The Baddest Mommy on the Block
March 12, 2008
I had my first official prenatal visit this morning, during which I came about 30 seconds from getting a THIRD ultrasound, except that my doctor happened to flip back a page in my chart while the machine was warming up. "Oh!" he said, "We saw the heartbeat already, so we don't need another one just yet."
Dammit. I got a pap smear instead.
So, I really do like my doctor, although I also occasionally want to stab him in the ears with a fork, or maybe one of the handy Ortho-Tri-Cyclen pens he keeps in a cup on his desk. Like today, when he asked me how I was feeling. Which, you know, BAD. AWFUL. Like, I-have-only-told-the-Internet-half-of-it bad and awful. The migraines, the insomnia, the fact that I made my two-year-old cry yesterday (twice) simply through the power of my drained-of-patience angry-mommy voice.
(I'm not counting the time I simply screamed at him to STOP CRYING! STOP CRYING RIGHT NOW! because...come on. He was ALREADY crying. I'm sure I didn't help the situation but HE TOTALLY STARTED IT.)
(Don't let the sarcasm fool you, of course. I could totally die from the guilt right now, especially since I yelled at him AGAIN in public today when he wouldn't get on the elevator we'd been waiting 10 minutes for and I believe something along the lines of "you are going to GET IT" came out of my mouth and oh yes, I should just go ahead and have five more children. I'm the BEST AT THIS EVER.)
Anyway. Where was I? Oh. Right. The doctor's office. I was toddler-free and everybody was finally asking me how I was feeling, like I was a person who mattered, and I broke down and told my doctor how terrible I feel and how I can't get out of bed during the headaches and I'm throwing up in the shower and I can't sleep at night and...dear Lord in heaven, please tell me you can write a prescription for SOMETHING, ANYTHING, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME TO EAT SMALL MEALS AND TAKE SOME TYLENOL AND...
"Good! Feeling bad is good! That means everything is healthy and great! You might want to try eating more small meals during the day!"
Needless to say, I did not walk out of there with a prescription for anything. I did get an offer from a nurse to walk me back to my car, because I looked so very positively green.
And yes, I finally had the conversation with my doctor that so many people have been inordinately curious about: VBAC or scheduled c-section. (Seriously. The pee had barely dried on the test stick and suddenly everybody wanted to know whether I'd made my "decision" yet.) I hesitate to even bring this topic up, because yes, I've seen that website. Yes, that one too. And probably that other one as well. I find much of the information from both sides of the debate to be horribly biased, and both arguments tend to rely heavily on scare tactics instead of real data and OH YEAH, it's just not that big of a fucking deal to me either way.
Before I had Noah, I thought his manner of birth was terribly important. This led to a series of blog postings that I am now terribly embarrassed about, because I let people work me into such a STATE about it. Scheduled c-sections are awesome! Emergency c-sections are hell! All c-sections are unnecessary! And around and around my naive little head went.
A recap for anyone just joining us: My doctor suspected that Noah was on the big side, and knew for a fact that he was not in the ideal position. (He was facing forward, or sunny-side up.) He suspected that I might need a section, but he is overall very anti-intervention. So I wasn't induced or scheduled and went into labor on my own. And it was pretty awesome, actually, and I felt powerful and damn impressed with myself during it. And then the complications started piling up -- nothing particularly major, but enough. Meconium. Fetal distress. Irregular heartbeat. I pushed and pushed and Noah didn't budge past my pubic bone. His heart rate became more and more worrisome with each contraction. So I had an emergency c-section, which revealed that the umbilical cord had been wrapped tightly around the neck of my 9 pound, 15 ounce baby who had little marks on his head from pressing against my freaking bones.
I know that doctors in this country are awfully trigger-happy with pitocin and c-sections. I have no doubt that many sections could be avoided and I will never, ever understand celebrities who opt for completely unnecessary MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY because they're afraid of an episiotomy or whatever. (Ladies! Slicing open your gut really fucking hurts too! Imagine that!)
But in my case, I think the decision and the timing of that decision were appropriate. I have no regrets over my c-section. I was nursing within 10 minutes of delivery. My recovery was a breeze. I was up and about in no time and my scar is small and smooth and practically invisible. (Seriously. I tried to show a curious friend recently and it took me five minutes to FIND the stupid thing.)
I'm extremely happy that I got to experience labor and pushing and if I had managed to deliver vaginally, I would probably attempt an even lower intervention birth this time -- probably with a midwife and a birthing center and no epidural. I know I could do it.
But..I won't.
Of all of our (minor, run-of-the-mill) complications, the only one that's likely to repeat is the high birth weight. And even that isn't a sure thing. Then again, an ultrasound from just days before Noah was born put him in the eight-pound range, a full two pounds under his actual weight. And he never measured particularly "big" at any point in my pregnancy. So no matter how many measurements I get, I know there's no guarantee that I won't end up with another linebacker baby who is just not gonna come out that exit, sorry, at least not without a significant risk for us both. So even if I do attempt a VBAC, I would choose to do it at a hospital, with an epidural (to avoid being put under in case of an emergency).
My doctor droned on and on about the benefits of a scheduled c-section. Benefits that frankly, I couldn't give two shits less about. Convenient for childcare! (Right, because it's not like we have two sets of grandparents so chomping at the bit for this baby they'd gladly move in now and stay through 2009.) You won't have to go through labor! (Right, except that I thought being in labor was kind of awesome, in a way, and am totally not scared of doing it again.) Your recovery will be faster! (Right, except that I am apparently half cyborg and recovered really damn fast last time.)
We all have our things that we care deeply about. Our secret little judgey list of The Way Things Should Be Done. I've got them too! Serving wine at the correct temperature, for example. Drives me batty, all this overwarm red wine. But birth plans? No. At least not anymore. I look at Noah, at all the little moments where I can either be a great mother or mess it up completely, at all the things that are worth worry and guilt and stress, and the manner in which he exited my body isn't anywhere on that list. It's like this old, weird worry from another dimension, or a past life.
I will probably schedule a c-section. I will probably schedule it on the later side, leaving the possibility of letting labor happen if it's meant to happen, provided we keep on top of the measurements and provided I give even the smallest slice of piping hot rat's ass about any of this by October.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think my emergency c-section child needs me to go wipe his butt. God, this is ALL THE EPIDURAL'S FAULT.
I'm leaving comments open (eyes the room suspiciously), but...let's all remain calm, okay? I have really and truly seen the websites you're itching to link to, I've done my homework and so help me, if anyone mentions anything about dead babies I will close comments, ban your ass and snatch you bald headed. Thank you. I love you. Mwa.
No pro-C-section websites? No anti-C-section websites? What about just plain anti-having-kids-in-general websites? Because I know some good ones.
Just have a healthy baby and come home safely. Who cares how you get to that point.
*muah*
I've given birth three times, and none of the deliveries were normal, or planned even. Ryan was an emergency c-section because he was almost 9 pounds and labor wasn't progressing. I went into labor 2 1/2 weeks early with Nathan and still had the planned c-section, although I wish I had at least tried labor first. Kaitlyn was a c-section because my blood pressure was scary-high.
My point is, you just never know what is going to happen, whether you choose the VBAC or plan a c-section or whatever. You just take care of yourself, and do not feel bad about the yelling-I've SO been there.
my first was born via non-emergency, but unplanned c-section and we opted for a scheduled section for baby #2. i didn't even consider vbac because the conditions that led to the first section (huge baby, bad pusher) were likely to repeat. i don't regret it at all. the end result is the same no matter how you get there: a bundle of pure joy.
i also have to say that i am enjoying the early days with second baby SO much more than my first. i was too stressed out as a first time mom to really appreciate those first few weeks and months. this time, i know how fast it will all pass by... into crazy toddlerhood!
I know you probably know this and have done all kinds of research on ways to feel better, but I just feel so sorry for you and cannot resist asking if you've tried Unisom? Worked for me, my sister, my friends....saved me and the lives of the children and husband that had to put up with me and my pukey self during each of my pregnancies. I too had a doctor that said, "Sick is good!" and even though my babies were all very healthy - "Sick totally sucks!"
Ii occurred to me, when I was fully dilated and pushing, and my water hadn't broken, and my baby didn't seem to be budging, that this thing IS coming out. It's funny, I hadn't really thought about it in such simple terms until that point... when I literally felt like I would split in two, that this thing HAD to come out, there was no going back. And really that's all that matters, getting baby out into your arms, safe and healthy, and you safe and healthy too. Sometime in the labor fog after my epiphany, my midwife casually commented that the placenta was making it hard for the baby to come out, what with it's being made of kevlar and not breaking, and that she could... if I wanted break the water. And what would happen then I asked.... and she said casually that the baby would come right out. Tricky midwife, so I told her to do it... and in about 5 minutes out came my one month early, perfect healthy little boy. As someone who did the drug free natural birth thing... it was great to have it over with and no recovery etc. But 3 years later it's the little kid that matters, not how he got here. Labor and birth are different for everyone, as long as you're informed and make the choices right for you, you'll be happy whatever kind of birth you have.
You are made of win.
When I was pregnant, I scoured the internet and pregnancy-related communities and saw the Evil Doctor tirades and C-Sections Are Unnecessary essays and the Detailed Birth Plans that covered music and lighting and NO DRUGS and, and, and....
Don't misunderstand, I don't mean to insult those who use midwives or birthing centers, or had a birthing plan, or who are adamantly against C-Sections. The point is that I was overwhelmed and scared by what I read.
I finally reached a point of peace and realized that yes, I trusted my doctor. She wasn't infallible and I knew that, but I felt safe in her hands. In the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy, I had complications that led to modified bedrest and worries of going into labor early. Thankfully, I didn't, but I did end up induced on my due date because the doctor's visit the day before brought about still more concerns. I labored for 16 hours and didn't dilate past 3 centimeters, and with every contraction, my daughter's heartrate dropped. I had a C-Section and it sucked. When they got in there they found that because of the way my body is built, it's unlikely I'd have been able to deliver her vaginally anyway. My recovery was long and sucky. I hated it. But on my doctor's recommendation, I *will* have a C-Section next time because I'm confident that it's right for *me*.
With my second baby, I was about a week overdue and so, because I'd had a previous emergency c-section, my doctor scheduled me for a c-section 1st thing the following Monday morning. On Sunday night at 11pm I went into labour naturally and had the baby VBAC about 12 hours after the c-section was supposed to have happened.
I just spent $110 on Philosophy product. I feel pretty great - does that help with "morning sickness" as well?
HA! 'Snatch you bald headed' just made me pee a little...
I also make 'em fine, have a hard time getting 'em out.
My babies tolerated labor really well. (If they had dropped heartrates or whatever, I'd have different birth stories, I'm sure.) Like I was in labor for 3+ fucking days with each and wound up with a C-sections each time. My VBAC attempt ended with a baby stuck at minus 1--on my pubic bone--who came out with a heartbreaking purple bruise on his adorable head. But I pushed the "scheduled date" off, went into labor on my own, and made my best effort, so absolutely no regrets.
Second recovery was easier because I was up and moving my sorry ass around the second they took the catheter out instead of lying there moaning. And I remembered that the painkiller combo that worked for me was 1/2 a percocet and 3 advil every four seconds. Whoops! Every four hours.
Amalah, I wish you a safe and healthy birth--any way that it happens!
I too had a section because my babies head was too big to pass under my pubic bone. I didn't have a birth plan there and if I ever get pregnant again (we've been trying, but to no avail) I will do whatever I feel like again. I, like you, would like the chance to labor again and see if I can do things myself. But I definitely wouldn't do it without the epidural.
Whichever way you choose, I am going to be jealous. So, you know, do what you will.
That said... uh, I don't really have anything else, because you're a grown woman who is doing a fabulous job with Noah (that was not sarcasm, despite today's post), can read, and has a brain. You're gonna do just fine with that second baby OF WHICH I AM BITTERLY ENVIOUS, and I am going to be here reading the whole time.
(Did that sound vaguely threatening? Crap. I mean, GOOD.)
I'm not a mommy but I was a baby once, and I have to say, go for whatever birth method's right for you, and screw the snobby people.
I was baby #1, and my mom was all, "Natural birth's the best! Yeah!" And then she was in labor with me for thirty six full hours. Finally, emergency c-section, turns out I was a giant-headed fatty baby which, like Noah, had marks on its head from pressing against its mother's bones.
Then my little sister happened, and there was a scheduled c-section, and everyone was gung-ho for another giant-headed baby having to be removed with surgery like a giant baby tumor. But my mom's water broke first and after an hour in the hospital a sneaky nurse came in, took a peak at the situation, and said, "Hey quick, before the doctor gets back, let's try pushing with the next contraction." And thusly did my sister sneak into the world behind the doctor's back.
I approached my recent (11 weeks ago) labor the same way you did - open minded, blah blah blah, and ended up with water broken - meconium - no labor - and a C-Section. I was also totally know-it-all about it, but now? It SO DOESN'T matter how he exited my body. I totally agree with you on that! I mean, not having the birth I thought I wanted versus, getting him here safely and in good health? It's a no brainer.
And also, for the morning sickness, I know you hate assvice, so I'm afraid I'll be banned for saying it ... but, I've heard about some new thing, is it gum? is it a pill ? I don't know, B-Natal it's call. I've seen ads. Good Luck and Congratulations!
I hesitate to comment because of I'm scared of the other commenters, but which sites are you referring to with the VBAC vs non-VBAC stuff?
I ask because I am interested in trying one and oddly I've not found any helpful VBAC-y info on the internet...
And also? I think you are probably half-cyborg - I remember how quickly you seemed to recover. I say -- good on you though! Recovering from a C Section sucks.
I'm totally jealous. I had three c-sections and my scar is monstrous. MONSTROUS. It scares my children.
Your baby. Your decision.
That's all.
Oh, and my recoveries were all a complete breeze too. But I was completely ticked off at myself for letting on. I should have milked it for all it was worth.
Doc didn't give you anything for the nausea?? I am appalled! (Of course, am also Italian and appalled at anything that keeps anyone from eating 'till they're stuffed!) Can't I sneak you some Compazine in a box of saltines or something? My ob/gyn handed 'em over pronto when I told her i was too nauseous to eat, and I weighed 211 lbs at the time! I probably could've lived off my fat stores through the 2nd trimester at the very least. But it made me feel SO much better, and eat better, too! I know there are contraindications for pregnancy but my doc said pregnant women have taken it for years without problems. Plus, eating better is better for both of you! Rant rant rant, your doc is obviously male! Feel better soon =)
I thought that last sentence said "ban your snatch" when I first read it.
What? It went along with the post.
I was perfect cantidate for VBAC because #1 was breech and only 7 pounds. I spent 9 months planning my VBAC and then #2 still hadn't show up 10 days past due date. You can't be induced for VBAC so keep that in mind. Ended up with a second c-section and a 9 pounder. Your docs office will keep hounding you about this decision because you have to sign paper work if you decide to try VBAC. Just remember, with either kind of delivery it is hard to poop after and you have to take stool softners so its really all the same!
Ooh.. More morning sickness assvice!
So from someone who was Really sick both times...
Over the counter Unisom (original formula, the blue tablets) plus vitamin B6 together. Take one at night (yeah, it will make you groggy to say the least). If you're desperate, 1/2 dose during the day. It takes the edge off (it did for me).
High powered drug: Zofran. It can be amazing!! Expensive though. And I turned out to be allergic to it. But the nausea relief is incredible for most folks.
There are other antihistamines that my ob tried on me first. Point being, There ARE drugs out there you can try, if you can find a sympathetic doctor.
Good luck!
Yeah...I have no opinion. I'm 19.
However, I was a scheduled c-section. My sister was an emergency c-section. Her doctor was an idiot, and she came out purple. My mother was never meant for childbirth. My sister's development was riddled with problems and my mom's body was seriously hurting. The doctor told her she shouldn't have another child, but she didn't listen and then there was me and her body paid the price and the doctor made her get her tubes tied because,
"Lady, if you get pregnant again you are GOING TO FREAKING DIE, DO YOU GET IT?! No more babies!"
Not sure why I felt compelled to share that, but there it is.
My oldest brother was delivered with a FORCEPS, I was a straight-up natural baby, and my husband was an emergency C-section. We're all fine. What's best for you is what's best for you! As long as it's not overwarm red wine (blech!).
And congratulations!
OK - my two cents (and sorry so long). I too had HUGE babies, both boys, one 9 lbs and one 10 lbs. OUCH!! First time, regular labor, horrible delivery, 18 hour labor (pushed for over 4 hours). We did have a healthy baby - but only by the grace of God as he too had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck THREE times. Unfortunately, due to all the damage to me, I had reconstructive survery 9 months later. I wish to GOD my Dr had suggested a c-section. Second time, better, smarter doctor who induced labor. Approx. 30 minutes of pushing and a lovely easy delivery of a 10 lb punk. MY thoughts...it's your body...do what you think best and no worries about what anyone else thinks (or says). Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy. I feel for you since my 1st pregnancy mimics yours nicely.....so fricking sorry about that. ;) Oh and don't worry about being a witch to Noah, I guarantee he won't remember....my first son doesn't remember any of the abuse I piled on him......when I was pregnant with his brother. Hang in there GF! :)
call your dr. and ask for phenergan, it helped the morning sickness and REALLY helped the insomnia.
I think everyone should just get off their high horses about it either way. I had a C-section with my son because he was also large (10 lbs 12 oz!) and hadn't dropped through the pelvic bone a week past his due date. I'm pretty sure I'll do a C-section again next time too so everyone can just LAY OFF.
remain calm? how can i remain calm when you have me crying?
i don't know how i continue to be awed by the way you can use words so well...the way you can so perfectly describe the most intricate of emotions...
but i am.
and you already know that you can write well, right? just like you know that you can trust yourself to make the best choices for you and quasimobryo?
hopefully you totally know all that already.
I too had big babies. My first was 10 pounds 3 ounces. I was in labor for hours and he went in distress as well and I had a c-section. He had meconium and was in the special care nursery for 4 days, but otherwise healthy. When I was pregnant for baby #2 he measured small, the pregnancy was easier and they estimated him at 8 pounds. I did plan the c-section, but thought if I went into labor beforehand I would try the VBAC. My son came out 9 pounds 11 ounces and they told me that if I had tried labor it would have been catastrophic because my uterus was stretched so thin. I am so grateful that both of my children are healthy. Don't worry what people think of the decision you make, it's your choice, no one else's.
I totally support your decision, because, you know, it's your body and your baby. I got a lot of heat about VBAC with baby #2 too. I wish women would spend less time making each other question our decisions and more time supporting each other. Starting with me: I got your back. I hope the symptoms get better soon. PS I got crabby as hell with my 1st daughter too when preggo. She still loves me (most of the time).
I think the birthing process is totally up to you and your doctor. Who cares what everyone else is doing or thinks. No one gives you an award for having a baby naturally. Seriously, they don't sound an alarm at the hospital when a woman gives birth w/out an epidural.
The way you give birth is not important, and it's not the most exciting thing that happens in pregnancy. The baby is what we all want and whatever means that happens in is fine with me. Just give me the baby, already.
I too, thought labor was pretty good, and I'm OK with going through it again. In fact, trying to remember the worse part is difficult, but I can't get seeing my baby for the first time out of my head. That is my greatest memory.
I'll never understand why any woman cares how another woman gives birth to her own children. I mean, we all just want a healthy baby, right?
I'm kind of relieved that VBAC isn't even an option for me; so if it makes the Judgy McJudgersons feel good to look down their noses at me for scheduling a c-section, that's fine with me!
Oh yeah, I yelled stop crying at my 16 month old son and I made it worse and I felt horrible afterwards. Why does pregnancy make us do that? It's not fair.
I'm sure my son thinks I'm crazy, since he has seen me do all kinds of stuff related to the pregnancy.
My favorite thing he has copied is leaning over the toilet bowl. Yeah, I know you'd think I would be embarrassed by that or something, but I thought it was kind of cute when he did it. He hasn't done it since I stopped puking. So that's a very good thing.
I had an emergency c-section with my first child (similar to your circumstances in some ways); planned a c-section with my second child, only to go into labor and have an emergency c-section at 36 weeks; planned a c-section with the third child, only to go into labor 4 days before the scheduled date and had my THIRD emergency c-section. Who has THREE emergency c-sections? And I labored with all 3 of them. So even if you plan a c-section, there is no guarantee you won't spontaneously go into labor on your own (and be forced by your evil doctor to endure many hours of labor before the actual c-section because you had the misfortune of going into labor at 10 pm for the second 2. Hang in there -- life has a way of happening in ways other than how you planned.
Seems like a great decision to me to plan a late-as-possible scheduled repeat c-section. Here's my story: First child: Induced at 37 weeks b/c of cholestasis, led to emergency c-section. Second child: Planned a VBAC, non-medicated birth which was approved by OB and high risk doctors (high risk doc said I was ideal candidate for VBAC). Week 36 came, baby was growing slowly, high-risk doc STRONGLY recommended repeat c-section no later than 38-39 weeks. I was devastated. Got the OB to agree to wait as late as possible (39) weeks for scheduled c-section. It was beautiful - I was able to employ a lot of my natural birthing "ideas" into the c-section (i.e., singing to baby as they pulled her out).
Congrats on making a decision - now make the C your own!
Way to hide that baby!! With all three (yeah, apparently we're not as good with the birth control as we thought) of my kids, I got the "Oh, this one will be small..." comments. My son came in at almost 9 lbs and 21 inches. He was expected to be 7 1/2 lbs.
My two-week-old daughter was expected to be 7 lbs, was measuring a week small, and less than 50th percentile on her ultrasounds. At almost 2 weeks early, she was over 8 lbs and almost 21 inches.
Even my OB was all "she just kept coming and coming...."
Apparently, some of us are really good at tucking those babies away, and can fool even the most advanced technology into thinking there's a petite bebe in there.
But 9lbs, 15ozs? I bow down. That's a big boy....
Oh, gosh, I could have written this post. I was so into the natural birth with no intervention at the birthing center that my doctor's office conveniently had right behind their offices. After all, I was built just like my mom and she birthed eight (!) babies without a c section in the bunch.
Right. My son had other plans. I was induced at two weeks past due date. While I was down in radiology having a biophysical profile, the midwife was telling my hubby "we're going to follow what Suzanne wants, but we already know we're going to have to do a c section." Four hours of back labor, enough pitocin for an elephant and all I had to show for the effort was ONE stinking centimeter!
It makes you feel like crap when you don't have the baby the way you wanted, but heck, at 9lbs 11oz, I don't think he would have come out without some sort of damage!
Number two came along, and I was diagnosed high risk and put on blood thinners. Long story short, I thought VBAC was my only option, but we went with the scheduled C. I recovered so much easier and gosh, without all that pitocin, this guy did soooo much better from the get go.
No two deliveries will go the same way. I'm going to go into more detail on the 24th for Sarcastic Mom's birth story extravaganza. Much like this pregnancy is different from Noah's, the birth will be, too.
Keep an open mind, tell anyone offering their assvice that "you'll consider it", but do what's right for you, Jason, Noah and that precious baby.
(Oh, and when you see Noah for the first time after delivering this one, you won't believe how HUGE he got in a few hour's time!)
well, my doctor didn't say it directly, but apparently my pelvis is as wide as the state of Pennsylvania. I am 5'1" and about 105 lbs soaking wet, yet I delivered an 8lb 14oz boy with a ginormous head (really, it was like 14 cm or something monstrous). Of course had a 3rd degree tear, but thank God for epidurals, right? My second was induced at 39 weeks to potentially save my crotch from the same amount of trauma. This time I popped out an 8lb 3oz Stay-Puff fatty marshmallow baby with an even larger head and a tear that only required 1 stitch (yep, the old girl gets stretchier with age or big babies or something). My doctor actually pronounced me "made to have babies" (which caused Justin to go into cardiac arrest). Both were induced since apparently I can't figure out how to go into labor on my own...first was born 9-1/2 hours after starting pitocin; the other was 7 hour after tapping the vein. Both are great and healthy.
Of course I would love to hear about how a VBAC goes for you (because I am nosey and I know you would write about it so interestingly), but obviously if you and/or the doc decide that a c-section is best for you and the baby, that's what matters.
Right on! I had an emergency c-section with my first, and I wanted a VBAC so badly for my second. It wasn't in the cards. She came via emergency c-section, a week before her due date, weighing all of 4 pounds. It's good to make a stand for what you want, but let's be cheesey for a second and just say... as long as the outcome is a healthy baby, and a healthy Mom, who cares how the fetus made it's exit?!
I love you and I LOVE youre blog!!
Do what you feel is right, because you know what is best for your body and mother always knows best :)
P.S. Noah is the most beautiful little boy in the world
I am so sorry that your OB didn't give you anything good for the nausea. I am also due in Oct and have a toddler and have been flattened in all of the ways you have described by the nausea/headaches/vomiting. In case you want to try againw with your OB, Reglan is working pretty well for me, as is phenergan (at bedtime). Unisom is over the counter and helps knock me out at night and helped with nausea as well.Sometimes hard to remember this is going to turn into a BABY and not a chronic disease!
Best mom ever contest? I get home from work at 2:30AM and routinely ask the 4 year old to "please, please for the love of god watch TV and don't wake mom up until after Super Why."
Follow that up with some "Seriously, it's only 8AM!! WATCH CARTOONS!"
Then I feel like a complete shit when he comes to me all cute and bed headded and in his jammies at the breakfast table and says "Are you happy Mommy? I let you sleep." Shit. I've recently decided that I'll just sleep when he gets to school....in a year and a half. Yelling at the kid at the elevator.....nothing to feel bad about. Cut yourself some slack.
There are a lot of reasons my mother has given me to go to therapy, but none of them have ever included the fact that I was born via emergency c-section.
I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you and your family.
I think you summed it all up perfectly. I also had an emergency c-section for my first baby and then had an amazing and empowering (home) VBAC with my second and it was everything I hoped it would be. If you want to do it, go for it. My only advice is to tune out all the scare tactics and the people from whom they come. Full of shit they are. Good luck with everything... particularly the nausea!
I Love you! that is pretty much how I feel when I get done reading your posts....it's a little stalkerish I know, but I can't help myself and I apologize sincerely.
Ahem. I was inquiring about C-sections before I was even pregnant. And I don't regret it for a moment. But yet, I read posts that implied that women like me weren't fit to be mothers. To that, I say b*te me. It's whatever works for you, because the end result is all that counts.
Have you ever seen a baby being born vaginally, Aim? Just so you know, there's poop. From you. And it's all different kinds of nasty. Personally, I haven't been able to look at a Play-Doh Fun Factory since.
Okay, here's how I feel about the whole thing... you are already doing the right thing by going with the flow of it all. As long as the baby gets outta your body just fine and you're just fine then that's the best thing.
'Nuff said.
LOL
You will always make the best decisions because you make them out of love. The end. :-)