If you read my previous post, I was warded one night due to sudden increase of my blood pressure. Ever since then, I got biweekly appointment with doctor to review on my blood pressure that I would monitor at home every 2 days with BP device.
So here's my concern. Early this month, on my follow up appointment with doctor at HKL, I was advice to deliver by 38 weeks whether or not the baby is ready - that means I'm going to be induced. Or maybe c-section I guess?
I've been reading so far about mothers getting induced on 37/38 weeks due to hypertension. But all of them already in pre-eclampsia stages or constantly high on BP. So far I've been measuring at home and doctor's review, I was on acceptable range. 11x/ 6x ~ 130/7x.
I did ask for advise from the private hospital doctor that I go by appointment and she says that I need to monitor my BP and also if I'm not on medication, I'm alright to deliver by 40 weeks.
What actually makes me more worry is that as I am going for both places, private and government, I have two different EDD, difference of a week, with government being earlier than private's.
Short background story is that, I went for early check up at the private first when I was 5 weeks pregnant and government's at 3 months pregnant. I'm just worried that the scan when I was on first time visit at the government clinic causes the different date as I heard baby measurement varies when it is scan much later.
So back to my concern. Today I have another check up / follow up at HKL again. This time, a different doctor consults me. I voice my concern over the 38 weeks delivery and she too initially agrees that if I'm not on medication, I can usually deliver at 30 weeks. Although of course as I was briefed by the previous doctor, the baby is already considered full term on 37 weeks onwards. I insisted on delivering on 40 weeks after I also double checked with the doctor back in the clinic.
However, the doctor today, told me that she cannot overrule the previous doctor's plan because he's her senior. (like what? Your senior is always right?)
My heart breaks each time she insisted for me to deliver at 38 weeks because I may have complications and risk that I may got pre-eclampsia and soon have fitting when it's nearer to the D date. Then that may put both baby and I at risk. While I do understand that, but I want the baby to come naturally, not induced, not c-sec if there's other options that I may go for.
I went with Jon today. Both of us agreed to take the risk. Initially, she told us that we need to sign a paper of agreement that the patient took the responsibility to deliver at 40 week. She say she'll need to get her senior concern and prepare a a letter, that's why we were asked to wait out of the room. After we were called back into the room, she just mentioned that we'll have to make another appointment at 38 weeks to see the progress, then we will see again what will be the decision then. So no paper were sign that day.
I went on to check what will be the risk if I deliver on early term. Some website says that the baby may not have fully developed brain and there might be risk that the baby will still need to stay in the incubator for some time even when it's deliver on 37/38 weeks. Come on doctor... Latest research already prove that babies developed better when they're 39/40 weeks and best yet when they decided to come out naturally themselves.
In addition, today's scan shows that our baby is measuring slightly behind schedule. All his measurement is one week behind. The more I think the private hospital's measurement is right. But anyway, I intend to deliver at HKL, so I gotta follow the government's EDD. At least by then baby is already on 39 weeks.
I hope I made the right decision as I really feel that I'm alright to continue on the pregnancy until the very last day of the term. Fingers crossed.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Stress as a new mom
Being a new mom got me mixed emotions. At some point, I'm excited that I'm about to have a baby and we'll make a family. The excitement of buying new clothes for baby and seeing the tiny little clothes that could only fit my palm for now can actually fit a human being. That's pretty exciting.
At the same time, it's worrisome also because I can't see the baby yet. I don't know what is happening to the baby. What should I do? Am I doing things wrong? If I move too fast, will the baby feel uncomfortable? How about going pass a speed bump? Will the baby feel stressful? Did I eat enough?
Did I eat well? If I sleep like this, does the baby move because he's uncomfortable?
Many questions replaying in my head everyday.
Then comes the joy of being able to feel baby's kick. Knowing that he's moving well inside. I just hope everything turns out well.
Today I went for my antenatal appointment with the nurse at KKIA. I was told that I didn't count baby's movement correctly. I admit, I misunderstood. It was suppose to be 1 movement count within a moment (like a span of 30 minutes or longer break for the next count). I thought it's per 10 minutes break. Got it now. To play safe, I think I'll just do every hourly count.
Speaking of which, I think baby enjoys this kind of lounge music playing in my office as "sound test" on Wednesdays. He was sleeping (no movement since 9:50am), now (10:33am) actively wriggling. That's exciting to know as well. (Yikes! Add that to the movement count!)
It's pretty difficult to notice once the work kicks in. I could hardly pay attention to his movement when I'm busy, but I hope to do it correctly this time as it's important to find out baby's movement to figure out if anything is wrong with the baby.
Done ranting. Back to work.
At the same time, it's worrisome also because I can't see the baby yet. I don't know what is happening to the baby. What should I do? Am I doing things wrong? If I move too fast, will the baby feel uncomfortable? How about going pass a speed bump? Will the baby feel stressful? Did I eat enough?
Did I eat well? If I sleep like this, does the baby move because he's uncomfortable?
Many questions replaying in my head everyday.
Then comes the joy of being able to feel baby's kick. Knowing that he's moving well inside. I just hope everything turns out well.
Today I went for my antenatal appointment with the nurse at KKIA. I was told that I didn't count baby's movement correctly. I admit, I misunderstood. It was suppose to be 1 movement count within a moment (like a span of 30 minutes or longer break for the next count). I thought it's per 10 minutes break. Got it now. To play safe, I think I'll just do every hourly count.
Speaking of which, I think baby enjoys this kind of lounge music playing in my office as "sound test" on Wednesdays. He was sleeping (no movement since 9:50am), now (10:33am) actively wriggling. That's exciting to know as well. (Yikes! Add that to the movement count!)
It's pretty difficult to notice once the work kicks in. I could hardly pay attention to his movement when I'm busy, but I hope to do it correctly this time as it's important to find out baby's movement to figure out if anything is wrong with the baby.
Done ranting. Back to work.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Bad news, good news.
I'm in such dilemma now.
So last week I was admitted to hospital due to hypertension symptoms. Though the symptoms wore down eventually with my BP got back to normal, there's still follow up appointments. One of it was this morning.
A sigh of relieve was that last week, I was told that baby was in breech position, where usually by my baby's gestational age it should already be head down position. Doctor said to further observe it two weeks later. Okay. Then another issue was that baby's abdominal circumference measurement was still small, it's 2 weeks behind. It's at borderline okay to be 2 weeks behind but there's still risk. If it's still small in its circumference, they may need to deliver me earlier.
Though I was discharged, I couldn't stop thinking how to correct the baby's position or to increase the AC. All I could do is try to sleep on my left side at most time so that baby may get its nutrition. That's what I read about sleeping position. In addition, I also drank at least 2 glasses of milk every day, hopefully baby can absorb more too.
Not sure if it's because of the sudden increment of milk intake, my stomach can't seem to hold it well. TMI - I frequented to toilet more often.
I think I do have a little bit of lactose intolerant.
Anyway, I've been monitoring my BP so far, it seems normal. The reading were lower than 150/90 at least. At most 13x.
Today was my first appointment at the hospital - gosh, a file is open here and now I have more antenatal visit to go.
The wait was long. I came in at 8am only to get my turn at 10am. Glad the waiting area has air con.
Anyway. I had a scan today and everything looks better! Chickpea finally turned with head down. No wonder lately I've been feeling pokes nearer to my rib cage and heavier on my lower belly that kinda pressing down on my bladder. Doctor said the AC looks good too, normal range, and I'm on 32nd week preggo.
Here comes the bad news.
Because I have previous record of hypertension symptom, they will have to deliver me early at 38th week to reduce the risk. (My heart broke when I heard of this). It's not like the baby is going to be pre mature, they're considered full term 37 weeks onwards.
It's also not advisable to prescribe me with hypertension medication too because during pregnancy, it's only going to get higher as the weeks get later. Because of that, I may need higher dose.
My question to doctor was, "What if by 38th week and I still don't have the contraction?". Doctor replied, "By 38th week, you just come to the hospital and get admitted. We'll put you into medication to start the contraction". - Wow, technology.
My take is that if medication is involved, it's no longer a natural birth anymore? Google defines natural birth as "a vaginal birth, especially without medical intervention such as pain-relieving medication." I really do wanted to opt for natural birth if possible.
Another dilemma would be my maternity leave. I've already had it planned so that it covers 2 months full with additional 4 days of AL to take. Now that the delivery is going to be 2 weeks ahead, I'll most likely need to move it. Also we'll have to inform my confinement centre and hopefully there's still space. *sigh*
I have another antenatal appointment with private hospital doctor. I'm glad I still go for this although it's a little pricey. At least I still can get a second opinion and this doctor always makes me feel good by her reassurance. Unless even this doctor gives me the same advise, I think I'll just have to accept the fate.
So last week I was admitted to hospital due to hypertension symptoms. Though the symptoms wore down eventually with my BP got back to normal, there's still follow up appointments. One of it was this morning.
A sigh of relieve was that last week, I was told that baby was in breech position, where usually by my baby's gestational age it should already be head down position. Doctor said to further observe it two weeks later. Okay. Then another issue was that baby's abdominal circumference measurement was still small, it's 2 weeks behind. It's at borderline okay to be 2 weeks behind but there's still risk. If it's still small in its circumference, they may need to deliver me earlier.
Though I was discharged, I couldn't stop thinking how to correct the baby's position or to increase the AC. All I could do is try to sleep on my left side at most time so that baby may get its nutrition. That's what I read about sleeping position. In addition, I also drank at least 2 glasses of milk every day, hopefully baby can absorb more too.
Not sure if it's because of the sudden increment of milk intake, my stomach can't seem to hold it well. TMI - I frequented to toilet more often.
I think I do have a little bit of lactose intolerant.
Anyway, I've been monitoring my BP so far, it seems normal. The reading were lower than 150/90 at least. At most 13x.
Today was my first appointment at the hospital - gosh, a file is open here and now I have more antenatal visit to go.
The wait was long. I came in at 8am only to get my turn at 10am. Glad the waiting area has air con.
Anyway. I had a scan today and everything looks better! Chickpea finally turned with head down. No wonder lately I've been feeling pokes nearer to my rib cage and heavier on my lower belly that kinda pressing down on my bladder. Doctor said the AC looks good too, normal range, and I'm on 32nd week preggo.
Here comes the bad news.
Because I have previous record of hypertension symptom, they will have to deliver me early at 38th week to reduce the risk. (My heart broke when I heard of this). It's not like the baby is going to be pre mature, they're considered full term 37 weeks onwards.
It's also not advisable to prescribe me with hypertension medication too because during pregnancy, it's only going to get higher as the weeks get later. Because of that, I may need higher dose.
My question to doctor was, "What if by 38th week and I still don't have the contraction?". Doctor replied, "By 38th week, you just come to the hospital and get admitted. We'll put you into medication to start the contraction". - Wow, technology.
My take is that if medication is involved, it's no longer a natural birth anymore? Google defines natural birth as "a vaginal birth, especially without medical intervention such as pain-relieving medication." I really do wanted to opt for natural birth if possible.
Another dilemma would be my maternity leave. I've already had it planned so that it covers 2 months full with additional 4 days of AL to take. Now that the delivery is going to be 2 weeks ahead, I'll most likely need to move it. Also we'll have to inform my confinement centre and hopefully there's still space. *sigh*
I have another antenatal appointment with private hospital doctor. I'm glad I still go for this although it's a little pricey. At least I still can get a second opinion and this doctor always makes me feel good by her reassurance. Unless even this doctor gives me the same advise, I think I'll just have to accept the fate.
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