The Orange House: thirty week ultrasound and appointment

We had what is expected to be our last ultrasound today. I am still amazed at this technology and the level of detail that it reveals. The baby is still measuring near the 60th percentile, and weighed 3lbs, 14oz. Dr. Reinhart assured us that any and all complications are behind us and told us to expect the last two months to progress as a "normal" pregnancy.

After our ultrasound appointment, we had our 30-week check-up with Dr. Nokleberg. These appointments have become fairly uneventful and routine, but this time, I had questions!

A little background... I am set on the idea of natural childbirth (I don't want to be induced, I don't want pain medications and I don't want any intervention unless we enter a life-threatening situation), so we've been taking classes in the Bradley Method. Our class is split between two couples who are delivering at a birth center and three of us who have opted for hospital deliveries. The birth center option is sounding better and better to me - they even have a park they can walk around in during the first stage of labor, and they can eat and drink... luxury! However, I still think the hospital is our best option considering the complications we had in October. When I went to the hospital in October, I was restricted from eating or drinking anything (including ice chips) at 11 a.m. that Friday, because they weren't sure what intervention would need to be done and when. I was put on a saline IV later that day, but on a way-too-slow drip which dehydrated me beyond discomfort. My first sip of water after surgery Saturday morning (more than 24 hours after my last sip of water) was a little piece of heaven. This ordeal started one of my newest phobias - dehydration.

Back to the questions... As you can imagine, my first and most important question was whether or not I would be allowed to at least drink while in labor. It turns out that Presbyterian has a strict policy against this in case a stat cesarean is called. I'll only be allowed ice chips. I wonder if they monitor the quantity? This is reason enough for me to wait as long as possible before going to the hospital! Managing pain the Bradley way is about relaxation and meditation, which I think will be much easier for me to handle if I can at least drink water. I also found out that I won't have to be tethered to an IV unless there is a medical need. They'll just install a saline lock and hook into it if/when the need arises. This is a huge relief for me.

All in all, the visit was good and Dr. Nokleberg expects us to carry to term. She estimated the baby to be around 8 lbs. at birth. She also cleared us for travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, so Robin, Nikko, November and I will be traveling to San Angelo and Oak Ridge to spend time with mom and dad.