Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Plan Obsessed. The Worst Thing to Be While Pregnant.

I need a plan. I thrive on plans. You can most definitely say that I am "plan obsessed." Plans and pregnancy, however, although both beginning with the letter "P," pretty much have nothing else in common.

I write lists. I mercilessly fill out calendars. In pencil of course, because we all know things can change. And nobody likes a messy agenda. I am the queen of post-it notes.  

Knowing this, I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it is to "let go" during one's pregnancy, such as my own. Everything is out of your control. And what is within your control? You cling to like Linus clings to his blankey.

Here I am. 38 weeks pregnant. Armed with the knowledge that Baby Boy is STILL not fully in the correct position for birth. Armed with the knowledge that I'm very quickly approaching the end of my pregnancy. Armed with the knowledge that without a recent growth scan, no one even knows if Baby Boy is small enough to fit through my pelvis. Granted, I've been reassured time and time again that with a "normal, uncomplicated pregnancy" such as my own, it's standard not to perform a "growth scan" in the third trimester. Especially since my belly has been measuring on target, albeit a week ahead, since the beginning. But then why do I have this nagging feeling that Baby Boy just cannot properly engage his head?

Somebody needs to get this kid a GPS so that he'll disengage his head from my right hip and engage it in my pelvis where it belongs.

Here I am. Armed with the knowledge that going into spontaneous labor without Baby Boy's head (or butt) engaged in my pelvis, I run the risk of running into a nasty little situation known as "cord prolapse" where the umbilical cord slips through before baby, often compressing itself, completely blocking circulation and oxygen supply to Baby Boy.

Say what.

Like I said, I need a plan.

I have a doctor's appointment in a few short hours. I've done my research and dug up what little medical knowledge I had tucked away from my L&D clinical back in college. My goal is to have an honest, educated discussion with Dr. Silver Fox today and walk out of his office with... a plan.

Wish me luck and pray that I find the answers I'm hoping for!

26 comments :

  1. praying for you today.. I know exactly how you feel you sounded like you were describing me I live by list, calendars, notes, schedules, you know.

    Also speaking from being an L & D nurse... just as easily as you can say the words "U. Cord Prolapse" or "cut off circulation" you can also say the words "emerg. C-section" or "very skilled doctors, who move very quick, with the help of a fully devoted team, and deliver you very healthy baby" (O.k. maybe the last one wasnt that easy to say but you get it) you will do fine, and in a matter of days possibly you will be holding that beautiful boy in your arms and kissing his very new soft skin, and your worries today will be a faint memory.

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  2. Praying your PLAN plays out! I went in with that same goal---on a Monday---and came out with a PLAN to induce on Thursday! Now, hows that for a plan! Rest easy- he'll be here before you know it! Who am I kidding- come on Dr. Silver Fox- get this kid out!!!!! And let me tell you, all of your indigestion, uncomfortable nights, strange paints will go away immediately! HOORAY FOR LABOR!

    Good luck! can't wait to hear what the PLAN is!

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  3. Good luck with your plan! I agree to sit down and frankly discuss this with your doctor. I am a planner too, and while you can't plan everything, at least you can be reassured by being on the same page as your doctor:-)

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  4. Thinking of you my friend! I pray you get the answers you are looking for. But mostly I will pray for your little boy to get his head in gear :)

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  5. Good luck.. but you have to keep in mind, as much as it sucks, that the plan you have mapped out may not be the one that is the end result. Connor was engaged at 36 weeks and I was 1 cm and about 70% effaced. Got induced at 39 weeks 3 days. Even though his head was "as low as it could get" (doc), after 28 hours of labor and only getting to a 5, I ended up C-Section. Yes, seven hours of labor/ 1 cm of dilation. Tough pill to swallow but he just wasn't going to fit! You figure he would have been a monster but was only 7 pounds even. Good luck with everything!

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  6. Oh, and going into an appointment as educated as you can be is the best thing you are doing for yourself!

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  7. Cute blog! And I am right there with you when it comes to planning, I can't even imagine how you must be feeling, but I am sure your doctor will have a fantastic plan for you! Hope the convo goes well today!! ...and, I have to say, your dog is just adorable :)

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  8. I am sure everything will be just fine. But, as a fellow planner I feel your pain, I haven't had the pleasure of having kids yet, but hopefully they will learn to get with the plan early ;-)

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  9. LOL I do wish you luck as I have the same agenda tomorrow morning at 10am. This no plan thing is KILLING ME. I will say though that 2 of my friends just had their babies, with no proper placement or effacement etc while I have engagement and effacement and no baby! RAH pregnancy is working my nerves!
    Please do post results from your doctor trip!
    PS. I was able to sweet talk the nurse into an extra US while the doctor was out and I was right, he was MUCH bigger than they thought ( over 95th percentile) for size and has a huge head. YIKES

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  10. I have heard that swimming and diving from the top of the water toward the bottom (while in the water, not off the side of the pool)can help get the baby in right position. Good Luck!

    My little man is head down right now, but his rear end is way on my right side, feet on the left. He is holding on to my pelvis on the right side as well. I can see him fighting going down the birth canal. I am lucky and I have a growth scan on Friday. I had high blood pressure prior to getting pregnant, so I get more tests. It is a good and bad thing. I love the ultrasounds, but could do without one of the 2 NST's I have to have each week.

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  11. I have heard that swimming and diving from the top of the water toward the bottom (while in the water, not off the side of the pool)can help get the baby in the right position. Good Luck!

    My little man is head down right now, but his rear end is way on my right side, feet on the left. He is holding on to my pelvis on the right side as well. I can see him fighting going down the birth canal. I'm lucky that I have a growth scan on Friday. I had high blood pressure prior to getting pregnant, so I get more tests. It is a good and bad thing. I love the ultrasounds, but could do without one of the 2 NST's I have to have each week.

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  12. Good luck! I hope you get a plan! I'm a planner too so I completly understand where you're coming from!

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  13. Thinking about you! Stay positive lady. Prayers going out that the little dude gets into position and you can get your birthing on SOON!!!!

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  14. I hope you leave with a great plan that you feel comfortable with. I can only imagine the kind of stress this puts on you.

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  15. I will definitely be praying!! Gosh, it must be hard being a nurse and knowing SO much. Praying for your sweet baby boy who will be here SO SOON!!!

    And your comment today brought tears to my eyes. LOVE that you can relate. It's such an amazing feeling bellying a boy!

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  16. I'm curious to hear how this goes!

    I've all of a sudden developed this fear that baby boy will be late and very large and I am not terrified of going into labor. Good thing I have the best hubby in the world. :)

    I would assume that the doctors are somewhat familiar with all of the possible problems you mentioned, and they know exactly what to do. At some point we just have to have faith!

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  17. Not having a plan is NO fun! I'm so so sorry you have to go through this, and that your little man is not willing to cooperate. Hopefully he will change his mind this coming week and everything will be ok. I hope your appointment went really well too. Thinking of you :-)

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  18. Praying for your! Hope the dr. had good news for you!

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  19. Good luck!! I always leave the Dr office feeling a little better. I'm sure your baby boy will be just fine :)

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  20. Dear twin,
    I've never ever ever met anyone so much like myself before. I'm beyond thrilled! :) Thanks for being me, I mean, you. Well thanks for being us!

    I'm sure everything will work out perfectly, or at least as perfectly as it's supposed to. :)

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  21. AHhhhh!! I would be going crazy if I were you too! How did the appt. go today?

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  22. This whole not knowing when baby boy is going to come out (if they ever actually do) is KILLING me. I NEED to know right now when his birthday will be and what kind of birth I will be having, dammit!

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  23. I LIVE for plans! Hope the appointment went well!

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  24. ha! you are too funny! I can totally relate to your blog! (im a now follower) Im 28 weeks pregnant and even though I think Im in control, Im sure my little baby boy thinks he is!

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  25. Just stumbled across your blog..Love it by the way! Sorry you don't have a plan I love plans too..but this one is a hard one to make a plan about it seems! Good luck at your dr appt I am curious what they have to say!

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  26. I'm a big planner too, and currently pregnant with my second baby (due in December). With my first, I was terrified of a posterior baby, because my mom seemed to have big, posterior babies and which made her deliveries sort of traumatic. I found www.spinningbabies.com very helpful and empowering, and with a lot of cat/cow yoga moves and trying not to sit in a super reclined position very much toward the end of pregnancy, my 7lb 15oz daughter spun around to the proper position and came out without forceps/vacuum and little tearing at 39 weeks, even though her head was a pretty big 15.5"! Best wishes as you prepare to meet your son!!

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