We had 3 telling, important appointments this week, first being our 4th ultrasound. The ultrasound was on May 26th to see where the placenta is and if it had moved, and to check on babe. Gratefully Grandma was able to attend the appointment and see our little girl for the first time. She was very active and photogenic. We got a lot of great glimpses of her pretty little face. We found out that she is about 3 pounds and in the 75th percentile (meaning that she's bigger than 75 babes, and smaller than 24 out of 100 approximately. After the ultrasound we met with the radiologist who informed us that the placenta has not moved at all, it is completely covering my cervix by 5 cm and would need to move a total of 7cm (over and away from the cervix) in order to consider a vaginal delivery.
May 27th I met with our OBGYN, Dr Caddy at the South Health Campus for the first time. I am very impressed with her and the services available at the South Health Campus. They have a dietician, social worker, lactation consultant and psychologist available who work with families. I have made a request to see the lactation consultant to discuss concerns that I have regarding breast feeding without going into labour as this can be more problematic and unnatural. Dr Caddy clarified that I will need to have a scheduled cesarian at 37 weeks. They prefer to deliver babies at the beginning of the 37th week to decrease risk of an emergency bleed. They used to deliver at 36 weeks. I would be more comfortable waiting until 38 weeks but we will do what needs to be done. Our baby will be born at the South Health Campus the week of July 27th. This is disappointing for us, but we are dealing with the situation well. Dennis has been a great support. We have many professionals involved, whom I feel comfortable and confident with. I wanted as few interventions as possible, and a natural birth after dealing with infertility and IVF. Dr Caddy discussed many risks, most common being bleeding. Many women with a previa have bleeding through their pregnancy with can result in preterm labour or a much earlier emergency cesarian. I havent experienced any bleeding, but that doesnt mean that I wont. Women can go their whole pregnancy without a bleed, with a major bleed or with several bleeds. If I experiencing any bleeding I need to phone 911 immediately. I need to be within hospital range at all times for the next 9 weeks; no long walks, no travelling or flying. I need to be "homebound" basically. As one gets closer to term the risk of bleeding, and having a major bleed is much more likely and concerning. In addition to the previa my placenta is anterior; during surgery they will need to cut into and through the placenta to get baby out. There are a lot of risks associated with cutting the placenta, as it will continue to bleed. I may need to receive a blood transfusion. If bleeding does not stop the worst case scenario would be a hysterectomy. This frightens me and would be devastating.
May 28th I met with one of our Midwives, Alisha. She discussed with me their continued involvement, one of our midwives (Alisha or Caroline) will be present in the OR, and will receive our baby immediately after the surgery. It is a priority for me and for them for baby to be skin to skin immediately. If for some reason I can't receive her right away Dennis can. Dr Caddy knows, and has a lot of respect for Caroline. I feel confident and reassured that they will be there with us. Our midwives will continue to follow us and care for myself and babe postpartum. It is shocking to me, OB/GYN's don't follow moms or babies after at all. I am so grateful for the midwives continued involvement and support. They will be helpful in breastfeeding and postpartum care.
My blood pressure, baby's heart beat, and my size is all normal, I am measuring at 29 weeks. Alisha commended me and told me how proud she is of me for dealing with this situation so well. It was nice to hear that from her. I feel confident that our family is and will be well. Our baby has a bit of a head start in life, and is in optimal health. Alisha felt our baby, her head is down and her bum is up, which is the same position she was in the last 2 ultrasounds. We have another ultrasound appointment on June 9th to check on the previa again. The radiologist and OBGYN are confident that the previa will not move, and said that it would be a miracle if it does. I will meet with the Midwives every 2 weeks; our next appointment with the OBGYN is in 4 weeks due to our involvement with the midwives, as well.
Dennis & I discussed discontinuing the classes that we are taking with Healthy Birth Choices. The classes focus on a natural labour and delivery. Alisha agrees that we should discontinue. We are registered and will continue with our plans to attend the Birth and Babies classes with Alberta Health Services, starting July 8th. The first 3 classes are related to labour, however the remaining 7 classes are on parenting and breastfeeding. When we registered we provided the babies scheduled due date, so that you attend classes prior to having baby and postpartum. Apparently its a great opportunity and venue to meet parents and establish friendships with other new parents.
I have been feeling our baby a lot! She is moving and kicking often. It's cool and reassuring to feel her, but weird and powerful.
Grandma and Grandpa were in Calgary for the past week, for Trinity's Graduation. We had a lovely week together! The weather was gorgeous. Mom and I walked daily, often with Aunty Bobby. Dad had several bike rides downtown with Trinity, Dennis & Aunty Bobby!
Within the past 2 weeks I have experienced swelling in my feet and hands. My most uncomfortable symptom so far has been swelling in my hands in the morning. A lot of women get carpal tunnel during pregnancy specifically. There isnt much, or anything that can be done about it. I wake up early in the morning, 5am approximately with pain and numbness in my hands. It is the worst in the morning, I wake up in excruciating pain through the night. It helps for me to stand up but when I lie back down it comes on again. Feels like I have 10 elastic bands tied her around my wrist tightly. I can't close my fist, it's especially bad on my right side. I asked about this on my Summer 2015 IVF Babes group, many other women are experiencing this as well. I mentioned this to our midwife, she said that it is very normal and not much can be done about it. It's due to all of the additional blood volume, which pools in the extremities.
I also now have back pain and aches. I am not complaining! I am in love with being pregnant and carrying this precious little girl! My appetite seems to have tamed down. Im no longer hungry through the day and sometimes forget to eat lunch.
No comments:
Post a Comment