I had my 40 week check-up today and since my doctor is on Christmas vacation I had to see another dr. A female dr. Don't get me wrong, I have a female family doctor that I see regularly who I actually really like and have been seeing for 8 years.
But my ob is a male doctor (Dr. B). I saw him when I was pregnant with A, continue to see him as my yearly ob, and see him now for this babe. He even delivered A so you can see why I prefer him over seeing another ob.
When I was 40 weeks with A, Dr. B was on call at the birthing center so I had to see someone else. I saw a female dr. She was rough, uncompassionate, and it kinda felt like she could care less especially when I told her that I just wasn't feeling right that day. It turned out I was actually in early labor but she dismissed it since I wasn't dilated past 1 centimeter. I cried and cried after my appointment with her.
Today was basically the same thing. Dr. B is out for Christmas so I had to see another female dr. I knew I wouldn't be dilated any more than 1 cm so I didn't plan on having her check me. I didn't need the stress or the pressure, let alone risking infection or something else for no reason.
So when the nurse gave me the thinned cotton sheet to cover myself I asked her if it was really necessary. I informed her that I knew I won't dilate until I go into labor so there was really no point. She said that since I'm 40 weeks that it's routine.
Fine.
The dr. comes in, measures me and checks the babes heartbeat,meverything looks good. She confirms that I had a c-section before and am hoping for a vbac this time around, I told her yes. She then checks me to see if I'm dilated. It hurts. Like a son of a gun, mother of pearl, piece of firecracker. (And it seems like only the women hurt like this. I think she was trying to count my baby's toes!)
And, guess what. I'm not passed 1cm.
...
She then proceeds to tell me that they "generally don't like the moms to go pass 41 weeks" and Dr. B will probably talk to me about "a repeat c-section at next week's appointment but if things are looking good he may let me go another week with a series of stress tests that they'd like to perform blah blah blah..."
What the heck? Whatever happened to letting moms go 42 weeks before becoming concerned? Why the series of stress tests if me and my baby are looking good and fine? Why the casual talk of a repeat c-section especially if it's not necessary but for the fact that I may not go into labor when you want me to??
I don't need this stress and I don't need the pressure. I just want to carry my baby until God decides its time for her to come out. So unless I'm going to die or my baby is going to die I don't want to discuss a repeat c-section. I want to have my baby naturally and in our own time and I don't want to be forced to do something I don't want to do.
*steps off soapbox*
2 comments:
September! I love you. I'm glad you don't let people push you around. If God decides you need a repeat c-section, then fine, but until then, you tell them she will come when she comes and that's that! :) I'm looking forward to meeting your second daughter. You are a good mom and a trusting/faithful daughter of the King. Again, I love you!
Oh my word. I have been sort of fanatical lately about this kind of stuff and I am completely irate right now. Ugh! What a jerk - God knows you and your baby better than any doctor could guess!
I'm sorry for the extra stress it put on ya! Praying for a safe, normal delivery for you...whenever that may be!
P.S. I would wait until after the baby comes, but one of my favorite documentaries is called "The Business of Being Born." It's so interesting and really sheds light on the "industry" of childbirth...kind of sickening what moms and doctors will do for convenience's sake.
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