Unexpected Doctor Visit

I'm 39 weeks, 4 days pregnant today and I went to see Dr. C this morning.  I declined a cervical check last week, but thought since I'm now a week past the point in the pregnancy I was induced with Baby C, I'd go ahead and get checked to see where I stood.  I was expecting a couple of centimeters or something, considering I've been taking my EPO, walking, using the ball, etc., and was disappointed when Dr. C told me I was maybe a fingertip dilated, cervix was still very high, but it was soft.  My belly measured 41 cm last week and today actually measured only 38 cm, which I'm told is because the baby has officially "dropped." 

Then Dr. C told me that he wanted to talk to me about the option of induction.  On Saturday.  The reason being is because he is going out of town on Wednesday (will probably return the following Monday) and wanted me to be able to have him as my doctor for delivery, seeing all that I've gone through to have him be my care provider.  I was alone in the room since my brother took me out to this appointment and was completely, absolutely overwhelmed.  I just started crying.  I took it so personally and even though Dr. C had the best intentions in offering the induction to me, I felt I had failed and my body was still broken.  I left with a 7:30am appointment for Saturday to start pitocin.  I went to the stair well, sat down, and called Doula M.  We talked for awhile and I realized more and more this was NOT what I wanted, not in the least!  Dr. C ensured me he thought I'd do fine being induced and have a vaginal delivery, but I realized while talking to Doula M that I'd have an IV, I'd need continuous fetal monitoring and I wouldn't even have access to a shower for pain relief!  Not to mention the long list of interventions that so often happen after that first drop of pitocin enters your body.  I was devastated.  Of course I'm tired of being pregnant, of course I like the idea that Daddy B could definitely be there, but could I live with myself and all that I've learned and have come to believe about child birth and how my body is made to do this if I let myself be induced?  I realized within minutes I could not.

After talking to Doula M, Daddy B, Aunt K, and my brother at length, I called and cancelled the induction appointment.  I had also called the midwife I had seen at my 35 week appointment and confirmed with her that if I went in to labor while Dr. C was out of town, I could come to the birth center (she said yes, of course!).  Dr. C called me back and told me he completely supported my decision and he'd see me at my next appointment if I haven't gone in to labor. 

I'm actually glad this happened.  I know Dr. C offered the induction with pure intentions, but it made me realize how much I want to go in to labor on my own and have a natural birth.  I also realized that as much of a hero Dr. C is to me, I cannot count on him to get me through this VBAC.  I have to count on myself and my body and what it was made by God to do. 

P.S.  I have a lot of pictures of the "natural" things Aunt K and I have been trying to try to get labor started.  Some of them are pretty hilarious!  I'll try to post those soon as well as my birth plan.

35 Week Midwife Appointment

I'm exhausted today.  This past weekend, we had our 35 week appointment with Dr. C's partner midwife on Friday and a wedding reception to go to that night.  We made it an overnight trip and I'm so glad I only have to do that drive one more time and it will be one way until after the baby comes.  It's just plain hard to sit in a car for 6 hours at this point!

Anyway, Daddy B, Baby C and I left Louisiana about 7:30am on Friday and made our way to Texas.  We actually arrived ahead of schedule and got to the birth center to see Dr. C's partner midwife at 2pm instead of our scheduled 3pm appointment.  I was really looking forward to seeing the birth center she practices at, as I've heard so many good things about it.  It truly did not disappoint!  On the outside it looks like an old house but the inside is completely remodeled.  The birthing suite is spectacular and made me wish in some ways I was going to birth there instead of the hospital.  I'd give anything to have that tub in the suite in my room at the hospital!  haha

Everything went well at the appointment.  Baby is still about 2 weeks ahead of schedule and the midwife guessed it weighs around 7 lbs right now.  She agrees with my prediction that this baby will be over 9 lbs at delivery.  My blood pressure was a little bit up, reading 126/85 (it's usually in the 110-120/60-70).  She said it was still in a great range and was probably due to the long drive and the VERY full bladder I arrived with when we got there!  Baby's heart rate was a strong 148-152 and the midwife had fun using the doppler chasing baby around.  Baby kept moving right as she'd get a good reading!  They had a little difficulty last appointment getting a good spot for the heartbeat too, but she didn't realize I have an anterior placenta and said that only adds to this baby seeming a little "fiesty," in her words. :)

Afterwards we headed to Daddy B's stepsister's house.  We couldn't stay with Aunt K and my brother because the wedding reception was for Aunt K's stepsister and her house was FULL.  I'll tell ya what, Daddy B and I definitely do not miss DFW traffic.  It took over two hours to get from the birth center to his stepsister's.  It should have taken an hour, tops!

The reception was fun and Baby C made it until about 9:30pm (he usually goes to bed at 8pm!).  It was definitely different being 35 weeks pregnant at an event like that.  I sat a lot and got second helpings of the awesome macaroni and cheese being served with dinner. :)  I sent Aunt K a text earlier in the week saying too bad I had to bring this with me and couldn't enjoy the open bar! ;)

We left the next morning around 11am and took our time getting home, arriving close to 6pm.  We stopped in Shreveport to check out the Toys R Us/Babies R Us there since our area doesn't have one.  We were really disappointed and will definitely be making the trip to Lafayette in a couple weeks to complete our registry.  Baby C was worn out from so much over two days and spent the last couple of the hours of the drive like this:

(notice the lollipop still in his hand haha!)

Next time I make that trip, it will be baby time!  Can't wait!  The reality of baby's arrival is making it's appearance around here.  Just today Daddy B put up the swing we are borrowing from Aunt K and my brother this time around.  It's all very surreal!

33 Week Appointment & Baby Shower

Dr. C has been awesome about just going with the flow when it comes to my appointments.  I should "technically" be seeing him every two weeks right now, but since the pregnancy is healthy, I'm not seeing him nearly as often due to the driving.  I saw him at 29 weeks and last weekend was my baby shower, so I saw him the friday before at 33 weeks.

Everything went well at the appointment.  My blood pressure was something like 119/72 (can't remember now that it has been a week) and baby's heart rate was strong at 145 bpm.  I shared with him what had just happened the day before with Cousin M and Dr. C let me listen to the baby longer than normal.  I just cried hearing that sound and thinking of my sweet cousin and everything she had already been through.  I still tear up thinking about how much that heart beat meant to me during that appointment.  Both he and his partner midwife told me the baby sounded strong and perfect.  I've definitely relished every hiccup and (sometimes painful!) jab and kick since.

Cousin M is doing well, for those who are thinking and praying for her.  We have talked nearly every day, whether through text or a phone call and are trying to support each other in the ways we can.  We are both in unknown territory when it comes to supporting each other through the loss, as neither of us expected this turn of events.  I'm so thankful for my relationship with her and her encouragement for the natural birth I desire.  We are hoping her and her daughter will be able to come for a visit shortly after this baby is born so she can help me with her awesome nursing skills!  On that note, continued prayers as she deals with having to try to stop her supply for the first time.  She nursed her first daughter until she weaned right before she turned two and was really looking forward to a new nursing relationship with baby Charlotte.

To continue about my appointment, the baby also is continuing to measure two weeks ahead.  Baby C measured the same throughout the end of pregnancy and Dr. C warned me that this baby will definitely be larger!  I have faith that God designed my body to grow the perfect size baby for me to deliver and am not letting that scare me one bit.  I know they will be born exactly the size they need to be! The baby is still head down and considered in the "perfect" birthing position.  They haven't really done too much moving around my belly since they turned head down at 28.5 weeks.  In fact, the area they kick all the time is starting to feel a little sore! I'm headed back to Texas this coming friday for a wedding and my last appointment before the big transition at 38 weeks.  Dr. C will be out of the office, so I'm seeing his partner midwife at her birth center.  She has been at nearly all of my appointments and I'm looking forward to seeing the birth center, as I've heard a lot of great things about it through the ICAN of North Texas ladies.

I'm feeling pretty good still.  Getting more uncomfortable and can tell my pelvis and lower back are relaxing more and more.  Have had some nausea spells, but I read that's normal in late pregnancy.  Last night I was nauseous and had a head ache and being the paranoid mom that I am, I took my blood pressure.  Brian and I sort of laughed when it came back 109/66.  I never have had a problem with blood pressure, but I'm so worried something will come up that throws this entire birth plan off.  I should probably try to relax a little bit. ;)

Here's the two newest belly comparisons.  I have started taking a picture every two weeks, as I did the same thing with Baby C and want to have the same pictures as I did the first pregnancy.

The next day, four of my closest friends (who were all bridesmaids in my wedding!) threw me the most WONDERFUL baby shower I could have asked for!  The cherry on top of the entire thing was that my other sister in law (We'll call her Aunt D), surprised me by flying in from Georgia on Friday night!  She has my two nieces who are 7 and 4, and one has special needs, so she is a busy busy busy mama.  I was so touched she went out of her way to come celebrate with us!  Here's some pictures:

 Aunt K made all of this awesome food!  Her famous meatballs, ham and cheese croissants, tortellini skewers, spinach dip in a bread bowl (my fav!), and Chili's chips, salsa and salad.  My good friend J made that amazing cupcake owl and the dozen baby owls that surrounded it!

This tree represents everyone's guess of boy or girl and has a piece of advice written on the back.  

Girl won two-to-one!  

33 weeks and enjoying my shower :)

These were my beautiful hostesses!  L to R: Aunt K, Amiga C, (me), my friend J who I went to college with and my friend L who I've known since I was 5!  Love these four ladies so much!

I feel much more prepared after the generous gifts from the baby shower.  The baby room is nearly finished and I can't wait to share all of the hard work Daddy B and I have put in!