Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Grumpy Gills

You know those moments when you hate someone so much
and you just want to tell them to "go to hell" or "check your facts"
but the only thing you can really do is cry?
I had that moment yesterday.
And the person on the receiving end of my odd silence was someone who I truly do appreciate
and I respect him beyond this world.

Last week when I went in for my 37 week appointment the doctor told me I had lost a pound
(at that moment I nearly hugged him) 
and that I was also measuring 40 weeks.
The week before I was measuring right on at 36 weeks
so I grew 4 cm. in a week.
A WEEK!
That's a lot people.
He told me when I came back for my 38 week appointment we would need
to do an ultrasound to measure the size of this baby,
and he didn't want my first one to be "the record breaker".
and the more reasons he could find to get this baby here sooner he would use to get me induced early.
I. Was. Ecstatic.
to say the least.

When I made my appointment for 38 weeks I had to make it 2 days earlier than normal
due to my work schedule and the ultrasound tech's hours.
This meant I was going in only 5 days after my last appointment.
I was a little worried that he wouldn't tell me what I wanted to hear,
but my baby was measuring 40 cm and I was really counting on that working out for me.

After my ultrasound he told me that this baby was 8lbs.
EIGHT! I'm only 37.5 weeks and my baby is 8lbs.
He said that could be off a little in either direction, 
and I'm assuming, with my luck, this baby is bigger than 8lbs.
and then the student measured my stomach, and I was measuring 38 weeks.
Tell me right now how that adds up. It doesn't, but I just wanted to carry on with the appointment so I didn't ask questions about that.
He pointed out my swollen feet for the millionth time and the student Doctor expressed her concerns about
how swollen they were. 
I honestly don't think she's seen such fat feet before.
He reminded her the swelling was part of pregnancy and then she told him
I have trace amounts of protein in my urine, and I have for a few weeks.
(News to me, and I got excited about that because that means preeclampsia or toxemia, and that means get this baby out asap)
But then he said it's not enough to worry about, and everything looked just fine and I didn't have either.
He then checked me and told me that I'm progressing. 
I'm 3cm and 80%, up from 5 days ago when I was 2cm and 70%.
I know that should get me excited but it doesn't.
People dilate and efface way before they actually go into labor.
I could stay here until I'm 42 weeks along 
(but clearly we all know that I am NOT waiting that long)
This is when I got pissed.
This is when I nearly just started crying.
This may be TMI, but it's my blog so deal with it.
Then he said next week they would strip my membrane if I would like.
I did manage to say, in my most pathetic voice "Can't we do that's today"?
I think I caught him off guard, who really wants their membrane stripped?
This girl.
So he did. Now I am 3cm, 80% effaced, and -2.
He said he would schedule an inducement date for around 39 weeks
but he wouldn't tell me what day it is for until my next appointment.
In a week.
I couldn't even find the words to beg him to tell me. I was literally chocking back the tears, not from the pain, but gosh did that hurt, but because I was so upset.
And that made it even harder to breath.
How was I having an 8lb baby already? and Why am I the only one concerned about the massive size?
The longer he is in there the more weight he is going to gain.
The more weight he gains, the more weight I gain, and it's that much harder for me to do anything.
He handed me my paper to schedule my appointment for next week and said
"See you next week, hopefully sooner!" with his ear to ear smile and ever so cheery, happy, peppy voice.
So I just whispered "thank you" and like that he was out the door.

I just sat there for a few minutes and got my composure,
struggled while I tried to put my pants back on.
I even thought about calling him back in the room to have him watch how hard it is for me to get dressed
because I think that's a good reason to get induced. That and an 8lb baby.
I can't lift my feet past the middle of my opposite calf, and I can't bend down that far to pull up my pants.
Imagine that sight, accompanied by some grunting and cursing.
Needless to say, I'm done. This baby is very much big enough to survive on the outside,
and I've got the necessities prepped and ready for him.
The only thing left that absolutely needs to get done is a real good house cleaning before he gets here.
But have I mentioned I can't bend over? 
Please pray for us.
Pray that this baby comes,
and my husband doesn't kill me.
or himself for that matter. 
Poor guy.

And because no blog post is good without pictures, here's a few really flattering pictures of a whale for you.


Oh wait, those are pictures of me, on the ladder, painting the babies room. That's how much I love you baby,
37.5 weeks pregnant and I painted 95% of your room by myself because I'm impatient.
and I thought it would induce labor.
It didn't.
But at least your room isn't completely white anymore.
You are welcome.
And the last picture is Chief and I on our walk.
He is fat and lazy too and get's to lay down to wait for the lights to change color.
Lucky dog.
But this picture is to show how fat my feet really are.
I finally feel like this picture almost does it justice.
Almost.

You've made it this far?!
I'm shocked.
I've rambled on for a long long long time now.
I hope your week is much more comfortable than mine!

7 comments:

Jenna said...

Oh Kens. The waiting is the absolute worst! At my 37 week appointment I was 2 cm and 80%. My midwife said if I was 3 cm the next week, they would induce me. I went back the next week with my hospital bag packed, sure I had progressed a cm with all my contractions. When she checked me, she said I was "2+, but not quite a 3." I can't remember what she said the rest of the appt because I was just trying not to cry in front of her. I broke down in my car in the parking lot for about 10 minutes. I'm not going to try to tell you it's all worth it once the baby comes, either. Because that's a stupid thing to say. I would have been much, much happier if this little bundle would have come a few weeks earlier. Hang in there, though! You'll survive, I promise!

p.s. this may be tmi, but sex and nipple stimulation really can induce labor, once your body is ready. my water broke 40 minutes later. it's worth a try!

Kayla said...

I love reading your posts you put pregnancy into the perfect words! My doctor told me Emma would weigh over 8lbs so I was induced and she was 6 pounds! Weird that if they measured the babe that big they wouldn't just take him out now! You are so close!!! Can't wait to see pictures of your handsome boy!

Sydney said...

A few things.

1. I went 8 days late and I had pupps. Look up pupps pictures online and you will stop feeling sorry for yourself. I don't tell you this to be like "you don't have it that bad" because trust me I know how bad it all sucks, but just remember it could be worse.

2. My baby was 8 pounds 1 oz. You have nothing to worry about. The head is the biggest part, fat squishes. You should be more worries about the head circumference. If your doc says something along the lines of "your perineum is really tight" then you say "give me an episiotomy then!" Trust me on this. But really you will do great.

3. In regarda to Jennas p.s., we tried that and it didn't work. I was dilated to a 3 and 100% effaced at the time. So if it doesn't work for you, just know you are not alone.

Kayla said...

Ps: when people see swollen feet I don't think they understand that your feet are not just fat but it is SO EXTREMLY PAINFUL AN UNCOMFORTABLE. I am so sorry. Mine went away seriously 2 hours after the baby was born. Hurry up baby

Single-Mother Land said...

This reminds me of a post I made back before I had the not so little noah. Unfortunately no one cared that I had broken out in a massive rash and no lie - weighed 200 lbs (im 120 now)... If it makes you feel better the day I had Noah I was ZERO cms dilated and 10% effaced. They wanted me to come back in a week to schedule my induction. Meaning I would have had him cooking at the very least two more weeks!! Imagine my excitement when I was in full blown labor later that day! And when I launched my NINE AND A HALF pound baby out of my hoohah! I don't even want to know how big he would have been if I waited two weeks...

Single-Mother Land said...

Sydney ! I had puppps!!!! It was THE WORST!! I was scratching my belly with forks. Beotch nurse gave me hydrocortisone cream. I was like.... Thanks for nothing !!!!!

Nicole said...

All I can say is I'm uber impressed that you painted the baby's room when you can't even move enough to get your pants on. Now that is a good mom. Hang in there, Kens!!