The day after my visit with Dr. Stempel, I saw Dana Shibley at Andaluz for my first official midwifery visit. Michael and I had had an initial complimentary consult with another midwife there (Jessica), a couple of weeks after the car accident, but that was as far as we'd gotten in terms of seeing someone there regularly.
I mentioned a few posts back that Dana was the instructor at the childbirth class we attended last month and we had both liked her. During one of the breaks, we had talked with her some about our road thus far and that we were (or basically I was) trying to decide where to go for the birth of our baby.
At this visit, Dana wanted the long version of the tale, starting with our IVF juorney. She asked questions along the way and I talked and talked. It was a really comfortable setting: we were in the "Red Room" at Andaluz, which, as you can imagine, is decorated mostly in shades of deep red. The feel was elegant yet comfortable. I sat on a very soft couch across from Dana who sat on a bench at the foot of the bed in that room. There was, of course, the ubiquitous lovely deep tub nearby and the full adjoining bathrrom walk-in shower. I'm telling you--all the comforts of a very nice bed and breakfast. Much nicer than my house. :)
As Dana and I talked, I was reminded again of how much I love that type of care . . .I'm not saying it's "better" than the care I get from Dr. Stempel because I don't believe it is. It's a different type of care--more nurturing, which is what I need, but not what every woman wants when it comes to prenatal care. And most of the nurturing aspect comes from the fact that the visits are much, much longer than a typical OB visit. I was at Andaluz for nearly two hours that night (I was only expecting the appointment to last an hour), but I felt well heard by the time I left.
Dana said she would request my full medical record from Dr. Stempel's office (he'd only given me the most important stuff--four or five pages' worth), and we made an appoitment for me to return on February 23rd. That, by the way, is exactly two months from my due date. :)
Dana was definitely open to co-manging my care with Stempel(for which I was very relieved and thankful), and she agreed with me when I told her that I wanted to be closely monitored while in labor at Andaluz and at the first sign of anything "funny" or not quite right, I want to go to the hospital. I told her abuot the fear that has been weighing on my mind and heart these past few weeks as we get closer to the baby's arrival. I'm not overly concerned about being in labor (I would like to think I can manage labor pain after dealing with endometriosis pain for 20+ years), but I am concerned about the baby and about whether or not he will need extra help exiting my body. While I don't want my fear and anxiety to keep me from laboring in the environment that I feel suits me best, neither am I willing to put my baby at any risk that I can possibly control. So as we get closer, if he is in a breech position or if Stempel has any concerns about him, I will mostly likely go to Emanuel.
I'm so glad that Dana understands and respects my choice.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dr. Stempel Surprises Me
. . . in a very good way.
Last Monday (two weeks ago now) was a day that started out to be stressful but ended surprisingly well. I had two appointments at Emanuel that day--the first was to have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes and the second was to have my regular prenatal visit with Dr. Stempel.
Both visits were stressing me out, for different reasons. I was unsure about taking the glucose test mostly because I don't generally consume a lot of sugar at one time (although I had been in the habit of having two Udi's oatmeal raisin gluten-free cookies just about every day as a snack and a treat. It helped all the spinach salads go down easier. ;) But I was worried how our little guy would react to 50g of sugar being dumped on him at one time. I was also pretty sure I wouldn't feel very physically well from it. Besides that, I'd read in Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Natural Childbirth that the midwives at the Farm just do glucometer testing and then refer those patients who show elevated blood sugar levels for the actual glucose tolerance testing. I struggled with what to do and tried calling Dana (Andaluz midwife I was set to see the next day for my fiirst appointment), but couldn't reach her. So I ended up calling Jennifer right before I would need to drink the glucose. I was supposed to drink it, then have my blood drawn exactly an hour later. Jennifer said that the glucose would probably have more effect on me than the baby, since my body converts the food I eat into glucose and that is what nourishes the baby anyway. I decided if that was the case that I could just go ahead and do it. He was my main concern.
I chugged the lemon-lime drink (had to drink it all within 5 minutes) and it actually didn't taste as awfully sweet as I was expecting. It reminded me of the Otter Pops I used to eat back in the day. Mmmm. Love those.
I felt okay until I got to Emanuel. Then I noticed a bit of a headache while I was waiting to get my blood drawn, and it also felt like my heart was racing somewhat--nothing terrible, just uncomfortable.
After the blood draw I had my regular appointment with Dr. Stempel. Renee checked my weight (still 144, but she wasn't concerned that I hadn't gained any weight in about a month. She said most women gain the greater part of their pregnancy weight in the last trimester.) and blood pressure (fine).
When the doctor came in, he had a female student with him, but didn't ask me if that was okay. At OHSU, we were always asked before a student(s) entered the room. Maybe Stempel figures if you mind, you'll say something. Anyway, I was fine with it.
He measured my womb and said he thought the baby was head down, his bum on the right side of my abdomen and his legs and feet on the left--which would explain the kicking I almost always feel on that side He also checked the baby's heartbeat which was 130 beats per minute. I asked if that wasn't lower than normal and he said no, that anything from I think about 120-160 was normal at this point. Their litle hearts beat faster earlier on in a pregnancy, which is why I remembe it being 145 and 150 before.
After the quick exam, he asked me if I'd made an appointment yet to see the Emanuel nurse-midwives. I said that I had made an appointment, but with the midwives at Andaluz and that I knew that wasn't what his choice for me would have been. Here's where he surprised me: I explained that I felt comfortable there and that as long as everything kept going smoothly with the pregnancy and everything looked good going into my final weeks, I really wanted to shoot for a waterbirth there. He seemed to agree that that would be fine as long as things continue to look normal. He even made a comment about how in most cases, things go pretty straightforwardly. I took that to mean that they go so straightforwaardly that a hospital birth isn't necessary. I told him that I understood if he wouldn't feel comfortable taking over my car in the event that I need extra help. He got thoughtful (as he has done in visits past) and I jst sat quietly and waited to see what he would say. The student looked a bit uncomfortale, staring looking anywhere but at me or the doctor.
Finally Dr. Stempel said that neither he nor his partners htave ever co-managed prenatal care with the Andaluz midwives, but that he would not be averse to it That way if it ends up that I do need to be in a hospital (or I decide that is where I am most comfortable), he will be in the loop, having continued to see me for regular prenatal visits.
I was so stunned and happy that he would basically offer to do that for me. We decided that I would come back in two weeks (I'm far enough along in my pregnancy that the visits now drop to once every two weeks instead of once a month !) )and he even asked me if I had copies of my records to take to Andaluz. When I admitted sheepishly that I hadn't thought that far ahead, he offered to get them for me so I could take them with me when I left. And then he even ended up making the copies! I think that last part was what really impressed me.
I forgot to mention that when we were discussing the option of a co-managed pregnancy between his office and Andaluz, I said that I really preferred an integrated approach anyway. And he said that he does too. Wow. Could have knocked me over with a feather--but in a very good way.
So that is where we are now . . . and I feel good about having people on my side in both camps: the medical model of care and the midwifery model of care. It really does seem to me that great benefit can come from both sides just working together (as with so many other things in this world). I believe that in general, doctors and midwives both want the same thing: safe births and healthy mothers and babies. And there is at least one doctor in the Portland area who seems to believe that too.
Last Monday (two weeks ago now) was a day that started out to be stressful but ended surprisingly well. I had two appointments at Emanuel that day--the first was to have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes and the second was to have my regular prenatal visit with Dr. Stempel.
Both visits were stressing me out, for different reasons. I was unsure about taking the glucose test mostly because I don't generally consume a lot of sugar at one time (although I had been in the habit of having two Udi's oatmeal raisin gluten-free cookies just about every day as a snack and a treat. It helped all the spinach salads go down easier. ;) But I was worried how our little guy would react to 50g of sugar being dumped on him at one time. I was also pretty sure I wouldn't feel very physically well from it. Besides that, I'd read in Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Natural Childbirth that the midwives at the Farm just do glucometer testing and then refer those patients who show elevated blood sugar levels for the actual glucose tolerance testing. I struggled with what to do and tried calling Dana (Andaluz midwife I was set to see the next day for my fiirst appointment), but couldn't reach her. So I ended up calling Jennifer right before I would need to drink the glucose. I was supposed to drink it, then have my blood drawn exactly an hour later. Jennifer said that the glucose would probably have more effect on me than the baby, since my body converts the food I eat into glucose and that is what nourishes the baby anyway. I decided if that was the case that I could just go ahead and do it. He was my main concern.
I chugged the lemon-lime drink (had to drink it all within 5 minutes) and it actually didn't taste as awfully sweet as I was expecting. It reminded me of the Otter Pops I used to eat back in the day. Mmmm. Love those.
I felt okay until I got to Emanuel. Then I noticed a bit of a headache while I was waiting to get my blood drawn, and it also felt like my heart was racing somewhat--nothing terrible, just uncomfortable.
After the blood draw I had my regular appointment with Dr. Stempel. Renee checked my weight (still 144, but she wasn't concerned that I hadn't gained any weight in about a month. She said most women gain the greater part of their pregnancy weight in the last trimester.) and blood pressure (fine).
When the doctor came in, he had a female student with him, but didn't ask me if that was okay. At OHSU, we were always asked before a student(s) entered the room. Maybe Stempel figures if you mind, you'll say something. Anyway, I was fine with it.
He measured my womb and said he thought the baby was head down, his bum on the right side of my abdomen and his legs and feet on the left--which would explain the kicking I almost always feel on that side He also checked the baby's heartbeat which was 130 beats per minute. I asked if that wasn't lower than normal and he said no, that anything from I think about 120-160 was normal at this point. Their litle hearts beat faster earlier on in a pregnancy, which is why I remembe it being 145 and 150 before.
After the quick exam, he asked me if I'd made an appointment yet to see the Emanuel nurse-midwives. I said that I had made an appointment, but with the midwives at Andaluz and that I knew that wasn't what his choice for me would have been. Here's where he surprised me: I explained that I felt comfortable there and that as long as everything kept going smoothly with the pregnancy and everything looked good going into my final weeks, I really wanted to shoot for a waterbirth there. He seemed to agree that that would be fine as long as things continue to look normal. He even made a comment about how in most cases, things go pretty straightforwardly. I took that to mean that they go so straightforwaardly that a hospital birth isn't necessary. I told him that I understood if he wouldn't feel comfortable taking over my car in the event that I need extra help. He got thoughtful (as he has done in visits past) and I jst sat quietly and waited to see what he would say. The student looked a bit uncomfortale, staring looking anywhere but at me or the doctor.
Finally Dr. Stempel said that neither he nor his partners htave ever co-managed prenatal care with the Andaluz midwives, but that he would not be averse to it That way if it ends up that I do need to be in a hospital (or I decide that is where I am most comfortable), he will be in the loop, having continued to see me for regular prenatal visits.
I was so stunned and happy that he would basically offer to do that for me. We decided that I would come back in two weeks (I'm far enough along in my pregnancy that the visits now drop to once every two weeks instead of once a month !) )and he even asked me if I had copies of my records to take to Andaluz. When I admitted sheepishly that I hadn't thought that far ahead, he offered to get them for me so I could take them with me when I left. And then he even ended up making the copies! I think that last part was what really impressed me.
I forgot to mention that when we were discussing the option of a co-managed pregnancy between his office and Andaluz, I said that I really preferred an integrated approach anyway. And he said that he does too. Wow. Could have knocked me over with a feather--but in a very good way.
So that is where we are now . . . and I feel good about having people on my side in both camps: the medical model of care and the midwifery model of care. It really does seem to me that great benefit can come from both sides just working together (as with so many other things in this world). I believe that in general, doctors and midwives both want the same thing: safe births and healthy mothers and babies. And there is at least one doctor in the Portland area who seems to believe that too.
30 Weeks!
Catching up on blog posts . . . this was from last week.
I think it was at 27 or 28 weeks that I mentioned to Michael that I noticed at work one day that if I stand completely straight and look down, I can no longer see my toes for my belly sticking out. I love that. Now it is definitely more apparent that if I want to see my feet while I'm standing, I have to tip my upper body forward and stick my bum out a bit . . . makes me feel like a Weeble, if any of you remember those cool little toys from the eighties. So now we are at 30 weeks . . . actually, as I write this, we are at 30 weeks and 5 days. The weeks seem to be speeding up now that we've passed all the crucial milestones (12 weeks, 24 weeks, etc.). I have been marking off the days to baby's duedate on a calendar at work, and I was more than a little surprised today to see just how little time there is between now and April 23rd. Absolutely incredible.
I remember Eileen telling me that she wanted her pregnancy to slow down because she loved being pregnant so much and she didn't know if she would ever be pregnant again. I find myself feeling that way too (in and among the various pains and discomforts that come with being pregnant). I cannot get over looking at myself in our recently purchased full-length mirror (thanks, IKEA!), and marveling at how my body has changed, and continues to change.
It's been a couple of weeks now that I've noticed the upper part of my abdomen beginning to plump up and fill out with space for Baby . . . and this week I've really noticed that it's quite rounded up top. Yesterday, I caught myself using it as a little ledge to jot notes on a Post-It while I was on the phone. I was reminded of something someone told me once about a very pregnant woman using her abdomen to hold her plate while she ate, and how cool and specific to pregnancy that was. I laughed at myself and wondered what else I will end up using my belly for before too long.
30 weeks and Baby Hoffman is nearly 16 inches long and 3 pounds. He is surrounded by about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid and you know, it baffles me that all that I don't much notice all that extra weight. To think about it, one would think it would feel heavy, but it doesn't for me. My back hurts some and I get aches in places I never thought I would (no one really mentions certain things about pregnancy, do they?), but for the most part, I don't notice the extra pounds.
Our little guy has ventured up a few times into the new space afforded him by my expanding upper abdomen (now the top of my womb), and I feel him kicking (as now while I type) at belly button level. I hope he's loving the room and feeling relaxed and comfortable in there.
I think it was at 27 or 28 weeks that I mentioned to Michael that I noticed at work one day that if I stand completely straight and look down, I can no longer see my toes for my belly sticking out. I love that. Now it is definitely more apparent that if I want to see my feet while I'm standing, I have to tip my upper body forward and stick my bum out a bit . . . makes me feel like a Weeble, if any of you remember those cool little toys from the eighties. So now we are at 30 weeks . . . actually, as I write this, we are at 30 weeks and 5 days. The weeks seem to be speeding up now that we've passed all the crucial milestones (12 weeks, 24 weeks, etc.). I have been marking off the days to baby's duedate on a calendar at work, and I was more than a little surprised today to see just how little time there is between now and April 23rd. Absolutely incredible.
I remember Eileen telling me that she wanted her pregnancy to slow down because she loved being pregnant so much and she didn't know if she would ever be pregnant again. I find myself feeling that way too (in and among the various pains and discomforts that come with being pregnant). I cannot get over looking at myself in our recently purchased full-length mirror (thanks, IKEA!), and marveling at how my body has changed, and continues to change.
It's been a couple of weeks now that I've noticed the upper part of my abdomen beginning to plump up and fill out with space for Baby . . . and this week I've really noticed that it's quite rounded up top. Yesterday, I caught myself using it as a little ledge to jot notes on a Post-It while I was on the phone. I was reminded of something someone told me once about a very pregnant woman using her abdomen to hold her plate while she ate, and how cool and specific to pregnancy that was. I laughed at myself and wondered what else I will end up using my belly for before too long.
30 weeks and Baby Hoffman is nearly 16 inches long and 3 pounds. He is surrounded by about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid and you know, it baffles me that all that I don't much notice all that extra weight. To think about it, one would think it would feel heavy, but it doesn't for me. My back hurts some and I get aches in places I never thought I would (no one really mentions certain things about pregnancy, do they?), but for the most part, I don't notice the extra pounds.
Our little guy has ventured up a few times into the new space afforded him by my expanding upper abdomen (now the top of my womb), and I feel him kicking (as now while I type) at belly button level. I hope he's loving the room and feeling relaxed and comfortable in there.
Visit with Eileen and Sam
Catching up on blog posts; I wrote this draft on 02-08-12.
Saturday I got to spend about four hours chatting and relaxing with Eileen and her new baby, Sam. It was so nice to catch up with her (neither of us could believe it had been almost 2 months since I'd last seen her, which was at her baby shower in December).
Her little boy is so small and so sweet. It always surprises me just how little newborns are, and I don't have a lot of experience with them so I am usually wary of holding them. I feel much more comfortable when they are 6 months of age and up and can at least control those floppy necks and heads more. ;) I did hold Sam, though, and was surprised at how much more solid he seemed in my hands than when I was just watching him with Eileen. It makes me feel a little more confident about holding and caring for my own newborn very shortly now. And Eileen said it's completely different when it's your own baby . . . I have heard this many times before, so I can only assume it's true. :)
I remembered to bring my camera with me to our meeting, but then forgot to take pictures until right before it was time for me to leave. I decided to leave the picture-taking to our next visit, which hopefully won't be too long. We are, as I discovered on my drive to Eileen's house, fairly close neighbors, living within about eight miles of one another. I think we are both looking forward to many visits and playdates in the coming months. I'm so looking forward to our little ones being buddies together.
Saturday I got to spend about four hours chatting and relaxing with Eileen and her new baby, Sam. It was so nice to catch up with her (neither of us could believe it had been almost 2 months since I'd last seen her, which was at her baby shower in December).
Her little boy is so small and so sweet. It always surprises me just how little newborns are, and I don't have a lot of experience with them so I am usually wary of holding them. I feel much more comfortable when they are 6 months of age and up and can at least control those floppy necks and heads more. ;) I did hold Sam, though, and was surprised at how much more solid he seemed in my hands than when I was just watching him with Eileen. It makes me feel a little more confident about holding and caring for my own newborn very shortly now. And Eileen said it's completely different when it's your own baby . . . I have heard this many times before, so I can only assume it's true. :)
I remembered to bring my camera with me to our meeting, but then forgot to take pictures until right before it was time for me to leave. I decided to leave the picture-taking to our next visit, which hopefully won't be too long. We are, as I discovered on my drive to Eileen's house, fairly close neighbors, living within about eight miles of one another. I think we are both looking forward to many visits and playdates in the coming months. I'm so looking forward to our little ones being buddies together.
28 Weeks!
Catching up on blog posts . . . this picture was taken 02-02-12.Here we are at 28 weeks! The baby now weighs about 2.25 pounds (about the weight of a Chinese cabbbage), and is about 14.8 inches long.
He can open and close his eyes now and see light filtering through my womb. His brain is continuing to develop, forming lots of nice creases and wrinkles.
According to Babycenter.com, I should gain around 11 pounds this last trimester. Whoo-hoo!
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