Monday afternoon I had my 39 week (!!!!!) checkup scheduled with my doctor. I ended up seeing a different doctor because my doctor was at the hospital delivering a baby. :) I had never met with this doctor, but she was very sweet and friendly. After our exam, she asked for me to have an ultrasound the following day to check amniotic fluid and baby's growth.
I was so excited to have another ultrasound, even though I knew the baby's face would most likely not really be visible. There's just no more space for baby to go so you can't get any good pictures! And, any chance to hear the baby's heartbeat makes me so happy. :)
At today's ultrasound, the tech had a difficult time finding enough amniotic fluid to measure. She was able to measure about 7 cm, where at this stage in my pregnancy there should be above 10 cm. At 5 cm, the doctor would've made me go straight to the hospital. Imagine hearing that information for what you think is a routine ultrasound! The tech called the doctor I had seen yesterday because she was the one who had ordered the ultrasound and then I went to her office to meet with her.
Rob wasn't at this appointment because it was scheduled so last minute and we thought it was just completely a routine ultrasound. I started to get really anxious at this point--both because Rob wasn't there and because I wasn't meeting with my doctor. I LOVE my doctor and feel like we are on the same page in regards to the way I'd ideally like our baby's birth to go.
Meeting with this doctor was fine, but she was a little bit more forceful than my doctor normally is. She told me I needed to be induced for the baby's health within the next few days. I immediately started crying, because this was in no way the way I wanted our baby to come into the world. I think I would've felt better if this was my doctor telling me this, rather than a doctor I had seen for approximately 15 minutes.
I also had done some research on this ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid and found that the ultrasound is notoriously unreliable because the baby is taking up so much space there can be problems finding the fluid in general--but it is there. Finding out that we were being asked to induce delivery based off of an unreliable test is so stressful. Obviously, the health of the baby is the most important thing to everyone involved, but being induced isn't always the healthiest decision to make.
So, I did what this doctor asked--I scheduled an induction for Wednesday evening. I did ask for my own doctor to call me after reviewing my files to make sure she would make the same recommendations. I have yet to make any progress--either on effacement or dilation--so the induction process is not something I am looking forward to at all.
For our induction, I will go to the hospital tomorrow evening. When we check in, I will be administer Cervadil and a foley bulb catheter to manually start the opening of my cervix. I also have to be on antibiotics because I'm Group B Strep positive. Lots of things happening that are stressful to me--but my doctor DID call me this afternoon and confirm that she would have made the same decisions as this other doctor. This was such a relief to me because I really trust her opinion.
Not to be negative about this other doctor, but I do not feel like she was understanding or respectful of our wishes for delivery. She told me I needed to get the idea of a Bradley birth completely out of my head unless I wanted to be in labor for days (yes days!). I know this isn't the case, but it only stressed me out even more.
I spoke with my doctor this afternoon and she did confirm that she would've made the same decision as the other doctor. Just hearing that she would have made the same decision was the biggest relief to me. I am still anxious about being induced, but I do feel much more calm!
While I would never have wished for an induction, it has been nice knowing exactly when we will be going to the hospital and being able to plan over a 36 hour period. Rob was able to put together the swing tonight and I am able to compulsively clean our floors one last time. And, we are able to make babysitting arrangements for our pets. :)
I'll hopefully be back sometime early next week to share the good news of our baby girl or baby boy's birth! :)
Oh my goodness. First of all, I am so sorry that you had to go through that alone. I would have done the same thing though (go to the ultrasound alone thinking it was just routine). But I am so thankful that the Dr. wanted to have one done because if the fluid is low, it's better for the baby to be induced. I am also sorry that your birth isn't going to go as you had planned and that you have to be induced! I hope that you have a great induction and that things go (went) smoothly! You will be in my prayers until I hear (read) about your sweet little baby! Agh, you are going to have your baby in your arms SO SO SO soon. And lastly, I have to say that I am an teensy bit jealous! :)
Posted by: Emily | 02/27/2013 at 05:41 AM
I'm annoyed at that doctor for you (who makes pregnant women cry anyway!?!?)! I can't believe that the doc totally poo-pooed your Bradley method choice just like that--it's your body and your decision to bring baby into the world like you want. Boo to scare tactics!!
I really hope everything goes quickly and smoothly during the induction, and I can't wait to see Baby Dern soon. P.S. I'm totally going to be that obnoxious pregnant woman who refuses to be induced, even if Landon and I have to argue with the doctor(s). Can you get kicked out of a doctor's office and/ or hospital for being ornery!?!? :)
Posted by: Natalie | 02/27/2013 at 06:30 AM
Oh my! So exciting!!! Nothing like a pushy doctor combined with pregnancy hormones to make you crazy. I'm disappointed for you about the induction, but LOVE your positive spin on life. Being able to plan the hospital stay is definitely a perk.
I'll be thinking of you frequently as you meet your precious baby. I am so excited for you!! Good luck and best wishes for a calm and healthy delivery. My vote is still boy. :)
Posted by: Savannah | 02/27/2013 at 01:08 PM
Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!! This is so so so exciting for you guys! I am so sorry it didn't go as planned. That's good your doctor agreed with the other one though- just more reassuring for you. I am praying for you guys right now! I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about your labor and the baby's birth!
Posted by: stephanie | 02/27/2013 at 07:53 PM
So excited to finally meet baby bit! Love you cha!
Posted by: Rachel | 02/27/2013 at 08:31 PM
Ahh! Seeing this today for the first time!!! Hope everything is going/ went well!
Posted by: Katie | 02/28/2013 at 10:49 AM