We are totally set for a home birth, so that's cool. We completed all the checklists, bought all the accessories (sheets, towels, tarps for our bedroom, beer-for-daddy, etc) and are totally set to have our son in 3 weeks! Except for one thing...
We spent a whole whack of time at the hospital yesterday and today, and after taking most of Lisa's blood and most of my sanity, the doc told us a word.
Choleostasis. Ko-leo-stasis.
Big word, right? It translates to "itchy hands and feet at the end of pregnancy, with possible side-effect". Sometimes when a woman is near the end of her pregnancy, her hormones make her liver angry. The angry liver beats up on her gallbladder, which screws up the ratio of gall-bladder salts that it produces.
Fun fact: when your gallbladder salt ratio gets screwed up, it makes your extremities itch like a mofo. It's absolutely unbearable for her, and it gets even worse at night. In fact, we have a big Tupperware container that I fill with water and ice packs, and we get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to soak her feet and hands so she can sleep again for an hour or two.
Unfortunately there is a possible side-effect for our son, and even more unfortunately, the side-effect is 'possible late-term stillbirth', especially if Lisa carries past 38 weeks. The odds are still low, but they are above zero so we are going to err on the side of caution. Lisa is currently at 37 weeks and 2 days, so we are meeting with the obstetrician tomorrow to discuss when she's gonna induce Lisa, which will be before next Tuesday.
Inducing is carried out at the hospital. Oh, as an added bonus they tell us that baby Balthor* will likely enter the world via Cesarean due to (whatever the hell it was the doc said this morning when I was zoned out and not paying attention - I think it had something to do with itchy hands and feet though).
Heck of a thing to go from anticipating an uneventful home-birth to getting ready for a Cesarean in the hospital. At least the end result is a healthy baby, and that's really the point of all of this, isn't it.
Last but not least, we got to see a whole bunch of awesome ultrasound footage of him in the past 24 hours, and he's pretty damn cute. Watch out, ladies who will be graduating in 2029!
Anyway, that's my story. Now to try to get some rest for what is guaranteed to be a loooong day tomorrow, followed by a loooong 18+ years or so :) My God I'm looking forward to it!
*As per agreement between Lisa and myself, Balthor is now a placeholder name (we have a more normal one picked out) unless he enters the world and obviously is a Balthor.
Good luck to both of you, and get as much sleep as you can the next few days. When *Aragorn* is born, you'll start and adventure.
ReplyDeleteListen to the doctors. Be with here. I've had 2 sections and when the Alien popped his head out, I was so happy to see him. I was happier the next time when the Social Butterfly popped out with her champagne glass and cigar, and wanted to party right away.
8-)
Be with her. I can't type.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all three of you! My wife went from natural birth to Cesarean in the course of the evening our son came, so at least you have (and I mean Lisa has, it's harder on her than you might think as she's the one to give birth, one way or another) some time to get used to the idea. Anyway, we have now a 1 1/2 year old son who's perfectly normal, and that's the goal here.
ReplyDeleteOh, and tanker up on sleep (if it's not too late already) - you'll need it!
Once again, best wishes to all of you!
The very best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThinking good thoughts for you all. I'm sure your doctor told you that the incidence of late term stillbirth is extrememly low but sometimes hospitals/sections are the only sensible option.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we're all waiting for the good news!
Dr Bob
Thinking of all you today, and keeping all fingers and toes crossed.
ReplyDelete