Weekly Questions w/o 1/21

lotsofsunshine

@prpl11butterfly , I honestly haven't had a chance to read all the posts on this thread yet, so I'm sorry if I am repeating what others have already said... This is baby #4 for me and I show earlier and earlier with each baby. I'm going to have to bust out my maternity clothes in the next week or so (even if it's just bloat) ... Luckily for me, I don't work out side the home, so I can get away with yoga pants for a little while. 
Edited because Im typing with the help of a toddler. 

lotsofsunshine

Being a BTDT mom I didn't think I'd have any questions, but I do! A little background. With my first 3, I knew I was pregnant within a couple of weeks. I have always been great at tracking my cycles. But this time is different... I haven't had a period since DD was born in Aug 16.( I'm still nursing her) Anyway,  I had been having symptoms which I figured were just PMS symptoms. I finally took a pregnancy test and got great news!!! But of course I have NO idea when we conceived or when we might be due. I have an appointment on Tuesday, but I don't know what to expect... will they do an ultrasound? Bloodwork?? Anyone have any idea what is standard in this situation? 

prpl11butterfly

@lotsofsunshine mine's mostly a bloat issue but it's actually making me feel sick to have things snug on my belly right now. I broke into my storage bag today to see what I had. I am going to have to buy some tops but think I can get buy with just some loose fitting ones. Once nice weather hits again I'll be on good shape though. Back to maxi skirts and tank tops (with nice sweaters over them in my office)

SkilledSailor

@lotsofsunshine I’m pretty sure you can request a dating US. They’ll need to know the EDD so the other tests are done at the appropriate times. 

pourmeanothermocktail

codesoncodes said:

pourmeamocktail said:

@chelletn That was kinda my thought. I was a c section for the first one, but it wasn't necessary, and I'm so passionate about trying for a vbac, I don't want to be cut again unless it's medically necessary. That all being said, I have all the respect in the world for anyone who chooses or needs a c section too, it just isn't for me unless it's needed.

Can I ask the circumstances for a non necessary section? It’s unusual for doctors to preform one without a medica reason because of insurance reasons. If it’s too personal, tell me to butt out. 

Friendly heads up, I'm part of my local ICAN chaper and I'm very passionate - so I apologize if I sound preachy. Ok, so around here VBACs are not the norm, and doctors finding excuses for a c section is way too common. For instance, they'll try to induce just because you're 39 weeks or "baby is measuring big" (late term ultrasounds tend to vary in weight measurement by 1+ lbs, so....not so accurate on size), and because body doesn't go into labor because it's legit not ready, you end up with a section. Also, there's an attitude around here that "once a c-section, always a c-section" even though tons of research shows that VBAC after 1 c-section carries less risk of complications than a second c-section. Similarly, lots of ladies get a section for "failure to progess" when you haven't been in labor very long, they won't let you change positions (or get out of bed) to help along a baby in a sub-optimal position, and no one is in distress, but they suggest a c-section, etc. Many moms I've spoken to had the doctor tell them at the time that "we NEED to get this baby out now" but later on the operative report it states either "elective section" or "mother too exhausted" etc, which isn't AT ALL why the surgery was consented to.

In my case, my doctors refused to believe I was in preterm labor, refused to try an ECV to turn a breech baby, even though the reason was that ECV could put me into preterm labor and they didn't want that (uhm, ok? I'm in labor, you just said I was), ECV could run the risk of breaking my water which would be bad at 35 weeks (but I'm already in labor....), and then they told me that they would only attempt a vaginal breech if baby was small (again, 35 weeks here!) and was already descended (they later tell me baby was at like +1 station and descending great on his own). I asked if I could be prepped for surgery and allowed to attempt to deliver vaginally in the OR (in case of complications like him getting stuck), as I was already in transition when they were prepping me, and I had had a few doctors previously (before we had to move at 30 weeks) tell me that I was a good candidate to attempt a vaginal breech delivery. They told me that if I didn't consent to surgery they would kick me out of the hospital (again in transition with a preemie). So, in my mind, pretty unnecessary, as everyone's heart rate was good, no one was in distress, and they were obstructing me from even try to turn him in early labor, and they refused to even give me a chance. Things got worse after that...if anyone really wants to hear all the awful details of a very traumatic birth, I am willing to share but let me tell you, it's long and TW all over that crap. Important part is that we're both alive and healthy now.

Now, I'm very very passionate about a VBAC, but I'm working on trying to set up an illegal homebirth to do it, as there aren't many friendly hospitals or doctors around here, and it's illegal to have a primary (1st) VBAC at home unless we want to do it without a birth attendant (which is fine for some, but not at all inside my comfort level).

I also though support women who WANT to have a c-section, whatever their reason is. I don't care if she feels like a repeat c-section is right for her, or even just wants to have birth surgical in the first place because that's how she feels safest. If she gets exhausted after a long labor and wants surgery, that's great, do it! Do what makes YOU feel comfortable and safe. I just hate that anyone is pressured into any birth situation they don't want without a legit medical reason behind it (something like placenta previa or accretia, or a baby that seriously isn't tolerating labor or a transverse position that literally cannot descend). So, I'm all about supporting women making their own choices about risks and birthing however they want to generally. 

Sorry for this novel.

tl;dr: my baby was breech and I was bullied into a very bad c-section. Now I want a home birth.

lotsofsunshine

@SkilledSailor, Thanks! I kind of assumed that's what would happen. I just didn't know if they would want to test HCG levels first or not... I guess it doesn't really matter either way. Just curious. 
Edited because I can't spell today. 

olliedog3

I have a dating ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday. I will be 9 weeks along. I am wondering if it will be a belly Ultrasound or transvaginal. I only had belly ultrasounds with my DD. What has been your experience with dating ultrasounds and transvaginal ultrasounds?

chelletn

@olliedog3 in my experience dating ultrasounds have been transvaginal. 

starla

@olliedog3 Did they tell you to have a full bladder? If so it's external. I think they would do external, but may also do transvaginal. 

olliedog3

 @starla They didn't mention the full bladder. I am expecting a confirmation call tomorrow, maybe they will mention something then.

starla

@olliedog3 I would ask if I were you. 

olliedog3

@starla I think I will. Thanks!

nlc8424

@olliedog3 for my first pregnancy my first ultrasound was at 9 weeks and it was external, told to come with a full bladder. I'm assuming this one will be the same in 2 weeks.

MandyMost

@olliedog3 it’s also quite possible they will start with external, but also do a transvaginal if they need a different/better angle on things. That’s what they’ve always done with me.

Wishilivedinflorida

@pourmeamocktail I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. I’m really sad that you are cornered into an (illegal?!) option for birthing this LO. I hope things work out but that you are able to arrange a safety net plan just in case. The fact that that is so difficult/impossible is so disappointing to me as a medical professional. I hope so much you get your VBAC! 

olliedog3

@MandyMost That makes sense. Thanks!

pourmeanothermocktail

@Wishilivedinflorida Thanks! I am glad that there's exactly one good VBAC doc in this county, so yeah, hoping for home birth, but definitely have plans self up for Dgtggdp voluntary transfer to hospital pre-labor (45 min away, but much nicer hospital), or emergency transfer to hospital 5 min away. It's not as nice on the mom and baby friendly stats, but is certainly safe and close.

The fact that I need to use an illegal midwife at home is stupid, especially since she obviously can't take insurance.