It seems just like yesterday I had my PAO surgery scheduled and then was canceling the date because we were expecting. And now we are 2-3 weeks away from having our precious little blessing. Time really does fly by.
Overall, my hips have held up through the pregnancy. If this is just a taste of what I will feel after recovering from surgery then yes it will be well worth it to go through with it. I must admit that the pregnancy hormones have been in overdrive with the emotions I have been having about surgery. It is scary to think about what will actually be done. Of course surgery alone is scary. The fear of the unknown is what it is. Once you do it you then go on to recover. It is just getting to the BIG day. But that is true with anything in life.
I thought before we have this baby that I need to get into touch with the doctor again to see if I will need new xrays/MRI and if I can schedule about 4 months out. I can officially check this off my list now. Hubby and I accomplished it this week. And Dr. Millis was very quick in responding back. He did mention that there are closer doctors but that him and Dr. Kim do have the most experience. He does want to have another consultation and at that time get new xrays and MRI since back in March I was already showing signs of having arthitis. He just wants to make sure that a PAO is still an option. And at the every end he wanted to "when" I was looking at for the consultation and that surgery could be scheduled out about 5 weeks out from that. I told him a consultation in Jan./Feb. would be good and surgery in March/April. I did talk with my OB about when he thought would be good after having a baby to have surgery. He thought March if everything is going well.
Having a baby and planning surgery-wow what a lot to think about. But in the end I do get the best of both worlds, a baby first and then surgery. It wasn't planned this way but I do believe that things happen for a reason and they aren't always understood. We just need to be accepting.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
After attending just a few Bradley Birth Classes, it really has got me thinking about the current doctor I am seeing and the choices I have and what has happened with past births. I feel already more informed about labor and how our bodies are meant to work and have babies. And so that got me thinking....
Before starting the classes I just already had my mind set on needing pitocin to get keep labor going. I just assumed it was normal and my body doesn't know how to labor on its own. Well after attending class and talking to the teacher a bit about my concerns, I have found out that it isn't me, doctors really like to use pitocin. It is hard for them to just around and wait for nature to do its thing. Now in some cases pitocin is necessary and I am open to it but if I am ok, baby is ok, and my water hasn't broke just send me back home to try to get contractions going again or just wait patiently. But trying to go without taking any type of drug during labor or even getting the epidural really makes it hard when you have pitocin running through the IV line. They are much harder which then makes it very difficult (for me anyway) to relax and breath through the contractions.
On Monday I had another doctor appt. with my current OB and I decided to ask him about pitocin and how I just really wanted to avoid it and be given a chance. Well he explained to me that they use it for inductions and augmenting labor. For instance if a woman's water breaks she will be immediately started on pitocin upon admittance. The idea is to get baby delivered asap due to risk of infection. No more waiting to see if contractions will start. He also said that if a woman's labor stalls he will break the water and that usually gets labor started but if that doesn't work then using pitocin is the next step. In the past I have had my water broken to attempt to get contractions going again but it doesn't work soon enough so pitocin is always started. This time I don't want my water broke. Plus the doctor told me that if a woman has only had pitocin for labor then she has nothing to compare too only from what she hears from others. Obviously he is a man and never had a baby but your own contractions are much easier to get through in my opinion. Then he throw in how his wife has had pitocin with all their kids. So to him it isn't a big deal and a drug that works. But to me I want to do this for the baby and myself.
Later that evening I had scheduled a tour at a birthcenter that is run by two midwives. Our teacher had told us about this place at our first class, and I thought it interesting so I looked more into and asked her more about it. She recommended that we take a tour of the place. That is what we did. We met just one of the midwives and she showed us around, explaining everything very throroughly. They have two birthrooms. They use just a doppler and listen to the baby every 30 minutes at first and then as mom gets closer to delivering it is every 15 minutes. They do transfer mom if there is a complication to the nearest hospital by ambulance. They view birth as a natural process. She did talk about pitocin and if my water were to break that they do have a 24 hour time frame to get baby delivered. So if I wasn't contracting by some point they would try other methods such as castrol oil to help get labor started. But if all else fells I would be transferred to the hospital where they go and then start pitocin.
I am keeping an open mind about the whole thing but at the same time I am going to look into all my options and find what I believe will fit my needs the best. I do feel pressure from a few family members about using a birthcenter to give birth and not the hospital. They think it unsafe if something goes wrong and there won't be time. Where in the hospital they have it all right there. It would make it easier if they were more supportive and really listen to me and why I am looking into to this. They have told me to just tell the doctor "no." or "can't that wait." A doctor is going to do what they want. They have their way of practice so to me it is more important to find the one that shares the same views as me instead of trying to convince them of news ones.
The birth center is considered out of network so insurance won't cover the entire the birth just a very little portion. I don't know what that portion would be. It is less expensive than going to the hospital. Whatever I decide I want to feel satisfied by my decision. I think the biggest thing holding me back is that I don't know what our out of pocket cost could be. And with two hip surgeries in the future, uncertain of what we will be spending there, I don't want a lot of medical bills.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. At least the hips are cooperating and not giving me problems.
Before starting the classes I just already had my mind set on needing pitocin to get keep labor going. I just assumed it was normal and my body doesn't know how to labor on its own. Well after attending class and talking to the teacher a bit about my concerns, I have found out that it isn't me, doctors really like to use pitocin. It is hard for them to just around and wait for nature to do its thing. Now in some cases pitocin is necessary and I am open to it but if I am ok, baby is ok, and my water hasn't broke just send me back home to try to get contractions going again or just wait patiently. But trying to go without taking any type of drug during labor or even getting the epidural really makes it hard when you have pitocin running through the IV line. They are much harder which then makes it very difficult (for me anyway) to relax and breath through the contractions.
On Monday I had another doctor appt. with my current OB and I decided to ask him about pitocin and how I just really wanted to avoid it and be given a chance. Well he explained to me that they use it for inductions and augmenting labor. For instance if a woman's water breaks she will be immediately started on pitocin upon admittance. The idea is to get baby delivered asap due to risk of infection. No more waiting to see if contractions will start. He also said that if a woman's labor stalls he will break the water and that usually gets labor started but if that doesn't work then using pitocin is the next step. In the past I have had my water broken to attempt to get contractions going again but it doesn't work soon enough so pitocin is always started. This time I don't want my water broke. Plus the doctor told me that if a woman has only had pitocin for labor then she has nothing to compare too only from what she hears from others. Obviously he is a man and never had a baby but your own contractions are much easier to get through in my opinion. Then he throw in how his wife has had pitocin with all their kids. So to him it isn't a big deal and a drug that works. But to me I want to do this for the baby and myself.
Later that evening I had scheduled a tour at a birthcenter that is run by two midwives. Our teacher had told us about this place at our first class, and I thought it interesting so I looked more into and asked her more about it. She recommended that we take a tour of the place. That is what we did. We met just one of the midwives and she showed us around, explaining everything very throroughly. They have two birthrooms. They use just a doppler and listen to the baby every 30 minutes at first and then as mom gets closer to delivering it is every 15 minutes. They do transfer mom if there is a complication to the nearest hospital by ambulance. They view birth as a natural process. She did talk about pitocin and if my water were to break that they do have a 24 hour time frame to get baby delivered. So if I wasn't contracting by some point they would try other methods such as castrol oil to help get labor started. But if all else fells I would be transferred to the hospital where they go and then start pitocin.
I am keeping an open mind about the whole thing but at the same time I am going to look into all my options and find what I believe will fit my needs the best. I do feel pressure from a few family members about using a birthcenter to give birth and not the hospital. They think it unsafe if something goes wrong and there won't be time. Where in the hospital they have it all right there. It would make it easier if they were more supportive and really listen to me and why I am looking into to this. They have told me to just tell the doctor "no." or "can't that wait." A doctor is going to do what they want. They have their way of practice so to me it is more important to find the one that shares the same views as me instead of trying to convince them of news ones.
The birth center is considered out of network so insurance won't cover the entire the birth just a very little portion. I don't know what that portion would be. It is less expensive than going to the hospital. Whatever I decide I want to feel satisfied by my decision. I think the biggest thing holding me back is that I don't know what our out of pocket cost could be. And with two hip surgeries in the future, uncertain of what we will be spending there, I don't want a lot of medical bills.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. At least the hips are cooperating and not giving me problems.
Monday, July 26, 2010
More News
We took our oldest daughter, Arianna, in to see a pediatric ortho. specialists. We just really wanted to know if she has hip dysplasia like myself. All the doctors I have seen have all recommended we get all the kids xrayed. Our pediatrician for the kids did make the referral to a Dr. Klaumann.
We say her today. They took some xrays of her hips and then wanted one of her hips on down. The doctor came in and asked if the doctors I have seen gave more then just hip dysplasia as the diagnosis. Dusty said that the one at Mayo Clinic said that I have spondyloeipyseal dysplasia (SED). And the doctor today said that is what Arianna also has. She said it is a genetic disorder that I gave to her. She doesn't want to do anything yet. She would like to see her back in 6 months and see what is going on. But that in the future, Arianna, will be looking at reconstructive surgery too.
I am relieved to know and suspected that she had what I had and thought they would try less invasive treatments to correct the problem but I guess there is more too it then just hip issues. I just don't want to see her hurt like I have hurt with mine. It also saddens me when I read about the diagnosis on the internet. The doctor did suggest we go to a genetic counselor to find out exactly what type it is. And also to get copies of all my office notes from the doctors I have seen to have on hand so then we can see what they have had to say and plus it helps to pass on info. like that to our kids. So then they have an idea of what is going on.
We say her today. They took some xrays of her hips and then wanted one of her hips on down. The doctor came in and asked if the doctors I have seen gave more then just hip dysplasia as the diagnosis. Dusty said that the one at Mayo Clinic said that I have spondyloeipyseal dysplasia (SED). And the doctor today said that is what Arianna also has. She said it is a genetic disorder that I gave to her. She doesn't want to do anything yet. She would like to see her back in 6 months and see what is going on. But that in the future, Arianna, will be looking at reconstructive surgery too.
I am relieved to know and suspected that she had what I had and thought they would try less invasive treatments to correct the problem but I guess there is more too it then just hip issues. I just don't want to see her hurt like I have hurt with mine. It also saddens me when I read about the diagnosis on the internet. The doctor did suggest we go to a genetic counselor to find out exactly what type it is. And also to get copies of all my office notes from the doctors I have seen to have on hand so then we can see what they have had to say and plus it helps to pass on info. like that to our kids. So then they have an idea of what is going on.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sonogram
Today was the sonogram. Did we find out? No. It is currently sealed in an envelope. So I guess if the urge just gets to be too much then perhaps the seal will be broken. But at this point, I like not knowing. I know many were disappointed in us not finding out but the joy of "It's a girl." or "It's a boy." at delivery is a thrill to look forward too. I know it doesn't make shopping or preparing ahead of time easy but to me that is ok at this point.
This ultrasound was a bit interesting. The baby first of all was, could we say limber to say the least. At one point the baby had its knees up to its mouth. It liked being in a bunched up ball. The baby had its chin to its chest and the legs drawn up to itself. The tech had some trouble getting pictures of the heart and cord. But some how she must have managed to get what she needed for the radiolist doctor to look at. It wasn't easy. They baby is also currently breech. Thank goodness the baby still has more time to flip around and get in position- head down. All the others have always been head down so that was different to have the head up. From all the measurements that the tech took of the head, tummy, and femur, it showed the baby to weigh about 10 ounces and be about a week ahead of schedule. Some doctors I know change the due date, I hope my new one doesn't and leaves it at 12/3. Otherwise it would be 11/28. I go on Monday July 12th to the doctor and we will go over the sono. results. So I have to wait to see what he has to say.
Then on July 13th, Dusty and I go for our first Bradley Childbirth Class. I really want to go natural and have wanted to do these classes since our first. But with our first I was too far along. They like you to be in your 5th month. So with our first and second I just took Lamaze. I did go natural with out first. But with the rest epidurals for various reasons. But Dusty has alot of love for me to do these classes with me which are 12 weeks long and the first class falls when the All Star Game is. That is some love there. And I truly am thankful.
This ultrasound was a bit interesting. The baby first of all was, could we say limber to say the least. At one point the baby had its knees up to its mouth. It liked being in a bunched up ball. The baby had its chin to its chest and the legs drawn up to itself. The tech had some trouble getting pictures of the heart and cord. But some how she must have managed to get what she needed for the radiolist doctor to look at. It wasn't easy. They baby is also currently breech. Thank goodness the baby still has more time to flip around and get in position- head down. All the others have always been head down so that was different to have the head up. From all the measurements that the tech took of the head, tummy, and femur, it showed the baby to weigh about 10 ounces and be about a week ahead of schedule. Some doctors I know change the due date, I hope my new one doesn't and leaves it at 12/3. Otherwise it would be 11/28. I go on Monday July 12th to the doctor and we will go over the sono. results. So I have to wait to see what he has to say.
Then on July 13th, Dusty and I go for our first Bradley Childbirth Class. I really want to go natural and have wanted to do these classes since our first. But with our first I was too far along. They like you to be in your 5th month. So with our first and second I just took Lamaze. I did go natural with out first. But with the rest epidurals for various reasons. But Dusty has alot of love for me to do these classes with me which are 12 weeks long and the first class falls when the All Star Game is. That is some love there. And I truly am thankful.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What's New
No more tball or baseball games now until next year. It is sad. Some days were hot to sit and face the sun but overall they were enjoyable to try and watch. And yes I say try. The little ones didn't like to play where we could always see them. But a big open field to them is freedom to run like the wind, literally. Emma liked to head for a big red shed and play behind it on a dirt pile just her size. She had the time of her life but not being able to see her didn't thrill mommy. Thank goodness she didn't go behind there much. Overall it was good to get out and get some fresh air.
Dusty bought me a retractable clothes line. I am so excited about this. I get to be outside and save money. I like hanging the clothes outside. The cloth diaper liners were so white. The sun does such a wonderful job at whitening and it doesn't cost anything. I always enjoyed helping mom at home hang out her clothes. It was relaxing. It sounds crazy and I may be but hey I am also the one who likes to knit, sew, and embroidery/cross-stitch. But there is one stimpulation, not to hang out any undiebundies because that is embarassing. Otherwise I am enjoying not to have to heat up the house or wait for the dryer to get done plus it will save money on the elctric bill, which is to go up by $25.
I am now getting sick in the mornings upon first opening my eyes. It usually didn't hit until mid morning early afternoon with this baby. I could about guess what time of day it was by the way I felt. Hopefully I am nearing the end f this morning sickness but if not it is only temporarily. I am feeling the baby move. I thought I felt the baby about 4 weeks ago but was unsure. The movements were so light and spread out. By spread out I mean by days, I might not have felt anything so I wasn't sure. But as the days went by I became more certain it was the baby and not the bowels(ha feel the bowels move they aren't moving but in slomo) or a muscle twinge. They have gotten a lot stronger to where I can feel some of the moves with my hand now. I just can never get enough of feeling the baby. It is just so fascinating.
The hips on the other hand are not being so well behaved. The left one has really been deep aching/throbbing. The other day it was aching so bad that it was sending pains down to my knee. The funny thing is that moving helped. I did take a tylenol but it didn't help just the moving around. But the moving grumped up the right one. It just typically feels unstable but moving really added to it. But just this past week it has been giving out a little more each day. The other day when the left was aching at the worst the right was giving out more than usual.
I have been trying to handle everything but had a good cry over everything last night. All I needed to pick me back up was a simple hug, which I did get from Dusty, Paylynn, and Hannah. A triple hug that dryed up the well. I don't know what today will bring but I am ready to face it.
Dusty bought me a retractable clothes line. I am so excited about this. I get to be outside and save money. I like hanging the clothes outside. The cloth diaper liners were so white. The sun does such a wonderful job at whitening and it doesn't cost anything. I always enjoyed helping mom at home hang out her clothes. It was relaxing. It sounds crazy and I may be but hey I am also the one who likes to knit, sew, and embroidery/cross-stitch. But there is one stimpulation, not to hang out any undiebundies because that is embarassing. Otherwise I am enjoying not to have to heat up the house or wait for the dryer to get done plus it will save money on the elctric bill, which is to go up by $25.
I am now getting sick in the mornings upon first opening my eyes. It usually didn't hit until mid morning early afternoon with this baby. I could about guess what time of day it was by the way I felt. Hopefully I am nearing the end f this morning sickness but if not it is only temporarily. I am feeling the baby move. I thought I felt the baby about 4 weeks ago but was unsure. The movements were so light and spread out. By spread out I mean by days, I might not have felt anything so I wasn't sure. But as the days went by I became more certain it was the baby and not the bowels(ha feel the bowels move they aren't moving but in slomo) or a muscle twinge. They have gotten a lot stronger to where I can feel some of the moves with my hand now. I just can never get enough of feeling the baby. It is just so fascinating.
The hips on the other hand are not being so well behaved. The left one has really been deep aching/throbbing. The other day it was aching so bad that it was sending pains down to my knee. The funny thing is that moving helped. I did take a tylenol but it didn't help just the moving around. But the moving grumped up the right one. It just typically feels unstable but moving really added to it. But just this past week it has been giving out a little more each day. The other day when the left was aching at the worst the right was giving out more than usual.
I have been trying to handle everything but had a good cry over everything last night. All I needed to pick me back up was a simple hug, which I did get from Dusty, Paylynn, and Hannah. A triple hug that dryed up the well. I don't know what today will bring but I am ready to face it.
Friday, June 18, 2010
No News is Good News
I called the OB office yesterday to find out about my results. And good news, I am immune. So sometime in my life, probably as a child I have had Fifth Disease. That is all I needed to hear. Like the saying goes, No news is good news, was true.
My second OB appt. went great. I didn't gain any weight, even though I am showing. My blood pressure was good 100/64. The doctor explained how in his 13 years of practice that he has had only 1 case of a mother getting Fifth Disease while pregnant and that complications did occur with the baby. But what usually happens is that we have had this sometime in our childhood years. He said my blood work looked good. I did ask him about him not being able to go the bathroom. My bowels just really don't want to work properly and are giving me trouble. He told me this is a common problem and that some cases are more severe than others. He has even had to put some women in the hospital because it gets so bad. He told me to take a colace twice a day everyday and I can use a Fleet laxative only if I really can't go. I also need to drink plenty of fluids. And see if this helps. I sure hope it does. As gross and embarassing as is it is to talk about bowel problems I am glad I did and now just hope all this helps.
The hips have been pretty quiet but this week they have really felt more unstable and my right has been slightly wanting to give out more. It isn't eye popping but it makes me feel unsure about it. The right one also was bothering me a bit painwise. It didn't last long or wasn't severe so I was thankful for that. I have been feeling lefty grind. It doesn't hurt. Otherwise they aren't bad. It is all tolerable.
My second OB appt. went great. I didn't gain any weight, even though I am showing. My blood pressure was good 100/64. The doctor explained how in his 13 years of practice that he has had only 1 case of a mother getting Fifth Disease while pregnant and that complications did occur with the baby. But what usually happens is that we have had this sometime in our childhood years. He said my blood work looked good. I did ask him about him not being able to go the bathroom. My bowels just really don't want to work properly and are giving me trouble. He told me this is a common problem and that some cases are more severe than others. He has even had to put some women in the hospital because it gets so bad. He told me to take a colace twice a day everyday and I can use a Fleet laxative only if I really can't go. I also need to drink plenty of fluids. And see if this helps. I sure hope it does. As gross and embarassing as is it is to talk about bowel problems I am glad I did and now just hope all this helps.
The hips have been pretty quiet but this week they have really felt more unstable and my right has been slightly wanting to give out more. It isn't eye popping but it makes me feel unsure about it. The right one also was bothering me a bit painwise. It didn't last long or wasn't severe so I was thankful for that. I have been feeling lefty grind. It doesn't hurt. Otherwise they aren't bad. It is all tolerable.
Friday, June 11, 2010
I Can't Believe It
Last week was a very busy week, with dance recital practices on Tuesday and Thursday and ball games. And I happy to say that the hips held up. They did get the usual stiffiness but otherwise pain level was way down. And I was happy for that, I didn't need them getting excited too.
I was thankful that I didn't have to bring all the other kids with me to run Arianna around to her recital practices. His grandma watched the kids on that Tuesday and my mom and his mom on Thursday. It made it that much easier. After the practices, we would head back across town to Hannah's t-ball/softball games. I felt a little rushed around but it was survivable. Arianna's dance recital was Under the Sea- based on the Little Mermaid. Very good. I thought Arianna did wonderful for her age group and level. I was very proud. And to make it even better she came out on the stage with a big smile. She didn't look a bit nervous but that was probably because I had all the nerves for her. Crazy that I would feel that way but I did.
Well on that Thursday evening when we got to Hannah's game I noticed that Emma had this funny looking rash on her arms and legs. I thought maybe heat rash but different that I am used to seeing but it made sense to me since it was hot outside and sunny. So I didn't think twice of it and by Friday morning it had disappeared.
It wasn't until this week that I became concerned. His grandma was talking about how her granddaughter had a rash and was diagnosed with having Fifth disease and how they thought it was a heat rash also. So I paid a little more attention to Emma's rash and by Wednesday I was making an appt with the pediatrician to get her rash looked at. It was going away and looking worse especially in the sun and heat.
The doctor looked Emma over and said at the end of the exam, that he would go get some info. on what this rash was. He stepped out and came back in with a piece of paper, handed it to me, and across the top read the words FIFTH DISEASE. I chuckled a bit to myself. The doctor explained to me that kids may or may not have symptoms prior to getting the rash ( which Emma didn't). But that once they have the rash it is no longer contagious. And the last bit of info. he pointed out to me was to avoid exposure to pregnant women.
I called that OB once I got home and left a message with the nurse. The nurse called me back shortly after asking the name of the disease again that Emma had, and that she would call me back because she had to ask another doctor in the group since mine was out of town for the week and wouldn't be back until Monday. Well she called me back about 45 minutes later and told that they wanted to do a blood draw to check for immunity or if I currently have it now. She told me that if I had it has a child, you only get it once and then are immune to it. She wasn't sure either if the results would be back before the weekend but hopefully by Monday when I go for my appt.
I went in for my blood draw Thursday morning and it looks like I will be waiting through the weekend. So now we all get to wait in suspense for the news. DUNDUNDUN.
I was thankful that I didn't have to bring all the other kids with me to run Arianna around to her recital practices. His grandma watched the kids on that Tuesday and my mom and his mom on Thursday. It made it that much easier. After the practices, we would head back across town to Hannah's t-ball/softball games. I felt a little rushed around but it was survivable. Arianna's dance recital was Under the Sea- based on the Little Mermaid. Very good. I thought Arianna did wonderful for her age group and level. I was very proud. And to make it even better she came out on the stage with a big smile. She didn't look a bit nervous but that was probably because I had all the nerves for her. Crazy that I would feel that way but I did.
Well on that Thursday evening when we got to Hannah's game I noticed that Emma had this funny looking rash on her arms and legs. I thought maybe heat rash but different that I am used to seeing but it made sense to me since it was hot outside and sunny. So I didn't think twice of it and by Friday morning it had disappeared.
It wasn't until this week that I became concerned. His grandma was talking about how her granddaughter had a rash and was diagnosed with having Fifth disease and how they thought it was a heat rash also. So I paid a little more attention to Emma's rash and by Wednesday I was making an appt with the pediatrician to get her rash looked at. It was going away and looking worse especially in the sun and heat.
The doctor looked Emma over and said at the end of the exam, that he would go get some info. on what this rash was. He stepped out and came back in with a piece of paper, handed it to me, and across the top read the words FIFTH DISEASE. I chuckled a bit to myself. The doctor explained to me that kids may or may not have symptoms prior to getting the rash ( which Emma didn't). But that once they have the rash it is no longer contagious. And the last bit of info. he pointed out to me was to avoid exposure to pregnant women.
I called that OB once I got home and left a message with the nurse. The nurse called me back shortly after asking the name of the disease again that Emma had, and that she would call me back because she had to ask another doctor in the group since mine was out of town for the week and wouldn't be back until Monday. Well she called me back about 45 minutes later and told that they wanted to do a blood draw to check for immunity or if I currently have it now. She told me that if I had it has a child, you only get it once and then are immune to it. She wasn't sure either if the results would be back before the weekend but hopefully by Monday when I go for my appt.
I went in for my blood draw Thursday morning and it looks like I will be waiting through the weekend. So now we all get to wait in suspense for the news. DUNDUNDUN.
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