We finally have a date! The baby is scheduled to be born September 14th. And all it took was a little craziness on my part. Isn't that sad, that I had to morph into Angry Pregnant Lady just to get something done that should have been done weeks ago?
Hubby called from the boat last night, and I told him the run-around I was given yesterday at the hospital. He was pretty pissed, not at me, but at how I was treated. So he suggested that instead of calling them over and over, show up the next morning and refuse to leave until the appointments are set.
I'm not really a pushy person. So it took some convincing from him to make me see that it was the only way things were going to get done. But I did it! Here's what happened:
I showed up at 8:30am this morning and marched right into the OB appointment office. I explained that I'm about to give birth and still have no c-section scheduled and that I wasn't leaving until I had a date. The guy that was dealing with me said I should wait at home to receive a call (same BS excuse I've heard before), to which I replied, no, I've been waiting for over a month and clearly no one has called, so I will not be leaving until I speak with the person responsible for scheduling the surgery. He spoke with my OB to confirm my due date, then brought in the lady that schedules the surgeries. Again, I was given the run-around, and told that the doctor who approves the appointments was in surgery until 11am. I said that was fine and that I would wait in the office until 11am... with a screaming LB.
The man was clearly agitated with me, but the woman kept her cool and invited me into her office. She said as long as I was there, we could book my pre-op. I wasn't even aware I had to do a pre-op, so I asked (quite bitchily) why they waited until this long if I needed a pre-op, SAC, and c-section scheduled. She didn't have a clear answer, and it was apparent that she was pretty new to this and was confused herself.
My OB was aware that I was there in the hospital, so by a stroke of luck, he swung by the scheduling lady's office between appointments to ask how things were going. I probably made him late for his next appointment, but he and the lady hashed some things out. First, they wanted to schedule me the 9th, but that didn't work. Then they suggested the 11th (Sept 11th!! NO!!), but that fell through, too. Finally, he pointed out that there were women on the schedule with later due dates than me (WTF??), so he told her to bump Mrs. So-and-so and put me in on the 14th, with him doing the surgery himself.
Then he had a semi-private conversation (even though I could hear the whole thing) about how confusing and backwards the process was to schedule a c-section. Clearly, he was annoyed that he had to step in, and maybe from this experience, they will tweak the round-about way things get done in that respect.
So I finally walked out over an hour later with a pre-op with my OB, SAC (surgical admissions center appointment), and my c-section. How frustrating that I had to be a mega-bitch. I mean, clearly if other women have their appointments already scheduled, mine should have been as well. Just wondering where in the past eight months I fell through the cracks, considering I'd been adamant about my preferences the whole time.
Hubby was ecstatic that I stuck to my guns and got the appointment. But he's still pretty pissed and plans to make his feelings known when it's time to evaluate the hospital.
It's still mind-boggling to me that the clinic doesn't schedule things like this as quickly as possible. If I had made my preferences clear, then it would make sense to add me to some sort of c-section waiting list and schedule me as soon as they could. I was told over and over that I was on "the list", but that list needs to be revised or changed because obviously that way is not working for them.
8/19/09
8/18/09
Hawaiians not helping people... again...
My friend L and I have this saying (before she moved to SD). It's actually something from our hubbies' boat. "Hawaiians not helping people." Oh, how it rings true so often. And today is no exception.
I just got home from my 36 week appointment. I was expecting to receive a date for my scheduled c-section. What I got was this: "Um, yeah, the surgery clinic is really busy and can't schedule you for a c-section. They are already booked."
Me: "Uh, okaaaaaay, so what do I do? My husband's command needs to know the date and I have people coming in from outta town."
Dr.: "Well, you're on the list, and I spoke with the person who schedules c-sections, so they should be calling you soon."
*Ah, heard that line (and fell for it) a month ago...
Me: "Shouldn't I just call the surgery clinic myself?"
Dr.: "No, because it has to go through OB. But, you can call the OB appointment line and bug them to set a date. In the meantime, in case you end up having a natural birth, let's get the GBS test done."
Now, here's where I'm confused. I want a c-section. I don't want to risk the VBAC complications. So, don't I get a say in how my baby is born? If I want it done a certain way, don't I have that right? And what happens if I end up going through another 23 hour labor and needing a c-section anyway? They're not going to turn me away, so will a magical surgical bed suddenly appear? And, are they really trying to tell me that they can't bump someone with a non-life-threatening surgery who is not on a time restraint (like I am)? This baby isn't going to wait just for an opening in their schedule. And, I've made my intentions extremely clear right from the start, so it's not like I'm springing this on anyone.
I just don't understand how I've been to every single appointment, double- and triple-checking that they know I want a c-section, and somehow this happens. If this was my first baby, or if we were planning on having any more, I would not go back to this hospital again. I usually have good things to say, but c'mon people, I only have a limited number of days until this baby makes his appearance! Can't we get this scheduled??
I just got home from my 36 week appointment. I was expecting to receive a date for my scheduled c-section. What I got was this: "Um, yeah, the surgery clinic is really busy and can't schedule you for a c-section. They are already booked."
Me: "Uh, okaaaaaay, so what do I do? My husband's command needs to know the date and I have people coming in from outta town."
Dr.: "Well, you're on the list, and I spoke with the person who schedules c-sections, so they should be calling you soon."
*Ah, heard that line (and fell for it) a month ago...
Me: "Shouldn't I just call the surgery clinic myself?"
Dr.: "No, because it has to go through OB. But, you can call the OB appointment line and bug them to set a date. In the meantime, in case you end up having a natural birth, let's get the GBS test done."
Now, here's where I'm confused. I want a c-section. I don't want to risk the VBAC complications. So, don't I get a say in how my baby is born? If I want it done a certain way, don't I have that right? And what happens if I end up going through another 23 hour labor and needing a c-section anyway? They're not going to turn me away, so will a magical surgical bed suddenly appear? And, are they really trying to tell me that they can't bump someone with a non-life-threatening surgery who is not on a time restraint (like I am)? This baby isn't going to wait just for an opening in their schedule. And, I've made my intentions extremely clear right from the start, so it's not like I'm springing this on anyone.
I just don't understand how I've been to every single appointment, double- and triple-checking that they know I want a c-section, and somehow this happens. If this was my first baby, or if we were planning on having any more, I would not go back to this hospital again. I usually have good things to say, but c'mon people, I only have a limited number of days until this baby makes his appearance! Can't we get this scheduled??
8/17/09
Nearly 36 weeks and counting
**Long one, sorry.**
Where have I been the past two weeks, you ask? Well, first and foremost, I've been spending some QT with my cutie (haha, that was stupid but I couldn't resist). It's been really nice having Hubby home, although sometimes I forget he's been detached from reality for six months (What do you mean, Farrah Fawcett is dead?). We've been chilling out, catching up with friends, and just having a good time.
But for the past two weeks, I've been having that good time in a recliner. Completely immobile sometimes. Holy cow, this pregnancy is pretty much killing me. Poor Hubby has to do everything around the house and change more diapers than he'd like. He's been the cook and the cleaner and the disciplinarian. Sure, I did it for six months, but I see it as a partnership, and I'd like to pitch in, too.
But I can't!! I physically can't do it! I've been in so much more pain with JC than I ever was with LB. LB's ninth month was mostly just a few annoying twinges and some indigestion. I didn't realize that as miserable as I felt, it could get worse, but apparently it can. With JC, there are days I can barely walk. I can't lift my legs to put on clothes or shave. Sometimes when I walk, I can feel my bones crack with every step. And the pain.... oh, the pain. Just yesterday, strangers were asking me if I was okay or if they needed to call someone, because they thought I was in labor. And honestly, I was pretty surprised myself that my water didn't break or anything.
I know I have four weeks left. And Mother Nature uses those four weeks for something (lung development, weight gain, brain growth, etc), but I'd be totally happy having this baby early. I'm so ready for it to be done, and it's been incredibly frustrating to be on the couch almost all day and unable to pick up LB without nearly dropping him from searing, shooting pain. At least he listens when I tell him to go to his room to change his diaper. (true story, it's so cute)
I've been reading up on c-sections and how to best prepare for them. All the authors suggest dealing with any fears before the actual day, which makes sense. I've talked to Hubby about them, but maybe by writing, it'll help me get over them.
1. My biggest fear is going through another painful recovery again. Sure, no one actually looks forward to getting sliced and diced, so I guess my apprehension is warranted, but in a way, knowing what to expect is making it worse. I know I'll need major drugs and won't be allowed to lift LB for six weeks (HA, how is that going to happen??). But I'm trying to see the bright side. At least I won't be going through the pain of labor as well!
2. My next fear is having to start all over again. It's not actually a fear than a dread. Looking at six months of sleepless nights and midnight feedings is daunting. Formula and bottles and millions of diapers, *sigh*. It's going to be frustrating to be in that position again, and this time with a toddler who probably won't really understand why JC is getting so much attention. But again, trying to look on the bright side- once we're done with bottles, we're done! And once we're done with potty-training, no more diapers! And once JC is sleeping through the night, we can all get a full night's rest!
3. My last fear is bringing JC home to LB. LB's in a hitting phase. Not to be mean or malicious, but I think just more out of curiousity, to see what happens. I have these nightmares of LB picking JC up by the leg, or trying to stuff him in the dishwasher, or dropping him on his head. Realistically, we are going to have two boys, so they will beat on each other. I just hope LB waits until JC can at least walk!
So that's what has been going on with me the past two weeks.
Where have I been the past two weeks, you ask? Well, first and foremost, I've been spending some QT with my cutie (haha, that was stupid but I couldn't resist). It's been really nice having Hubby home, although sometimes I forget he's been detached from reality for six months (What do you mean, Farrah Fawcett is dead?). We've been chilling out, catching up with friends, and just having a good time.
But for the past two weeks, I've been having that good time in a recliner. Completely immobile sometimes. Holy cow, this pregnancy is pretty much killing me. Poor Hubby has to do everything around the house and change more diapers than he'd like. He's been the cook and the cleaner and the disciplinarian. Sure, I did it for six months, but I see it as a partnership, and I'd like to pitch in, too.
But I can't!! I physically can't do it! I've been in so much more pain with JC than I ever was with LB. LB's ninth month was mostly just a few annoying twinges and some indigestion. I didn't realize that as miserable as I felt, it could get worse, but apparently it can. With JC, there are days I can barely walk. I can't lift my legs to put on clothes or shave. Sometimes when I walk, I can feel my bones crack with every step. And the pain.... oh, the pain. Just yesterday, strangers were asking me if I was okay or if they needed to call someone, because they thought I was in labor. And honestly, I was pretty surprised myself that my water didn't break or anything.
I know I have four weeks left. And Mother Nature uses those four weeks for something (lung development, weight gain, brain growth, etc), but I'd be totally happy having this baby early. I'm so ready for it to be done, and it's been incredibly frustrating to be on the couch almost all day and unable to pick up LB without nearly dropping him from searing, shooting pain. At least he listens when I tell him to go to his room to change his diaper. (true story, it's so cute)
I've been reading up on c-sections and how to best prepare for them. All the authors suggest dealing with any fears before the actual day, which makes sense. I've talked to Hubby about them, but maybe by writing, it'll help me get over them.
1. My biggest fear is going through another painful recovery again. Sure, no one actually looks forward to getting sliced and diced, so I guess my apprehension is warranted, but in a way, knowing what to expect is making it worse. I know I'll need major drugs and won't be allowed to lift LB for six weeks (HA, how is that going to happen??). But I'm trying to see the bright side. At least I won't be going through the pain of labor as well!
2. My next fear is having to start all over again. It's not actually a fear than a dread. Looking at six months of sleepless nights and midnight feedings is daunting. Formula and bottles and millions of diapers, *sigh*. It's going to be frustrating to be in that position again, and this time with a toddler who probably won't really understand why JC is getting so much attention. But again, trying to look on the bright side- once we're done with bottles, we're done! And once we're done with potty-training, no more diapers! And once JC is sleeping through the night, we can all get a full night's rest!
3. My last fear is bringing JC home to LB. LB's in a hitting phase. Not to be mean or malicious, but I think just more out of curiousity, to see what happens. I have these nightmares of LB picking JC up by the leg, or trying to stuff him in the dishwasher, or dropping him on his head. Realistically, we are going to have two boys, so they will beat on each other. I just hope LB waits until JC can at least walk!
So that's what has been going on with me the past two weeks.
8/14/09
The men are gone, let's all freak out.
That's a line my mom and I would say when I was in NH with LB. It seemed like every time my dad or brother left the room, LB would whine and cry and get upset. I thought it might be a phase,like he really just wanted to be one of the guys, but I'm finding myself in the same position now that Hubby is home.
It seems like the kid has Daddy-MIA radar or something. He still pulls the dramatic stuff when he sees Hubby leave, but now it's also happening in his sleep. I swear, since Hubby has been home, the instant he leaves the house, LB wakes up from his nap and cries.
Just this afternoon, Hubby was playing Lego Indiana Jones and I had fallen peacefully asleep in the recliner as LB napped in his crib. Ahhh, it was nice. Then Hubby decided to go workout. He gave me a nice little peck and I went right back to sleep... for about, oh, 90 seconds. Less than two minutes after Hubby had left, LB was awake and crying.
*sigh* Seriously??
I was enjoying my nap so much. The theme of Barnett College (I think it's called Marian's theme) was lulling me to sleep and I had a full belly of mac & cheese, hot dog, and broccoli. LB had only been asleep for about an hour, so I thought I could squeeze in maybe 30 minutes of relaxing, uninterrupted napping. But no such luck.
The man was gone. Let's all freak out.
It seems like the kid has Daddy-MIA radar or something. He still pulls the dramatic stuff when he sees Hubby leave, but now it's also happening in his sleep. I swear, since Hubby has been home, the instant he leaves the house, LB wakes up from his nap and cries.
Just this afternoon, Hubby was playing Lego Indiana Jones and I had fallen peacefully asleep in the recliner as LB napped in his crib. Ahhh, it was nice. Then Hubby decided to go workout. He gave me a nice little peck and I went right back to sleep... for about, oh, 90 seconds. Less than two minutes after Hubby had left, LB was awake and crying.
*sigh* Seriously??
I was enjoying my nap so much. The theme of Barnett College (I think it's called Marian's theme) was lulling me to sleep and I had a full belly of mac & cheese, hot dog, and broccoli. LB had only been asleep for about an hour, so I thought I could squeeze in maybe 30 minutes of relaxing, uninterrupted napping. But no such luck.
The man was gone. Let's all freak out.
8/6/09
Yeeowza!!
Little JC (aka, Julius Caesar, or baby #2) is really making everything difficult for me lately! Just moving around is super painful. He's constantly moving and kicking and trying to punch and kick holes through my belly. It's a good thing- he's active and I don't have to worry about counting movements (ten in two hours?? HA. This one's an overachiever. More like ten in ten seconds). But he's quickly outgrowing his current home.
I remember when I was at this point with LB. It was Thanksgiving. I had prepared a big traditional turkey meal for myself, Hubby, and a few of his friends. I even had recently undergone a root canal. And even well into the ninth month, I put up our Christmas tree all by myself. Granted, it took several hours and I got pretty creative trying to accomplish this without hyperventilating, but I did it.
But with JC, the whole third trimester has been torture. He's obviously in the head-down position. How do I know, you ask? Because his feet are clearly visible moving across the top of my belly. It's almost like watching satellites move across the night sky- you can totally see them and track them. And, he's been practicing his self defense moves, like head-butting, on my girly parts. Thanks for passing that trait on, Hubby.
The biggest difference is how ridiculously big JC feels compared to LB. Even early on, my belly was much bigger than with LB. And now, I can feel that he's heavier. I swear, as I was shopping this morning, I think he broke my pelvic bone. All I can do right now is sit on my a$$ with my feet up and type this in my blog. Just moving my legs right now makes me feel like my pelvis is cracking. Oh, the joys of being pregnant.
I'm curious to see how long and how heavy JC is when he's born. Maybe I'll start a little bet. Winnings are bragging rights. I'm guessing he is going to be 8 lb 8 oz, 22 inches long. Leave a comment with your guess. :)
I remember when I was at this point with LB. It was Thanksgiving. I had prepared a big traditional turkey meal for myself, Hubby, and a few of his friends. I even had recently undergone a root canal. And even well into the ninth month, I put up our Christmas tree all by myself. Granted, it took several hours and I got pretty creative trying to accomplish this without hyperventilating, but I did it.
But with JC, the whole third trimester has been torture. He's obviously in the head-down position. How do I know, you ask? Because his feet are clearly visible moving across the top of my belly. It's almost like watching satellites move across the night sky- you can totally see them and track them. And, he's been practicing his self defense moves, like head-butting, on my girly parts. Thanks for passing that trait on, Hubby.
The biggest difference is how ridiculously big JC feels compared to LB. Even early on, my belly was much bigger than with LB. And now, I can feel that he's heavier. I swear, as I was shopping this morning, I think he broke my pelvic bone. All I can do right now is sit on my a$$ with my feet up and type this in my blog. Just moving my legs right now makes me feel like my pelvis is cracking. Oh, the joys of being pregnant.
I'm curious to see how long and how heavy JC is when he's born. Maybe I'll start a little bet. Winnings are bragging rights. I'm guessing he is going to be 8 lb 8 oz, 22 inches long. Leave a comment with your guess. :)
8/3/09
I hate double standards
I'm beyond annoyed and pissed and irritated and frustrated with the double standards going on.
The end.
The end.
8/1/09
He's home
So, if you've read a few posts lately, you can probably surmise that Hubby is finally home from his deployment. YAY! It's been a long one. I'm pretty sure the only way I got through it was going home to NH for awhile and seeing our families and my Grace Adler (not to be forgotten my awesome friend, D, who fixed my computer when the hard drive crashed... forever in your debt, D!). It was a nice, right-in-the-middle-of-the-deployment distraction that broke up the time apart.
It's been great having him home. They (meaning other wives and CMCs and such) try to prepare you for what to expect, but it's always what I expect and not what they expect. They say, things will be weird as you try to blend your lives again. But it's not that way at all, at least for us. It was pretty much just like he had never left, except of course the mountains of laundry, albums of photos to see, and cool souvenirs he brought home. We'd been keeping in touch as much as we could, so we already knew what was going on in each other's lives. He jumped right back into the parent role, and even though a 12 month old and an 18 month old's needs are different, he was great. Maybe it's just because we made sure our communication with each other was a priority... I don't know. But I do know that we're having a great time!
We've gone to the beach, the stores, taken walks around the neighborhood, played with LB, took him on a train ride, etc. He's gone to the gym many times already (very important... apparently, that's all he could talk about underway sometimes!). He's taken LB for a day while I get things done. Like yesterday- he took LB to run some errands so I could lounge at the lagoons with a book and go swimming. Ahhh, loved it. :)
So things have been good! Sickeningly sweet good! I'm pretty sure right now we're the couple that people look at and gag. At least, behind closed doors. We're just so ridiculously happy to be together finally.
And, for those of you that are wondering, he will be home for awhile. We're getting ready to move in Novemberish, and he'll be rotating to shore duty, so that means no long-a$$ deployments! We'll be on shore duty about two years, then back to sea duty, but at least for those two years he won't be deployed.
It's been great having him home. They (meaning other wives and CMCs and such) try to prepare you for what to expect, but it's always what I expect and not what they expect. They say, things will be weird as you try to blend your lives again. But it's not that way at all, at least for us. It was pretty much just like he had never left, except of course the mountains of laundry, albums of photos to see, and cool souvenirs he brought home. We'd been keeping in touch as much as we could, so we already knew what was going on in each other's lives. He jumped right back into the parent role, and even though a 12 month old and an 18 month old's needs are different, he was great. Maybe it's just because we made sure our communication with each other was a priority... I don't know. But I do know that we're having a great time!
We've gone to the beach, the stores, taken walks around the neighborhood, played with LB, took him on a train ride, etc. He's gone to the gym many times already (very important... apparently, that's all he could talk about underway sometimes!). He's taken LB for a day while I get things done. Like yesterday- he took LB to run some errands so I could lounge at the lagoons with a book and go swimming. Ahhh, loved it. :)
So things have been good! Sickeningly sweet good! I'm pretty sure right now we're the couple that people look at and gag. At least, behind closed doors. We're just so ridiculously happy to be together finally.
And, for those of you that are wondering, he will be home for awhile. We're getting ready to move in Novemberish, and he'll be rotating to shore duty, so that means no long-a$$ deployments! We'll be on shore duty about two years, then back to sea duty, but at least for those two years he won't be deployed.
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