Friday, May 20, 2011

More Updates from Germany

I met with the Materal Fetal Medicine Specialist (Dr. M.) early this morning after a short four hours of sleep. We really, extremely, incredibly, liked her. She's a spunky, fun, down-to-earth gal.

Here's where we stand now:

I am going to be watched a little closely for the next few days, but most likely, these contractions, are not associated with labor. It appears I am just contracting, even fairly regularly, with no cervical change. This is what we suspected might be the case in Turkey, but I can't tell you the difference in the care and confidence exhibited by the OB docs and Dr. M. here and how much better we (especially JB) feel about the situation.

She wants me to come in tomrrow for a "Fetal Fibronectin" test. This test, if negative, will basically guarantee that I will not deliver in the next week. (They do not do this test in Turkey so it was not possible to find this out there.) She has also taken me off of my "anti-contraction" medication. It is a high blood pressure medicine and could possibly hurt me (by lowering my blood pressure which then lowers the blood to the planceta) more than help me. If I am not going into labor, but just contratcing, then I should not be on the medicine.

For now, I can resume my normal activities in a calm and normal manner. (Not in a whirlwind-Wendi way.) If I start to feel contractions, I need to lay down for 1-2 hours and attempt to get them to stop with relaxation and rest. As long as I can keep them under 6 an hour for 2 straight hours, I don't have to go into L & D. If they spin out of control, then I'd have to go in and get checked and make sure that labor still has not begun.

For now, we are all praying, planning, and hoping, for a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks. That was the original game-plan and Dr. M. is hoping it stays the game plan. We also go to talk to her about doing a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). While we had tentatively decided not to try for a VBAC, we wanted to hear from a specialist on this. She told me that a woman like me, who dilates to 10 and pushes for 3 hours and still can't get a baby out, has a less-than 13% chance of successfully delivering a baby the old-fashioned way a second time, and that, as we were already decided, doing a VBAC is not even slightly recommended. That solidified our decision in that.

She also had me repeat the 1-hr glucose test here as baby Abigail is measuring very large. (Her head is measuring at almost 34 weeks even though I am 31.)

All that said. How am I doing? How are we doing?

We are staying in a guest house off-Base for a total of two nights as Base was completely booked. Tomorrow we will move in a 3-bedroom unit on Ramstein where we will get to stay for the duration of the pregnancy. I have a lot of emotions right now. I really want to be back at my house, with my friends, with my kids in their beds. Receiving good news makes me feel that maybe we could have stayed longer.

But JB reminds me otherwise. We need to be here. This is the best care we can get. JB admitted to me, as soon as the plane landed in Germany, that he was under some major emotional stress while I was in Turkey. Just the thought that myself or Abigail might be brought into a situation where we weren't getting the best care, really bothered him. We needed to go. So we did. Case closed.

I'll talk more on an emotional level later, but for now, hopefully this provides some "update information" for all of you out there. I'll be in touch, of course.

9 comments:

Momma, PhD said...

Very relieved to hear the news. WIshing you well as you settle in.

Emily said...

Relieved here as well! I'm glad you're all together, safe and sound, right where the Lord would have you to be.

Anonymous said...

Reading your blog anxiously for updates. Glad to hear you are in Germany with the best docs.
Even though you wish you were home, think on the positive. You are blessed to be able to have a 3 bedroom place to stay for the duration. The boys will adapt very well, I'm sure. You are blessed to have Veronica to help you. And you are blessed to have such a wonderful husband! Just take care of yourself and baby Abigail, the rest will fall into place. Praying for you and the family.
Cheryl in Ontario

Alana said...

Very thankful to hear good news! And no second- guessing your decision to go early! ;-) JB is right. I think perhaps you will enjoy getting settled there earlier in your pregnancy. I will keep you in my prayers and trust that you both can relax mentally knowing that you are in the best possible place. Love ya!

Faith said...

Very happy to hear all that good news. Of course you miss home - I find giving birth a very vulnerable time, and we want to be settled and in a place of comfort. BUT, you made the right decision - you NEED to be in a place where there are doctors and services of HIGH quality. Hang in there, hun!

Jess said...

This is great news. Hopefully the ffn will come back good and they're thinking....irritable uterus? I assume? Take it EASY though. Irritable uterus with no progress can turn into cervical changes and labor sometimes. No being too crazy! :)

I agree with JB. You needed to be somewhere where there are good NICUS and confident OB's.

Jason and Traci said...

Praying for you tonight!

The contractions w/ no dialation is exactly what happened to me at 29 weeks. They even rolled me away to a delivery room. I had far too much fluid, thus the contractions. Anyway ... PRAYING!

Anonymous said...

PTL all is going so well. Love You (and Abigail) Aunt Linda

Anonymous said...

I love a husband who can bring someone to the place of saying, "Case closed"! I know why JB and Uncle Ed get along so well :) xoxooxx and prayers Tante Jan