Weekly thread, March 28-Apr 4 - Page 10

[Pepper44]

Originally Posted by loveneverfails

Pepper, when are you due again? I thought you were hanging out with us Mavens of May.

My cervix seems about the same as yours is. I'm just 36 weeks today, and stuff is still pretty long, but it's open to amniotic sac about 1cm, maybe 1 1/2.

I'm not due until around April 22nd. I think I'm just at the beginning of 37 weeks, so I was/am expecting to have a few weeks to go. So crampy though, still!

[rhiOrion]

Membrane sweeping wasn't bad at all. I wonder if that means she didn't do it hard enough or something? It really didn't feel all that much different than the internal I had done the other day. I'm less crampy than I usually am after a pap smear. So I'm thinking membrane sweep #1 = fail.

Going back tomorrow AND on saturday for more sweeps.

I'm confused now. Now they're acting like maybe I can birth at the birth center if I go into labor on my own.

And I found out that the hospital doesn't want me to have anything but clear liquids if I end up there. Uh uh, no way, no how. If I want food I need food. It's not a question with me... I do NOT do well with lack of food.

And I asked if they'd start with pitocin or with cervadil or foley or something like that. She said that if I was less than 4cm dialated that they'd start with either the foley bulb or CYTOTEC. I didn't think anybody still used cytotec, especially a midwife office? Isn't cytotec scary? I need to do some research on this.

Also- I sent P&H a PM to let her know we're worried.

[smeisnotapirate]

I'd reject the cytotec. Just say no. Some MWs use it (including mine at the BC when I was pg with DS), but the research they use to defend it is SUPER sketchy IMO. There is so much else that you could do, just be a broken record. "No. What else do you have? No. What else do you have?" There is so much else that can be used that isn't as problematic as cytotec that there's no reason to use it (except that they can administer it in a birth center, where I'm pretty sure a FSBC can't do pitocin or anything like that).

[laughingfox]

rhi- Membrane sweeping didn't really hurt me last time, either. I think it only hurts if your cervix is still harder or less effaced?
Oh, and my jaw seriously dropped when you said they use Cytotec! Is that an April Fool's Day joke, or what?

afm- I'm GBS+. Whine whine mope whine. I have Hibiclens and herbal/probiotic/dietary treatment options to pursue, so I guess that helps put me at ease a bit, but I'm still kind of frustrated and feeling guilty.. like maybe if I hadn't indulged in refined grains and sugar every now and then, I'd be fine..

[rhiOrion]

Okay, I'm glad you guys are as appalled as me.

Maybe she misspoke and she meant to say Cervadil?

Either way,s he did say "cytotec or foley bulb" so I'll just push for the foley bulb, and try to find out why not cervadil.

Hopefully I can get myself into labor on my own in the meantime.

She guessed that my cervix is about 2cm at this point, 50% effaced, and that baby is -1.

The midwife two days ago said fingertip dilated inside, maybe 1-2 on the outside, and more like -3 station. She didn't mention effacement.

So depending on how much is just a difference between midwives, it at least looks like there is some progress.

A week ago she was still floating, and all the midwives this week have commented that she's really down in there now.

Here's something interesting- my cervix usually bleeds REALLY easily. Like, I usually need a pad after a pap smear. And remember that I was on pelvic rest early this pregnancy for major bleeding after sex. Two days ago when they did the internal exam they both came back with blood on their fingers, which seemed to have them excited, but I was just thinking it would be even weirder if I DIDN'T bleed.

Today I didn't bleed. Weird.

[loveneverfails]

The membrane sweep I had last go around was not painful in the slightest, and would probably have worked except for HRH Baby Dude's nuchal arm blocking descent. So, don't lose hope yet!

And yes, I'd reject cytotec. Cervidil I'd accept. Cytotec? HELL NO.

[smeisnotapirate]

Rhi, I'd actually bet she didn't misspeak. LOTS of MWs (in this area, at least) aren't uncomfortable with Cytotec. When I was pg with DS, I gave my birth plan to my MWs at the Birth Center, and I had written "In case of an induction, I would prefer to try methods other than Cytotec, as I'm not comfortable with the risks." The MW I saw at that point basically laughed at me and told me that she's been using it for years and she doesn't see what the big deal is.

Luckily, she respected my decision anyways, but she was very quick to tell me that she thought my concern over it was silly.

Originally Posted by laughingfox

I'm still kind of frustrated and feeling guilty.. like maybe if I hadn't indulged in refined grains and sugar every now and then, I'd be fine..

Poo, poo. Hindsight and all that. Are you going to do Hibclens? I'm doing that anyways because I'm not testing. Remember that VERY few babies of GBS+ moms have any issues. Don't let the stress work on you - stress is an immune suppressant!

I'm just going to be the fairy of positivity today. And probably tomorrow. Because it's just gorgeous and I'm getting LOTS of Vitamin D from this lovely weather.

Trying to convince DH to go to Wildwood on Saturday. He's actually making noise like he might do it. I'm so in the mood to walk around on the beach.

It's 4 hours away, but I don't even care. I'm not having a baby until May and my last labor was 53 hours long, so I figure we'll be able to make it home if something happens.

[GreenTeaGinger61]

Isn't Cytotec, the one that Ina May rails against? Like it isn't supposed to be used in pregnancy because it's so dangerous? I'm pretty sure she mentions this but it's been awhile since I read the book.

So today has gotten better. My headache finally went away. Dh and I DTD and then laid around cuddling for an hour. I'm going to go teach, and then we're headed out to our favorite Mexican place. It's on a little man made pond with a swan so after dinner, we can walk.

I'm feeling more at peace with not having the baby in the near future. I'd like it to be this weekend just so dh missing school won't be an issue but if not we can at least get the house in shape for his dad's visit. Plus it means less school I have to miss even though one of my bosses was very impressed with my plans should I go early. I can live with another Taurus:P

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaGinger61

Isn't Cytotec, the one that Ina May rails against? Like it isn't supposed to be used in pregnancy because it's so dangerous? I'm pretty sure she mentions this but it's been awhile since I read the book.

I would bet that it was Cytotec that Ina May rails against. I know our birth class instructor gave us a whole handout on why Cytotec is bad. And she is the birth class instructor that the birth center suggests! She actually teaches AT the birth center.

I think the risk is that it can hyperstimulate the uterus, and cause fetal distress, or even uterine rupture.

Considering that the whole reason we're probably inducing is because of the risk of fetal distress (or worse) due do the Cholestasis, I definitely don't feel like I need to add Cytotec on top of it.

Unfortunately, I'm really bad at doing more than a one-time questioning of things. Like, if I say I'd rather not, and they give me reasons why it's okay, I'm scared that I'll just end up going along with it.

But my gut feeling is definitely no cytotec.

What I've just been reading is that the main reason people use that instead of cervadil is cost. Cytotec costs pennies, whereas Cervadil costs a lot more. WTF ever.

[loveneverfails]

LaughingFox, I've had refined grains and sugars, and went GBS negative this time after testing positive in the past. Bacterial colonization isn't a moral failing! Don't blame yourself for having GBS.

[loveneverfails]

I change my mind. I'm not ok staying pregnant another month.

GET IT OUT!!! GET IT OUT NOW!!!! I want a little person to play with and an excuse to stay in bed for a week straight!!!!

If anyone is looking for me, I'll be the pregnant lady on the trampoline.

[LenaC]

April, april, april!!!! AND I’m 40 weeks today. So tomorrow, when someone asks when baby is supposed to be here, I can say yesterday.

Sending good vibes to ClaireB and little Noah.

Also, I hope P&H just have been really busy!

Everyone not wanting April Fool’s baby, you can send me the labor vibes for today. I wouldn’t mind at all, although I don’t think it’s going to happen anyway. No signs here at all. None. Zero.

DH informed me last night that he wanted to go to the midnight showing of some movie (already forgot which one), so today would be a bad day for baby to come LOL I’d be mad, if it wasn’t so funny. He also wanted to post that we had twins on FB. I hope I convinced him it’s a bad joke.

I plan to spend the day relaxing, listening to my audio book, and cooking. I'd like to get some minor chores done, like lanolizing a wool cover, but nothing major. Maybe a nice relaxing walk in the park, if weather is favorable. I want to keep it pleasant, relaxing and completely stress free until baby gets here.

My appointment with OB yesterday went great. He said he doesn't mind waiting a few minutes for the cord to stop pulsating, just to remind him at the time. He also didn't care at all, if I wanted to get checked or not, unlike the midwife, who really wanted to have it done. I don't want to know. I don't want any false hope or disappointment, that nothing is happening. The way I see it, whatever the numbers are, I could go into labor tomorrow or in a couple of weeks. I'm so totally zen (or at least trying to be).

[LenaC]

Originally Posted by loveneverfails

LaughingFox, I've had refined grains and sugars, and went GBS negative this time after testing positive in the past. Bacterial colonization isn't a moral failing! Don't blame yourself for having GBS.

I agree. Believe me, I've had way more sugar and cookies this time around. It made me gain more weight, but I tested GBS negative, as opposed to positive last pregnancy.

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

I'll just add myself to the list of people surprised that they would use cyotec! I understand that it is very, very cheap (I think it's like... pennies a pill, right?), but it's not FDA approved for the usage, and there is a risk of hyperstimulation of the uterus... also, my understanding was that cervadil could be removed if things start to go south as a result, but once the cyotec is in there, it's in there.
Personally, I'd sign up for a pitocin drip long before I would allow cyotec anywhere near my cervix.

I'm taking a break from baby anticipation this evening and going out to dinner with Dh and DD

[rhiOrion]

I got banned!!!!

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[leavemealone]

I certainly hope it wasn't cytotec the midwives were talking about. That's crazy, but as was stated, cytotec is cheap even if it's dangerous.

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

I got banned!!!!

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Lucky!!

I've been on MDC forever and still can't come up with a good Senior Title. Every year I wait to get banned or something. Poo. *pout*

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

Lucky!!

I've been on MDC forever and still can't come up with a good Senior Title. Every year I wait to get banned or something. Poo. *pout*

Go over to the april fool's day thread jail forum. cause enough ruckus over there and you might get banned

[bubbamummy]

Another GBS+ person here

Had a midwife app. today, baby was great-still breech as always. My blood pressure was on the highside but she didnt mention it other than asking if id been in a rush this morning..I hadnt. I am being booked for a consult at the hospital with an OB to discuss 'my situation' aka book a c-section pending flippage

she said 'c-section or no c-section antibiotics are in your future' thanks

She was able to VERY easily feel the head but said she 'couldnt really feel the babies back' - kinda freaky...and a bit concerning, Im wondering if I have too much fluid as I would have thought by 36.5 weeks the WHOLE baby should be palpable?! or maybe she was just crap?

[nikirj]

My baby is so solidly posterior that I can rarely feel its back.

Cytotec is relatively safe if used in approximately 1/4 the "standard" dose that was given when it was really popular. I was still SHOCKED to learn that there are a couple of area hospitals that use it regularly. And I would never administer it myself, but then I'd never administer pitocin as a labor stimulant (to stop hemorrhage, yes) either.

I am contracting more regularly today than I have in previous days. I don't actually want an April Fools baby, so I'm hoping this little one decides to wait until after midnight to arrive if today is even the day.

GBS - but have been + in the past. I wouldn't have done abx anyway unless I started accumulating risk factors, even though in my state it would be easy for my MW to give them at home.