Interrupted

My Life Thus Far
2008-05-16 07:23:40 (UTC)

Pain and Pressure

****

At 9 1/2 months pregnant, shaving your nether-regions is
next to impossible! But, I did it. All in preparation for
an exam that took less than 1 minute (and that was
including the cervical check, the membrane sweep and the
GBS swab). I'd say it was worth it, though. Even if
doctor's are supposed to be pillars of professionalism,
you know they probably prefer a well-groomed, neat and
tidy nether-region to a bushy, unkempt one. At least, I
would if I were a doctor. I think. I wouldn't want to be a
gyny if I were a doctor, that's for sure.

I was very happy with Keenan today. He passed his non
stress test with flying colors! My fluid levels are on the
high side of normal, but still within normal limits. I'm
not expecting my levels to change too much from this point
on. At least with where they are now I won't have to have
my water surgically broken like I did with Kiki. One less
intervention.

I saw Dr. Ennis today. He's my obstetrician but getting an
appointment with him is like scheduling lunch with the
Pope. He's a very nice guy, which might have something to
do with it. My appointment went really well. All the
worrisome issues Keenan was having over the past few
months, seem to have resolved themselves. He's a big baby,
with a good heart rate and he was moving around and
squirming as Dr. Ennis tried to feel for his position.
That's always a good sign. He's head down, but not engaged
(which isn't uncommon for second and third time mothers).
Kiki didn't engage ever, not even during labor.

I got a pleasant surprise when I stepped on the scale
today. In the past 6 weeks I've only gained 2 pounds. I
feel like I've gained 20, but the scale doesn't lie.
Keenan has gained 4 pounds over the past 6 weeks, which
means that my body has lost 2 pounds. He's literally
mooching off of me! It's because Snookums isn't here to
feed me. It's not uncommon for me to go all day on one
meal and a snack. I'm bad about that.

The exam itself wasn't so bad. I'm officially 2 cm dilated
and 50% effaced. It doesn't really mean all that much, I
was 2cm dilated with Kiki for over 2 weeks before labor
started. I knew I was dilated at least a little, because
of all the Braxton-Hicks contractions I have all the time.
While he was in there, Dr. Ennis went ahead and stripped
my membranes. Which means he pulled the amniotic sac away
from the uterine wall a little near the opening of the
cervix. It's a pretty uncomfortable sensation when you're
pelvis is already hurting. A little pain and pressure, but
it's not too bad. After he did that the contractions got
more intense and frequent, but it was temporary. I don't
think membrane stripping did much good with Kiki, but who
knows. It's not harmful. I had a GBS (Group B Strep)
culture done today, too. Kiki had Sepsis, which is what
GBS usually causes if you don't get antibiotics for it,
but my culture was negative and Kiki already had Sepsis
before she was born. With GBS, the baby develops it soon
after birth rather than being born with it. They never
knew what caused Kiki's Sepsis. I definitely wanted that
test done correctly. Dr. Ennis assured me that it would be.

Snookums sent me an e-mail this afternoon that was a
little on the pathetic side. I kind of understand how he
feels, but then again I don't. Maybe he's more sensitive
than I am or maybe I'm impervious to the cruelty that is
the life of a military family member. Essentially, the
Navy doesn't really give a damn about the family. They say
they do, but they don't. Not that I've ever witnessed in
my 25 (almost 26) years of being affiliated with the
military. Snookums' "higher ups" pretty much told him his
only chance of coming home for Keenan's birth is if my
doctor sends an amcross (American Red Cross emergency
message). Military families don't call their loved ones at
work when there's a problem. We have to go through the Red
Cross. He practically begged me to ask my doctor to send
one. I sent him a message back kindly asking him if he was
crazy. I told him right from the beginning that he was
probably not coming home. When he left May 1st, he was
staying left until July whatever it is when the ship comes
back. I'm not one of these wives that will make up phantom
health problems or family crises to get my husband home. I
can handle pretty much anything on my own. Actually,
there's no pretty much about it. I CAN handle anything.
I'd rather give birth by myself than have Snookums home
because something is wrong with Keenan. That would be a
sure sign that my priorities were in the wrong place.
Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, but I can handle
this. Keenan will only be 5 or 6 weeks old when Snookums
gets home. I'll take lots of pictures and by that time
we'll be in a routine, I MIGHT be willing to have sex with
him and everything will be lovely :) At least, that's what
I told him. I tried to make him feel better.

My ankles, feet and legs are ridiculous. They are so
swollen I can't move my toes. Again. The past two days
they've been like that. I tried to elevate them this
afternoon, but it didn't help much. I'm going to have a
nice soak in the tub to see if that helps. It's kind of
embarrassing having feet this fat. Not to mention
uncomfortable. My skin is too tight :( Ciao.




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