28 week Check up and Off work notice!

So, I went in to see the midwife today (I see the specialist every other week) and she went over my blood sugars and foods, which are okay...and she adjusted my insulin just a bit. Then we were talking about my bouts of contractions. We talked about my weight gain (3 pounds up until now and 3 more in the last 2 weeks) She was happy with the gain so far. I also had her look at the edema that I have above my csection incision. I worry so much about that because of the complications I had with Emma. It is just collecting too much water. Then we talked about the fact that I felt my milk come in this week and actually get droplets on my nipples.

After all was discussed she told me she wanted me off work, I didn't even ask. The explanation was: High risk pregnancy with complicated diabetes type 2. Preterm labor. Edema. Sciatica pain.

I really didn't think the midwife would write me out. But she said because of my recent trip to labor and delivery...the edema...and probably the fact that I was having mild contractions during her scan today...she said better safe than sorry.

I go for another growth scan on Wed. At my last peri appointment the baby was measuring 2 weeks ahead, so anxious to see if that was just a growth spurt. I really, really want to try a VBAC this time to avoid the csection issues and to hopefully bond easier and breastfeed easier. They will let me do a trial of labor if the baby is not too big....so hoping it was just a spurt and he is leveling off.

Anyway, that is my update. Kinda looking forward to spending some quality one on one time with Emma before Micah arrives now that I am off work.

Thanks for reading the update. Shari

I hope you don't mind me asking but what issues did you have with your C-section? I had a C-section with my daughter and had issues with a bad infection afterwards and was just wondering if you had something similar.

I hope all goes smoothly with the rest of your pregnancy. I think it's good that your midwife is playing it safe. It's better to always be safe I think.

Hi Tami. I had kind of inadequate care in the last 6 weeks of my pg. I was 33 weeks and diabetic and was supposed to be having appointments every 2 weeks. They pushed me off to a month and I didn't know better than to fight it. Looking back I realize that I missed my strep b test. My next appointment was the day my water broke at 38w 2d. I also have a large hanging panni, which complicated things. And I was diabetic which makes things hard to heal. Oh, and I am allergic to the 4 best antibiotics. Anyway Emma was born after 26 hours of labor by emergency csection. She got stuck in my canal. We were both treated for strep b infection, but I also had some infection that spread from my vagina to my open wound. The incision started leaking fluid pretty bad on day 7 so they had to re open the wound (did so without any meds...that was the worst pain of my life, worse than labor) and restitch it with a hand pump to remove the fluid. A couple days later and that wasn't working, still leaking fluids and they had to put me in the hospital and attach a wound vacuum. I was admitted the day emma was sent home...so she never really latched to my breast and I ended up pumping for 4 months until my milk dried up. Try healing and pumping and feeding...it was a mess. Then with the antibiotic issues and diabetic issues I had a hard time healing. At about 3 weeks I got an abscess and had to have the wound reopened again. I had home nurse care 3 times a week for 2 months and went back to the doctor each week. I didn't heal enough to go back to work for 3+ months. I wouldn't wish this kind of thing on my worst enemy! Anyway...thanks for asking...I hope yours wasn't as bad.

It sounds like yours was worse. I thought mine was bad. I had to be induced a couple weeks before my due date cause of high blood pressure and after two days of labor and 3 hours of pushing, they decided to do a C section and I didn't know I had an infection until almost 2 weeks after I had her! I kept calling the on call doctor saying I didn't feel right and that I didn't feel I was getting better. I had less energy and was feeling dizzy and lightheaded, not to mention chills etc. My feet were swollen so bad, I could hardly walk. I was told it was normal to swell after a C section (I was literally swollen to 3X the size my feet usually were!) My milk never came in and I could never understand why. My inscision finally just started gushing with fluid and that's when I knew I had to get to the ER. My temp there was 102 and they opened me up only a little bit and packed the wound. Apparently the bacteria from them pushing the baby back up through my vagina and then through my C section caused the infection. I was admitted to the hospital for a week on strong IV antibiotics some of which I was allergic too, I was having horrible epidural headaches that I couldn't even stand up all the way. After they released me I stayed with my mom who is a home health nurse, thank God, and helped me pack the wound 2-3 times a day which hurt like everything. I sure hope when I have another child that I don't ever have to experience that again so I completely understand your wanting to do a VBAC. I think about that too. The only thing that scares me is that if I can't push the baby out again then there's more of a chance to have an infection with another C section cause of them pushing the baby back through the vagina and out the stomach. It's like either way it's scary. Anyway, I'm very interested to know how your birth goes and what you choose to do. I hope whatever happens that it goes smoothly whether vaginal or C section and there are no infections!

For me, they just will let me labor for 10 hours to see if I progress more rapidly in my dialation. It took 26 hours to get to a 9 with pitocin most of that time. The doc seems to think if I am one of the lucky ones I will dialate much faster in a second pregnancy. Fingers crossed. They would stop the trial of labor after ten hours, hopefully, before head gets too far down they should have a good idea whether a csection would be necessary. They don't want more than 10 hours of labor stress on my body though because that would increase the chances of infection with my diabetes and healing...which I totally understand too. I just hope baby isn't too big to try this ya know. Anyway, I will keep everyone posted after my scan on wed. Shari

I'm glad they finally wrote you off of work! You need to relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

Hey Shari--

Glad to hear you can get some special time with Emma before Micah's arrival. Hopefully the edema and sciatica pain will subside and you will be more comfortable soon.

You mentioned that you are getting droplets of milk on your nipples....me too. I've had it for the past two weeks or so but totally forgot to mention it to my doctor at last week's check. I've already put it on the list for this week's check-up.

Thanks for the update Shari,

--Paula

Well its good you get to spend some time at home with your baby girl. Will help when baby gets here. I hope it will help with contractions. I have been getting them some too and thought I was nuts but at least someone else is too. Maybe I am not crazy!!! Maybe so could be!   My baby girl is growing ahead too. About a week at growth check and measurements on my uterus puts me over 2 weeks ahead also. My 11 year old was born at 35 weeks though and weighed in at 7 3 so they said he would be huge at birth! Kind of scary!! So watching her for that too. I am just happy you can sit and relax some before Micah is born.

How are you feeling girl??? I went out at 32 1/2 weeks - Bailey almost ran me into the ground! LOL! I think I was more tired after I was off of work then before! Keep up the good work and keep baking Micah!