babyblog

Scan + Perinatologist Appointment

I had my scan today and met with the new Perinatologist for the first time.

Scan first - we had to 'slum it' by having an appointment in an exam room that they'd put an ultrasound machine in because of being very busy. The exam room was very tiny and hot, and the bed very uncomfortable. Oh, and no large flat screen TV on the ceiling to watch the scan on!

Bizarrely, the nurse that put us in there was more concerned with Gareth's comfort than mine, ensuring she angled the various fans towards him so that he was comfortable!

The sonographer came in next - a guy that we've had before who is very nice. He is very talkative when he does the scan - explaining everything. Showing us odd things like the shadows from the babies rib cage as he looked at her heart, and explaining the position she was in (head down, facing backwards, spine curling up my right hand side and legs pointing down my left). Our daughter gave us a great view of her 'girl bits' which was rather shocking!

Her supposedly concerning small size is no longer concerning at all - she is now measuring in the 80th percentile with the typical large Jones head! So much for McScary (the old Perinatologist) prophecies of doom and gloom, we're going to have another big one! I'm glad I ignored his advice about protein shakes ! She is weighing approximately 4lb and 2oz right now. I stll have too much fluid, which accounts for her growth - excess fluid often comes hand in hand with a larger baby.

Following the scan the new Perinatologist came in. We really liked him. A bloke.... very relaxed manner...... not remotely alarmist ... good sense of humour... and very receptive to my knowledge and questions regarding the clotting issues. I explained first to him that my OB had recommended we switch to him and so he then went and fetched my full notes so that he could read and review the situation as a whole.

Then I told him that I had some concerns about the delivery and the policies and that I wanted to talk about them..... he explained what I had heard, that they generally allow you out of bed the following day after a c-section, that they put compression stockings on you overnight, and that they use regular heparin following the birth for a few days as it can be reversed.

I explained that I was a little worried about not being able to get out of bed for 24 hours, that with Harry they'd had me up that same day, that the stockings were good but that the clot I'd had started in my pelvis not my legs and that I would be happier if I wasn't tied to the bed and as soon as I was able to move, that I could do so to try to prevent those clots again. We discussed the exact details of what had happened in Canada (my successful c-section!) and he said that based on what I'd told him he thought that we should not fix a scenario that was not broken and as this was what had worked for me last time that we should try to follow the same path this time. Yay. He would write up a plan of action and ensure that it was circulated and made known, that I should be mobile ASAP, etc.

I told him briefly that I never had any luck with Morphine following the birth and he recommended I ask for something that 'DR's ask for - top shelf whisky type pain relief' called Dilaudid instead. Too funny. I will ask!

Anyway - we came away happy and confident that this new guy knows what he's talking about and that things will be managed well. Also the first time we've not come away with a new illness and prescription, which in itself is a result!

I have to see him again in 4 weeks :)

Posted by katie at May 4, 2007 07:10 PM