Birthdays, Babies and Bed

On Monday October 5, I was getting ready to leave work. Greg and I were going to go to Mongolian BBQ with Angela for my birthday, which was October 6.

I had been to the Doctor earlier that morning for a check up. I recieved a phone call around 4:00 p.m. from the mid wife's office telling me to drive myself to the hospital for some further testing. There was something in the routine tests that was not OK.

They told me not to worry, but to get to the hospital as quick as possible. I called Greg who was at home on his day off. He gathered my belongings and met me at the hospital. Luckily I had already packed my hospital bag for the most part.

We got to the hospital and they explained that I had a high bacteria count in my urine. I needed to get an antibiotic treatment from them because being in the third trimester there were no antibiotic pills that could be perscribed to me. I was to get the IV administered and go home later that night. Greg and sat and visited and did our best to relax while I was getting the IV drug.

While getting the IV I was hooked up to a fetal monitor so they could ensure the bebe was doing good. They were also taking my blood pressure. At some point during the evening my blood pressure sky rocketed and the nurse became concerned for mine and the baby's health. I was then instructed that I would be staying overnight.

Greg and I got scared.

While I was in the hospital Greg would work (since he worked there) and then come visit me, and then go home for the night. Nothing happened to me or the baby. My blood pressure was just very high and they were concerned for our health.

Before I left the hospital I was instructed that I would not be returning to work... Probably until after I had the baby. I wasn't on full bed rest yet, but if I don't take it easy and relax and keep my blood pressure down I may end up on full bed rest.

As happy as I was to not go to work, I wasn't mentally prepared for it. I mean, who doesn't want some time off, but then again - I am at work more than I am at home. I have responsibilities, friends and just stuff... to do... That was a hard thing to digest, but once I did - I felt a lot better. My boss was so ery understanding about it that I had no choice, but to embrace the beginning of my 12 weeks off work.

For my 30th birthday, my unborn child gave me no work for 12 weeks! Happy birthday to me!

Overwhelming Gratitude

I cannot believe that the baby shower was yesterday. We are so grateful to everyone that came. We are thankful to everyone that helped out with the shower in any way!

My Aunt Jenny basically threw the shower and my mom and Aunt Karen helped put it together too. I am so not a fan of getting up in front of everyone like that and have people stare at me while I open gifts from people. I am getting to the uncomfortable stage of the pregnancy where I feel like my skin cannot expand any further. I appreciate Greg getting up there with me and being just as embarassed as I was to sit there for a couple hours and do that!

It was wonderful to see everyone in one place. I wanted to just sit and visit with everyone all afternoon, but alas, I had to eat lunch and sit with Greg and open gifts!

We got so many wonderful things that I know we will need. Bathtub, sheets, blankets, a TON of books, clothes, diapers... If they make, we got it.

There is no way that we could have ever afforded to buy all of the necessities ourselves. We hope everyone had fun visiting and playing games and eating WONDERFUL food that my family all prepared. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives to celebrate the arrival of our little one.

Happiest Baby on the Block

Greg and I attended our first baby preparation type class yesterday. We weren't really sure what to expect, but it ended up being a lot of fun.

The class was called Happiest Baby on the Block. It basically covers the methods that Dr. Harvey Karp follows. We have no method or preference to follow, but are open to learning about different methods and then taking small things from each one.

Dr. Karp believes that babies, especially in their first few months of life, can experience "fourth trimester" issues. Babies can have a difficult time getting used to the huge amount of stimuli present in life outside of Mom's body. Their reaction to all of this is to cry and cry.

The Happiest Baby On The Block method formulated by Dr. Harvey Karp, addresses these issues by helping you learn how to effectively recreate the environment of the womb, outside of Mom's body. Once you have learned the steps, you will be able to alleviate some, if not all, of your baby's colic symptoms.

Now, they aren't saying that every baby has colic, but they are saying here are 5 methods and if your child fusses, try them... they should work.

There were only 4 couples total in the class which was nice. We all got to ask questions and no one made the class any longer than it had to be. I think Greg and I left there with a feeling of confidence that we will be able to handle being new parents!

Farewell Dr. P

As most ladies know (and some guys are probably told) the good ole' "Lady Doctor" can't just be anyone you find. Like a normal family physician... the patient needs to feel comfortable with the Dr. and trust them.

Moving from St. Clair County to Macomb County back 7 years ago, I knew I couldn't realistically drive to St. Clair for those appointments anymore. I began my search and picked a Dr. near me that was in my network. I saw her for a few years and was discussing some things I didn't like about her with coworkers one day. What I thought was normal ended up not really being appropriate for a Dr. like that to be saying.

My co workers referred me to their Dr. When I called to see if she was accepting new patients, she wasn't. The nurse on the phone told me they had just started a new Dr. in the practice and he was very nice... blah blah blah. I can come and just meet him. Him? Him? I've never seen a male for that before...

So I went and met him. I learned very early on that I made a good choice in switching doctors. He informed me that much of the treatments that the other woman had me going through were not necessary. I learned the hard way and now that I was married, Dr. P was guiding me through a pregnancy!

At my last visit in June while only 4.5 months pregnant, Dr. P informed me that he may not be staying in the state of Michigan any longer. He wasn't sure yet, but wanted his patients to know. Shortly after I got a letter confirming he was leaving. I was sad because I trusted him and he was really about letting women have the kind of birth they wanted.

I asked around and everyone had a doctor they liked. For me the easiest thing to do was to stay with the practice and go with another doctor there. I chose Dr. G. Let's just say I don't have much luck with the OB doctor choosing!

I went in for my first appointment with her at the beginning of June. She never introduced herself to me and as soon as she walked in her cellphone rang and she took the call. It was her daughter and she had me wait for 15 minutes while she took the call. It didn't seem like an emergency and she didn't excuse it as being one. She was very short with me and because of the phone call, she didn't have time for questions. The second time I went I asked her opinion of epidurals. Basically I was told I was getting one. All women get them. I don't know if I want one or not, but I do know that I want a choice. If I don't want one, I don't want to be forced to have one!

I left my second appointment with her somewhat frightened of the kind of birth I might have. I called the health insurance and they were completely nice about the situation. They instructed me on all of my options and pretty much told me to not go anywhere that I am not comfortable. So I called around and found a mid-wife who practices with a group of O.B. doctors in Macomb County near us. She was accepting new patients so I went and met her. I am so glad I did!

She is a very up beat person who makes Greg and I feel like she is just as excited about our birth as we are. She is there to advocate for the birth plan that we want and will guide us through every step of the way. I have seen her about 5 or 6 times now and feel so comfortable with her. It is very reassuring. Even Greg has met her and likes her enthusiasm. She answers all of our questions honestly and doesn't treat us like we are asking anything dumb. We are new to this and she understands.

When I tell people we are using a midwife, usually the first question is... Are you having a home birth? Heck no! I am to chicken for that! I chose to use a midwife because I want the least amount of medical intervention as possible. There is no reason to have drugs and be hooked up to machines for the duration of my labor if possible. If medical intervention needs to happen and the midwife agrees, then well, I need to care most about our child's health and my health. I wouldn't deny it - if it is needed.

We are still giving birth in the hospital where all the equipment is. Nurses will be there just like any other birth in a hospital. The mid wife will be there instead of an actual O.B. doctor, unless a procedure is needed. If something is needed one of the doctors from the mid wife's group will step in and do their best to support the least amount of medical intervention as possible.