Maybe a c-section...

[~Nikki~]

Welp, went to the consultant today and he says that though the baby's growing at an even rate all over, the body is still two weeks behind the head.
The blood flow and amniotic fluid is normal so that's good.

But then he said it's likely that I'll have to have a c-section...I don't want one!!!

He reckons the baby might be too small to deliver naturally...but in the previous breath he said it was two weeks behind. Well, if they're happy to deliver normally at 37 weeks and I make it to 40 that means the baby will be developed to 38 weeks' size...so what would be the problem in my delivering normally then???

Actually he was very abrupt today and pretty much shooed us out the door without us having the chance to ask him any questions...so now my dh wants us to go and get a second opinion...

Anyway, maybe I'm just being naive and there really is something to worry about, but honestly I don't think there's a problem and I'll be really upset if they cut me open and then find that their scanning equipment was in error and the baby's growth is completely normal...especially as from what I hear, a c-section makes it hard to have a vaginal birth next time, and apparently you can only have a certain number of c-sections and therefore a limited amount of children...not that I want hundreds, but three or four would be nice...

Anyway...looking up other consultants now...

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Have you had a chat with your midwife? She may be able to decipher any consultant-speak and together you can work out how to proceed. It should be your decision in the end, and it is their job to give you all the information you need to make an informed choice.

Even if your consultant says that it is likely that you will have a c-section - does he mean that you will go into labour naturally, but that it is unlikely to progress and therefore you will have a c-section, or does he mean that you will have an elective c-section?

 

[katelyn]

I would be skeptical too, but I know it can be hard to find a doctor, especially one who deals with high risk, who isn't quick to turn to c-section and will really be honest with you about the reasons and risks. I hope you are able to find someone who can help you clearly decipher whether attempting to birth naturally will be a real risk to you or your baby.

 

[Cright]

I would definatly be looking for a second opinion...

I don't want a c/s either. I wouldn't even accept a planned one. If it comes down to it (in labor) that the baby can't make it out and he's having trouble... I'd do whatever it takes...

I hope you find someone who shares more of your beliefs and will help you so that you don't have to do anything beyond what's necessary.

Carina

 

[Leanna]

Good luck finding a second opinion... I think you're right, it doesn't sound like a reason for a c-section, but maybe there was something else they didn't explain correctly like they are concerned about the baby going through labor and about the baby's heart or something. They should have explained better whatever it is.

 

[RoseofLima]

I would pray, pray, pray and seek a secons opinion. It can be hard to switch doc's at this point-- but I know several women who have.

It makes no sense at all--- size shouldn't be an issue in delivering your baby....seriously.

All of my kids have always had legs "short" for their gestational age on their sonograms....I always wanted to yell at them "Hello!!! Have you taken a look at me? Have you seen my husband? We're not exactly giants...." Needless to say- they've all been fine---and are very athletic and active...

 

[Athene]

Definitly speak to your midwife - get some sensible advice - not that obs aren't sensible but they're more likely to want to interfere when none is necessary if you know what I mean.

 

[~Nikki~]

*wail* I would love to speak to a midwife but I don't have one anymore...since I got transferred from the midwifery led unit to the consultant led side of things I've not actually come face to face with a midwife, only the consultant...so I wouldn't have a clue who to speak to, and I'm not sure they can help me on the midwifery led unit as I'm not under their care anymore...so I don't know what to do...

Also I think it's pretty near impossible to get a second opinion...you'd think the private hospitals would be happy to take your money from you but no, they won't do a scan without a referral from my current doctor...I don't know if that means a referral from my GP will be good enough (will try and find that out tomorrow) or whether it has to be from the consultant.

I mean if there's a problem of course I'd happily have a c-section in order for the baby to be healthy...but I'm sure it is healthy (unless the doc is keeping something from me) - the blood flow is normal, the heart is normal, the placenta is normal, the baby seems to run a marathon every day, plus do sit-ups, and is growing at a good rate - it's just that the body's a bit smaller than the head...so I'm not sure *why* I'd need a c-section.

I just hope that this doctor isn't one of those scalpel-happy people who like to make a drama where there isn't one.

Anyway, I don't think there's time before next Weds (things happen very slowly in this country) to get a referral letter sorted out plus get the paperwork filled in, and transfer over to another consultant to get the second opinion...and next Wednesday is the day when my consultant will make the decision as to whether or not he'll let the pregnancy continue and let me go into labour when the baby's good and ready, whether he'll induce, do a planned c-section, or what...

I kind of feel like cattle at the moment...one of a hundred women who this guy sees who he doesn't really have time to sit and talk to in any detail, and doesn't really want to...just wants to do what's quickest for him and then move on to the next person...*sigh*

Unless my GP can refer me to a private consultant, then I'm stuck with whatever this guy decides to do...

BUT...

we have prayed that God will overrule and that His will is done in this, so whatever happens, God must have a reason for allowing it (c-section or not)...lol, maybe I'll be one of those people whose insides fall out if I give birth naturally, or maybe the baby would get stuck or something...maybe God's trying to spare me from that. Or maybe I'll end up giving birth vaginally and God's just testing the amount that I'll trust Him no matter what. Who knows...

 

[~Nikki~]

Thanks ladies for all your replies.

Plan of action is as follows...

1. See if my GP is able to do a referral.
2. Find a midwife at the hospital who's willing to talk to me...

 

[~Nikki~]

Definitly speak to your midwife - get some sensible advice - not that obs aren't sensible but they're more likely to want to interfere when none is necessary if you know what I mean.

Exactly. I agree...he does seem to be someone that thrives on drama...and like most men he seems to want to be able to fix things and *do* something rather than letting me and the bub just get on with things and only intervening if it becomes necessary.

On the other hand he could have just given all the c-section talk because my husband was asking him if he could transfer us back to the midwifery led unit if everything was progressing ok...maybe my dh offended him, lol. He was just asking whether we had that option...the answer was a pretty abrupt no...

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Don't you have community midwives in Ireland - midwives who do your AN care and visit you at home after the baby is born?

Have you thought of asking for help at the Irish Childbirth Trust? They may be able to inform you of your rights and just who is in charge of the pregnancy.

Hopefully, your GP will be on your side and help you get to the bottom of what the consultant is concerned about. Not knowing for sure must be a nightmare for you.

 

[~Nikki~]

Don't you have community midwives in Ireland - midwives who do your AN care and visit you at home after the baby is born?

Have you thought of asking for help at the Irish Childbirth Trust? They may be able to inform you of your rights and just who is in charge of the pregnancy.

Hopefully, your GP will be on your side and help you get to the bottom of what the consultant is concerned about. Not knowing for sure must be a nightmare for you.

Thanks, I will try and find out.

When I was with the MLU, the midwives from that unit do the AN care and come and visit...now I'm transferred over to the consultant and have yet to see one of the midwives who work in that department I'm not sure how it works...I guess one of the hospital midwives will do the rounds...

maybe I should just phone the hospital and ask if I can have an appointment to go and chat to one of the midwives there...maybe that's the best thing.

I'm not sure about an awful lot here...we moved here from England just over a year ago. However it is my first pregnancy so maybe I'd be just as clueless had we stayed in England. Anyway, I'll see what I can find out.

thank you...

 

[RoseofLima]

Can't you just fail to give consent? I mean, surely someone can't perform surgery on you without you saying "Yes."

Please know that I am praying for you--

 

[~Nikki~]

Can't you just fail to give consent? I mean, surely someone can't perform surgery on you without you saying "Yes."

Please know that I am praying for you--

Thank you.

I think we've realised that we have zero chance of getting a second opinion at this late stage...sooo, we'll wait til the scan next week, and see what the chap says...and go from there. Honestly as long as the baby's heart etc is ok and so far everything's normal except the baby's a bit small, I don't think there'll be that big of a problem with the size...so it'll be delivered at the same size as a 38 week baby (assuming I make it to 40 weeks)...that's pretty normal.

I think what we will do is try and push for a normal delivery but say if it ever looks like the baby's in distress then we'll go straight for the emergency c-section.

Thanks for your prayers. They're much appreciated!

 

[Athene]

Make up a list of questions, take it with you to your next appointment and don't leave until the doctor has answered them all in terms you can understand. You need to do this for your sake because otherwise you may feel like you're being hurried into making a decision and you don't fully understand what's happening - at least if you know all the info you can make informed decisions on what to do.

 

[~Nikki~]

Make up a list of questions, take it with you to your next appointment and don't leave until the doctor has answered them all in terms you can understand. You need to do this for your sake because otherwise you may feel like you're being hurried into making a decision and you don't fully understand what's happening - at least if you know all the info you can make informed decisions on what to do.

Yep, that sounds like a good idea. I can think of hundreds (well a lot anyway) off the top of my head right now...and I'm sure I'll have more by next week.



How's your little one getting on???

 

[RoseofLima]

Make up a list of questions, take it with you to your next appointment and don't leave until the doctor has answered them all in terms you can understand. You need to do this for your sake because otherwise you may feel like you're being hurried into making a decision and you don't fully understand what's happening - at least if you know all the info you can make informed decisions on what to do.

I think that it great advice!

 

[Athene]

Yep, that sounds like a good idea. I can think of hundreds (well a lot anyway) off the top of my head right now...and I'm sure I'll have more by next week.



How's your little one getting on???

She's getting on very well - we've had her first smile now which was great - she's also rolling on to her side. She's huge now, 10 lb 12 on her last weigh in.

 

[~Nikki~]

She's getting on very well - we've had her first smile now which was great - she's also rolling on to her side. She's huge now, 10 lb 12 on her last weigh in.

That's great!

I can't wait for all of that!