Appointments and Updates 9/3

middleschoolmommy · September 2018

When is your appointment?

How far along will you be?

What is being addressed?

Questions/Comments/Concerns:

middleschoolmommy · September 2018

When is your appointment?
Wed. afternoon - 9/5

How far along will you be?
29+3

What is being addressed?
Cervical length and just checking on baby girl at my MFM. I expect to talk more about scheduling NSTs to start at the end of the month. My OB already said she wanted weekly NTSs and BPPs.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
I'm always a little anxious nowadays about my cervical length. My OB expressed concern a couple weeks ago, but there was no change between that week and last week thankfully. I'm afraid that if there is more change than the MFM wants then he might start suggesting things that effect my work. There just isn't really any realistic way I can "take it easy" at work and it is WAY to early to have to take time off.

So FX'd everything looks good on Wed.

wildrainbow · September 2018

When is your appointment?
Tomorrow (Tues)

How far along will you be?
30+2

What is being addressed?
Weekly monitoring, u/s, check cervical length, talk about starting NSTs and delivery

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
I am starting to wonder if I have bronchitis. My cough is really bad and just gross. I'm not running a fever, but it's definitely not showing signs of letting up. The contractions when I cough are getting old. Really old.

middleschoolmommy · September 2018

@wildrainbow so sorry you aren't feeling well. Third trimester is hard enough, as is. Hopefully you can ask your doc about it tomorrow.

offtoneverland · September 2018

@wildrainbow Have you tried a hot steamy shower, or just sitting in the bathroom with the doors closed while the hot shower runs? Maybe the steam would help calm your coughing. I hope you feel better soon.
@middleschoolmommy I'm getting so excited for you as you get closer to your pregnancy milestone. Crossing everything that your baby girl stays put for several more weeks!

When is your appointment? Tomorrow (Tuesday)

How far along will you be? 31w 4d

What is being addressed? Just a regular check up, but I'm also going to ask the OB about the hospital's view on vaccines after my weird appt with the pedi on Friday. (The pedi we see is in the same network of doctors as the OB, meaning that they're the pedis at the hospital who visit the baby after birth.) I'm going to confirm that the hospital, OBs, and pedis follow CDC guidelines, and possibly ask the OB's opinion on whether I should report the pedi for her behavior.

wildrainbow · September 2018

@offtoneverland Yes, I take steamy showers, and use a humidifier. I'm coughing so hard it physically hurts.

mamabee1113 · September 2018

When is your appointment?
I have two this week: Wed 9/5 and Fri 9/7

How far along will you be?
29+1 and 29+3

What is being addressed?
The first is a prenatal appt with the pediatrician I’m pretty sure we’re going with for baby. The second is a check up with OB and a u/s.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
Nothing really. Just looking forward to meeting with the pediatrician and making sure he’s a good fit. He is my OB’s top recommendation and I loooove her, so I can’t imagine I’d dislike him.
Of course we are reallyyyy looking forward to the u/s. I don’t think getting a little peek at baby will ever get old. It’ll be 10 weeks since we last saw baby and s/he measured 2 weeks ahead. Wondering how s/he measures up now! I feel huge and everyone around me says I look big for how far along I am

so I wonder if baby is still bigger than average.

offtoneverland · September 2018

@wildrainbow Ugh, I'm so sorry. You have such bad luck

mockingjay1 · September 2018

@wildrainbow - I hope you get better soon!

When is your appointment?
Thursday with the PA (the OB is out of town this week, so I won't meet her until 32 weeks!)

How far along will you be?
30w4d

What is being addressed?
Just a routine appointment. I forgot to ask what my fundal height was measuring last appointment, so I am going to make sure I do this time. I look 35+ weeks pregnant I think so I just want to make sure baby isn't getting too big and that i don't have too much fluid.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
See above re: looking so big already. I also will have to wait until I actually meet my OB to ask her these questions. I asked a nurse that works at the hospital I was going to deliver at if DH could video baby being born (just baby coming out of the c-section, not the rest of it) and she said it's against hospital policy, but my OB will likely let me do it. I also asked her if it was standard to do skin to skin right after delivery in the OR and she said no, not until recovery because otherwise they'd need a nurse to stay with me while I did it (for baby) and aren't staffed to do that. I about lost my shit. At the hospitals I've worked at it's standard for mom and baby to have their own nurses until you leave the OR in case one of them starts to deteriorate. Also I'll likely have an LGA baby, I have gestational diabetes, and will likely be a repeat c-section, all risk factors that could affect baby's blood sugar, temperature, and respiratory status so skin to skin is very important for both of us if we're both stable. The hospitals staffing issues should not affect whether I get quality care. Hopefully my doctor is on board with it. DH can stay right beside me to make sure I don't drop baby (rolls eyes). I wish I was meeting my OB sooner because she only delivers at one of the two hospitals in the city, and this seriously might be a deal breaker if the other hospital does it and this one won't.

highsteaks · September 2018

@mockingjay1 i sincerely hope the hospital will work with you to get the chance to do skin to skin after birth.

mockingjay1 · September 2018

@highsteaks - thank you! A healthy mom and baby are my top priority. If that's the case I just want to do what is best for both of us. I hope I didn't sound like a whiny brat. I just want hospitals to provide the best evidenced based care. I know this one is quite a bit behind where I worked/delivered DS, because the nurse on the tour was telling me something their NICU just implemented that the one I worked at started doing more than 6 years ago.

ashkee05 · September 2018

@wildrainbow that sounds terrible and I hope you feel better!

@mockingjay1 I really hope they will work with your wants! Brith should be such a beautiful thing I always get so sad when I read people’s nurses and hospital were terrible to them

When is your appointment? tomorrow 9/4

How far along will you be? 31+2

What is being addressed? I will be finding out if I had an off week or if I need to be fully tested for pre eclampsia. I also hope who I see tomorrow will actually check my cervix like we were supposed to last week.

Questions/Comments/Concerns: the whole hbp and protein in my urine last week has got me on edge and I’m really hoping it was just an off week. I again have been having a lot of contractions and shooting pains so I’m interested in know if there are any cervical changes. Over all I’m kind of nervous for this appointment.

highsteaks · September 2018

@mockingjay1 didn’t strike me as whiny at all! i do understand the frustration when it feels like we don’t have the opportunity to follow through with what we have researched (with sound studies) is the best for our and our child’s well-being because of “hospital policy.” i get that they ultimately have to mind their own liability, but it just really really stinks nonetheless... especially when it’s not a standard of practice across all hospital systems.

mockingjay1 · September 2018

@ashkee05 - I really hope you get good news tomorrow and that last appointment was a fluke.

@middleschoolmommy - I hope there isn't any change in your cervical length, and baby girl continues to stay put (much longer than her big brother)

@wildrainbow - I can't imagine coughing so much while pregnant and contracting. Girl you need a break! I really hope it passes soon.

@highsteaks - yes it really is frustrating. I wonder if I can sign a waiver of some sort? It's not like I'd be putting my child in danger, quote the opposite. Hopefully my OB is awesome and it won't be a big deal to just do it.

pelorunningmama · September 2018

@wildrainbow I can’t imagine bronchitis this late in the fam. I had it in the first tri and was miserable. I’m so sorry!

@middleschoolmommy hoping everything stays where it is at now and that baby girl is nice and cozy and stays a while longer!

@ashkee05 fingers crossed it was just an off week and everything looks good!

@mockingjay1 I hope the hospital will work with you. I honestly thought it was just standard practice to do skin to skin immediately after. They have to know how much it matters to moms and how important it is.

lifesabeach85 · September 2018

mockingjay1 said:

@highsteaks - thank you! A healthy mom and baby are my top priority. If that's the case I just want to do what is best for both of us. I hope I didn't sound like a whiny brat. I just want hospitals to provide the best evidenced based care. I know this one is quite a bit behind where I worked/delivered DS, because the nurse on the tour was telling me something their NICU just implemented that the one I worked at started doing more than 6 years ago.

yes! they should! It’s so frustrating when you have to fight for it. I really hope you get immediate skin to skin. I’ve had quite a few frustrations with the outdated policies in the city I currently live in (DD was born elsewhere) and I don’t at all think it’s whiny to want the best maternal care.

laasmith · September 2018

Hi! First time poster

When is your appointment? Sept 4

How far along will you be? 30+4

What is being addressed? Ultrasound with MFM specialist-- I have chronic hypertension that's been getting progressively better (was normal at last appt!), but they send me to the MFM for that (and because I'm overweight). He had scheduled this ultrasound a long time ago, I think just to check on everything. No big problems thus far

Questions/Comments/Concerns: I'm excited to see my baby again, it's been since the 20 week anatomy scan, but also scared that they'll see something wrong that they didn't see earlier. I have no evidence that this would happen-- I just am great at worrying. Have also been really struggling with the idea of being a mom, and am pretty scared that I'm going to be terrible at it.

ashkee05 · September 2018

Wooooot! I am so happy to come back with the update that my bp was down and no protein in my urine! It indeed turned out to be a fluke week! However they did check for dilation and I am 1cm. That could still mean nothing though. I am just pumped I don’t have pre e and nothing else to worry about. Now here’s to hoping dilation doesn’t progress and this dude continues being nice to me! We have a growth scan Monday and I’m also hoping he’ll finally show us his face. Yup, out of the 3 ultrasounds we’ve had that he was developed enough he has never once showed us his face. He turns, covers his face or opens his big hands in front of it. Lol punk! Today she had a hard time catching his heart rate because he was punching the Doppler. Boys, I tell ya!

ginny_203 · September 2018

@wildrainbow you deserve to catch a break one of these days! I feel one coming for you

@ashkee05 glad to hear it was a fluke and that things are looking good!

@mockingjay1 +1 to what everyone else said... you definitely deserve your time after giving birth and I'm hopeful you get it.

When is your appointment? Many this week... Today, Thursday and Friday

How far along will you be? 28w+

What is being addressed? Today was hematologist for my DVT/blood thinner check-in, Thursday is consult with pediatrician group, Friday 3 hour GTT because I failed my 1 hour retest last week

Questions/Comments/Concerns: Hematologist appointment this morning was great. He said my bloodwork looks textbook and he couldn't even recommend an additional vitamin or anything, which made me feel good. I don't have to go back to see him until the end of October when I'll be 35 weeks where we'll discuss my transition into twice daily shots. No DVTs yet either, so yay for that!

laasmith · September 2018

My appointment was ok-- my blood pressure was high so they retested manually after the appointment and it was back to normal. The doctor said I had polyhydramnios-- he recommended dietary changes (no sugar, etc), though I don't have GD. He didn't seem hugely worried, and a nurse had previously warned me that this doctor really likes to emphasize low-carb diets... and I think he had the info sheets pre-printed and already ready? Then I google and it says there could be birth defects, stillbirth, etc etc. So now I don't know what to think.

highsteaks · September 2018

@ashkee05 yay for a better week!
@ginny_203 fingers crossed for you to pass your 3-hr test.
@laasmith no advice on all the info your doc threw at you, but i hope you can find out more information to put you at ease.

afm- just got back from my 28w ob-gyn checkup. confirmed that i passed my gtt and got my tdap shot.

wildrainbow · September 2018

UPUPDATE: Just left my appointment and I dunno how I feel. I've been very crampy and uncomfortable all day, which the Dr said is definitely not helped by being sick (no shit, Sherlock). He also said, that I will probably feel this way until I deliver. Sigh. He also said that I will absolutely under no circumstances go past 36 weeks. He also said that if there is a significant jump in my liver enzymes then he is taking the baby. Basically, I am looking at delivery from now until 36 weeks. He redid my lab work today, and u/s showed Babe is practicing his breathing, which is great. I mean I know things have been serious, but today proved that shit just got real.

lurvleybunchococonuts · September 2018

@wildrainbow *hugs* glad LO is looking good! How stressful to feel like crap on top of all that

@highsteaks yay for passing your GTT!!!

@mockingjay1 so so so hoping ypu get to do skin to skin

how frustrating to be told no because of staffing

When is your appointment?
Friday AM, 9/7

How far along will you be?
29+5

What is being addressed?
3hr GTT *gag* so I "failed" my 1hr test, had a glucose level of 137. Apparently my OBs office cutoff is 135. Super frustrating since the national recommendation is anything under 140 is okay. Really really dreading this test. I know, rather be safe than sorry and make sure LO and I are healthy. Just annoyed because I felt crappy after the 1hr so I can only imagine how miserable I'm going to be after this

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
Not really. Planning on making some good protein heavy salads got dinner on Thursday, but otherwise *shrug* I just hope and pray I pass the retest.

mockingjay1 · September 2018

@wildrainbow - praying your liver enzymes don't increase for at least a few weeks and that your sweet boy and you can both stay healthy long enough to make it a little closer to 36 weeks.

highsteaks · September 2018

@lurvleybunchococonuts thanks! and fingers crossed you pass your 3hr and don’t feel too ill afterwards.

emjohn517 · September 2018

@wildrainbow are they or have they given you steroid injections yet? I got them last time, around now, 30w and when my DD was born at 35w she was breathing on her own. Im going to ask at my next apt if he wants me to get them again, I’m honestly hoping to get them again bc I know I’ll be going early as well.

ashkee05 · September 2018

@wildrainbow I’ll be sending all the good vibes your way! Definitely get the steroid shot(s) too! When I went at 32 they gave me two and even though they stopped it when he really came at 36 his lungs were great! Just remember that while yes it is scary we are at a good point and with all the advancements we have baby will be great! (Can you tell I had to give myself this speech many times?!)

lifesabeach85 · September 2018

@laasmith I think if you’re uncomfortable with your doctors advice, the best course is to ask another doctor at the practice (or even another one) rather than google. I agree it’s weird to just blanket tell people to go low carb if your weight and sugars seem normal but google is never a pregnant woman’s friend!

@ashkee05 yay!

@wildrainbow so stressful, but glad that baby is working on breathing in there

wildrainbow · September 2018

I haven't had steroid shots yet. I know I will get them, but we are both hoping we can hold out. I think it will mainly depend on how my labs come back. I had two with ds, at 27w and at 32w. He came at 35 and was perfect, so I'm hopingthe same will be for Babe. @ashkee05 @emjohn517

offtoneverland · September 2018

@wildrainbow That must have been scary to hear that baby won't be staying put past 36 weeks, but I know you've been feeling so miserable. I'm sorry your doctor wasn't more reassuring today. Hope you can get the steroid shots if you need them to help the baby's lungs be as strong as possible!
@ashkee05 So happy to hear your good news! Huzzah!

AFM: My appointment went well today. The OB confirmed that the baby is head down and will most likely stay that way until birth, so that's good news! I asked him about the pediatrician, who's in the same network of doctors and gave me that weird speech about vaccines last week. It was so funny, I didn't even say her name but he knew exactly who I was talking about and said "Alice is a good doctor, but I don't agree with her at all and I don't know what's going on with her." Then he gave me all sorts of good information about vaccines and confirmed that the doctors at the hospital are pro-vaccine and will give baby everything she needs. It always helps to get that reassurance!

tessiesmom26 · September 2018

@middleschoolmommy I hope you have a good appt today!
@rosebud1230 I'm interested to hear how your pedi appt goes. I have to start looking into getting a pedi and I have no clue where to start!
@mockingjay1 Fingers crossed that your OBs office will work with you and that you can get skin to skin!
@ashkee05 Yay for it just being a fluke week!
@wildrainbow I am so sorry for all the added stress. I really hope baby stays put as long as possible.
@lurvleybunchococonuts That's crazy that you have to take the test again for that small margin. I hope the 3 hour isn't too terrible!
@offtoneverland I'm glad your OB agreed with you that the other Dr was crazy pants!

When is your appointment?
Today at 11:15

How far along will you be?
31w5d

What is being addressed?
It's just a regular check up. I am going to ask about my TDap shot, which last time they told me I can just walk over to the hospital and get. We are also going over my birth plan.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
At my appt two weeks ago I met with the new midwife and she said I was measuring two weeks behind. I think it was just a mis-measurement because she was having trouble locating the top of my pubic bone, so I want to have the OB check today for sure. If it's still off, I am going to have more questions for him. My mom also wants me to make the OB aware that I was at a cookout with someone who had shingles. We didn't come in close contact and she was out of the incubation period, but my mom was horrified so I have to tell the dr or my mom will go ballistic. I don't think there is anything they can do, but I just want to check.

smulrich16 · September 2018

When is your appointment?
One was this morning with MFM and tomorrow is my last appointment with my current OB.

How far along will you be?
28w 5d & 28w 6d

What is being addressed?
Just general checks for me and the babies. MFM did scans and everything looks good - babies are measuring at 2lb 13oz and 2lbs 8oz. Tomorrow will just be a standard OB appointment, but since the OB office is closing on October 1, it will be my last visit with her. I have another OB lined up and have an appointment with him next week.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:
I found out that the reason I've been at MFM so much is because my current OB only has a part time US tech. So, I may be able to start seeing them every 4 weeks instead of 2 if my new OB's schedule will allow me to see the US tech and OB on the same day. It would be nice to have one less co-payment since the MFM is a "specialist" on my insurance and the OB is considered part of the pregnancy global charge. I can't believe that the babes will be here in about 8 weeks!!

tessiesmom26 · September 2018

So all went okay at my appointment. They were an hour behind, so I feel like the Dr kind of rushed through my appt to try to catch up. He said not to worry about shingles, because I am immune to them according to blood work they took at the beginning of my pregnancy. (I'm assuming that is because I had chickenpox as a kid so if I got it, it wouldn't affect baby?) I asked about the TDap and he said that because of the way they bill I can't just go to the hospital to get it, but I can go to the pharmacy and my insurance will cover it so I will go with DH this week and we will get it at the same time.

Baby is still measuring small, but not as small. He said between 30-31 weeks and I am 31w5d so about a week-ish behind. He said it was not at the point where we should be concerned, and it most likely means a smaller baby (7 pounds instead of 8). He tried to feel if baby was head down, but said he couldn't tell. At my last appt baby's heartbeat was under my ribs on the left and this time it was lower than my belly button on the right. I'm no Dr but I would think that means baby is head down or at least moving that way!

wildrainbow · September 2018

I had to go back to the dr today to get my second rocefen(sp?) shot. I'm getting them for the UTI and being sick. Right now they are the only thing keeping me out of the hospital. Found out that I will get a steroid shot at 32 weeks, so all I have to do now is figure out where to deliver. Honestly, my decision will be based on when I deliver, whether I go to the hospital with the better NICU or where I delivered ds, which has a NICU as well.

lifesabeach85 · September 2018

@tessiesmom26 that's interesting that your doctor said you're immune to shingles...I wonder how they can tell that? I know that if you had chicken pox that is what actually makes you susceptible to shingles because the virus apparently never goes away it just goes dormant. I asked mine about it because my sister (also pregnant) got shingles earlier this summer and I was concerned since she was pretty miserable and he was just like yeah it is more common in pregnant women because you are immuno-suppressed and you just have to hope you don't get it, but it wouldn't affect the baby. It's only worrisome if you have never had chicken pox or been vaccinated because chicken pox can affect the baby.

tessiesmom26 · September 2018

@lifesabeach85 I thought it was interesting too because I had read different online. I'm wondering if what he meant was that if I did get it, it wouldn't affect the baby since I had chickenpox as a kid. He told me the name of what they tested me for, but I don't remember what it was.

mamabee1113 · September 2018

Appointment with the pediatrician went well today! I really like him and can tell he has the patience of a saint since I sat there and asked him every clueless ftm question in the world and he answered every single one with a smile and lots of detail. I can clearly see why my OB recommended him right away. I feel like I’ve been lucky to have an amazing OB from the start and to have found a fantastic pediatrician right away.

ginny_203 · September 2018

@rosebud1230 would love to hear the questions you asked!

mamabee1113 · September 2018

@ginny_203 When I can get on my computer I will edit this comment and type out my list. It’s too much to do on mobile and keep my sanity

Sorry it took a while.. But heres the questions I asked the pediatrician:

What is your childcare philosophy? (stance on vaccinations, circumcision if this baby is a boy, feeding method, sleep, medication use like antibioitics etc.) Follow up: Are all children being seen here required to be on the same vaccination schedule?
Are you part of a group practice? Who would tend to the baby in the chance that you are not available or on call when s/he arrives?
What is the policy on calls for non-emergent (or maybe even emergent) questions? Since I'm a FTM, I will probably have a million.
What is the typical wait time for a response if I leave a message for you?
How are after-hours calls handled?
Are same-day sick appointments always available?
What is the typical wait period for getting a well appointment scheduled?
Will I ever be forced to an NP as opposed to you (or another Dr and the practice) or will there always be the option to see a Dr over an NP, or vice versa.
How soon will you meet the baby? Will I/can I be present for this meeting?
How frequent will Dr visits be in the beginning?
When would circumcision occur if baby is a boy? (we're team green, so we don't know yet!)
Where do lab tests occur? (with my OB, I have to go to an outside lab for blood work which is a first for me with any doctors)

There were other questions/topics that came up in covering all these questions as well. Then I took mental note of the demeanor of staff I interacted with, wait time, waiting room set up (separate for sick/well or not), overall cleanliness, and other basic things like that. What weighed heavily with me was how generally comfortable I felt with the pediatrician. Knowing me, I'm gonna be a little helicopter-ish in the beginning, so I want to really be able to trust the doctor caring for my baby.

mrsdrez · September 2018

Just had an appointment with my OB. Went in thinking I was 30 weeks, left at 30w6d! Apparently she meant to change my due date after my NT scan and just never did. We were all confused after my last u/s had babe measuring in the 98th percentile for size, but I am not big at all (I wish someone would tell me I'm huge, I'm paranoid about being too small, mostly cause I sustain myself on cereal lol). Anyway, with the adjusted due date baby is in the 75th percentile. Trying to remain calm about the earlier due date. I was just wrapping my head around being 10 weeks out, now it's 9! Also this means I will be travelling 2 hours away for my sister in law's wedding at 37.5 weeks

Also got my tdap shot (ow it's already a bit sore).

middleschoolmommy · September 2018

According to my MFM all is good! Cervix shortened slightly but he swears its well within normal ranges as far as weekly change and length. Baby girl is laying sideways with her head to my right. It's always a guessing game for me because she flips around so often! She is weighing 3lb 1oz at 29+3. Her big brother was 3lb 2oz when he was born at 29+2. The doctor even got a nice 3D picture of her face, which she usually has covered with legs or hands

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