Monday afternoon, I waddled into my doctor's office with wet hair and great expectations. Woe is pregnancy in the summer, but joyful is the thought that "the end is near." I was hoping to avoid a Rubella vaccination (and all needles in general) and get checked for dilation and effacement.
A nurse called me back from the waiting room and I slowly gathered my purse and scooted my way toward the rooms. The opening ritual of all my appointments is the Weighing of the Whale. I stepped on the scale praying to the highest of heavens that it wouldn't break under my weight. After an unusually long wait, the number finally showed up on the screen and I was surprised to find that I actually haven't gained an ounce since my last appointment two weeks ago.
We walked back to the bathrooms so I could provide the second half of the opening ritual: The Urine Sample. I was scolded for having pee that was "too dark." Sorry lady, my squished bladder can only hold so much fluid at any given time.
After the opening rituals, the other routine checks were made (blood pressure normal, baby's heartbeat normal, ankles only slightly swollen, baby is head down), and I was told to take off my pants. I was under the impression this was for the dilation and effacement check. When I asked about it, my doctor informed me that 36 weeks is not actually full-term, but 37 weeks was. And she refused to check me because it could introduce bacteria unnecessarily (of course I'm reasonable and wouldn't want to do this either). And I was actually just going to get swabbed. Which is awkward.
I wasn't able to get the test I wanted, but had to drop my drawers anyway.
I was successful in putting off the vaccination. But then I had to get my blood drawn for an anemia test, so I had to get stabbed with a needle anyway.
So much for expectations. This is why I'm not creating a birth plan. It will only lead to disappointment.
Talk to your doctor about getting any vaccinations you can before you have your baby. They gave me a bunch in the hospital the day after my daughter was born and I got SO SICK from them. A new baby and achy muscles and a fever? THE WORST.
ReplyDeleteGood advice! I didn't even know they gave the mother vaccinations after birth.
DeleteGoing in without a birth plan is the best thing to do. My birth plan was definitely all squashed, everything I didn't want happened. Good luck with these last few weeks! I bet you're getting excited!
ReplyDeleteIs that vaccination the big shot in the tushie? Is that the one that is because the baby may have a different blood type? I had to get that with my first one. UGH!
ReplyDeleteI also remember that every time I went to the lab for blood work I'd tell the ladies that I needed to lay down. Some would just look at me funny and tell me to sit. So I would say that I needed to lay down in order to have blood drawn. No, just sit. OK LADY! I will just lay down so you don't have to pick me up when I faint! Sheesh! Don't argue with pregnant women!!!
Miss you T!!!
The rubella vaccination is for whooping cough. I hate when med professionals think they know you better and won't listen!
DeleteSo smart. I have seen some of my family members and friends get so determined to have a specific birth plan and they end of disappointed at the end. How sad is that! I just want to say: Do you realize you just gave birth to a human being? That is incredible and a miracle. You should no way be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteWay to go girl. Good luck these next few weeks!
The best thing you can do before giving birth is be informed. Maybe you don't need a specific birth plan, but you should know what the possibilities are - especially how one intervention leads to another and how to avoid that. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI remember being in your same position a few months ago. I didn't even dilate 1cm until about 2 weeks before my due date and I still had my son 2 days early. My water didn't break until the nurse broke it for me several hours after I'd been admitted and I never made a birth plan either.
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