Updated! EDD: tomorrow -, but today we scheduled a c for 2/7/2012! Just some rambling to help me cop

christinbeatrice

(this turned out to be long - sorry)

 I also posted on Feb 2012, but figured maybe I could get some advice from Momma's who've been there - done that! ---- I've read the past 10 pages of post from this board today (just to get some of my questions answered, that I knew had probably been asked time & time again) So thank you to previous posters!!! What I have gained: I'm buying a pair of the Motherhood Post Paturm Panties, I am not so scared of recovery, & Everyone seems to be very positive (which has made this day so much better!!) :-)

First let me say that before getting pregnant I didn't have an OB & didn't really know what questions to ask. I found one who made me feel comfortable & we went with him. Well through out the pregnancy he has been really quick/laid back. Appts. last no more than 10 minutes, he doesn't give to much information. He's in & Out. Well we only had 1 sonogram at 20 weeks, which is fine with me, no need for more if there isn't a need.

Well went in for my 37 week apt & I wasn't dilated, 60% effaced, & baby hadn't dropped. Every week since, there has been no progression. I have had very regular (3+ an hour - but only a couple times was there a pattern) - since 2 Monday's ago - working on two weeks of constant contractions. It's been a non stop tease. 

Went in for my 40 week today - still with no progression, my OB decided it was time for a sono & NST test to see how the little man looked. Baby's breech with not enough fluid for an inversion.  Now I thought the baby had been, but the OB hadn't seem worried, so I trusted him, and it's not like the baby or I were in danger so I didn't fight my doctor. Well we scheduled a c-section for next Tuesday - 40w5d. 

Here's my thoughts I need to get off my chest.

1. Why I'm frustrated: I feel cheated that my OB hadn't done anything/checked earlier on so we would maybe have a chance to encourage a move. I know it was my chose to choose the OB I did, but as a FTM I had no idea. My DH & I weren't trying to get pregnant (but weren't trying to stop it either) so at the begining it was a windwhirl & I didn't do enough preparation before deciding who to go with. What I keep telling myself: At least we didn't rush a c-section & the baby is hopefully more than baked at 40w5d!!

2. Why I'm frustrated: I feel like I cheated myself. I have done so much preparation for a natural birth, now I'm trying to play catch up to prepare for the C & recovery - & by all means I'm happy my LO is healthy & all will be okay - but I was so excited for the initial THIS IS IT!, excitement of driving to the hospital, being in labor... all that jazz. What I keep telling myself: At least I have time to prepare.

3.  I'm scared. I've never had anything more than a numbed toe because of an ingrown toe nail! What I keep telling myself:  They do this all the time - it's not like I'm the only one who's gone through it!!! SO many women out there have conquered this!

4. Why I'm frustrated: I'm overly annoyed by these contractions. Especially now that I know they are useless. I'm sick of the pain & knowing I have five more days of it. When in reality I could have this my LO here with me tomorrow, but my OB's schedule is full & that Tuesday was his first opening.  What I keep telling myself: In reality this time will fly by & in 6 days all that will matter is that he will be here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for letting me talk this out! Now I can move on, relax, & enjoy the birth of my baby boy!

pepomntpat

I am so sorry you are going through this. My sister had a c/s also for a breech baby and low fluid and it was her third baby-her first two were complication free vaginal births and she was pretty upset.  They both did great. My c/s was unplanned, but the recovery really wasn't all that bad.  Just take those pain meds, move around as soon as you can, but also don't overdo it. You'll be fine!

I know you were planning for a NB and so was I. The thing that upset me most about the c/s was not getting that immediate skin to skin contact and having to wait until I was out of recovery to really see my baby. If those after the birth things are important to you, maybe take the next week to at least look into the hospital policies and see if you can get as natural an aftermath as possible. I know a lot of hospitals are much better about bonding time after c/s, than mine was, so it probably won't be an issue, but I don't want you to be unpleasantly surprised like I was. I know I would have felt a lot better about my c/s if our bonding time had been respected.

And, check out www.spinningbabies.com. The exercises certainly can't hurt anything and maybe your LO will turn! 

Good luck! 

2mommiesinoh

I know it can be frustrating especially when you had a plan in your mind and then it all goes out the window. I have been going to my OBGyn for years but as a ftm I had no idea what to expect or ask I just went with them when I got pregnant. Most of my appointments were like yours: quick and laid back. The only reason we got more than a 6 and 20 week u/s was because I had GD otherwise my pregnancy experience medical care wise sounds similar. We found out I had a breech baby at 30 weeks and having an anterior placenta/ftm made a version pretty much a non-option. So we scheduled a c/s.

I felt disappointed that I did not get my natural birth experience I had wanted. I wanted to go into labor and have a baby without any meds and minimal intervention. The closer the date got the more I realized that it was not so terrible to not have the rush to the hosptial OMG moment am I going to make it etc. I ended up that way anyway because baby decided it was not waiting for c/s date BUT I had a wonderful experience. I got to the hospital, got fluids, got some anti-nasuea meds (they tasted like @ss but hey they worked I didnt barf), went in got a spinal, DW came in and she got to watch our daughter being born and even cut the cord short. They sewed me up while they did the initial baby wipe off and measurements all of which DW wathced and I could see from the OR table. DW carried Ky to recovery while they wheeled me out. She then immediately handed her to me to nurse. My mom and dad were all in rocevery with me until they decided to go home (it was after 1 am). DW stayed with me until they wheeled me up to my room. I held Ky the entire time (except when the restuck her to check her BS levels which is normal for GD babies) until I got to my room and then I choose to have her stay in the nursery (they brought her to me to nurse) since I was still on an IV and cath until the next AM and could not get out of bed and DW was going home that night since Ky's godmother was coming in at 8 the next morning for the birth.

And this is from someone who has NEVER been in the hospital EVER and the only major medical thing that has ever happened has been a tonsilectomy...never a broken bone or anything. So talk to your OB about your concerns mine was totally cool even though he was not the one to deliver since I went a day early...

Oh and February 7 is a totally cool day to be born. It is my brithday too!

TLM08

I understand your disappointment. I too get frustrated with Braxton Hicks. They make me want to scream "stop preparing body, what's the point?!"

Since you have a few days you might prepare a c section birth plan to make your birthing experience the best you can. I have made a request to the hospital that DS not be rushed off to the nursery but rather stay in the OR with DH and I. I think this will be better for me personally so I am not alone while OB finishes the csection and so I get to soak up those first moments. You might think about those things you'd like to make it the best experience for you. Make sure to call the hospital to see if they need the birth plan on file before the big day.

Best of luck to you. 

nosoup4u

Ugh, that sucks! I would be really annoyed that the dr. didn't check your baby's position earlier, too. Women should be able to trust that their providers are doing everything they can to keep track of things - it's not your fault that he didn't know your baby was breech before now!

Hang in there, and congrats on your new baby! You can always try for a VBAC with any future pregnancies if you choose.

christinbeatrice

Update: Had a perfect experience on Tuesday! Were home, baby & mommy are doing great! Thank you for all your support!!!!!!!!