Weekly Appointments 8/6

[Deleted User] · August 2018

MandyMost · August 2018

I’m just about to head out to a NST and doc appointment. This one is with my primary OB, so hoping to get a little more info than her colleagues I’ve been seeing the past few weeks. Basically want to know the birth plan with my gestational diabetes...I’m under the impression we’ll be scheduling a c-section but hoping for natural labor and a VBAC before we get there.

JLyn821 · August 2018

36 week check up tomorrow. I’ll start getting cervical checks this time. I know baby has dropped since last week. I’m curious to see if I’ve begun dilating or thinning out yet. There was never anything happening at 36 weeks with my other two.

dexnie · August 2018

35 week appt today and then I get my (hopefully last) vitamin B injection of my pregnancy.

Twice weekly NSTs start next week, plus I have a growth scan and my weekly appt... 4 different appts across 3 days and in entirely different areas. Yuck!

lisac113 · August 2018

Wednesday I have a growth scan followed by a 34 week appointment. Crossing fingers everything is fine. There isn't really any reason anything should be wrong, I am just riddled with anxiety.

smsaulino · August 2018

I start my weekly checkups this week. I had a cervical check on Friday and will get them from here on out.

Wishilivedinflorida · August 2018

36 week checkup Wednesday. Will get GBS swab and maybe a cervical check after growth US. I was dilated 1-2 cm for weeks with DS before ultimately being induced, so I’m not putting too much stock in any dilation being there or not this time. I may even defer the cervical check until next week because they hurt like hell and don’t tell you much about impending labor, TBH.

knitknitread · August 2018

Follow up from all the growth stuff last week. I think they are doing another ultrasound? So, fingers crossed that this kid cools it on the growth spurts and we don't have to keep doing extra testing and ultrasounds.

jumpy57 · August 2018

Since cervical checks don't seem to mean much, what's the reasoning/science for doing them? Just to drive pregnant ladies crazy?

stothi · August 2018

@EErin86 I've always wondered. My last practice didn't do them and I'm not expecting my new practice to do so either.

knitknitread · August 2018

I think some dr do them to see if you have any progress? I have no idea. I went from "maybe" a centimeter dilated to a very quick labor 36 hours later, so I really don't put too much stock in cervical checks indicating how soon you'll go into labor.

MandyMost · August 2018

My doc doesn’t do cervical checks without a clear reason...I never had them
last time until I was in L&D for my induction. This time they said they could do a check a couple days ahead of a scheduled c-section to see if an induction would be possible instead (I’m not willing/able to do all the cervical ripening they needed to do last time).

SkilledSailor · August 2018

@eerin86 My practice normally doesn't do them. I get them done when we go in for NSTs because the only difference between consistent BHs and early labor is if the contractions are changing cervical dilation.

Wishilivedinflorida · August 2018

SkilledSailor said:

@eerin86 My practice normally doesn't do them. I get them done when we go in for NSTs because the only difference between consistent BHs and early labor is if the contractions are changing cervical dilation.

This and also as @MandyMost correctly pointed out if you need induced, if you are already dilated, then you can skip the cervical ripening part. I was able to avoid the ripening last time because I was dilated to a 3 by the time I scheduled my induction. Other than that, I see it more as a potential source of infection and unnecessary discomfort TBH. I like to keep hands out of my vag as much as possible.

sarah-ruby-21 · August 2018

34 wk check up Friday. I will be requesting no cervical checks, if they even do them.

dexnie · August 2018

Evidence based birth reviewed the two (old) studies on cervical checks and basically summarized that—in general— there’s no benefit or risk. I think an exception may be with regards to induction planning, where a favorable Bishop score may have some predictive value that can guide clinical management. I cannot find an ACOG position statement on the topic though.

pourmeanothermocktail · August 2018

Yeah, I had one check when making sure I wasn't having baby at 34 weeks. I'm now intending to have none more. They tell you so little, it's a snapshot not an accurate story. And you can walk around at 3-4 for weeks, or be totally closed but holding your baby in 4 hours. Totally not a crystal ball. And I find the checks painful, plus they can definitely introduce bacteria. So I'm not having more unless we need to make a split second decision on induction or getting baby out really fast when I'm already in labor.

jumpy57 · August 2018

Thanks for the info!!! I'll try and decline until we get into September, seems like a fair compromise. Or at minimum I'll ask my doctor for her opinion on them

JLyn821 · August 2018

Personally, I think as a FTM cervical checks would only be helpful if you need an induction. I’m having #3 this time and absolutely want to know how dilated I am because of my previous births. I know that if I’m already at a 3-4 when labor begins, I shouldn’t wait too long to get to the hospital because I can expect baby to be out very quickly once my water breaks.

DD (my second child), literally shot out of me after I asked them to break my water. I didn’t push once. My OB and the nurses kept telling me that it’d be quick once my water broke but none of us expected her to shoot out without the doc even in the room!

smsaulino · August 2018

I'm within 4 weeks of delivery and it's a standard practice for the office to do the checks at this time is what my ob told me when I asked about why I was having it.

dexnie · August 2018

Just left my OB. Swabbed for Strep B. OB said I don’t have to do another growth scan since everything checked out fine at our last one and she doesn’t use this information to make decisions on induction/cesarean for moms without GD. It all sounds reasonable but I hate when providers have different recommendations, and my MFM specialist in NYC was very clear about growth scans every 4 weeks given my surgical history and the immunomodulating med I’m on. I’m already scheduled for next week and now I’m not sure if I should cancel or not. It’s only $30 OOP so I’m inclined to just keep the appt.

I asked about cervical checks today - my OB doesn’t routinely recommend them until 39 weeks, which sounds good to me.

Patience7150 · August 2018

My practice does them regularly, and when I was actually in labor, I felt like the checks were excessive to see how well I was progressing. I ended up with an infection during labor and had to pause everything at 9cm, get antibiotics, and then DD needed to go to the NICU for a 48 hour sepsis rule out. I'm nearly certain all the checks introduced the infection and that was a crappy way to start motherhood. Following a few others here and asking to keep all hands out unless necessary. Until we have a date for induction (which last time I had a 2 day notice), nobody needs to know how dilated I am. When we're staring at induction, then we'll check to figure out the plan, and do a membrane sweep.

ETA: This was somewhere I took knowledge from this board even as a STM. I think I mentioned to @ashh2018 about the internal checks that came late in pregnancy and so many of you informed me of how unnecessary these are. Thank you for that!!

chillmama1518 · August 2018

Glad to see so many ladies with OB’s favoring/agreeing to no or only late cervical checks and so many planning to advocate for themselves about this! (exception: induction status as above)
My Dr. deems then unnecessary, though will do a sweep closer to due date or afterwards (although that’s up in the air if it does anything too, but she’d prefer to do that to put patients mind at ease that she’s doing SOMETHING and hopefully prevent people going overboard with wives tales labour progression strategies...some of which are dangerous (read: castor oil consumption etc))
It’s crazy how old-timey some practices are!
I have 36 wk/GBS swab tomorrow and then weekly appts after that, can’t wait to spend several hours each week in the waiting room (but worth it b/c I love my Dr and she’s usually behind because she’s delivering babies, and I’ll need that service soon enough!)

crispy11 · August 2018

36 week appointment Wednesday. GBS and the dreaded cervical check (ha! I'm not dreading!). I'm totally down for this cervical check since my baby is going to be big again and a possible induction at 39ish weeks. As a vbac-ing mom, all cervical ripening agents are contraindicated so I have to hope my cervix is ready to go! Plus, I had my last two kids (both vbacs) within 48 hours of very successful membrane sweeps. I hope that will be an option before induction. Come on cervix! (Meanwhile I tend to be one of those who chills at 1cm until legit labor unlike my SIL who was something insane like 5cm for 3 weeks.)

MandyMost · August 2018

I scheduled a c-section today. I’m totally freaking out. I don’t know why, it’s just like all
of a sudden there’s all kinds of logistics to actually think about. I was not expecting this level of freak out!

Still hoping I go into labor naturally before the date and have a VBAC, but it’s scheduled right at 39 weeks. Fingers crossed I go into labor at 38.5 weeks! (I have GD, and previously had a failed induction resulting in a c-section; I’m not willing to undergo a failed 4-day induction again, hence scheduling the c section).

crispy11 · August 2018

@MandyMost ah good luck! My OB (and many of the local hospitals) won’t induce a vbac so I had to schedule a c-section for 41 weeks with my second daughter (first vbac attempt). Even though my reason for first c-section and timing of scheduled repeat c-section were different, I can relate to the feeling of just hoping labor starts as the days tick by to an eviction date. Either way, I hope you have a better delivery experience this time!

PS- you may see me talking about being induced this time but that is only because I finally got that privilege after two successful vbacs including one with a huge baby. Didn’t want to confuse people!

megnwingate · August 2018

36+2 day appt tomorrow. GBS swab and I haven't decided on whether or not to opt out of the cervical check. I know the benefits of not having one, but the curious me wants to know what the heck is going on in there. This week is also my last week of getting my Makena injection :::yayyyyy:::

ETA: also planning on going over my birth plan and questions about if I do test + for GBS since I am 1 for 2

Lcardinal04 · August 2018

33 week apt done! Next apt is at 36 and then weekly until baby is here. I also got my pump prescription and they have the calendar made up for which dr’s are on call the week I’m due. LO would have to come a day early for my last delivering OB to be on call — which isn’t likely. Oh well though.

lpq0309 · August 2018

Had my 36 week appointment & GBS test today. Doctor noticed that my belly was measuring at 34 weeks but didn't mention anything else after that. Just gave me a sheet that states what early labor signs to look out for and said "see you next week." Should I be concerned about measuring at 34 weeks?

jumpy57 · August 2018

@lpq0309 I wouldn't be too concerned, especially if you have an appointment next week. Fundal height isn't completely accurate so as long as you continue to grow your doctor likely won't be worried. My friend just had her baby in May and was concerned that her fundal height was consistently measuring behind but she ended up with everything being fine, going past her due date, and an average sized baby.

lpq0309 · August 2018

@EErin86 That makes me feel better. I was going to ask her about it but she darted out of there real quick before I could ask her any questions.

JLyn821 · August 2018

36 weeks check up was this morning!

I got checked. Baby definitely dropped because he/she is sitting at -3 and doc could confirm she felt baby’s head and not butt! So that was fantastic to hear. I’m also already 50% effaced and 1cm. Doc wasn’t surprised to see that I’m already progressing since it’s baby #3.

After I told DH about my appointment, he freaked out thinking the baby is coming next week. Haha I just told him that I’m going to stick to my motto of “Prepare as if baby will be two weeks early but expect them two weeks late.”

I did find out that my practice will only let me go to 41 weeks instead of the usual 42 because I’m technically AMA since I turned 35 in May. That was a bummer to hear, but good Lord I hope I don’t go that late.

spottedginger · August 2018

@lpq0309 +1 to what @EErin86 said. Based on mom’s figure, baby’s position, and provider interpretation (which is more art than science), fundal height can be way off. At 28 weeks, my fundal measured at 25 weeks and a dating ultrasound (ten minutes later) measured 29 weeks.... so that is a confirmed 4 week error at one moment in time. Hope this helps you feel better!

JLyn821 · August 2018

@lpq0309 What others have said. Fundal height can only tell so much. I went from measuring a week ahead to measuring on track this week. OB mentioned that because baby dropped, baby is in a different position and fundal height will look different.

cab1209 · August 2018

Had a NST yesterday at 32+3, LO had hiccups almost the entire time lol. Lots of movement and heart rate was great. Dr said the hiccups are a great sign of her lungs developing very well, but still wanted to give me the steroid injection. So I received one yesterday, went back today for one, then have another NST on Thursday and Monday, then an ultrasound to check on her growth next Thursday. Shew! Thought I was supposed to be on bed rest, Doc?! Actually don't mind all the appointments for that reason: gets me out of the house and passes the time a little quicker. By a comment she made yesterday, sounds like I will likely deliver around 35-37 weeks. Really hoping for 37! As much as I'm ready to meet her, I'd rather her stay in there as long as possible!

treeofcheem · August 2018

Re: cervical checks, my MW last time didn't do them at all prior to active labor (unsure if that would have applied if I'd gone past the EDD). This time, same practice but seeing an OB, she asked if I wanted one at my 36 week appointment since she was down there anyways for the GBS swab. I asked her if there was any point to it, and her reasoning was that it gives her a baseline if say, in 2 weeks I'm having a ton of contractions and pressure but not clearly in active labor, she can at least see if things are progressing or if the contractions are totally non-productive. She also mentioned that many women are just curious - which IMO is *not* a medically sound reason to do them, but I don't think it's a super concerning practice. There was no pressure to do it or decline, but it sounds like she routinely does them.

lisac113 · August 2018

I had my 34 week appointment today. I also had a growth scan due to my age and lack of weight gain (however I did gain 3 lbs in 2 weeks and really haven't changed my eating patterns, so I have a feeling I will continue to see more gains). She is in the 37th percentile and estimated to be 4.4 lbs. My doctor is not concerned at all and said they don't get worried unless they are 10% or below. I don't like the 37th percentile, but she assured me multiple times everything is fine. I mean, what am I going to do???
Other than that it was a good appointment, we talked about my nausea and feeling lightheaded. Tried to come up with some plans for that after my hemoglobin came back ok.

I think it is time for me to "buck up buttercup" in regards to the nauseousness and go back to having crackers next to the bed and pound the water even more.

jumpy57 · August 2018

@lisac113 I can't remember, is your nausea recent or has it been this entire time? I have started feeling nauseous at night but its likely due to eating too close to bedtime. Even water bothers me too close to bedtime. I just wanted to throw that out there in case the crackers/water don't seem to work for you.

MandyMost · August 2018

@lisac113 just think of it this way: your baby is bigger than 37% of other babies at this stage in pregnancy! Look at the list on this board...out of the first 100 names your baby is bigger than 37 of them. It doesn’t sound so bad that way, right?

lisac113 · August 2018

@EErin86
thanks for the tip. I had horrible nausea in my first trimester but felt great around 13 weeks. Now it is in the morning and sometimes lasting throughout the day right now. I started Zantac twice a day two weeks ago and that is helping, but some days, it is brutal. I almost wonder if I need to keep a cold water bottle by my bed and drink it when I get up to pee. I am currently drinking about 80-100 oz a day, so I am not dehydrated, or at least I don't think so. Water seems to help but I am willing to try anything at this point. Maybe I will try to eat dinner earlier. My doctor said if I get desperate they could prescribe me something, but my constipation is already horrible and I don't want to deal with that either. If it starts to be every day, all day, then I think I might look in to an rx.

@MandyMost yes that is a great way to think about it. I just think of a bell curve and I want her to be right in the middle, cause you know, we can control things like that????? My husband was there so it was good for him to hear the doctor say she is perfectly fine and I need to chill. I am a ball of anxiety and instead need to look at it from your perspective. I have a healthy baby with nothing to worry about, way more people have serious issues to be concerned about.

nackie · August 2018

@lisac113 37% is practically 40%. And 40 isn’t that far from 50. Sounds like she’s doing just fine.

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