The countdown has officially begun. It's looking like Bumble will be here in about 7 weeks. Wow.
We had a good appointment yesterday afternoon. We were expecting to see Dr. Love for our ultrasound, but he was off for the day, so we saw the other perinatologist instead. I really, really liked her - she was extremely thorough and talked us through each of the ultrasound images. While I know that both doctors are equally knowledgeable and capable, the doctor we saw yesterday was more verbal about her observations, and I really appreciated that.
So, here's the report:
My placenta hasn't moved much (if at all) since the last appointment two weeks ago. It's still completely covering my cervix and has actually attached itself down into the cervix some. The doctor is fairly certain (like 99.9%) that we're looking at a c-section. They also checked my cervix again, and it is actually .1 cm longer than it was two weeks ago. We'll proceed with ultrasounds every two weeks to monitor things. At our next appointment, they'll check my cervix, the baby's fluid, and my placenta. At the following appointment, they'll do additional measurements on little Bumble. The doctor explained that because of the risk of hemorrhage, they really want to avoid me going into labor or dilating at all. She thought that the best course of action would be to do an amnio at 36 weeks to check on Bumble's lung development. Because of the (slight) risk of starting labor or rupturing my bag of waters, we would stay overnight at the hospital following the procedure. If the test shows that Bumble's lungs are developed, they'll do the c-section the next day. If not, they'll wait until 37 weeks and do the c-section then.
Bumble is looking good. Her head is down by my right hip and I've been feeling lots of kicks in my ribs and pokes on my bladder and hips. I find it a bit funny that they were originally concerned about her being underweight, considering that Bumble weighs about 3 lbs, 5oz right now, putting her in the 75th - 80th percentile for weight for babies of her gestational age. I laughed out loud last night when my pregnancy ticker informed me that the baby has passed the 2 lb mark. All measurements showed that she's about a week ahead and her legs look to be long - which shouldn't be a surprise since her papa is 6'4".
So, for the most part, I'm feeling really good about things. A bit more frantic to get everything done, but also more at peace feeling like I know how we're going to proceed and that I can begin to make a plan to ensure that I have as much control over the birthing process as possible.
After waking up at 5:30 am this morning and not being able to fall asleep (thanks, puppy), I watched The Business of Being Born and sobbed just about through the whole thing. It really brought up a lot of emotion for me around what I always thought my birth would be like versus how things are turning out. I'm feeling too muddled to write about it now, but I know I'll be doing some serious journaling later.
Seven weeks, people. Seven weeks.
So glad you got to see that movie! I haven't seen it, but I have to say I watched the trailer and had heard about it and there is a lot of truth to it.
I'm very happy with the birth we did have. It was very special. It was in a hospital and I did have to have pitocin as my contractions started fizzling and my daughter decided that maybe she shouldn't have broken the water 4 weeks early. But I never had any other drugs, no epidural, and I used my breathing exercises with all my might. It was a beautiful experience. I recommend any woman that to feel those contractions is to feel alive. Although it's an ouch part of being alive, it's there for a purpose to open everything up and to use an epidural and deny your body to feel that opening pain is not a good thing.
Wishing you lots of luck on these next few weeks!
Posted by: Heather | February 29, 2008 at 03:59 PM
i just wanted to say i am very excited for you! Seven more weeks - it's almost here! i have been reading your blog for awhile and just thought i'd let you know you have another reader!
good luck and i can't wait to hear updates!
Posted by: Harmony | February 29, 2008 at 06:33 PM
i just wanted to say i am very excited for you! Seven more weeks - it's almost here! i have been reading your blog for awhile and just thought i'd let you know you have another reader!
good luck and i can't wait to hear updates!
Posted by: Harmony | February 29, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I just wanted to say that I have been following your story for awhile now. Your story gives me hope that dreams really do come true. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Cindy Nguyen | February 29, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I just wanted to say that I have been following your story for awhile now. Your story gives me hope that dreams really do come true. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Cindy Nguyen | February 29, 2008 at 11:21 PM
i am so freakin' happy for you. i just knew that this day would come for you. and i know that you and your dh will be great parents.
Posted by: christina(apronstrings) | March 01, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Wow that has gone fast. I'm so glad that you are doing well. I've had 2 csections and believe me it isn't all that bad. You still get a baby!! Any hints of a name yet??I mean bumble is very nice but I think she may get teased at school. Congrats and rest now while you can.
deb
Posted by: deborah | March 01, 2008 at 05:31 PM
while it is always great to have a birth plan, I think it's probably best to mentally prepare yourself for anything. Don't get too wrapped up in the ideal birth, because if it doesn't happen, you may be terribly disappointed. Like I said in my birth story, my birth plan didn't just go out the window, it went out the window, caught a bus, hopped a jet and spent the weekend getting loaded and playing slots in Atlantic City. It seriously affected how I felt about my daughter's arrival; instead of joy, I felt numb and frightened. If I had been prepared to accept things as they came, I think I might have felt better about the whole process. Twig in the stream.
I can't wait for you to be able to meet your lovely Bumble. :)
Posted by: rockmama | March 01, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Wow! 7 weeks! Hope all goes as well as possible!
Posted by: SaraS-P | March 02, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Wowsers, only 7 more weeks?! That is great and I'm thrilled that things are looking so good.
I too had such an idea of what I wanted my birth experience to be, but towards the end of my pregnancy I could see it would be NOTHING like that. In the end, I really was just relieved the babies were healthy, but I know everyone is different. My hope for you is that you get what you want, and that you and Bumble are healthy and happy!!
XOXO
Posted by: watson | March 06, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Congrats! I'm John's old friend (long lost old friend?) Julia, and I just found out you guys were pregnant when John congratulated me on being pregnant - I'm behind you, just starting my second trimester at 13 weeks, 2 days. I am so embarrassed that I am so out of touch I have to find these things out on the internet, but I'm so happy to know. I plan to come by Richmond some time here, though probably after your little one is born. I know that however you have this baby it's going to be wonderful. The real stuff has nothing to do with the birth procedure and everything to do with that bundle of joy at the other end. You are going to do great!
Love, J
Posted by: Julia | March 07, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Nikole, I hope you saw the fabulous Lisa Troyer. She helped me when I was pregnant with Daisy and was an angel, so good a reasuring me.
If anyone can do a safe (safer) amnio it is her. You and John and Bumble are in our prayers. I can't wait to meet this little girl!
Posted by: Jonah Holland | March 07, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Nikole,
I am SO happy and excited for you. Thanks for keeping us posted. I think of you often and cannot wait to meet your beautiful (I can just tell already!) baby girl!!
Posted by: mollyk | March 08, 2008 at 10:05 PM