I decided to start a new blog. The new one will feature more informative posts (such as why the C-section rate is so high). I hope that you will read that blog.
http://www.talesfromafutureobgyn.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Spring Break Must Reads
Here are some great OB books to read over Spring Break (if you have one).
Non-Fiction
1) Pushed by Jennifer Block
2) Born in the U.S.A. by Marsden Wagner
Humor
1) Knocked Up by Rebecca Eckler
2) I'll Never Have Sex with You Again
Personal
1) Diary of a Midwife by Julianna Van-Ophlen-Fehr
2) Baby Catcher
Hope you enjoy these. Please let me know if you have any other books that are like the above. I'm always looking for new OB books!
Non-Fiction
1) Pushed by Jennifer Block
2) Born in the U.S.A. by Marsden Wagner
Humor
1) Knocked Up by Rebecca Eckler
2) I'll Never Have Sex with You Again
Personal
1) Diary of a Midwife by Julianna Van-Ophlen-Fehr
2) Baby Catcher
Hope you enjoy these. Please let me know if you have any other books that are like the above. I'm always looking for new OB books!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My good news!
Faithful Code Blue Readers:
I just wanted to take a minute to:
A) Let everyone know I was still alive and well, despite the lack of recent posts
B) Thank everyone for the recent hits
C) Announce that I have a story being considered by a leading pregnancy magazine! Yeah! I'll let you know what happens!
Also, please take a minute to vote in the poll to the right of this post. I've noticed more negative votes than usual, so I hope that those voters would leave me comments as to why they do not like this blog. Thanks again everyone!
I just wanted to take a minute to:
A) Let everyone know I was still alive and well, despite the lack of recent posts
B) Thank everyone for the recent hits
C) Announce that I have a story being considered by a leading pregnancy magazine! Yeah! I'll let you know what happens!
Also, please take a minute to vote in the poll to the right of this post. I've noticed more negative votes than usual, so I hope that those voters would leave me comments as to why they do not like this blog. Thanks again everyone!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Complicated Delivery (Yes, this IS a new post!)
t all started on Thursday, December 9, 2004, when I went to the hospital for my overdue appointment. I ended up being admitted at about 3:30 p.m. because my blood pressure had risen to 130/90 (normally 120/70).
I had two CTG scans done, both with very good results. At about 6 p.m. my blood pressure had risen to 140/90 and an hour later it was 150/90. Doctors kept an eye on it till the morning.
On Friday morning my blood pressure was 150/95 so the doctor who admitted me came to speak to me about inducing me. At about 10 a.m. I had the first lot of prostaglandin gels put in, had a CTG scan, then was sent back to the maternity ward. I had a few niggling pains, but nothing major.
At 4 p.m. I had the second lot of gels put in and another CTG scan. Bubs seemed to be doing really well. I started getting mild contractions around 5 p.m., tried to sleep, but couldn't. My blood pressure was checked again. It had risen to 158/96 but bubs was still well. My waters broke at about 11 p.m. They kept leaking forever (or so it felt!). It felt like I had a swimming pool in there!
I fell asleep on a chair for a few hours after taking some sleeping tablets because lying down was way too uncomfortable and making the pains worse. I woke up at about 6 a.m. Saturday morning. I had breakfast at about 7 a.m. and at 9 a.m. I was taken to the delivery suite and given the Syntocin drip (which hurt like hell!).
Real contractions started around 10 a.m. They were getting a bit intense so I had a hot shower with the hot water directed under my belly (that's where ALL the pain was), which felt so great!
At about 1 p.m. the contractions were about one minute apart. They were getting a bit too much for me, so I had the gas. That took the edge off a bit, but was making me sick so I stopped for a bit.
Contractions were getting way too intense, so while sucking on the gas I had a shot of Pethedine, not that it made a difference at all! I think I actually fainted while sucking on the gas because there's a part that's just blank. In about 45 minutes I dilated from 5 to 6 centimeters to 10 centimeters. I was ready to push.
I was pushing for a good one and a half hours, but I just couldn't get her out. Her head was stuck under my pubic bone. So the doctor was called in and gave me three options: try the vacuum extraction, forceps or Cesarean section.
I opted for vacuum extraction. Her head had partly come out, but then her shoulders got stuck, so the doctor had to put his hands up there and grab her arms to pull her out. That was the worst pain I had ever felt, but now I can't really remember what it felt like.
She was put onto my stomach and I remember asking why she wasn't crying. The midwife said she was in shock, so they took her and gave her a bit of oxygen and then she started crying. I felt so happy then. I then got to give her a cuddle. DP gave her a kiss. Then she was taken to the special care unit so both of us could have a rest.
There was no time for an episiotomy so I had second degree tears, which all up gave me 20 stitches.
At about 7 p.m. I got to see her. I tried breastfeeding, numerous times, but she never took. So I ended up giving her formula, because when I tried to express, nothing came out! I would have preferred to breastfeed but in the end I'd rather have a feeding bub.
She weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces (and boy did I feel it!), was 50 centimeters long and had a head circumference of 35 centimeters. Her Apgars were 3, 8 and 9
I had two CTG scans done, both with very good results. At about 6 p.m. my blood pressure had risen to 140/90 and an hour later it was 150/90. Doctors kept an eye on it till the morning.
On Friday morning my blood pressure was 150/95 so the doctor who admitted me came to speak to me about inducing me. At about 10 a.m. I had the first lot of prostaglandin gels put in, had a CTG scan, then was sent back to the maternity ward. I had a few niggling pains, but nothing major.
At 4 p.m. I had the second lot of gels put in and another CTG scan. Bubs seemed to be doing really well. I started getting mild contractions around 5 p.m., tried to sleep, but couldn't. My blood pressure was checked again. It had risen to 158/96 but bubs was still well. My waters broke at about 11 p.m. They kept leaking forever (or so it felt!). It felt like I had a swimming pool in there!
I fell asleep on a chair for a few hours after taking some sleeping tablets because lying down was way too uncomfortable and making the pains worse. I woke up at about 6 a.m. Saturday morning. I had breakfast at about 7 a.m. and at 9 a.m. I was taken to the delivery suite and given the Syntocin drip (which hurt like hell!).
Real contractions started around 10 a.m. They were getting a bit intense so I had a hot shower with the hot water directed under my belly (that's where ALL the pain was), which felt so great!
At about 1 p.m. the contractions were about one minute apart. They were getting a bit too much for me, so I had the gas. That took the edge off a bit, but was making me sick so I stopped for a bit.
Contractions were getting way too intense, so while sucking on the gas I had a shot of Pethedine, not that it made a difference at all! I think I actually fainted while sucking on the gas because there's a part that's just blank. In about 45 minutes I dilated from 5 to 6 centimeters to 10 centimeters. I was ready to push.
I was pushing for a good one and a half hours, but I just couldn't get her out. Her head was stuck under my pubic bone. So the doctor was called in and gave me three options: try the vacuum extraction, forceps or Cesarean section.
I opted for vacuum extraction. Her head had partly come out, but then her shoulders got stuck, so the doctor had to put his hands up there and grab her arms to pull her out. That was the worst pain I had ever felt, but now I can't really remember what it felt like.
She was put onto my stomach and I remember asking why she wasn't crying. The midwife said she was in shock, so they took her and gave her a bit of oxygen and then she started crying. I felt so happy then. I then got to give her a cuddle. DP gave her a kiss. Then she was taken to the special care unit so both of us could have a rest.
There was no time for an episiotomy so I had second degree tears, which all up gave me 20 stitches.
At about 7 p.m. I got to see her. I tried breastfeeding, numerous times, but she never took. So I ended up giving her formula, because when I tried to express, nothing came out! I would have preferred to breastfeed but in the end I'd rather have a feeding bub.
She weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces (and boy did I feel it!), was 50 centimeters long and had a head circumference of 35 centimeters. Her Apgars were 3, 8 and 9
Friday, January 4, 2008
Unassisted Hospital Birth
Saturday, August 25, I started having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions but they weren't very strong or consistent and then they just stopped. The same thing happened on Sunday night and all day Monday.
I had a doctor's appointment Tuesday. He checked me and I was 4 centimeters dilated, 80 percent effaced and the baby was almost at 0 station. He went ahead and stripped my membranes and sent me home.
After I got home I walked and walked and walked some more. At about 8 o'clock my contractions were coming pretty steady but they still weren't intensifying and were only lasting about 30 seconds. At midnight they started getting a little stronger, so I started debating on calling my mom to come watch the kids. I waited about an hour and then they started slowing down and I fell asleep.
I woke up at 6:15 a.m. to get the kids ready for school. I was still contracting but again nothing strong and nothing consistent. I told Scott not to go to work because I was afraid of my labor hitting hard and fast and him not making it home in time. At 11 a.m. I decided to call my doctor to see what he thought. He told me to come into the office so he could check me and see what if anything was going on.
I went straight over and found that I was now 5 centimeters and the baby was at 0 station, so he sent me over to the hospital to be monitored. I had to go back by the house to get my bags; then we got checked in at 12:30 p.m.
My doctor came in at 12:45 and said he didn't think it would be wise to let me go home so he suggested we break my water to get things moving along. I agreed. Scott and I then started walking around the hospital.
At 1:45 p.m. my doctor checked me and I was 6 centimeters. My contractions still weren't painful at all so we walked some more. At 3 p.m. my contractions started getting more uncomfortable. We called to make sure the kids got off of the bus OK, then headed back to the room.
At 3:15 p.m. I got in the whirlpool. I was half afraid not walking would slow my labor down but I really wanted the opportunity to use the bath this time. With Jacob and Summer I didn't have time.
Before I go on I want to tell a little about my birth plan. I went natural with Jacob and Summer so I knew I would with this baby. But their births were so alike I really wanted a unique experience this time. I decided I wanted to catch my own baby. My doctor was very supportive of this, which I thought was amazing in itself and everyone at the hospital was completely on board.
Now back to the story. While in the tub it got to where I couldn't talk or listen though a contraction. Then at about 4 p.m. I had two really painful ones. I started to feel a little nauseous and told Scott to call for my nurse. I had two more before I could get to the bed. I could handle them OK while I was standing but when I had one lying down when she was getting ready to check me I thought I was going to die! I was thinking I was probably just now hitting transition and I was going to be about 8 centimeters. I was complete with a little anterior lip.
The nurses all rushed out to call my doctor. When the next contraction hit I told Scott to tell them I was pushing and I couldn't stop! He hesitated for a second, not wanting to leave me, then ran out, told them and ran back. As he came back in the baby started to crown. I had rolled over onto my left side and was birthing my baby all by myself. I reached down with the next contraction and supported him as I pushed. The nurses came in when the head was about half out. Once I delivered the head one of the nurses reached in to do something – I'm not quite sure what – but then the next contraction came and she backed off as I pushed him the rest of the way out.
As soon as I started pushing that time we noticed the cord was wrapped loosely around his neck so as he came out I held his head and shoulders in my left hand, let his body slip onto the bed and removed the cord with my right.
Ronan Elliot Fertig was born on August 29 at 4:18 p.m. into his mommy's loving hands. How awesome is that! He was three weeks and two days early, weighed 5 pounds, 14.5 ounces and was 19 inches long!
The nurses just handed me blankets to dry and stimulate him with. He cried right away. They offered for me to suction him but I was afraid of being too timid to get him cleared out good and he sounded a little gooky. So the nurse did it while I held him. We waited a good five minutes or so for the cord to stop pulsing before they clamped it and Scott cut it.
My doctor arrived at a little after 4:30.
I had a doctor's appointment Tuesday. He checked me and I was 4 centimeters dilated, 80 percent effaced and the baby was almost at 0 station. He went ahead and stripped my membranes and sent me home.
After I got home I walked and walked and walked some more. At about 8 o'clock my contractions were coming pretty steady but they still weren't intensifying and were only lasting about 30 seconds. At midnight they started getting a little stronger, so I started debating on calling my mom to come watch the kids. I waited about an hour and then they started slowing down and I fell asleep.
I woke up at 6:15 a.m. to get the kids ready for school. I was still contracting but again nothing strong and nothing consistent. I told Scott not to go to work because I was afraid of my labor hitting hard and fast and him not making it home in time. At 11 a.m. I decided to call my doctor to see what he thought. He told me to come into the office so he could check me and see what if anything was going on.
I went straight over and found that I was now 5 centimeters and the baby was at 0 station, so he sent me over to the hospital to be monitored. I had to go back by the house to get my bags; then we got checked in at 12:30 p.m.
My doctor came in at 12:45 and said he didn't think it would be wise to let me go home so he suggested we break my water to get things moving along. I agreed. Scott and I then started walking around the hospital.
At 1:45 p.m. my doctor checked me and I was 6 centimeters. My contractions still weren't painful at all so we walked some more. At 3 p.m. my contractions started getting more uncomfortable. We called to make sure the kids got off of the bus OK, then headed back to the room.
At 3:15 p.m. I got in the whirlpool. I was half afraid not walking would slow my labor down but I really wanted the opportunity to use the bath this time. With Jacob and Summer I didn't have time.
Before I go on I want to tell a little about my birth plan. I went natural with Jacob and Summer so I knew I would with this baby. But their births were so alike I really wanted a unique experience this time. I decided I wanted to catch my own baby. My doctor was very supportive of this, which I thought was amazing in itself and everyone at the hospital was completely on board.
Now back to the story. While in the tub it got to where I couldn't talk or listen though a contraction. Then at about 4 p.m. I had two really painful ones. I started to feel a little nauseous and told Scott to call for my nurse. I had two more before I could get to the bed. I could handle them OK while I was standing but when I had one lying down when she was getting ready to check me I thought I was going to die! I was thinking I was probably just now hitting transition and I was going to be about 8 centimeters. I was complete with a little anterior lip.
The nurses all rushed out to call my doctor. When the next contraction hit I told Scott to tell them I was pushing and I couldn't stop! He hesitated for a second, not wanting to leave me, then ran out, told them and ran back. As he came back in the baby started to crown. I had rolled over onto my left side and was birthing my baby all by myself. I reached down with the next contraction and supported him as I pushed. The nurses came in when the head was about half out. Once I delivered the head one of the nurses reached in to do something – I'm not quite sure what – but then the next contraction came and she backed off as I pushed him the rest of the way out.
As soon as I started pushing that time we noticed the cord was wrapped loosely around his neck so as he came out I held his head and shoulders in my left hand, let his body slip onto the bed and removed the cord with my right.
Ronan Elliot Fertig was born on August 29 at 4:18 p.m. into his mommy's loving hands. How awesome is that! He was three weeks and two days early, weighed 5 pounds, 14.5 ounces and was 19 inches long!
The nurses just handed me blankets to dry and stimulate him with. He cried right away. They offered for me to suction him but I was afraid of being too timid to get him cleared out good and he sounded a little gooky. So the nurse did it while I held him. We waited a good five minutes or so for the cord to stop pulsing before they clamped it and Scott cut it.
My doctor arrived at a little after 4:30.
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