Update on contractions: doctor appointment

OK… you saw my placental drama and then my consistent contractions that sent me to the hospital for 6 hours on Monday. I saw the doctor on Thursday… a NEW doctor.

After the nurse took my blood pressure and all, she had me undress from the waist down and said, “he will be with you shortly.” Yes, HE. I  thought all doctors in my clinic were female. I have gone my entire adult life avoiding male OB doctors (no offense to any out there! My mom swears by them!) I have just never felt comfortable enough to request one.

Turns out… he was WONDERFUL. Best OB I’ve had. He thoroughly explained things and fully answered my questions instead of blowing them off with something like, “oh it’s fine.” I didn’t feel rushed at all. Also turns out I didn’t need to undress from the waist down because he didn’t want to check me and start something going–so no awkwardness 😉

Weight: 141.6 — I LOST 2 lb since being weighed 3 days before, putting me at the same weight as a week and a half ago.. hmm..

Blood pressure: 112/62 — all good!

Baby’s heart rate: 136, great!

Fundal height: 32 cm (small, but ok)

QUESTIONS:

Q: What are the terms of my “bed rest?”
A: Take this weekend to move around at the same level I would at work and make sure I can handle it. If that goes alright, try going back to work on Monday. If contractions start up (more than 4 an hour), work has to go. His worry was with me sitting at a desk all day and putting pressure on my cervix.

Absolutely no lifting–not even a grocery bag. No vacuuming, etc. Basically I’m allowed to take the milk out of the fridge. So much for unpacking the apartment, eh?

Q: We have tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld perform tonight, can I go?
A: Yes, just no jumping up and down (haha)

Q: Is this related to my aged placenta issue?
A: Probably not. The “aged placenta” is not an exact science and is very hard to tell the extent from ultrasound. Normally it’s no cause for concern when they think they see it and they’ll just monitor closely, specifically blood pressure.

**This answer shocked me because of how much our previous OB freaked us out about the placenta. Plus, the 2 issues probably aren’t related?? I just have that great of luck, in one week, lol.

Q: What next?
A: Call immediately if there are more than 4 contractions in an hour or if you think you’re having watery discharge (amniotic fluid). Basically, there are things we can do to slow/stop early labor IF it’s caught early enough… but it spirals quickly, so don’t hesitate to call.

So…………

After the appointment I ran to the grocery store with DH and by checkout, I was weak and having contractions–lots. So I went home and laid down with lots of water. They seemed to be slowing, so we left for dinner and the Jerry Seinfeld show. All was going just fine… then I had to hike up a bunch of stairs to get to our seats in the balcony. Contractions again! They are very obviously coming from activity and feeling tired/overworked/overheated.

I barely listened to a word of the show because I was focused on timing my contractions (every 5 minutes) and asking the pros on twitter what to do. DH realized I wasn’t laughing and we decided we should go… I was so conflicted on if I should call the doctor or not. And you know what’s awful?? I didn’t want to call because it was after hours and I knew that meant going to the hospital, sitting in that bed for hours, and possibly getting shots of that terrible drug again. And not calling for those reasons made me feel like a bad person (mom)… like I was being selfish.

But anyway… I figured the best (the least?) I could do was go home from the show. So we left early (sorry DH!) and I laid on the couch again with lots of water… contractions slowed drastically. THANK GOODNESS. The doctor said that the Braxton-Hicks contractions can turn into “productive” ones if they get closer, stronger, etc, which would result in early labor.

So it’s comforting to know that even when I was having much more than 4 contractions in an hour, I could stop them by resting. But it’s also frustrating to realize I apparently can’t do anything. Grocery shop? Walk up the stairs? Just call me Grandma!

Overall, I’m relaxed. Because I have to be. I mean, I’ve mentally accepted the fact that baby boy may be here soon and that no longer scares me (although we have a MUST DO list this weekend for prep!!!) The contractions do cause worry–but how could they not? I have to stop and monitor them, make sure they aren’t progressing, rest, drink water, etc. But I’m as relaxed as can be. Thanks again to the help from doulas, midwives and OB doctors (and friends, moms and preggos!) on twitter. I’d have a million questions running through my head, worrying me more if it weren’t for all of you!!

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