Gee…how can time go so slow, yet so fast at the same time???
I’ve done pretty good up until now with documenting my prenatal visits – but for the past 2 weeks I just can’t seem to get it together enough to write about them.
Ho hum.
So anyway.
Last week’s visit with the doctor fell on Thursday, April 17. Because my fundal height (not sure how to spell it) has been measuring pretty low, Dr. Ann ordered another ultrasound for measurement that day. During the ultrasound, Jack was asleep and the sonogram lady got a little nervous at his non-movements. I knew he was fine though – he was just sleeping! After 30 minutes of measuring, she estimated him to weigh 6 lbs, 3 oz, and sent me on my way to have vitals checked and my regular OB appointment.
Vitals were good. Weight was 144 and everything else was normal. Then I was placed in Dr. Nancy’s room to wait.
And wait.
andwaitandwaitandwait!
I was in there for 30 minutes before Dr. Nancy popped in to see me.
And see me was about all she did – she took less than 60 seconds to tell me she was concerned about the baby’s size (after studying the ultrasound) and was ordering a NST (non-stress test) done at the hospital.
Immediately.
Great.
She assured me that she didn’t think there was anything wrong, but because he was only in the 28 percentile for growth at that stage, she just wanted the test just to make sure. I had a really hard time understanding how a 6 lb 3 oz baby could worry her so much? I was only 6 lbs 6 oz when I was born one day before my due date. I tried to get out of the test – because I honestly felt there was no need for it – but she insisted.
So, anyway, after she handed me my chart and said a pleasant bye-bye, I went up front to schedule my next OB appointment and then left with mom for the hospital.
And I was so annoyed! I have never felt in my entire life so out of control of a situation as I have during this pregnancy. There was no need for a “non-stress test” (it should be called “puts-stress-on-the-mother test”) because I knew in my gut there was nothing wrong with the baby. Two hours later, I left the hospital and they said the baby looked perfectly normal….perfectly healthy…perfectly fine.
I knew that already. Doesn’t a mother’s gut count for anything??
I’ve decided that with my next pregnancy, I’ll be doing things a lot different. For one, I do not like going to a practice where you don’t have a relationship with the care givers. And I do not like not knowing the person who will be there helping me give birth! There has also been issues with this office that has made me uncomfortable (such as being blamed for “forgetting” to remind them about my 20 week scan – when I didn’t know I was supposed to have one). Also, being out of control of things and feeling like I have no say in what tests are done annoys me.
More and more, throughout this pregnancy I’ve felt myself drawn to going the mid-wife / birthing center / natural route – especially over the past 2 months. I’ve even surprised with how much I’ve come to abhore the modern day birthing methods as it relates to how much control is taken away from the mother.
I don’t know.
Giving birth holistically use to didn’t appeal to me – but the route I’ve taken when it comes to doctors visits throughout this pregnancy appeals to me even less.
So we’ll just have to wait and see. Perhaps my next child will be born at home in a birthing pool. *shrug*
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Tags: Dr's Visits
Hi, I came over for WW, and came back to read more! I love reading pregnancy stories!
Anyway, I totally agree with you that NSTs are “put-stress-on-the-mother” tests. I had one each week for the last 8 weeks of my last pregnancy (due to a previous loss) and they were so stress inducing!
I’m looking forward to reading about Jack’s arrival. Hopefully soon!
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been checking your blog here and there and have really enjoyed reading your stories. You are a great writer and the Lord has blessed you with this gift! I am a friend of Michelle and Jason’s and so I know Kevin from when I was at Brockport. Anyways, I’m excited to read your stories about having your first baby, it’s a wonderful thing. I am due with #2 just a few weeks after your date, on May 23–Jacob’s birthday! I have a son who will be 18 months old by then and reading all of your first time pregnancy news reminds me of being pregnant with him.
Just to encourage you, YOU will be the one who gets the credit for this pregnancy and birth, not the dr or nurse who helps you to deliver. YOU will be the one who delivers this baby and it will all go fine. Your body knows what to do and you know God already has the day written down. Just rest in His peace and I promise, you’ll be OK. And as far as next time goes, now you know what things were like this time and you know what you’d like and not like next time so you’re already a step ahead. You can be in charge of how you want things, and that includes for birthing little Jack as well.
I had a homebirth with our son, Jak, and will again with this next one. I loved every minute of it even though it was hard work. It was also very peaceful, intimate and calm, and I would just encourage you that no matter where you birth, to try and have those priorities that you want at your own birth (s).
OK, enough. I am writing a book but I just wanted to finally say hello and wish you well as you prepare for this awesome journey into Motherhood. Be blessed!