JJ: please keep us posted on your friend! if it were me - I would have a very hard time terminating a healthy baby, especially at the point she is at. I would be demanding hospital bed rest, for both our sakes. I would miss my other kids, but my health - and the new baby's - would be paramount. I had a friend with a partial placental abruption who was placed on bed rest probably around the same time as yours. She was in and out of the hospital until she finally delivered at 37/38 weeks. Healthy baby. But she also had a ERCS (her doctor told her her pelvis just wouldn't work to deliver babies vaginally SMH. I hate docs who tell women their bodies are broken) but it was probably a good thing - her uterus was stretched very, very thin and she had lots of bleeding during the surgery. No more babies for them.
No matter what she chooses - there is no easy decision and I'll be praying.
Carrie . . . and whoever else is in the storm's path - I hope you stay safe, your power stays on, and there isn't too much damage to your homes. And I hope you stay sane. Cooped up in the house indefinitely isn't a recipe for happiness.
Crap. I forgot anything else.
Oh well. Busy weekend behind me. We had a blast, the kids were worn out, now back to the normal grind. woot. Next weekend is a mom's night out for me, a wedding shower for a cousin. Then, who knows? We need more money, because there is much coming up that I want to spend it on!
I really can't say what I would do either. Unless i was facing that exact situation, I'm in no place to offer advice or anything. I can't even imagine. Having the other children to care for...knowing they needed their mama...knowing that the outcome for the baby really doesn't seem good in any case...though, I know I'd have a hard time separating that logic from my heart....
Sigh. Not easy. Not at all.
AFM - It's really nasty looking out there already. Windy, rainy, and scary. Just ran the dishes and hoping to get showers done soon so we can fill the bathtub with water. Hopefully we don't lose power. We didn't after Irene so I'm hoping we won't this time either.
Nora is really being helpful. She totally gets what is going on and is being weather girl! She keeps talking about Hurricane Sandy. She isn't scared but she is being very serious. It's cute. It's nice that she gets it and is being helpful. Doesn't mean she isn't still being whiny and tantrumy tho!
Finn is teething and is inconsolable. He's so so so freaking whiny. I never give pain reliever during the day but yesterday I did. I had to. He's walking around clawing at his gums and wailing. So miserable. Doesn't make for a good couple of days stuck in the house!
DH has work today. Hopefully his work is dead so he can kind of hang out with us too.
Not much else to report around here! I'll be around!!
Love Nora the weather girl!
Hope Finn is feeling better. My kids haven't ever been teething that badly, knock on wood.
Norah is being super cuddly this morning. I love it, but it makes it hard to get work done. Weather is gorgeous, hard to imagine th nastiness just a bit further up the coast.
I swear both my kids are going through a growth spurt. I hope Gabe doesn't need bigger clothes before winter's over. Norah's weight gain is slow, but the child is getting taller by the week. I am finally gaining weight . . . my belly is popping. I'll post a belly pic on Weds, which will be 22 weeks.
Be safe!
Yes, this is basically the concern, that she will have a full abruption and essentially bleed out before they get care. Apparently they have blood sitting on standby for her, but she hasn't needed it yet, thankfully. I also think it's crazy that they're sending her home. I would be parking my butt in the hospital bed and not moving.
JJ: please keep us posted on your friend! if it were me - I would have a very hard time terminating a healthy baby, especially at the point she is at. I would be demanding hospital bed rest, for both our sakes. I would miss my other kids, but my health - and the new baby's - would be paramount. I had a friend with a partial placental abruption who was placed on bed rest probably around the same time as yours. She was in and out of the hospital until she finally delivered at 37/38 weeks. Healthy baby. But she also had a ERCS (her doctor told her her pelvis just wouldn't work to deliver babies vaginally SMH. I hate docs who tell women their bodies are broken) but it was probably a good thing - her uterus was stretched very, very thin and she had lots of bleeding during the surgery. No more babies for them.
No matter what she chooses - there is no easy decision and I'll be praying.
Thanks Kat. I know what you mean with doctors giving patients... pessimistic information? I don't know if that's the right word. It's not fair, when you're trying to trust your doctor and they're fear mongering.
Which... I'm starting to wonder. I asked the friend about getting a second opinion, because she was upset that the doctor basically told her to terminate, and if she didn't, then to go on with normal life. That's SO contradictory. If it's serious enough to terminate, then she should NOT be going on with normal life! Although remembering, I guess it's because he told her that point blank, he just didn't think the baby would be viable. Perfectly healthy now, but the doctor did not believe she would carry long enough for the baby to survive. Anyways, I asked about a second opinion, and she said thisa guy was SO highly regarded that she didn't think it was worth it.
But doing some research, it sounds like it's not as likely to be a serious case as he was making it sound. Especially not if she's in the hospital. So now I'm confused all over again, for her. The research I read says abruption happens in about 1/150 deliveries. And causes fetal death in about 1/800 to 1/1600. And that's based on the full abruption happening essentially during or immediately before delivery. It's not talking about what's happening with her so far, which is a partial abruption still. I know it likely will turn into a full abruption, but it hasn't yet... The only research I found on maternal death was a bit old, the study spanned 1972 to 2005, but it was 1/2500 cases. The doctor is making it sound like she's got a 1/10 chance of dying...
It's just... there's so many variables. You would think in a hospital, where she's being heavily monitored, and has access to transfusions if needed... it shouldn't be as big of a deal as if it happened unexpectedly....
I don't know what I'm getting at. I guess that I would hate for her to terminate this wanted pregnancy because a doctor values the fetus' life as replacable. "Well this one has risk, so terminate, and have another baby."
I really can't say what I would do either. Unless i was facing that exact situation, I'm in no place to offer advice or anything. I can't even imagine. Having the other children to care for...knowing they needed their mama...knowing that the outcome for the baby really doesn't seem good in any case...though, I know I'd have a hard time separating that logic from my heart....
Sigh. Not easy. Not at all.
AFM - It's really nasty looking out there already. Windy, rainy, and scary. Just ran the dishes and hoping to get showers done soon so we can fill the bathtub with water. Hopefully we don't lose power. We didn't after Irene so I'm hoping we won't this time either.
Nora is really being helpful. She totally gets what is going on and is being weather girl! She keeps talking about Hurricane Sandy. She isn't scared but she is being very serious. It's cute. It's nice that she gets it and is being helpful. Doesn't mean she isn't still being whiny and tantrumy tho!
Finn is teething and is inconsolable. He's so so so freaking whiny. I never give pain reliever during the day but yesterday I did. I had to. He's walking around clawing at his gums and wailing. So miserable. Doesn't make for a good couple of days stuck in the house!
DH has work today. Hopefully his work is dead so he can kind of hang out with us too.
Not much else to report around here! I'll be around!!
DH and I had a talk last night about what we would do. I came to the conclusion I couldn't do it. I think I'm in the same boat as her-- had the ultrasound shown that the baby was suffering, I would feel different. But to be told the baby was perfectly healthy and tolerating all of it... I just don't know that personally I could ever forgive myself and move past it. I think I would move into the hospital, and wait it out, try to get to 28 weeks at least. Rob wasn't on the same page though. He thinks it's too much of a risk.
Oh Carrie! I'll be thinking of you guys! I should probably turn the news on today. I'm in such a bubble, I never read or watch the news, and never know what's going on, unless it's reported on FB. It's horrible. One of the reasons I'm anxious to go back to work!
Hopefully everything goes well and you guys keep power, and have time to get everything properly prepared. Keep us updated!
I swear both my kids are going through a growth spurt. I hope Gabe doesn't need bigger clothes before winter's over. Norah's weight gain is slow, but the child is getting taller by the week. I am finally gaining weight . . . my belly is popping. I'll post a belly pic on Weds, which will be 22 weeks.
Yay belly pictures!
Growth spurt here too with Tenley. She's getting so much taller! I don't think she's gaining weight either thought, just length.
Put her snowsuit and new boots on her last night and went for a stroller walk. Love the boots, the snowsuit (it's a two piece) is not as great as I thought. She already has my problem, where the torso of things is never long enough. So the jacket looks like it should be a good 2 inches longer. *sigh* Maybe I'll keep my eye out for a new snowsuit.
Norah has a similiar long torso, but I like to keep her in one pieces, or dresses and tights/leggings that can be bunched up over or under shoes to give the illusion of fit. I hate baby shoes, there is too much variation in size, unless you are stringently brand loyal, which I am not.
I will keep thinking of your friend. The doctor sounds like an a$$. Sorry, but he seems to have no sympathy, which is ridiculous for an OB, especially a high risk OB, which must see a lot of things that are tragic, or potentially so. Especially given your new info, I don't think I could terminate. I would park myself on bedrest at home, and call on my friends to stand by (and family) so that I would never have to be alone. It would be hard, but if the doctor won't take care of her, then it would be up to me to do it myself, iykwim. And I'd find a new doctor. But this is all just me, talking in hypotheticals. The doc makes her options seem far too limited, IMHO.
Carrie - fx Nora stays entertained, and Finn isn't too miserable, and Chris doesn't have to work too much!
ITA something isn't right with that dr's advice. I hope she searches her heart and finds a solution that works for her and her whole family.
FYI my friend took castor oil this morning. FXed that labor starts soon! The fact that they advised castor oil the day of a major hurricane really seems dumb to me. And her induction is scheduled for tmw at 6 am. Sigh. These docs are just so nuts.
Shoes - Finn just outgrew his converse and I've been really hesitant to buy him more shoes but I couldn't put it off any longer. I went to payless and found him the cutest pair of shoes (size 6.5). He's b/w clothes sizes. Pants are 18-24 and shirts are 24 or 2T.
Ugh, this morning he took a huge poo and it breached his (cloth) dipe, and poo got all over the rug. He needed a bath so bad. Ugh it was so nasty. I hate runny teething poo! Anyway, bath = torture for him. You'd seriously think I was trying to murder him in that tub. Lauri - can Ava PLEASE send him a text msg about how awesome baths can be??
Anyway, he's bathed and playing nice for a change, and Nora is quietly playing with her dolls. AHHHH can this last all day? I could use it!
Chris has been working nonstop unfortunately. His calls are for London and stuff so he has had work to do. Bummer.
Hungry! Lunch soon. Been counting points for a few days and am already down 4 lbs! I know it's water but every bit helps!
Oh, Carrie! I forgot your friend. With Norah, I used the breast pump, worked like a charm, and no nasty side effects. Maybe recommend that if she hasn't tried already? If she's not having any contractions, pump in 10 minute intervals. If she is, pump until she has one, stop while the contraction is working, then turn back on after. I was doing mine every 7-10 minutes in an effort to get them stronger and closer together when my water broke.
Yay for happy kids. Norah is sleeping, Gabe is eating lunch. I am trying to work, DH is at work and going to brave the new whole foods (it's awesome, but CRAZY busy right now) for more of the frozen waffles I found that Gabe likes.
And also - 4 lbs! woot!
Thanks for that tip, Kat. I passed it on to her, even tho her son is still nursing, using the pump cannot hurt. I think she's starting to lose hope. I texted her one last time and said I'll keep her in my thoughts and light a candle for her and baby, but I'm not going to bother her anymore. I think she really needs to disconnect and get out of her head, honestly. I hope things work out. She really, desperately needs a better birth experience. (Her last csec was an emergency. She was induced at 41.5 weeks and while she was having a contraction, she gushed blood. Placental abruption. Codes were called and she was rushed in to surgery, baby inhaled blood and was in the nicu for 2 days, fed formula, etc). She was planning a good experience this time, is so much more informed. My heart is just aching for her. 
Still just really rainy and windy here! Nora has set up her craft table at the window so she can watch the hurricane.
What a scary situation for her! but in the first case, a c section was unavoidable. In this case, I think it is. And BTW something I always have to remind myself - is that just bc you have an induction or c-section scheduled, doesn't mean you have to SHOW UP. big difference.
I have totally btdt. Thankfully my doctor (who didn't think I'd go into labor on my own and that I was a poor candidate for even a mild induction) was willing to give me a couple more days to wait, despite his concerns about blood pressure and low fluid. I will keep thinking about her. It's hard to get out of your head.
Annie - glad you have such an amazing cardiologist for Ava! it's a comfort to know he's willing to fight hard for his little patients.
What a scary situation for her! but in the first case, a c section was unavoidable. In this case, I think it is. And BTW something I always have to remind myself - is that just bc you have an induction or c-section scheduled, doesn't mean you have to SHOW UP. big difference.
True!
So, castor oil cleared her out but nothing else. She had an u/s scheduled today so she went, baby is fine. Declined a cervical check (go mama!) and they rescheduled her induction for Wed at 6 am! Geesh. But she got what she wanted - more time. So. She's just hanging out now, still waiting.
Storm is ramping up. Getting a little more nervous.
I hope Carrie and family are holding up ok.
Not much going on here - work, kids, etc. Nugget is active, as usual - I love it. looking forward to being able to see and feel movement from the outside. Ultrasound is 9 days away!
akind1, I'm so excited to hear whether the baby is a boy or girl. I know you are thinking boy, right? For some reason, I'm thinking girl. No clue why, that's just what I think whenever I think about you being pregnant.
Totally off topic but I was off work yesterday and had a bit of time to do some thinking. I came to the conclusion that I don't want to put Ava in preschool when she turns 2 or 3. I talked to DH about it last night and he agrees. I just started thinking about all the great programs we have access to like weekly library programs and there are great classes through the city rec program. Also the homeschool group is very active. I just can't imagine having her in preschool in the morning, then napping or resting in the afternoon and then I go to work. I'd hardly ever see her. So for now, I'm comfortable with that choice. We're going to start our first weekly class after Christmas. It's a weekly class for under 3s to move and do songs and dances. I'll start with that and see how she does. The city also has art classes for little ones and then after she turns 3, there are beginning ballet options or other movement classes. After Christmas, I'm also going to start doing a letter basket. It's a basket filled with items that start with the same letter and you put a foam letter in with the items so the toddler can play with them. At this age, I'll switch the items out every couple of weeks but as she gets older, I'll probably switch it out weekly.
I'm so excited for trick or treating tomorrow night! She had SUCH a good time doing it on Saturday afternoon. She's already eaten all the candy. How do kids know that candy wrappers have yummy things in them? Must be something subliminal in the packaging.
Bump pic!
I hope Carrie is not without power for too long - she was able to FB briefly for an update yesterday, her house is fine, but without power. and it's cold!
Felt baby from the outside last night - lots of good strong thumps. Such an active little nugget :love:
showed yesterday. Finally! 53 day cycle this time. It was 55 last time so maybe it's shortening.
He's definitely trying to talk more in general, making a lot more sounds and running on and on rather than just a short sound here and there. Still no "mama" or "dada" yet.
Follow Mothering