be deeper in my leg. I had worn those support hose he prescribed, but they would bunch up behind my knee and hurt the vein, since that is the worst part. When he looked at the hose he told me they were useless and even though I was fitted for them at a medical supply store, they were too big and to stop wearing them. Unfortunately, now I'm forbidden to lay on my left side and he told me that any time I don't "need" to be standing, I need to be sitting or lying down with my leg elevated. If you know me, you know I'm a busy body and a clean freak. This is going to be a big lesson in humility because I have to ask Daddy B for a lot more help around the house than I'm comfortable with. :( I'm also going to start taking the herbal supplement Vari Gone, which should help with the aching and appearance of the vein. I pretty much have no choice but to listen to my doctor on this one, as the biggest risk is developing a blood clot in my leg, which would put me on bed rest and also runs the risk of the clot traveling to dangerous places. No fun! It's really frustrating to me because I feel really great this pregnancy with the exception of my leg.
Dr. C spent an hour with us at the appointment and I realized that his entire staff now knows me as "the one from Louisiana." That's not how I saw this pregnancy progressing, but I'm thankful they all care! Dr. C truly is amazing and we talked about all the "what ifs" of me going in to labor. He told me or Doula M to call him directly if anything concerning happens or if I go in to labor before 38 weeks. The plan right now is to see him again at 33 weeks, 35 weeks and then I'll be there full time at 38 weeks. He was so encouraging about my decision to stay with him as a doctor and told me simply that I'm committed to my VBAC, which was encouraging to hear. He also said that he expected me to come back. He had hoped that I would find a supportive care provider in Louisiana, but truly didn't think I would. He also told me that Louisiana isn't even the worst state in the south not supporting VBAC and places like Mississippi and Alabama pretty much outlaw it completely. That makes me so sad for the moms there!
After the appointment, Doula M and I talked for another hour about what I want for the birth, what happened with Baby C's birth and what she suggests in preparing for everything. I'm really thankful to have her as such an integral part of our birth team!
I got home yesterday around 3:30pm and had a really nice evening with some of our new friends from the Birth Rite Louisiana group. We invited them over for dinner since they just had baby #3 on December 23rd and I hadn't gotten around to making her a dinner to take over because of the craziness of Christmas. Its so nice to have a friend in the neighborhood! We can literally see each other's front doors!
Finally, here's the monthly belly comparison. Sorry the new picture isn't positioned as well as the 24 week. In our bathroom in the new house and I can't stand as far back from the mirror!
Next up, I'll fill you in on some of the details of this crazy birth plan!
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