37 weeks, 1 day
Had my first appointment with the new doc yesterday, or, ONE of the new docs. I did the NST, took about 15 minutes, and baby was reacting just like they wanted her to. AFterwards, the medical assistant started gathering supplies from around the room; non-latex gloves (I have an allergy), an apron, KY, etc. I knew what was coming. "Alright, go ahead and strip from the waist down and the doc will be in here soon," she says. I say "If this is for a cervical check, then don't bother because I don't want any done on me."
Her: "What? Why not? The doctor has to do it."
Me: "They don't really tell you anything until you are actually in labor and I prefer not to expose myself or the baby to any unnecessary bacteria."
She went on to fluster about how nobody has checked my cervix since I was 18 weeks pregnant (actually, their chart was wrong, I wasn't even checked then), so they would HAVE to check and see if there has been a change. I informed her that I was just forced to transfer from a midwive's care and my philosophy is to let my body do it's thing. Nothing a cervical check tells me will make a difference. She insisted that it would have to be done, again (at this point, I was getting really upset, so my husband stepped in and said, politely, we will NOT be getting a cervical check). She said she would have to *ask* the doctor if it was okay. Like I'm gonna change my mind??
I heard her through the door say to the doc 'she doesn't want a cervical check...'
The doc: 'that's fine!'
Stupid medical assistant. I used to work in a hospital, it's usually the nurses who cause problems, not the doctors. They are so afraid of getting in trouble and following everything by the book, they forget about patient rights.
Overall I was pretty pleased with the doctor. She said that since 50% of my morning blood sugars are good, then meds most likely will not make a difference. So depending on this next weeks sugars, I will most likely be able to remain med free. When she measured my uterus, she said it was measuring 40 weeks (the midwife checked a week ago and it was 37.5). Then she said that if my baby looked big on the ultrasound they will have to talk about other tests. I let her know that my baby has been measuring large this entire pregnancy, and big babies run on both sides of our family. She said depending on the size, they might weigh in that info (might? hello!?!!). She didn't mention induction, so neither did I.
I asked what the protocol was for laboring mom with GD and for baby care. I will have to have my sugars checked every hour during labor (that's fine, but I will be checking them, not the nurses), and I will need an IV in case my sugars drop. I said no to the IV, but said I am willing to have a heparin/saline lock in case of emergency. She was okay with that.
I will be laboring at home for as long as possible...I don't want to be on a schedule.
She said that baby will be discharged at the pediatrician's discretion, so I will most likely have to stay there for 48 hours. This really bummed me out.
The doc also made a point that I should definately have a birthplan. She said most of the nurses here are good about reading it and following it, but if I don't have one, then they just do things as they wish.
I'm so bummed about all of this...but proud of myself for sticking to what I wanted. I think the doctor understood very well that I have a more natural approach to childbirth than most of her patients and she seemed pretty accomodating. We'll see what the doc next week is like, especially since I see her AFTER the ultrasound. I'm prepared to argue against medical induction though. And I have been trying to prepare my uterus and cervix on my own. Sex every night, drinking pregnancy tea, and last night I started the evening primrose oil as well (two capsules vaginally).
xposted to pregnant
Her: "What? Why not? The doctor has to do it."
Me: "They don't really tell you anything until you are actually in labor and I prefer not to expose myself or the baby to any unnecessary bacteria."
She went on to fluster about how nobody has checked my cervix since I was 18 weeks pregnant (actually, their chart was wrong, I wasn't even checked then), so they would HAVE to check and see if there has been a change. I informed her that I was just forced to transfer from a midwive's care and my philosophy is to let my body do it's thing. Nothing a cervical check tells me will make a difference. She insisted that it would have to be done, again (at this point, I was getting really upset, so my husband stepped in and said, politely, we will NOT be getting a cervical check). She said she would have to *ask* the doctor if it was okay. Like I'm gonna change my mind??
I heard her through the door say to the doc 'she doesn't want a cervical check...'
The doc: 'that's fine!'
Stupid medical assistant. I used to work in a hospital, it's usually the nurses who cause problems, not the doctors. They are so afraid of getting in trouble and following everything by the book, they forget about patient rights.
Overall I was pretty pleased with the doctor. She said that since 50% of my morning blood sugars are good, then meds most likely will not make a difference. So depending on this next weeks sugars, I will most likely be able to remain med free. When she measured my uterus, she said it was measuring 40 weeks (the midwife checked a week ago and it was 37.5). Then she said that if my baby looked big on the ultrasound they will have to talk about other tests. I let her know that my baby has been measuring large this entire pregnancy, and big babies run on both sides of our family. She said depending on the size, they might weigh in that info (might? hello!?!!). She didn't mention induction, so neither did I.
I asked what the protocol was for laboring mom with GD and for baby care. I will have to have my sugars checked every hour during labor (that's fine, but I will be checking them, not the nurses), and I will need an IV in case my sugars drop. I said no to the IV, but said I am willing to have a heparin/saline lock in case of emergency. She was okay with that.
I will be laboring at home for as long as possible...I don't want to be on a schedule.
She said that baby will be discharged at the pediatrician's discretion, so I will most likely have to stay there for 48 hours. This really bummed me out.
The doc also made a point that I should definately have a birthplan. She said most of the nurses here are good about reading it and following it, but if I don't have one, then they just do things as they wish.
I'm so bummed about all of this...but proud of myself for sticking to what I wanted. I think the doctor understood very well that I have a more natural approach to childbirth than most of her patients and she seemed pretty accomodating. We'll see what the doc next week is like, especially since I see her AFTER the ultrasound. I'm prepared to argue against medical induction though. And I have been trying to prepare my uterus and cervix on my own. Sex every night, drinking pregnancy tea, and last night I started the evening primrose oil as well (two capsules vaginally).
xposted to pregnant