Living in Limbo « Back to Group Discussions

[JynxGirl]

On Saturday, I was having contractions. Really spaced out, and mild, to the point that I thought they were braxton hicks.

Sunday things picked up. Then stopped just as hubby and kiddo were doing their bed time routine. Again, thought they were Braxton Hicks.

Then Monday, things went nuts. The contractions were 8 minutes apart when I woke up. Then 6. Then INTENSE!!! Then 5 minutes apart. Then I called in my doula and husband and friend to come watch Alena. When I hit three minutes apart, we decided to head to the hospital to find out how dilated I was.

They hooked me up to the monitor until the doctor was out of the OR. Baby failed his non-stress test. And then my contractions stopped dead. Just completely stopped. The doctor checked my cervix,(and I swear to GOD he was trying to break my water, because it felt like he was scraping the back wall of my vagina!) and said I was completely effaced, but he couldn't find the top of my cervix to check dilation.

So I was sent home to wait for a call to have an emergency ultrasound. They called at 10:30 the next morning. By this point, I was completely in a panic, because no one was telling us what was going on. The baby failed his biophysical profile... only scored 6/8.

We were sent back up to L&D, where we were shoved into a room and told to wait for the doctor.

I was on the verge of tears, hubby was being stoic as always and still no one was telling us what happened.

The doctor came in, looked at the chart, said we needed a repeat biophysical profile on Thursday, and that we should go home. WTF????

So now I'm in limbo between freaking out completely and accepting that I can't change the outcome of anything. Meanwhile, the contractions I've been having for days haven't come back. I think I am just too freaked out to relax.

[LuNaLu]

I don't have any experience with stress tests and profiles (and I'm not sure I'd trust them if I did) but I'd say as long as baby is still moving around in there, you're ok.  

It's wrong for your doctor to leave you hanging like this.  If I were you, I would call to get some peace of mind.  {{{hugs}}}

[rozziemama]

Agree with Luna - hows the baby movement?

I am so so sorry it's just one thing after another for you with this pregnancy - in terms of the way these drs are treating you/not sharing information. I'm sure you just can't wait to have baby in your arms already! Soon enough, it sounds like

[the2amigos]

Hugs to you!  It is so stressful to have baby "fail" and then have to wait.  I've had twice weekly non-stress tests the past three weeks, baby has failed twice and has then proceeded to fail the biophysical, we have had to go back 24 hours later and baby has always gotten "10" then.  My OB has said that 6 is just a concern and a repeat, 4 is a trip to the high risk hospital to deliver and 2 they deliver urgently.  (8 and 10 are normal).

Most babies (from what I understand) fail with a 6 only because they are sleeping and don't want to be woken for the test.  Most times the repeats are fine.  So, hang in there!!  If baby is active, likely things are fine!

[rozziemama]

What happens in these tests anyway? What do they do?

[JynxGirl]

During a non-stress test, they monitor the baby's heart rate and movements. He has to move at least two times and his heart rate has to increase and settle back down two times in an hour.

During a biophysical profile, they look for 8 things: 2 movements, 2 chest wall movements, 2 flex movements (uncurling and recurling his body or legs or arms), and a steady heart beat for twenty seconds.

Patrick failed the non-stress test, because he didn't move at all during the almost three hours I was hooked up, including after they fed me some cereal. He failed the biophysical profile for no breathing movements.

Overall, the baby's movements are really slow and mostly not there. Normally he moves all the time, but right now, I'm waiting out the two hours to see if I feel him move 6 times or if I should go back to the hospital today.

A huge part of me knows that waiting for the baby to be 40 weeks is best, but part of me wants him out now so we can actually DO something if there is a problem.

[BubbleMa]

:(  I have no advice or insight, but I'm sending you good thoughts and prayers!

[Kamiro]

What is your actual due date Jynx?

I have been having crazy regular contracts also. Five minutes apart than the other day it was 2 minutes apart for about 6 hours. I read a really good article called "The in between time" on Mothering's web page. It was basically about how the German's have a word for the limbo we feel at this stage. It was kind of nice to know other cultures do have a word and feelings to go with what many of us are experiencing.

[JynxGirl]

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 

What is your actual due date Jynx?

I have been having crazy regular contracts also. Five minutes apart than the other day it was 2 minutes apart for about 6 hours. I read a really good article called "The in between time" on Mothering's web page. It was basically about how the German's have a word for the limbo we feel at this stage. It was kind of nice to know other cultures do have a word and feelings to go with what many of us are experiencing.

My official due date is May 24th. As of today (thursday) I'm 36 weeks. 

Today is re-test day. 

When I talked to my doctor on Tuesday, he wants to start trying to induce me with a foley catheter at 37 weeks. I really hate how he acts like I'm teasing when I say no to these things. Seriously, he acts like I'm making the world's biggest joke. It's irritating.

[rozziemama]

Your dr is really an odd one, Jen, isn't he?

[Kamiro]

Induce with a foley catheter? Am I missing something?

[mlovesj]

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 

What is your actual due date Jynx?

I have been having crazy regular contracts also. Five minutes apart than the other day it was 2 minutes apart for about 6 hours. I read a really good article called "The in between time" on Mothering's web page. It was basically about how the German's have a word for the limbo we feel at this stage. It was kind of nice to know other cultures do have a word and feelings to go with what many of us are experiencing.

Onemore, could you post the link to that article?  I searched mothering but couldn't find it.  Sounds like a timely read!

[JynxGirl]

everything was great today!!! passed both tests, and I apparently had a bunch of contractions during the nonnstress test that I didn't even feel!!
so we're back to waiting. :-)

[rozziemama]

yay! 

so glad. Now you can sit back and wait with the rest of us.  How funny that we all thought you'd go first in this DDC 

Originally Posted by JynxGirl 

everything was great today!!! passed both tests, and I apparently had a bunch of contractions during the nonnstress test that I didn't even feel!!
so we're back to waiting. :-)

[Kamiro]

This is so odd. I cant find the article anywhere either. I even linked it on my facebook and dont see it.

Will keep looking

[JynxGirl]

Onemore - They insert the balloon portion of the catheter into your cervix and inflate it with saline. It's supposed to act like the pressure from the baby's head. Personally it sounds too freaking painful for words.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by JynxGirl 

Onemore - They insert the balloon portion of the catheter into your cervix and inflate it with saline. It's supposed to act like the pressure from the baby's head. Personally it sounds too freaking painful for words.

Compared to other induction techniques (Cytotec, pitocin), the foley catheter is downright pleasant.  The drawbacks to it being that you already have to be fingertip dilated in order for it to be used, and it will only dilate you up to a 4 or 5, it won't take you all the way.  One of the big drawbacks though is that like internal monitoring, it's a highway for bacteria, and it's use is just begging for an infection. 

That being said, keep your pants on around that doc, Jen.  He sounds induction happy.  37 weeks is still too early if babe isn't ready.  I believe even ACOG says 38+ weeks. 

[Kamiro]

Why in the hell would anyone choose that method of induction over the others? I have never heard of such and I've been more birth savvy than the average bear for most of my life.

[smilingsara]

our hospital offers that as a choice for induction. Its not at all mandatory. They said it will get you to 4 tops, but usually just 3cm. 

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 

Why in the hell would anyone choose that method of induction over the others? I have never heard of such and I've been more birth savvy than the average bear for most of my life.

Like I said, it's far more pleasant.  Also more reliable.  If they can get the foley through the cervix, it WILL work (to dilate, not necessarily to start labor), whereas the drug options are only a possibility (they'll cause contractions, but not necessarily dilation).  Foley is usually used as a last resort, not as a first.  When I was induced with DS1, they tried Cytotec first, and then Pit, and the Foley I was finally offered when I started asking about alternatives when the other 2 didn't work.