Ok--
Since everyone knows I had a doctor's appointment today it is pretty much pointless to not post today. But I warn you, it is not what you all wanted to hear.
DISCLAIMER---sorry I didn't answer any phone calls today. I really just didn't wanna talk about it. You guys are great friends, but nothing was going to cheer me up today. Thanks for all of your thoughts though.
SO HERE GOES...
My appointment started with a cervical exam. Nothing new there. No dilating. That was my first disappointment. Then the doctor told me that the baby had not engaged. She is still floating in Uterus Land somewhere. She is head down and pointing the right way, but has not entered my pelvis AT ALL. He could barely reach her little head (sorry if that is too much info). So since she is not pushing her way out, my cervix is not changing. It is still completly closed off--no dilating for us. The way the doctor put it was "she just hasn't found the door out yet--and doesn't really seem to be looking for it."
So this means that I still have a long way to go. To add to this, she is weighing in around 8+ pounds (best guess). Since she is not IN my pelvis, IT is also not changing. So right now her big ole head would not fit. So my doctor informed me that IF I wanted to arrange a C-section, he would admit me immediately. Otherwise he would induce me soon, but it probably would either take a long time or never really work because my body was doing nothing on its own right now. So I would have a LONG labor which might still not result in her coming out. Which would mean I would need a non-planned C-section. SO... to make a long story short, I go back on Monday. Todd and I are supposed to decide what we wanna do. C-section, try it and then have a C-section, or wait and see if I EVER go into labor on my own and possibly still have a C-section.
I would love to hear from anyone who has any input on this one. I don't know why I am so against the C-section thing. Is there a reason for me to be so negative?? Any positive C-section stories for me out there?? I would love for all of you mothers out there to put in your 2 cents here.
10 comments:
Jess,
I'm not a mother, but I wanted you to know that I'm praying for everything to work out the way it's supposed to. I can only imagine how impossible it must feel to have no control over the situation - maybe Emersyn is giving you a preview of her little personality. :) Stuuuubborn!! :) I'm sorry you're feeling discouraged - but the end is in sight! You've made it this far...the reward (Emersyn) is almost here and her entrance into the world will be filled with joy and relief!
Love ya!
Marcie
O.k. Jessica, I'm not an expert, but I would avoid a c-section if at all possible. A lot of times once you've had a c-section most docors won't deliver another child vaginally (sorry, a little graphic), which might not be a big deal for some. The most I've ever dilated on my own was to a 1. I never did anything on my own and I've also been induced everytime for other medical reasons. I've had epidural's so being started hasn't been bad for me. I've also heard of women who have been like you, not dilated at all and the next day go into labor. I was induced 4 weeks early with my twins and delivered normal. And with my last one my doctor was worried that I might not be able to deliver him naturally because my baby's head was measuring huge and they were worried about shoulder displatia. I was stressing big time. I told him I wanted to avoid a c-section if at all possible. But if it was going to be safer for the baby than a c-section was fine. Anyways, I asked him if he could induce me and if it looked like he needed to do a c-section then fine. So, he induced me and all was good. Just a huge baby. (10 lbs. 1 oz) So, that's my opinion. Maybe get a 2nd opinion from another doctor. But truthfully, I don't see why he couldn't induce you to see if it works and if not then do a c-section. My longest labor was with my girls and I think it was just because they were 4 weeks early. The other 2 delivery's weren't bad. So, that's just my opinion. Although, I would love to start into labor on my own and actually go to an appointment and have the doctor tell me I was dilated to a 3 or something. I've never been so lucky. Sorry, for the novel. I know there are those with good c-section stories, but I prefer a normal delivery if my baby isn't at risk and a c-section as a very last option. I prayed a lot and prayed that the doctors would be inspired to do what was best for baby and me. So, hopefully all will go well. I'm so excited for you to have this baby.
Love ya! Thats the best I got- I've never had a c-section so I don't know. I think that if it was me and the doctors were pretty sure I'd end up with a c-section anyway I'd probaby want to skip the labor crap and just get it over with but I think its just a crappy situation all around. Whatever decision you make will be the right one because no matter what you will end up with a gorgeous baby. Let me know if there's anything I can do! I'll be in town tomorrow with my mom so if you're looking to get out and be distracted you can come hang out with us.
I know this is frustrating and it is not the way you really want it to happen. I can't tell you anything profound about c sections but want to stress that a healthy baby is the end result and however she can get here safely,is the way it should be. C section, natural, water birth, squatting in a rice field (not sure where that came from..lol) it really doesn't matter in the end. There's no shame in a c section and hey, it is probably much quicker than anything. : ) You two will make the right decision and Emersyn will be here very soon. I love you guys and am here for you always!!! Grandma Marilee : )
Hi Jessica, It's Annie Grimshaw, you know from like a zillions years ago. :)
Anyway, I am so excited for you guys. I didn't have the same situation but a similar frustrating one. I was totally dilating, but still walking around with the kid in me, refusing to go into labor. The ultrasound showed that he was either 8.5 or 11.5 or somewhere in the middle. They got me all freaked out about how dangerous it is to have a huge baby and all the risks and then asked me if I wanted to do a csection or go the regular route. I asked, what do you recommend? Of course they just went over all the risks again. I ended up being induced and the kid was 9.5. Big, but not huge.
What I think is best is to follow your heart. I think csection is a little bit scary, since I have never had one, but LOTS of my friends and family have.
*PS I think it's old practice that you can't have a "traditional" birth after a csection. Doctors today do what is called a bikini cut for the csection and you can have a "traditional" birth with subsequent kids. So you don't have to miss out on the "experience" :) if you have your little cutie csection.
I am so excited for you and can't wait to see the pictures of the little princess when she finally makes her appearance!!
Okay, here's my 2-cents. GO FOR THE C-SECTION! Here is my reasoning: I had the EXACT same experience that you are having. Week after week I'd go to the dr with no dilation nothing! It was frustrating. It sucked! It was horrible! I then went in and they tried to ripen the cervix so that the baby would come down, which he did. So then the dr broke my water, I started into hard labor, I pushed for 3-1/2 hours (seriously, NOT FUN) and had an emergency c-section. The c-section recovery was SO not bad. I would have a c-section every time to avoid labor. If they'd given me that option straight up, knowing what I know now, I'd have taken it. I'm sure future children will be harder to deal with because I will have any more c-sec as well, but I thought it was worth it.
This is my thought...if a baby isn't coming down, and isn't ready, there's a reason. Trust your body. Go with your instincts, and pray like crazy to get it figured out! :) But the reason McKay never dropped was because he had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times. Btw, I'm not trying to scare you, just trying to show that maybe there's a reason.
Also, your ultimate goal at the end should be a healthy mother and a healthy baby. So you have to decide what form will help your child get here healthy and will also have you healthy. I don't think you should feel bad for not having a "regular" delivery. If you wanna know c-section procedures, email me your phone #, and I can call ya and talk a bit about it. I was grateful that I had a friend who'd gone through one, and I had asked before going into the hospital about it. So it was less freaky.
Good luck with what you choose! I know you'll do whatever is best for you and little Emersyn!
Jess, I say have the C-section! It would be way worse to be in labor for who knows how long AND end up with a c-section anyway. You are a tiny thing and if the doctor thinks that there is EVEN going to be a chance that she is to big or you are too small, then believe him.
Of course this is coming from a girl that scheduled all 5 of her pregnancys on the calendar and went in and had them on that day:)
Good luck Jess, keep us posted! Maybe you could get a blessing.*hugs*
I saw your new post and thought YEAH the baby is here and Todd must be posting. Sorry about your bad news! It sounds frustrating. I have no opinion. Other than in a month you won't care how she arrived other than she is here. But, I have a question... How did you get such a BIG baby??? You are little!!
well love ya---
Ok I have one opinion- ask GOOGLE! it knows EVERYTHING!! ;)
HUGS!!! Jess, I'm sorry you are having such a hard time right now. I don't have any advice for you, but I am thinking about ya! It will all work out in the end, but if a c-section is the best thing for baby and you, then don't be afraid! Good luck and keep us posted!
Hey Jessica,
Sorry about your frustratios! My advise, for what it is worth, is pray about, decide and trust in the Lord. Don't mean to be preachy.... I did experience a labor / c-section with Bergan, wish I didn't have to be so worn out from the labor for the c-section. I felt like it was double duty. But in my opinion, yes there are risks, but there is also a reason we live in this day of modern medicine. Best of luck to you and the little one, which ever "route" you choose!
Love, Connie
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