I have been having a lot of contractions, just like my first pregnancy. This was the time when I was put on medication for it last time, and I had a little worry in the back of my head it was happening again. Then I lost part of my mucus plug yesterday. This whole week I've felt a lot of pressure in my cervix, too. I am trying to run with the train of thought that this is just the way my body is.
I had an appt today and my midwife felt more comfortable if rule out the other stuff so we can be sure that it's just my body's way of doing it. We did a UA and also tested for BV (but she said she thinks that will be negative) She doesn't do internal exams at all, even rarely in labor itself. But she did one today based on my symptoms. I had checked it myself recently and I knew the external os was open about 1-2 cm and I was somewhat effaced and soft. She confirmed that... about 1-2 cm, soft, and 50-60% effaced. I'm confident doing the exams myself now, so she won't be doing any more.
From that, she basically said normal activities but NO LIFTING for the next 3 weeks or so. Even lifting DS is a big no-no because of the pressure it puts on my cervix. I don't know how the heck that's going to happen, we have stairs in front of our house and he can't quite climb them yet alone. Also our laundry is in the basement. Bah, I just can't depend on DH for all of this. She also wants me to up my magnesium intake to see if maybe that's what is causing it... we never tried that with my last pregnancy (we went straight to nifedipine) so maybe it will help.
The worst part of the whole appt was the BV swab. She doesn't have an exam table or anything, just a futon type deal. So I laid back on that and she allowed me to hold myself open while she did it (I guess the tests are more accurate in her opinion if they are self guided?) But what ended up happening was the swab went into my freaking urethra. The pain was so horrible... and I am not bothered by internals or anything. It's really sore now and the first time I peed there was a ton of blood everywhere. I am sensitive there from my first birth anyway.... I had more issues with the pain from the catheter than I did with my tear. She felt terrible... I could see it in her face. That was an experience I do NOT ever want to have again.
I also don't think I can bring DS with me anymore. An hour is just too long for him to keep busy, and it stresses me out too much. A friend offered to watch him, and I think I'll take her up on that.
My midwife is such a great woman though. My God, I am so lucky to have found her. I trust her with every ounce of my being. So I could be a lot more worked up about this than I am, but at least I have a really great midwife standing behind me.
Thanks for letting me vent. It isn't that big of deal in the long run but it was stress I wasn't expecting.
I had an appt today and my midwife felt more comfortable if rule out the other stuff so we can be sure that it's just my body's way of doing it. We did a UA and also tested for BV (but she said she thinks that will be negative) She doesn't do internal exams at all, even rarely in labor itself. But she did one today based on my symptoms. I had checked it myself recently and I knew the external os was open about 1-2 cm and I was somewhat effaced and soft. She confirmed that... about 1-2 cm, soft, and 50-60% effaced. I'm confident doing the exams myself now, so she won't be doing any more.
From that, she basically said normal activities but NO LIFTING for the next 3 weeks or so. Even lifting DS is a big no-no because of the pressure it puts on my cervix. I don't know how the heck that's going to happen, we have stairs in front of our house and he can't quite climb them yet alone. Also our laundry is in the basement. Bah, I just can't depend on DH for all of this. She also wants me to up my magnesium intake to see if maybe that's what is causing it... we never tried that with my last pregnancy (we went straight to nifedipine) so maybe it will help.
The worst part of the whole appt was the BV swab. She doesn't have an exam table or anything, just a futon type deal. So I laid back on that and she allowed me to hold myself open while she did it (I guess the tests are more accurate in her opinion if they are self guided?) But what ended up happening was the swab went into my freaking urethra. The pain was so horrible... and I am not bothered by internals or anything. It's really sore now and the first time I peed there was a ton of blood everywhere. I am sensitive there from my first birth anyway.... I had more issues with the pain from the catheter than I did with my tear. She felt terrible... I could see it in her face. That was an experience I do NOT ever want to have again.
I also don't think I can bring DS with me anymore. An hour is just too long for him to keep busy, and it stresses me out too much. A friend offered to watch him, and I think I'll take her up on that.
My midwife is such a great woman though. My God, I am so lucky to have found her. I trust her with every ounce of my being. So I could be a lot more worked up about this than I am, but at least I have a really great midwife standing behind me.
Thanks for letting me vent. It isn't that big of deal in the long run but it was stress I wasn't expecting.
YEEEEOUCH!!!!
:
: ) DH went and picked up some lidocaine from my midwife after work, but that hasn't even helped.
)
The first two ideas are easier!
We got the culture results back. I'm actually sort of frustrated because that would be an easy solution, ya know? She said the count wasn't high enough to be considered an infection. But it's low enough that I could bring it back down to zero with just cranactin(sp) or cranberry juice.
