*Baby Corner*

[Staashi 371]

OMG! Kelz your poor sis!

Congrats on the new babeez! Yea:!

[HLM 1]

Congratulations to both of you Aunties Enjoy!

[Autumnchik 6]

Congrats on the new babies and for the aunties!

Hubby and I had a DATE tonight!!! It's his bday. We went to see the musical Hairspray. We have a summer theater in our town. It was really fun and nice to have a date.

[Vi Mazzella 4]

Congrats to the new aunties .

[sara535 15]

Congratulations to the new babies and aunties

Eveline - you were asking about in home daycare - I have lucked out with both my kids by finding excellent superb in home daycare (maybe thats why I have such a positive feeling about daycare in general). I would suggest asking around anyone and everyone you can think of for a recomendation, even moms at the park or library - anywhere you can strike up a conversation. and then go do visits, make sure the provider is licensed by the state and also ask to contact some of the other parents. One thing I would look for is length of time the same kids have been there. My provider has a 5 year old with her now who she has been keeping since the kid was 10 weeks old, and there is a younger sibling there too now. To me, thats a very good sign.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Congrats to the new aunts!! Glad to hear everyone's doing ok

I'm jealous - I'll never be an aunt, my brother will never settle down

Saludos,

Caro

[chnst 6]

Thanks Kelly I wasn't sure if we could write daycare off of taxes. The lady he goes to now isn't licensed, although she has a degree and a good reputation- my neighbor had her daughter there for 4 years. She actually charges us more than the licensed place upstate ($50/day vs $40 at pre-school) but it's westchester..... But he will only go there for another week before we go to Germany and then 1 more week maybe before I start school.

@autum: oooh date-night. We've been talking forever about getting a sitter so we can go out once a week, but it just hasn't happened. we are too tired. There are so many movies I want to see, but whenever the occasion arises- we just go to sleep instead. haha.

[caybee 21]

Hooray for all the new babies!

At my appointment yesterday, I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. To make a long story short, given the baby's size and the diabetes and other risk factors, including blood pressure that's been rising steadily, I'll go in for an office visit on Monday, and they may plan a c/s for Tuesday or Wednesday. They were to have a staff meeting about it yesterday afternoon. Wow.

[Eveline 9]

Caybe: I still don't understand why they would have to do a c/s on you right away. Didn't you plan on getting induced first? Why have surgery? Are there any reasons? Are you spilling protein into your urin and are in danger of seizures etc? I just don't understand.

If you do have to have a c/s get you a good support team to take care of the baby. Good luck.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Rowan Xavier

[caybee 21]

Caybe: I still don't understand why they would have to do a c/s on you right away. Didn't you plan on getting induced first? Why have surgery? Are there any reasons? Are you spilling protein into your urin and are in danger of seizures etc? I just don't understand.

If you do have to have a c/s get you a good support team to take care of the baby. Good luck.

Eveline, I had written a lot more and felt it was too long and rambling, so I did the sort version. I'll find out more on Monday morning, I guess. I could tell she was leaning toward c/s, but she said the doctors would all meet together Friday afternoon with the ultrasound tech and come to a consensus. The main reason she gave was his size, although I asked her about the chance of c/s a couple weeks ago, she asked my shoe size, and when I told her a 10 or 10 1/2, she said my pelvis might accommodate a 10-pound baby. Originally, they had said something about inducing, maybe this coming Friday. Ten days before last visit, the u/s tech said he measured 7 pounds 9 ounces, same as the week before. Friday, a different tech, different machine, said he was 9 pounds 7 ounces (more than 10 on her first measurement) and the doctor said he also measured large when she used her tape measure. They've said nothing about spilling protein. I'm 42, overweight, borderline high blood pressure, essential thrombocytosis (bone marrow disorder causing high platelet count, although platelet count is normal at the moment due to pregnancy, not unusual with ET), GD. She said my age, the GD, etc, any of the risk factors alone means there's a 50/50 chance I'd end up with a c/s anyway and that sometimes it's better to go ahead and plan a birthday. I didn't okay the c/s yet -- when she asked my preference at the beginning of the visit, I told her I'd prefer to try induction, and that's where I left it, though by the end of the visit I did not feel as concerned about c/s. Well, I should say I felt better about it a few hours after the visit. I cried during the visit and in the parking garage afterward, talking with my husband on the phone.

Now my head is spinning. Is it really that much more difficult to care for him after c/s than after vaginal delivery? I have my mom and dad in town, one sister in town and the other sister will be finishing a temp job and coming to stay with my parents indefinitely, and I have my husband. It's very important to me to breastfeed if at all possible. I discussed that with my husband this evening, told him we will have to be assertive about no formula, having them bring him to me immediately afterward if they do a c/s. I told him that I may be on my back for a while so he may have to help hold him while I b/f on demand, maybe 8 - 12 times a day, and he agreed to that. Also told everybody to make me get up and walk around whether I like it or not as soon as the doctor says I can. I probably shouldn't be ruminating about this at 4 am. I don't think I'm carrying a 10-pound baby -- I'm guessing 8.5. I just want him to be safe. I know c/s has become routine, probably too routine, but I just want him to be okay, and I'm not clear-headed at all right now. Earlier in the day, I thought I was. I don't want to let them talk me into something I don't really need, and I'm not afraid of labor pain. I'm just scared for him. She said the induction might not take, or it might start but not progress, and then it would be an emergency c/s, which seems more dangerous to me than a planned one.

Anyway, I'll try to get some sleep -- bad choice of movies tonight -- and we're having lunch with my parents and one sis tomorrow, so I'll talk to them about my mixed feelings. I think I've sort of prepped them for the idea of the c/s because it seemed inevitable, and I don't want to put them on the roller coaster with me, but I know they'll want me to do whatever feels right.

And who knows -- I was at 3 cm, and tonight I'm feeling a lot of pressure, even lying down, so maybe there's more happening -- maybe I'll go into labor on my own. Then I wouldn't have to decide.

[Eveline 9]

@Caybee: I'm hoping for you to go into labor soon. I honestly don't think that your baby is 10lbs already. I mean, I don't know you but those US machines are so unreliable. A mommy in my playgroup her son was measured at 13!!!! lbs which is insane. He ended up weighing 9lbs even. Same happened with Chnst's sister in Germany and then the baby was average size, not at all too big.

I understand your feelings. I was scared with Allie, wondering if I was doing the right thing with trying to VBAC. It wasn't the doctors scaring me and fortunately they didn't do an US in late pregnancy but it was more the moms I talked to and my family as well as my in Laws that kept asking me questions and didn't really agree with the decision.

I think that a 'scheduled' c/s might be easier than a c/s that happens out of fetal/maternal distress or failure to progress. I remember with Adam I was so swollen down there, I couldn't walk for DAYS...I was in a lot of pain after all that work and I think that's why I'm so scared of having another c/s ever (If I should become pregnant again). Also, you won't be allowed to lift anything heavier than your baby for two weeks, walking will be difficult for a couple of days, you won't be able to use your abs to get out of bed for a while.

I didn't see Adam after the cs until 5am. He was born at 1am. Usually they want you to be able to move your legs again after the spinal. I don't know the reason but you will be loopy after all the drugs they give you (probably shaking uncontrollably which is totally normal, it's hormones and drugs and excitement all together) and they want you to wait until the drugs wear off a little until you can hold the baby. I guess they gave Adam something to eat while he was in the nursery after he was born even though I asked not to but it was 4hrs and they want the baby to keep their sugars on level. Anyway, he latched on like a pro without any difficulty. We hit it right off.

In the end it is your decision and I didn't want to make you feel bad about the c/s, I just thought it was odd that the OB would go for a c/s right away after talking induction with you. Whatever you go for, it will be the right decision and I'm wishing you all the best, a good birth experience (either way) as well as a happy healthy newborn (and mommy too). I can't wait to see pics. Good luck, momma.

[chnst 6]

@caybee: aww, if there is one piece of advice I can give you- go with your gut feeling. Do what feels right for you. Listen to your doctors, but do what feels best for you. . Just a large baby is not a huge concern for a c-section, but they may be right about the size if you're diabetic, although the u/s estimates are not very reliable.

Your health and baby's health are most important. You can definitely breastfeed, either way but your milk might come in a little delayed after a c/s. It's a hormonal thing. You can definitely breastfeed and it is ok to supplement either water/glucose or formula until your milk is in. They are going to check your baby's blood sugar, a few times after he is born. Some babies with GD get hypoglycemic, and have to get a sip of glucose or formula. Don't worry about nipple confusion, they can feed it to him from a syringe while he sucks on your pinkie.

Also, how fast you will recover from a c/s depends on the circumstances of the birth, your attitude and whether there were complications. Yes it is considered major abdominal surgery and it hurts, but with adequate pain management, early ambulation and a little help from hubby and the relatives you will be fine. I've seen mothers jump right out of bed after a c/s and mothers who needed a little longer to recover.

Definitely get some other professional opinions. I don't think it can hurt to wait a little longer and see if you go into labor as long as you and the baby are doing good. I wish you all the best, can't wait to see pictures of your little baby!

Edited August 2, 2009 by chnst

[Anna C. 4]

@ Caybee: First of all, a bear hug. I hated it when I didn't know what to expect and what would come. I'm not an expert in conditions, but if you want good suggestions, post on mothering.com in the forum section of birth an beyond. There are many moms who have had similar experiences, there are midwives and even obgyns on the board (and all those people lean towards trying vaginally before sectioning). So they can tell you better about how necessary it really is.

I have no comparison, I only delivered vaginally. However, I had preterm labor, my water broke at 37 weeks and my platelet count was extremely low. The doctor over the phone (my midwife attended the birth) claimed I suffered from HELLP syndrome (complication of preeclampsia). Well, I never had HELLP, just a bad bleeding cause of a partial placenta abruption (which is why I lost a bucket of blood, TMI sorry). I never knew if I hadn't gotten my medical records and have them reviewed by my med sister. The doctor kept pushing for c-section from 32 weeks onward for small baby (what a reason). I have come to distrust obgyns on many levels after the experience. I know that recovery from a section is way worse than from vaginal delivery (after all, it is major abdominal surgery). Breastfeeding is impaired cause baby cannot latch on right away, mom has to be stitched up....

My sister just gave birht to her son (6lbs 7 oz) - and the obgyn pushed for a section and induction at 35 weeks onwards. He said the US shows a humangous baby. As we can see, he was completely wrong. HE fits into PREEMIE clothes! So much for accuracy of ultrasounds....

Edited August 2, 2009 by Anna C.

[Eveline 9]

My friend was told her baby suffered from intrauterine growth retardation and was only in the 4th percentile for growth and she needed to be induces ASAP. Well, she said "no thanks" and went home. Two weeks later, on her due date she delivered a 6lbs 14oz babygirl...totally healthy, now chunky as can be.

The US is known to be wrong a lot of times. I'm glad it was never performed with Allie..who knows what it would have measured.

ANywho..good luck.

I can't believe it's Allie's birthday month. Even though we've went down the 1st birthday route before I feel a little sentimental about it. Allie is my little baby, we'll probably not have more and I just want to hold onto the baby stage. They grow up so fast and soon enough they'll be talking back and sneak out the window to meet boys