Monday, July 2, 2012

Oh The Joys of the Ninth Month

The ninth month of pregnancy occurs for one reason only.... To give the mother-to-be motivation to be willing to do anything possible to get the baby out...

My doctor's appointment this morning would have been plain, boring, routine, except for one thing. This was my first appointment back since seeing the specialist again. I was expecting at this point to be discussing my induction date.

After the first time seeing the specialist, the word around the office (or at least what Justin and I were led to believe), was that I would be induced at 37, maybe 38 weeks. You know, let Brigette "cook all the way, but do without the frosting of the last few weeks". So in my head, the light at the end of the tunnel has been July 7th, maybe July 14th.

It appears that may not be the case. According to the doctor I saw today, because the specialist didn't come straight out and recommend "early" induction, there's nothing they can do. Her exact words were, "Hospitals have so many rules now. My hands are tied"....

I'm sorry.... I was under the impression that YOU were my doctor.... My care has not been fully transferred to the specialist, I was simply sent there for consultation and more accurate growth measurements. You don't need to wait for them to tell you what to do. And I'm also pretty sure if you, as my doctor, schedule my induction at 38 weeks (which would be for a legitimately medical reason), the hospital can't turn me away at the door. You're in charge. Am I wrong?....

The answer I got was basically we'll just keep waiting and seeing. Because she technically is still in the 11th percentile, she's still ok to be inside. If she were in the 10th, however, we'd be discussing induction.... I know they have to draw the line somewhere, but really?... I don't get it. Brigette has been steadily dropping in her percentiles for the last several months. And actually according to the "non-official" growth measurements they did at my office, she was below the 10th percentile today. The doctor told me, however, that they were going to stick with what the measurements from a few days ago showed.

I'm frustrated because as an emotional, hormonal pregnant woman who's 36+ weeks, I feel like them telling me we're not inducing in one or two weeks is actually pushing my due date out further. I know technically it's not, but that idea has gotten in my head. And it started with them! Note to OBs, don't ever tell your patient the "end of the line" is 38 weeks if you don't plan on following through with it! Oh, and to add to that, with Brigham at 35 weeks, I was dilated to a 2.... Today, at 36+3, I was "maybe, barely, a tight 1".... Sad... I wanted to cry today....

And at the same time, I'm having a hard time "standing up to them" about all this because deep down, I know that if it's medically wiser for me to stay pregnant, I want to do what's best for Brigette. I don't want her to come early at the risk of complications.... I just want her to come early and be fine.... I'm tired, I have constant heartburn, my pelvis aches, rolling over in bed is enough of a workout to make me short of breath, braxton hicks are getting old, and honestly, my arms are ACHING to hold this precious little girl!....Grumble, grumble, grumble..... Coming full circle, now does, "oh the joys of the ninth month" seem an appropriate title?

5 comments:

Jenna said...

Aw hunny. Complain all you want! It's rather cathartic to just get it all out. This is your blog, anyway. Other people can suck it.

I'll be praying that you go into labor soon!!!

Jacob & Clarissa said...

I went through the same thing. I was in the hospital for four hours with regular contractions, was told I was definitely in labor, and then sent home because I wasn't 39 weeks. The nurses said that if the doctor admitted me and then the contractions stopped, she would have to induce me and then she would have to go before the hospital board to be questioned on why she had done it and could lose her license if they didn't like her reasons. I thought it was really dumb that my doctor and I had no say in the matter.

Coleen said...

All I can say is I know it seems like you will be pregnant forever, but you won't and Brigette will be here to love and hold and well worth the extra days of waiting. Sounds like more swimming in cool water is needed, more yogurt from Yogurt Jungle and foot massages from my wonderful son, Justin. Love you, you're in our prayers everyday!

katy hanchett said...

I FULL understand what you're talking about! I'm 40 weeks in 3 days and my dr said he wouldn't induce til the 12 (which feels SO far away!!) I hurt so bad and just 3 more days sounds painful and long! The last time I saw him was a week and a half ago and I was a 1. He didn't believe me when I told him I didn't think I progressed until he saw I was STILL a 1! So when he asked if I wanted to be induced I jumped at it! I feel for you on all the pain and I am not gonna say it'll be over soon bc I hate it when people tell me that at this point and tell me to buck up!! Hang in there! I understand! :)

The Gatherers said...

Oh my goodness, the end is so so hard. Hope your precious one comes sooner than later!