That was 3 (almost 4!) days ago. I’ve been too lazy to update. It was a pretty quick one. Went in, peed, went back out to wait. Got called back, weighed. Gained 19 lbs overall, 1 lb since my previous appointment 2 weeks ago. Gail said, “Only one pound! That includes the holidays and everything!” Yeah? I’m thinking, that’s okay, right? God knows I ate plenty through the holidays and even when it’s not a holiday. I had started wondering if I’m snacking too much. Guess I’m still alright. I just kind of shrugged. They didn’t seem worried. It was just the first time they really commented on it.
Blood pressure was fine. It was the first time the nurse told me what it was. And now…I can’t remember. 120/72? 110/72? Darn, I usually remember these things. (Pre-preg it was usually about 110/68, so I’m annoyed that I’m blanking now.) It was also the first time the Dr didn’t tell me my fundus height. Baby’s heart rate was 152. Same as last time. I wiped the jelly off my belly, and that was that.
Oh, the doctor also gave me a little sheet with information to call and schedule the epidural interview. The conversation was something like this:
Dr: What are you planning to use for pain?
Me: I’m going to try to go without… [[yess, bad choice of words, it can still be pain management even if it’s not medicine]] …But I’m still planning to do the interview.
Dr: Okay good. 9 out of 10 (of women who say that?) end up getting the epidural.
Me: Yeah I know….
While having an epidural isn’t my “Plan A,” I have intended all along to do the interview. The epidural interview is a time to meet with an anesthesiologist before the “big day.” In the event that I cave, or in the event it is actually necessary to have the epidural, they will already have my history, and I’ll have already signed the paperwork so I don’t have to fret with it during labor. Fine with me. I can also ask any questions I have, and I’m sure I’ll have several. I feel like asking an anesthesiologist questions about an epidural is kind of like asking the Vistakon rep if Acuvue contact lenses are any good (ok, sorry, I’m an optometrist…it’s the first analogy that came to mind). I’m afraid the Dr. might be kind of biased? Though it’s not like he (she?) has any reason not to be straight with me. I’ll respect his input. He’s definitely the most knowledgeable on the subject (okay, so maybe the Vistakon rep example wasn’t the best one…ooh burn). So anyway. It’s not like there’s any commitment, and there’s no point in making it harder on myself later if I do have it. Fewer complications or speed bumps on birth day = better.
My OB also mentioned other things, like the pudendal block and Stadol. Definitely not digging the Stadol idea. I think that’s the one my doula said makes you feel sorta drunk and high at the same time. I’ve heard similar things from various people/sources. I have never been drunk or high, but it doesn’t sound like what I’d want to be at the birth of my child. I don’t want to be loopy. From what I can gather, IF I’m gonna use meds for pain, the epidural is still the way to go, both for momma and baby.
Dr also let me know that she has experienced childbirth…and it hurts. I replied with a smile and a facetious “OH really????” Just being silly. Later I asked Pete if it sounded bad because I didn’t mean it in a bad way. He told me it didn’t come across wrong. Apparently the Dr gets several patients who are actually surprised by how much it hurts. I don’t think I have unrealistic ideas about it, but I won’t know until it’s happening.
Two more weeks til my next appointment: Jan 18 @ 2:45 pm (back to Tuesdays).
Some other randomness:
Random #1: I can’t remember when I had this dream. Maybe a night or two after the dream I blogged about last time. For some reason, I had a temporary surrogate? So this surrogate (a friend) was toting the baby around for a while, and then she was going to be put back inside me. But the surrogate ended up delivering at 32 weeks. So she was showing me the baby, and I was fussing over how pretty and perfect she was (in the dream, she looked maybe 3-4 mos old, definitely not a newborn, haha). But then I was like…okay, 8 weeks early…. Aw man, she’s here NOW, and I can see her and hold her…and now I have to put her back inside me? And my friend was like, “no, you won’t have to!” So I was sorta happy but concerned that she was early. Then I woke up. Pregnancy dreams are so weird. But at least I sort of get where they come from. Normally, my dreams are so random, I have no idea what inspired them.
Random #2: I can tell my hips are getting wider. Good news, since it means my body is preparing itself for labor and delivery. I can sort of tell by the way I walk. But the way I can really tell…what really made me notice? My thighs no longer rub together when I walk, lol. I’m quite certain my thighs are not getting thinner. Every woman who has ever been pregnant or hopes to EVER become pregnant would kill me if that were the case. Let me assure you–my thighs are NOT getting thinner. So I only take this as further evidence that my hips are, in fact, wider.
Random #3: It’s getting harder to walk, too. I figured, I didn’t weigh that much before, I should be able to handle another 20 lbs just fine, right? I mean, I’ve done a pretty okay job of gaining the weight steadily and not all at once, so no big deal, right? No way. Walking is most definitely a strenuous activity now. At least the way I walk. I have always been a FAST walker. I like to walk fast, and I get annoyed when the people around me don’t walk as fast as I do. Which basically means, when I work at the mall (and I’m brave enough to venture out of my safe little office), I am annoyed a lot. Lately, the walk from my office to the food court and back just about wipes me out. I’ll start out walking my usual pace, realize it’s a little exhausting, so I’ll slow down. Ah, better. But then, I immediately get annoyed with MYSELF for walking too slow, so I start to pick up the pace a little. I don’t really knock myself out, but I’m definitely ready to sit my butt down by the time I get back to my office with my lunch. I think I’ll embrace the slow pace more over the next 8 weeks….
Random #4: We bought the crib, changing table, and crib mattress. Pete and my dad already picked up the mattress and changing table. The crib is now ready for pick-up at the store, but we haven’t gotten it yet. Sadly, the baby’s room is still not ready for furniture. Getting closer though. Can’t wait to get it all set up in there.
Baby shower is tomorrow! I’m excited, but a little scared of what Laura has in store for games. I hate shower games. Almost all of them. Especially ones that set out to embarrass people, especially me. But it’ll be alright. Details tomorrow or soon thereafter….