Friday, February 22

what a way to end the week

For the past 4 days, I have had this horrible intestinal bug. I am thankful to report that a visit to the doctor was made sweeter by a little listen to baby #2's heartbeat, which was a nice surprise. This afternoon I am finally feeling like things are starting to turn around. Still running around 50% but on the upward swing, praise the Lord.

For all of you asking questions about my pregnancy and health in general, baby #2 is due around the beginning of September. I've been nauseous all day, every day since about week #6 until the end of last week. I had a few days' respite and then got hit by the bug.

We are not planning to find out the gender of our child. We really like surprises. A lot.

We are doing a LOT of praying and question-asking about what the Lord would have us to do regarding prenatal care and delivery of this new little blessing. I know it's a touchy topic, but I'm planning on having a VBAC and am trying to find a care provider with whom I feel one hundred percent comfortable with and confident that he/she will support me safely to the goal of a healthy delivery. Would you join us in praying this way?

It kind of looks like my serious options would be a home birth with a wonderful Christian midwife or working with a doctor in Saginaw, which means a longer drive for prenatal care and giving birth in a hospital that gives me a minor case of heebie jeebies. I found out that the Midland hospital's rate of C-section is absolutely through the roof. We are still weighing our options and praying for wisdom.

Have a wonderful weekend, and stay healthy!!

19 comments:

Carrie said...

Jenny, congratulations!!! I totally missed your announcement (I never watch blog videos just b/c we are still stuck with dial-up and videos take WAY too long to load) but I am super excited for you!! I'm sorry you have been dealing with morning sickness and then a yucky bug to boot! Hopefully the worst is over now. :)

I will pray for wisdom for your prenatal care/birthing decisions. I really loved my home birth, and am hoping for another great one in a couple months . . . but I've never had a previous c-section to have to consider. I'm sure there is a lot that will have to go into making that decision! If you can get your hands on a copy of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," there is a good section about VBAC in there. I found a lot of good stuff in that book, actually, though be forewarned that there are a lot of graphic birth pictures scattered throughout. :) Anyway, I agree that the most important thing is finding a care provider with whom you feel completely comfortable--it makes a huge difference. I know God will show you what is the best direction to you for your and baby's care.

Hope you have a happy and healthy weekend too!

Kelly Glupker said...

Good for you for doing your research! The book I read regarding the Bradley Method urged it's readers to check the c-section rate of nearby hospitals and doctors. I made sure to discuss this with my doctor. C-sections are performed so much these days and often unnecessarily. I know many doctors won't allow VBAC, but I don't know why. What are the risks? I have had family members do it without any trouble at all - so be encouraged! Congratulations on the pregnancy. I'm glad to hear you aren't finding out the gender. We loved not knowing!

Kara said...

Oh I am so praying that it all works out and you are able to have a VBAC! And I will pray that your nauseous stage passes soon. Isn't it hard cooking meals when you feel like that? Yuck.

I used to live 8 blocks from Covenant. Talk about heebie jeebies!!!

Matt & Nicki said...

Congratulations! I too missed the announcement, and there is just something more exciting about somebody being pregnant the same time you are! Hope this yucky feeling goes away for you soon. . .I loved being passed the sick stage and just being able to enjoy feeling the baby move!:)

Tracy said...

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm excited for you, and it will be fun going through pregnancy at the same time even just by following your blog. I will certainly be praying for you as you decide on how to go about the delivery of your baby. I know my doctor is completely in favor of VBAC's, but there is only one hospital in Kansas that allows them.

With the c-section rates, you may want to verify how many of those were emergency first time c-sections. I know my hospital's c-section rate is 3/4 births primarily because of subsequent and elective c-sections. The rate on first time emergency c-sections is actually 1/4.

Anonymous said...

Jenny,
I had no idea that you were expecting!!! Congrats!!!
I will pray for you. Could I recommend a book "Born in the USA" ( I forget who wrote it) It is all about midwives (pro) and the 'hospital situation." I had a midwife for Gretta and LOVED it. G and I have also talked about a home birth in the future. I really think you would like this book. G read it (and he reads a lot) and he thought it was very well written (not boring).
Congrats again. Let me know what you decide and if you read the book what you think of it :)
Amanda Lee

Karis said...

Congratulations! I too missed the baby announcement post as I'm kinda' in and out so I was excited to hear your good news. I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better with the morning sickness -- that part is so horrible.

Kayla got the stomach flu last week as it was going around at the training we were at last week. Fortunately, she just had a mild case, and none of the rest of us got it. I've heard some people have had it pretty bad.

Rachel said...

I'll be praying for God's specific direction as you choose a provider. It is so important to respect and get along with the person who will be delivering your baby. God is faithful in ALL things. Soon enough, we'll get to read about His provision for you guys in one of your future posts:). I'm glad that you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny. You don't know me, but I'm a friend of Shanna Walters. We went to school at FBBC for a year and have remained friends ever since. Love the girl!! Anyway, she told me that you are attempting a VBAC with your second child when we were discussing my hopes for having a successful VBAC with our second. I also had to have an unplanned c-section with my first (a perfectly healthy little girl) and am looking forward to have the opportunity to have a successful VBAC. Anyway, through talking with Shanna, I told her about a community online that I'm involved with. You can check it out at http://www.cafemom.com
Feel free to check out my profile. Just search the site for "bayfieldmom" and you'll find it! I'm part of a VBAC support group which has been incredible helpful, knowledgable and supportive during this pregnancy. I'm not due til the end of May, but I love hearing about the successful VBAC stories of other women and getting tips and pointers and information on how to go about finding a supportive doc, other means (doula, midwife, etc) and how to stand up for your rights to ensure the birthing chance YOU want. It's not a christian sight, but almost all of the mothers in my group don't use any language and some are christian. Just another avenue of information if you're interested. Good luck with this pregnancy and VBAC and may God bless you and your family this upcoming year!!

Rosemary said...

Jenny, I will be joining in to pray for you to find the right care for you and the baby. My daughter had three healthy babies, delivered 'the normal way', but with no drugs (her choice), in three different hospitals in three different cities. (Not Midland). All were good experiences for her family. So not all hospitals are bad. Someone mentioned Covenant in Saginaw...On a positive note: I was there with my grandson when he had surgery for his broken his arm last summer. He received EXCELLENT care there and he mentioned that "everybody was really nice". (Coming from an 8 yr old in a lot of pain, that was a pretty good compliment to the staff!) I do agree that Midland Hospital seems to have a high rate of C-sections, but I think that a LOT of them are elective!!! When I had my embroidery shop in Midland, we couldn't believe the number of pregnant ladies stopping in to do some shopping before they went over the hospital for their planned C-section. (I mean LOTS of these ladies were choosing this 'more convenient' method of delivery and their doctors went along with it!! We asked why they would do that. They had many reasons (all unreasonable to us!): to be able to plan ahead for care for their other child(ren), they thought that 'normal' deliveries were to 'STRESSFUL' for their baby, they were afraid of labor pains, they had a c-section for their first and they were 'used to' that ... and a lot of other reasons - none related to their health or that of the baby. My daughter and I just stood there and shook our heads and afterwards commented, 'if God had wanted women to give birth on a regular basis like that, He would have given us ZIPPERS in our belly! :)
Love and God's Blessing in finding your care provider,
Aunt Rosemary

Jenny said...

I'm with you, Aunt Rosemary! I don't see how anyone could think that a c-section is more convenient. My recovery was horrific, so that coupled with a "limit" on pregnancies and the risks associated with major surgery are enough to send me running in the opposite direction. I too was hoping for an IV-free all natural birth the first time, but that is not what happened. Hopefully this time! Thanks for your prayers, everyone!

Richelle Wright said...

Congrats! Very happy for you!

Will be praying for you - for wisdom and for good health. I'm so thankful I've always had uncomplicated deliveries.

The Barkers said...

Glad you are feeling better.
I can't wait to hear how your birth plan goes! I will pray for you.

jeileenbaylor said...

hey jenny, we will definitely be in prayer for you in this decision. I know it can be a very difficult one.

i know that my sister in law had a c-section the first time... as well as the next two... the doctors were worried that her incision would break open again and that there would be other complications for her and the baby. Are you worried about that at all?

Kara said...

I have to clarify- when I mentioned Covenant I didn't mean anything bad about the hospital at all. I have delivered 4 children there- all natural, and the doctors and nurses were fantastic! Not one regret there. :)

Jenny said...

Julie - I know there are a lot of varying opinions about risk of uterine rupture, but all the research I have done suggests that the risks of complications for a VBAC vs a second c-section are relatively close - not enough of a difference in risks to make an elective c-section an option - FOR ME. I would not ever judge someone who chooses that, even though I won't pretend to understand! ;-) Natural birth is super important to me.

The risk of rupture does increase with the number of c-sections. This is why it's really important to me not to have another one if at all possible. Most doctors will tell you that you cannot have any more than 4 c-sections and we personally feel that a natural birth would best suit the needs of our family.

I am a little concerned about complications in general, and that is why we need LOTS of wisdom to know whether to attempt a VBAC at home. That part is a little scary for me. But so is another c-section.

GREAT question, and thanks for your prayers. :-)

LeAnna said...

Jenny,
I am so happy for you guys!!! I didn't realize you were in Midland, Craig grew up in Saginaw, Community Baptist is his home church. I do hope you get to feeling better. I remember having the flu with morning sickness with Rebekah - no fun.
Yeah for surprises too and I will be praying about the birth situation.

LeAnna said...

Oh, I was going to tell you too, my mother in law had her first 2 by c-section - her choice but then had her 3rd natural. That was 18 years ago so I am sure you can do it now - sounds like you are doing a good job informing yourself.

jeileenbaylor said...

well, know that we are praying for you...I know that is such a hard decision!