34 weeks

I had my 34 week check up today, and everything seems to be moving along well. Heart rate and growth were normal and my weight gain is right at 40lbs. (This was my goal for the whole pregnancy, and obviously I'll surpass it since I have a few more weeks to go, but I'm not upset about it. Considering the 65lbs I gained with Abby, I think I've done pretty well. I have big babies, of course I'll gain more than "average.")

The interesting thing about the last few appointments has been the progression on the delivery discussion. You see, Abby's birth experience was a little traumatic. It didn't seem like it at the time, but in re-telling the story over the last few visits, I've started to view things a little differently. Nothing major occurred, and I was able to vaginally deliver a 9lb, 9oz, 22in baby. However, there was a series of minor things that when added up are leading to some concerns this time around.

For instance: I normally have low blood pressure and since an epidural lowers your bp, this caused a problem. I had to have not 1 or 2, but 5 shots of ephedrine and the presence of the head anesthesiologist. Also, other than her large size, Abby was also trying to come "sunny side up" (babies are born face down, Abby was trying to come out looking up). This meant she had to be turned and because of this (they think), she broke her collarbone. We didn't think much of it at the time, but apparently she could have suffered long-term nerve damage. For your sake, I won't go into details, but let's just say there was also a lot of blood lost on my part.

When you add up all of those things with the fact that this is my second baby and a boy (meaning he'll most likely be bigger), there's lots of things to be discussed. A month ago, they wanted to schedule a 36 week ultrasound to access the situation. Two weeks ago, they offered up an elective c-section but I said I'd rather be induced. At the time they said they wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks. This visit, the doctor said we'd decide at the ultrasound whether to induce at 39 weeks or to seriously re-open the c-section discussion.

Basically, things have been a little chaotic already. I'd really like to avoid the c-section, but I'll ultimately do whatever the doctors think is safest for Austin. I keep hoping the little guy will decide to come out on his own sometime around 37-38 weeks and we won't have to make any of these decisions. Who knows?

We'll know more in two weeks. I'll try not to stress out about it all too much before then. (Note that I said try. I make no promises.)