Tuesday evening was my 34-1/2 week-almost-35-week-appointment with Dr. M.
He was the same one I saw last time, and although he’s not my favorite, I do like having the same ob for a couple of visits, since I always have to explain my pregnancy situation/history.
Good news:
- No cervical change (which is the main thing we always want to hear–at least until we’re ready for baby to come! Then we want to see change!!)
- The baby’s head is down (YAY!)
- Dr. M sees no reason that I would need a c-section presently, unless some scenario arises closer to/during labor that would ordinarily call for a c-section.
- At this point, if I dilate further, the ob will not do anything to prevent delivery. Which means that the only reason I would need to come up to triage would be if I felt that delivery was imminent.
- Just two weeks and two days until I am “full-term” (at 37 weeks). . . of course, five weeks and two days remain until my actual due date . . .
I did tell Dr. M about my sleep struggles. My contractions are always worse between 1-3AM. All the obs say ‘maybe you’re dehydrated, get up and drink some water.‘ But the problem with that theory is I get up at least every hour to use the bathroom, and I get a drink of water every time. (So maybe my full bladder is causing contractions? The drs say ‘no.’)
I experienced the same with Carissa, and after weeks of contractions keeping me up through the night, they had prescribed a sleeping pill to help my body rest for a couple of nights. I’m not a real proponent of sleeping pills. I know they can be addictive, but in certain limited circumstances, I can see their value.
I was hoping Dr. M would prescribe something, but no. His answer completely took me by surprise.
“Just drink a glass of wine before bed each night,” he instructed. “It will help ease the contractions and relax you so you can sleep.”
I must have looked shocked, because he quickly added: “It won’t hurt the baby. Years ago, we used to prescribe alcohol intravenously as a tocolytic before we had the options that we have today.”
I’ve never really enjoyed wine, or developed a taste for it, but I’m sure lots of women would be thrilled to get that advice from their ob! This is the same guy who stripped my membranes with Carissa, without even asking me or telling me afterwards that he did it. . . so maybe he’s a little . . . unconventional . . .
And, last but not least, Carter’s Baby store is having their Super Duper Summer Clearance sale. I figured with “full-term” coming so soon, I should start easing off bedrest graaaadually. (What better way to do that than at Carters without children?!)
Daniel called me, after seeing Google Latitude placing me at the mall, and asked, “Sooo did you actually have a dr’s appointment? or are you just spending my hard-earned money at the outlet mall?”
“Oh, was it hard-earned?” I asked innocently.
Oh, and can you put the kids to bed? After I leave the mall, I’m going to go get myself a glass of wine!
Doctor’s orders. 😉
🙂