Hello Friends!
Until today; if you asked, I would have told you that my pregnancy thus far has been easy with minimal hiccups, lots of great distractions, and an adorably round belly with no additional stretch marks from my first pregnancy. This little boy has definitely taken it easy on me. I have even accepted the fact that I have gained 38 pounds and am simply looking forward to the challenge of taking it off.
The only real reason that I didn't think I could take another three months of this is because the comments I get from 150+ people at my work are getting really freaking old.
Today I am achy, crampy, cranky, and I can officially no longer see clearly more than 2 feet in front of my face. My doctor says this is because I am retaining water in my eyes and it has changed the shape of my corneas; Good news is, it will go away after delivery.
Speaking of my new doctor, I have been to her twice at the Fairview Medical Clinic. There is really no good reason that I chose Fairview except that my good friend Cassie is a longtime Fairview patient and loves it. As much as I loved my last doctor (and hated the clinic), I love this clinic (super fast and friendly service!) and am not a fan of my doctor. The first thing she did was move my due date AGAIN back to June 23rd, and told me I was "measuring 35 weeks" to back up her decision, even though just the week before I was measuring 36 at my old doctors office. She also said something about the state of my lady parts that directly contradicted what they had just told me in L&D three days earlier. So basically I feel that she will tell me anything to make her decisions with me look legit, and I am not happy about it. Fortunately, the chance that she will be the one delivering me is pretty slim, so I am not going to panic about it.
Otherwise, the last several days have been uneventful and I am back to thinking that it will be quite awhile before Ben makes his appearance.
Physical Update: (TMI Warning)
36 weeks 3 days
+38 pounds
0 centimeters dialated -according to doctor
2 centimeters dialated -according to MGH L&D
80% effaced
0 station
In laymans terms, Baby is super low and engaged. As soon as my body decides to start making productive contractions (that dialate me), things will go very fast. This, however could still take weeks.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Scary L&D Visit
I wanted to get this post in writing before I forgot all the details, as this blog is (mostly) a record of my family and pregnancies, and I'd like to be able to refer back to it. I didn't post this right after it happened because for those of you that know me, I don't like people worrying about me, or any attention about this kind of stuff in general.:)
Written: May 31st, 2012
On Tuesday, May 15 I woke up at 4am experiencing contractions that were not consistantly painful, but that came every 3-4 minutes until 6am. At 6am, they started coming every 5-7 minutes, but were still coming like clockwork. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, and would just be considered "practice labor" since they were becoming spaced out over time, except I was only 35 weeks along. I placed a call to the Fairview on-call doctor around 5pm who told me to drink a lot of water, use the bathroom, lay on my side, and to go to the hospital if they continued. At 6:00a I got up for work, got Bri ready and brought her to daycare at my mom's house. I didn't say anything to my mom at that point because I didn't want to worry her. By 9am, the contractions were still 5-7 minutes apart so I decided to leave work and head to L&D (Labor and Delivery). Fortunately, the Maple Grove hospital is only a few minutes from my work, which was super convenient.
I ended up in L&D till 3pm. They tried pumping me with fluids via IV in case I was dehydrated, gave me 2 shots of Trebulitine ( a drug that halts labor) and one in pill form over a five hour period. Nothing worked and at this point they were considering keeping me overnight. They even felt the need to notify me that if Ben was born that night, that he would be transferred to a level II nursery at the University of Minnesota since theirs was full.
Fortunuately, at that point I decided to call my mom and ask her to pray, because I did NOT want to have Ben that night and was getting worried. Soon after she prayed, the contractions finally stopped and they were able to send me home. I was given strict instructions to take it easy and to come in immediately if the consistent contractions started up again.
Needless to say, the next day at work I got things wrapped up very quickly. Since then, things have been very boring and nothing exciting has happened. My leave at work starts in 13 calendar days and 8 work days. I can't wait!!!!
Lovies,
Catherine
Written: May 31st, 2012
On Tuesday, May 15 I woke up at 4am experiencing contractions that were not consistantly painful, but that came every 3-4 minutes until 6am. At 6am, they started coming every 5-7 minutes, but were still coming like clockwork. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, and would just be considered "practice labor" since they were becoming spaced out over time, except I was only 35 weeks along. I placed a call to the Fairview on-call doctor around 5pm who told me to drink a lot of water, use the bathroom, lay on my side, and to go to the hospital if they continued. At 6:00a I got up for work, got Bri ready and brought her to daycare at my mom's house. I didn't say anything to my mom at that point because I didn't want to worry her. By 9am, the contractions were still 5-7 minutes apart so I decided to leave work and head to L&D (Labor and Delivery). Fortunately, the Maple Grove hospital is only a few minutes from my work, which was super convenient.
I ended up in L&D till 3pm. They tried pumping me with fluids via IV in case I was dehydrated, gave me 2 shots of Trebulitine ( a drug that halts labor) and one in pill form over a five hour period. Nothing worked and at this point they were considering keeping me overnight. They even felt the need to notify me that if Ben was born that night, that he would be transferred to a level II nursery at the University of Minnesota since theirs was full.
Fortunuately, at that point I decided to call my mom and ask her to pray, because I did NOT want to have Ben that night and was getting worried. Soon after she prayed, the contractions finally stopped and they were able to send me home. I was given strict instructions to take it easy and to come in immediately if the consistent contractions started up again.
Needless to say, the next day at work I got things wrapped up very quickly. Since then, things have been very boring and nothing exciting has happened. My leave at work starts in 13 calendar days and 8 work days. I can't wait!!!!
Lovies,
Catherine
Maple Grove Hospital Tour
When we arrived at Maple Grove Hospital, we were seated in a lovely waiting room area with a grand piano playing music. Soon the area began to fill up with about a half dozen other Daddys and Mommys with big bellies! The tour guide walked around and introduced herself to each couple. The aire was very light and happy, it was so relaxing. After walking us around the ground floor a bit to show us the gift shop, garden, and cafe- she brought us up a wide, winding staircase to the Family Birth Center, which is the entire second floor!
First we were showed the Labor and Delivery unit, which consisted of two assessment rooms intended to find out if you are in labor. From there they move you to a HUGE L&D room with wood floors, a flat screen TV, a huge window, and a couch that turns into a full size twin bed for Daddy. I kid you not, 20 people could fit into that room. Each room also has a private bathroom with a whirlpool tub!
After laboring, delivering, and recovering in that room, you are moved to a maternity room which is half as big, but still huge! The room is layed out the same as the L&D room with less medical equipment and a smaller bathroom. It also has a safe, a refridgerator, and a supply cabinet that the nurses can fill from the hallway so not to disturb you when changing shifts.
The tour guide also gave us a menu to the cafe and raved about the homemade food. I am not daft, I know it's still cafeteria food, but I am still looking forward to trying it during my stay.
So basically if I ended up going to the Maple Grove hospital, I will be having my baby and recovering in a hotel. I am crossing all my fingers and toes that this works out!
First we were showed the Labor and Delivery unit, which consisted of two assessment rooms intended to find out if you are in labor. From there they move you to a HUGE L&D room with wood floors, a flat screen TV, a huge window, and a couch that turns into a full size twin bed for Daddy. I kid you not, 20 people could fit into that room. Each room also has a private bathroom with a whirlpool tub!
After laboring, delivering, and recovering in that room, you are moved to a maternity room which is half as big, but still huge! The room is layed out the same as the L&D room with less medical equipment and a smaller bathroom. It also has a safe, a refridgerator, and a supply cabinet that the nurses can fill from the hallway so not to disturb you when changing shifts.
The tour guide also gave us a menu to the cafe and raved about the homemade food. I am not daft, I know it's still cafeteria food, but I am still looking forward to trying it during my stay.
So basically if I ended up going to the Maple Grove hospital, I will be having my baby and recovering in a hotel. I am crossing all my fingers and toes that this works out!
Breaking Up With Allina
Breaking Up With Allina
Literally the day after Matt and I went on the tour at Unity Hospital, I emailed my doctor at Fridley Allina and asked if she would care to see me for my 36 week appointment, just in case she wanted to check in on my condition, etc since she hadn't seen me in months. I noted that I still really wanted her to deliver the baby (it is a group practice, but she has told me before that she would come over if I went into labor during the day and requested her)
I explained that I havent seen her for every appointment thus far for two reasons: 1. Scheduling is an issue, she doesnt have appointments past 3:30pm and I need them to be at 4 or later. 2. I loathe going to the Fridley clinic because I have to wait an hour or more to be seen every single time, even though I am always on time. My appointments are scheduled for 10 minutes long and the doctor is usually only with me for 3-5 minutes if I have no concerns.
Anyway, I received an email back from a nurse stating that I could only see Dr. Green for my 36 week appointment "IF" she had availability and that the only way she would deliver me is if she "happened" to be on call that day. I was furious with this answer, and the fact that the nurse didn't even bother to show Dr. Green my message. I wrote back stating that I thought her answer was rude, I understood the policies and I expected her to forward my message on to Dr. Green. Days later she wrote back that she was sorry that I "felt she was rude" and that she would forward my message. A week later.. I still haven't heard anything.
Starting Over (albeit late in the game)
Thursday night I was so upset about the nurse's message that I called Maple Grove hospital and scheduled a hospital tour. It was Matt and I's four year anniversary, so I knew he wouldn't be thrilled about it, but I wanted to schedule it just in case he would go for it. Fortunately for me, Matt was a trooper about it. We went to the tour before dinner, and it was amazing! ( I will write a separate post about the tour.)
The best part is, Maple Grove Hospital is in a completely different network than Unity and the Allina clinics, so I am hoping that I will be treated better. My first appointment with the new doctor is this Friday the 18th at 3:30. I am really nervous since I will already be 35.5 weeks along, but I know it will be for the best.
Literally the day after Matt and I went on the tour at Unity Hospital, I emailed my doctor at Fridley Allina and asked if she would care to see me for my 36 week appointment, just in case she wanted to check in on my condition, etc since she hadn't seen me in months. I noted that I still really wanted her to deliver the baby (it is a group practice, but she has told me before that she would come over if I went into labor during the day and requested her)
I explained that I havent seen her for every appointment thus far for two reasons: 1. Scheduling is an issue, she doesnt have appointments past 3:30pm and I need them to be at 4 or later. 2. I loathe going to the Fridley clinic because I have to wait an hour or more to be seen every single time, even though I am always on time. My appointments are scheduled for 10 minutes long and the doctor is usually only with me for 3-5 minutes if I have no concerns.
Anyway, I received an email back from a nurse stating that I could only see Dr. Green for my 36 week appointment "IF" she had availability and that the only way she would deliver me is if she "happened" to be on call that day. I was furious with this answer, and the fact that the nurse didn't even bother to show Dr. Green my message. I wrote back stating that I thought her answer was rude, I understood the policies and I expected her to forward my message on to Dr. Green. Days later she wrote back that she was sorry that I "felt she was rude" and that she would forward my message. A week later.. I still haven't heard anything.
Starting Over (albeit late in the game)
Thursday night I was so upset about the nurse's message that I called Maple Grove hospital and scheduled a hospital tour. It was Matt and I's four year anniversary, so I knew he wouldn't be thrilled about it, but I wanted to schedule it just in case he would go for it. Fortunately for me, Matt was a trooper about it. We went to the tour before dinner, and it was amazing! ( I will write a separate post about the tour.)
The best part is, Maple Grove Hospital is in a completely different network than Unity and the Allina clinics, so I am hoping that I will be treated better. My first appointment with the new doctor is this Friday the 18th at 3:30. I am really nervous since I will already be 35.5 weeks along, but I know it will be for the best.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
L&D Tour at Unity Hospital
Tonight, my good friend Esther and I (and our hubbies and kids) are touring the newly remodeled Family Birth Center at Unity hospital in Fridley where we will be delivering, (she is due a month behind me). From what I remember, the actual L&D (labor and delivery) was super nice and huge. It had a rocking chair, a pull-out bed, a full bathroom with a tub etc. It even had a TV. The problem is, we spent most our time in the family centered care unit down the hall which had cramped, oddly shaped rooms, no hot water, and an old tv with a vhs player. We were definitely less than impressed with those rooms. I am HOPING that they remodeled these as well...
When I am laying in bed pushing out a baby I do not care how big or fancy the L&D room is, or if it has a flat screen TV. Last time around, most of the laboring I did was spent in the skyway walking back and forth. Then I went back to the room, got the epi and Matt and I watched Ferris Buehler on his laptop until it was time to push. I am hoping for a similar experience, just with a different movie. I may try to labor at home a little longer too.
Regardless, I am excited about the tour and am getting totally psyched up for the birth to happen in general. Six more weeks. Woo Hoo!!
Lovies,
Catherine
When I am laying in bed pushing out a baby I do not care how big or fancy the L&D room is, or if it has a flat screen TV. Last time around, most of the laboring I did was spent in the skyway walking back and forth. Then I went back to the room, got the epi and Matt and I watched Ferris Buehler on his laptop until it was time to push. I am hoping for a similar experience, just with a different movie. I may try to labor at home a little longer too.
Regardless, I am excited about the tour and am getting totally psyched up for the birth to happen in general. Six more weeks. Woo Hoo!!
Lovies,
Catherine
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