OK, so my last OB appointment this past Tuesday revealed not much has changed since the week prior in the cervix department, but it did show that Abby had grown a centimeter and that her heart rate was still very good. I asked the midwife a few questions regarding the ultrasound results that checked for fetal growth and she reassured me that all Abby's measurements were great and she had just dropped and that is why she is still measuring at 4 cm under "normal."
Then on Thursday I had another nonstress test (NST) and it revealed that Abby is still doing very well and that she is responding to stimuli as well as napping (as she should be). Yesterday her base heart rate was around 135 bpm, so she only had to get her heart rate up to 150 to pass the test, and she did that around six times, so they were more than happy with the results. The highest her heart rate got was around 165-170 bpm and it happened when she heard her daddy talking again! I love hearing the little pitter-patter of her heart as she hears his voice, it is the most precious thing ever!
So...I am a little confused on several things...at my Week 36 appointment I was told that I was a fingertip dilated (i.e., roughly 1 cm) and 75% effaced by the nurse midwife student that did my internal exam. Then at my Week 38 check up they did another internal exam in which I was told by the midwife that I was not dilated at all and had about 50% effacement and that the baby was at zero station. Then at my last appointment this week I was told by the midwife that I wasn't dilated at all and was "a good amount effaced--about 60-70%" and that she was still at zero station. When I spoke to the doctor who is going to do my induction today on the phone, however, she told me that it was reported in the computer that I was "60% effaced, 0 cm dilated and baby was at -1 station." This is SOOOO frustrating! Not because me knowing how effaced or dilated I am or am not really has any bearing on anything, but that with all the advancements in medical technology not ONE medical professional that I have seen can tell me definitively what is going on down there. It makes you wonder how much of modern obstetrics is pure guessing and what percentage is actual founded in medical fact. Then it really makes you wonder if they know what they are talking about when they want to induce you early or tell you there is something abnormal, because let's be real, to me it's ABNORMAL that there is no consensus among the medical professionals I've seen on something as simple as the state of my cervix.
I'll get off my soapbox now, but I had to get that frustration out because I am left scratching my head as they try and tell me "your baby needs to come out now," but their actions are saying "we may SLASH may not know exactly what we are doing..."
Any extra prayers you could send to Abby and me are much appreciated. We are still hoping for a natural and spontaneous start to labor but if that doesn't happen, ultimately we of course just want a happy and healthy baby and mommy!
Thank you so much in advanced for your thoughts and prayers!
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I am praying for a speedy labor and delivery for you! Don't worry she will make her appearance when she is meant to...Besides after this weekend, you will have a beautiful bouncy bundle of joy to bring home! That's amazing! Good luck you guys, and god bless!
ReplyDeleteps. I'll be expecting pictures ASAP! LOL!
I think a lot of it has to do with who is doing the exam and what is going on at the time. She may be higher up one week because of her position and could move into another position the next week and be sitting lower in your pelvis. I also had a lit of different cervical measurements. Remember, they use their fingers to measure, and it's not a accurate measurement lol Try measuring something in centimeters with your fingers without looking! There really doesn't seem to be a ton of difference between -1 and zero station. She probably just isn't 'engaged' in the pelvis and therefore her head is bobbing up and down as she changes position. Which means when they check you, she could be floating anywhere. Also- When I was pregnant with Kyler, on Friday I had NO progress at all. Baby was not expected to come so they scheduled an induction for Monday, my due date. 2 hours before leaving for my induction my water broke and I started contractions on my own. It can happen!
ReplyDeleteLook up every 'natural' method of starting labor you can find and try them all!
Have you mentioned possibly not wanting to induce? I mean, if you are very against it and they are not doing it for medical reasons, you can probably say no, you want to wait a few more days. Jackson, I was induced due to size and Brennan I went on my own 10 days early, but he was breech so I has a c-section. You don't have to induce if you don't want to. They can't MAKE you. But in the end, having a healthy baby and mommy is the ultimate end goal and whatever it takes to get to that point won't matter as much once she is in your arms. <3 looking forward to an update!
I think Abby will let ya know when she's ready to come out ;) But you get on those docs about some damn accurate readings! This reminds me of the time they had you listed as a foreign officer or something in their system...lol
ReplyDeleteMelissa--LOL! Yeah! They had me listed as a 1LT when Rock was only a 2LT and they had me as a foreign dignitary! I should have kept it on there because I sure got appointments quickly! ;)
ReplyDeleteTracy--I know what you are saying and I am really not upset with them finding the placental calcification and wanting to get her out. I am upset at the perceived lack of consensus amongst the whole of my care team. I have spoken to the doctors and nurses and agree it is better to have her out right now before there is a problem but I definitely do realize they can't MAKE me do anything. I think I am also upset that they make it seem like you have no choice. I was told last Friday that Abby's measurements look fine “but we noticed your placenta was aging so if she doesn't come naturally by her due date, we will induce you.” There was no attempt to educate me on what all an “aging placenta” entailed or even talk with me beyond dropping that news. It was just like “wham, bam, thank you ma'am” and the doctor left. It was only after that I researched it and then had a plethora of questions, and discovered that there aren't many “set answers,” as everyone seemed to have a different opinion. I am ready just to meet Abby and I know that at the end of the day, that's all that matters! :)
Nichelle--I will definitely keep everyone updated I promise! Especially Wayne, since Abby is the epitome of what he wanted! ;) LOL!!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers as the Stevenses Family gets a little bit bigger :) Can't wait to meet your little bit of adorableness :)
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