2nd OB Appointment

Well, today, Michael and I went to our 2nd OB appointment and we had the good fortune of having Vanessa with us on account of the President’s Day holiday. Sadly, we did not get another glimpse of our little munchkin but we did get to hear our baby’s heartbeat again and Vanessa got a chance to listen in on her baby brother or sister for the first time. Apart from that, the appointment was very uneventful… save a conversation I had with the OB about the most prudent delivery options we should be considering.

Dr. B became the 2nd OB who has told me it will be medically necessary to have a Cesarean to deliver our baby this coming August or September. Given the injuries to my spine, my past medical history, and the unlikelihood that the doctors will be able to get a needle into my spine that would allow me to stay awake, the doctor recommended that I consider going under general anesthesia (translation = totally unconscious). He explained that they would be able to get the baby out in 1-2 minutes and that the anesthesia wouldn’t have an affect on the baby unless the surgery took 8 minutes, which it shouldn’t given that I’ve never had abdominal surgery before. I really was not prepared to have this conversation, which I assumed would be much further off. However, I guess now is as good a time as any to start praying for guidance from God on this.

I should explain that I am not one of those women who are terribly distraught by the proposition of having to give birth by Cesarean. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always suspected it would be necessary given everything I’ve been through with my spine (surgeries, accidents, etc.). That said, I also didn’t grow up dreaming about having major surgery to deliver my firstborn -- or that I would be prohibited from holding him or her right away. If we do end up taking the doctor’s advice, it may be much longer before I could hold my baby. It’s also hard to imagine going to sleep and not knowing what events will follow (not that we ever really know what the future has in store anyway but it certainly makes me feel less in control and reminds me that I’m not and God is). This all obviously makes me a little sad (not that God is in control, but the negative aspects that surround this type of birth plan). There is just so much to consider in terms of risks and benefits. Right now, my doctors have made a good case that this would be safest for our baby, which is my top priority right now. Michael and I will certainly be praying very hard about this and trusting God with all we’ve got. In the end, God is in control and the sooner we accept that, the better able we will be to deal with whatever comes our way.

As for the morning sickness, the doctor prescribed another medication that I am hoping will help as I have still been feeling as green as Kermit if not greener than last week. I was also given a referral to a pulmonary specialist to try to get my asthma under control. Breathing has been as much of an issue these days as getting and keeping my food down.

So far pregnancy has been a very trying experience but I know God will grow me and Michael through it... as well as our baby (haha). For all the downsides, I could not be happier. Speaking of growing… I got fitted for my bridesmaid’s gown for my good friend Emily’s wedding this June. Apparently, I will be doing a lot of growing between now and then! How wonderful and terrifying!