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Saturday, December 6, 2008

Here She Comes!

Hello Lexington FAMILY Magazine readers!

Just thought I'd let you know, that we've decided to go ahead and be induced. I'm now over 40 weeks, and things are looking great. Baby girl is somewhere around 7.11 pounds, and I'm a little nervous about her getting bigger :P

I'm still just at a 1/2 centimeter dilated (oh well), and of course the doctor mentioned being able to "make me a 1 very quickly," again but then made sure to say that she knew I didn't want my membranes stripped (thank you very much!) I also had to do that Non-Stress Test with the belly belt, and doc said she was a happy baby and very textbook. The sonogram went well also, so that's good. Though, the sonographer said she couldn't find any good pockets of fluid, so that worries me a bit. I'm not thrilled with the idea of having a "dry birth."

SO, we're headed into the hospital tomorrow night for some cervix-softening medicine (I'm sure you all wanted to know that!) and then I start on a Pitocin drip Monday morning. We're told, that HOPEFULLY we'll have a baby by lunchtime--I wonder what country it will be lunchtime IN when she finally comes!?! :)

Wish me luck, my nerves are....indescribable!!!
Karyn Potts
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Strip This!

Hello Lexington FAMILY Magazine Readers!

Wow, do I have a story for you! Nothing phenomenol, but a tid bit that will make you sit back, a little shocked I'm sure. I went to the doctor yesterday. I decided that since I'm 40 weeks today, that if I was "doing anything," I'd tell her to go ahead and set up an induction.

My doc came in saying things like "We need to get this baby out Karyn..it's really time.." WHAT? I'm just NOW due. I now firmly believe that she's been miffed for the past few weeks when I'd go in and say "no" to induction, C-section, and complaining about how much my internal exams were. She and the (younger than me) nurse would pat my arm or leg saying how I was just "sensitive" and how I shouldn't be in pain. Though the last time I checked, I've never had quite the burning sensation I get any other exam I've had growing up! Perhaps I'm allergic to something she's using?

Point being: It was the MOST PAINFUL internal exam I have ever had in my ENTIRE life! She did one, and I somehow just breathed through it. She then told me to scoot down even more to do another one. WHY? I had no clue, but obliged. The next thing I felt, I can only compare pain-wise to when I had two bulging discs in my back! I screamed and burst into tears.

Now let me tell you, I like to think I'm a "toughy," and can handle most painful things, but this experience was unbearable. I had to tell her to stop at least three times before she did, and my husband had to run to my aid and calm me down.

Apparently I was only dilated a 1/2 centimeter. The doctor then informed me that she could easily make me a 1, and that might send me into labor. Of course at this point, at 40 weeks, I'm ready for Baby Girl to be born, so I asked what that would entail. She told me she'd have to strip my membranes. "Does it hurt, as much as what you just did to me?" I asked through the pouring of tears down my face. She replied, "No...it will hurt more." I quickly said "Then no, I'll wait." She seemed annoyed and said "I thought you wanted to have this baby?"

My Mom interjected and asked if induction was a possibility. She turned to my Mom and said "I've asked her the last two times she's been here, and she's said no each time, that she didn't want to do it." Brian, being the fantastic husband he is, perked right up and cut her off saying "Well, she wanted to wait and see if she'd go on her own. She wanted to wait until she was at least starting to dilate." She asked me if that's what I wanted to do, and I replied with an awkward "Yes." I was so glad to have both my Mom and Brian there, able to speak for me when I couldn't.

She came back into the room saying I'd have to go for a Non-Stress Test sonogram on Friday, come in on Sunday night to the hospital, and start my Pitocin drip Monday morning. Finally, a plan (though I wish it were earlier).

Now other than having little bedside manner and causing me insane pain, here's what makes us all a little peeved about my doctor visit yesterday: As she walked out of the room, my Mom asked what Stripping the Membranes actually entailed. (Sidenote: my Mom's in the medical field as well, and I have a real issue when doctors try to talk down to people.) She explained, very shortly, that it was a procedure that she does to get labor going, that separates the membranes from the wall (kind of like having your water broken, but not). Mom said "Oh, so she doesn't necessarily have to have it done." The doctor then turns to the three of us snidely, and says "Well, none of my patients get away without having it done. It's kinda like my signature move." She snickered and walked out the door.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?????? We all looked at eachother in disbelief. I couldn't believe what had just come out of her mouth. Like she was "going to get me no matter what." As if she's going to have her way, and if she thinks I should feel the pain, I should. I'm feeling very discouraged now. I've had this wonderful, not-that-bad pregnancy, so I'm now convinced my labor and delivery will be the story from you know where.

I know everything is my choice, and I can say what I want and what I don't want. I will have my two advocates (Mom and Brian) there to help get my views and wants across. I'm just wondering though, did anything like this happen to you?

Until next time, give me some advice!
Karyn Potts
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