33 Weeks: last regular OB apt and new children's hospital up date

33 weeks:

Last OB Apt:
We had our last appointment with my OB, Dr C, at 31weeks 5 days. Due to our upcoming cord check with the new doc at the children's hospital and her going on a vacation we decided to go ahead and switch our care now. The apt went well and jack's heart rate was great at 152. (When Layla heard his little thump thump she exclaimed in a loud whisper, "baby!" She loves him.)  Dr C was super nice and caring and pretty blunt as usual. ;) I had been going back and forth about what to do if Jack's cord was at critical levels, but he was still under full term. Being pulled out early and without that extra birth weight would be incredibly difficult on his chances, but leaving him in would probably mean a still birth. I had thought that I would set a date of viability with my doctor and that if anything happened before then I would leave him be. I didn't want to end his growing time just so I could meet him alive. We have now decided that today is the point of viability. If he goes into fetal distress from here on out we will pull him out. It is a difficult decision to make and I did not want to be in the business of making life affecting medical decisions one way or another, but especially not for selfish reasons. Dr C helped me see that it is time, he has proven himself, and most importantly - she would pull any other baby at this stage IF the cord was at a critical level and the baby was in distress. And that is all Ive wanted was for him to be treated like any other baby and not discriminated away from medical care.

Cord Check at Children's:
We went to Children's at 32weeks5days and had another ultrasound and met with the head doctor - Dr B. During the ultrasound Jack was a mover, head down, and looking like usual. One difference this time which is a good sign, but not necessarily completely accurate though, is that he was estimated to be over four pounds and in the 42%! Birthweight is a huge helper for Chubbas. (He has chubby cheeks so momma has already given him a nickname ;)) After the U/S we sat down with Dr B and went over our general thoughts, wishes, and questions. He was quite helpful, knowledgable, open, and honest. From this point I will go weekly for OB visits there at the children's hospital. They have a full staff always available, but tend to only have ten births a month between a staff of six OBs. They have only four labor rooms. The delivery room is set up right with the infant resuscitation room so baby never leaves momma and daddy after the delivery. It is all very nice. At this point it is basically watching him and watching me for health, and as long as all keeps up we will keep moving forward week by week. Once it is time to deliver we will use Jack's health as a cue for Vaginal Birth verses CSection and then once delivered we will again use Jack's cues to hopefully guide us toward potential medical interventions -trying to find a balance in his comfort and his medical interventions - all depending on how his little body is doing.

The Kidos:
My baby girl (3y) had her first dance performance this week. She was very proud of herself and enjoyed the stage. One of her little long time friends brought her flowers for after and she felt very special. She is indeed a very special little peanut. <3
Speaking of peanuts... We found out baby Bubby (18m) is allergic to peanuts and eggs after a blood test this week. He got his first Epi Pen. Prayers we never have to use it!

Pray:
I know I don't always ask and yet I recognize it is more important that anything else, but please keep praying for us. Please pray for us as parents with our anxiety, stress, strength, sleep, patience, hope, decisions... Please pray for our older children to be able to keep days full of smiles and good behavior. Please pray for Jack... For his cord to stay flowing, his continued growth and movement, and for just everything. Please pray for all those around us. Grandparents, family, and friends - to bless them for all they do for us and put up with for us and from us. ;) e Emotionally I am quite stuck and just trying to keep anything and everything shoved down because I know not what to feel or think or be.
(And please pray for a very special person to me who is starting cancer treatments this week. My heart is very much there with her too.)

Upcoming:
1. Weekly OB at Children's with an ultrasound every other week
2. General birth plan meeting at Children's with NICU in two weeks