We had our monthly appointment today. Talked to Dr. Wong about the ultrasound experience.
He said the follow up scan is just to see the divider between the brain halves. Jim and I have decided that since everything else is normal, we're going to pass on anymore testing. It's just too stressful and we don't learn anything new or helpful. The doctor said he supports us in whatever we decide to do. WE LOVE HIM!!!!
We asked him when we should start talking about the "birth plan" and he said "It's simple. You guys can do whatever you want to do."
He said we should stay home as long as I can stand it because I will be able to do what I want---eat, lie in bed, take a bath, etc. He said if I come in and I'm not around 5 cm, he'll send me home (after checking the baby's hearbeat). He said he can't be sure over the phone if I'm dilated enough, but he will try to figure it out by my answers to specific questions.
Also he said I'll be able to walk around at the hospital and eat something small. And of course that he won't do a c-section unless it's totally necessary, but it all depends how wide my hips are, etc. I always did want wider hips. Now I know why!!
He said labor, especially with the first baby can last 1-3 days!!! EEK!!! But most of that isn't the hard labor. He also said I'll probably have to push for about an hour since it's my first and that he would not give me any pain meds unless I asked for them, which is exactly how I'd like it.
I'm scared but also really excited and happy that I have a doctor who thinks along the same lines Jim and I do.
A big difference from last week! As far as the Downs results, he said because the baby is in such good physical shape (and because these tests can often be wrong), he thinks the baby will probably be fine. I do too.
Ah - we saw the "nub" today too! IT'S A BOY!!!!!!
10 comments:
Dr. Wong looks like a kind and gentle man in spirit.
And you look so radiant and secure with him!
1-3 days? hmmm.... start doing yoga to widen them there hips my dear!
and shall I say... O H M ?
NanaBanana ;- )
Julie reminded me of your prego-blog and I finally got on and saw what's been going on -- and I'm so glad you have decided No More Tests. In "my day" (thank God) we didn't do these crazy things, and look at what children I engendered (well maybe don't look too closely). I love you, my dear City Elves; you are the greatest. PS: the Blankie is progressing nicely.
PPS: have you a Boy Name yet?
Hey now you can start coming up with Boy Names!
Dr. Wong looks very cool and I'm glad you finally had a postive experience with all your medical stuff.
Don't let that 1-3 day thing scare you. The hard labor itself (where it REALLY hurts and you want to kill Jim for doing this to you -- yes, it's your fault, Jim) is not that long, and I don't remember pushing for an hour with either kid.
The great part is at the end of it all you get a wonderful baby boy! Any amount of pain is worth what I get back from my kids every single day.
So, hooray! And let's name that Mango!
I vote for MANGO!
He will always be Mango to this Nana ;- )
Auntie Teri says,
Yay, a boy! You get to be a M.O.B.!
Dr. Wong seems excellent for you; yay for that, too.
As for the 1-3 days, it sounds like what I've noticed lots of doctors do these days...tell you the worst-case scenario so when it's not as bad, you are relieved AND don't sue them! (Not that the excellent Dr. Wong is sue-able.) It's "labor" because it takes exertion, not because you are in agonizing pain the whole time. I remember being told that if I relaxed, or did anything that relaxed me (hot tub, backrubs from the excellent husband, whatever), my muscles would relax more and it wouldn't hurt as much...I am here to tell you that that seems true.
You can do it!
And we still think that Fergus is a great boy name! (oops, Wes says "Spike"!)
Love and large hugs to all!
One more thing: when Julie told me the in-utero name was "Mango" I thought she said "Mongo" -- as in "Mongo love the Sheriff!"
I know I'm just the aunt, but I'd like to put in a vote for Benjamin. Benjamin Blau. Ben Blau. I just dig it.
Around here in Aptos, there are way too many boys named Austin, Dylan and Ryan. I'd stay away from those.
But I like Benjamin.
Just sayin'.
Love,
The Excited Auntie (living vicariously through you because I'm not having any more kids).
I was actually somewhat relieved to hear him say 1-3 days because it means to me that he's not expecting to rush me to have the baby in 12 hours or give me a c-section. This is a good thing!
Thor Blau! Yes! I'm totally serious - it was a close second to Rowan for us. Well, Thor Lambert, anyway.
Your entire labor can also last only 5 hours and start out at 60 mph, even without chemical assistance. There are pros and cons to both situations. It's mostly an unbelievable amount of work - not named labor for nothing. The first meal I ate afterward (the hospital brought in a stack of take out menus, and I ordered a smoothy, a salad and a waffle from a great diner) was the most satisfying meal of my life.
This will sound weird, but it was actually stories about my dad and my uncle bob that got me through my labor, mentally. My dad, because he'd trained for basic training (who does that?) by running up and down California's foothills with a backpack full of bricks. My uncle because he (according to stories I was told) was wounded in Vietnam and refused Morphine until he could talk to the doctor - as a guitar player, he didn't want to lose his arm. I figured I had that in my genetics, so I had to be able to do this.
In the end, I had a mind-blowing experience, the most amazing thing I've ever done, I never need to go skydiving, and I've never felt more powerful in my life. The pain sucked, agreed, but still... I wouldn't change a thing.
Just a dumb question: is "seeing the nub" a 100 percent definitive "it's a boy" -- I dunno, but I'm, like, kinda getting the feeling this could be a girl.
No offense.
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