I am at the half way point, 20 weeks. My goodness, this pregnancy has simply flown by. I have avoided doing weekly bump updates as, to be honest, they would be rather repetitive and I don’t really like the idea of me posing for a bump shot! Don’t get me wrong, I do love reading bump updates but I just felt they weren’t for me. However, occasionally I like to just do a random update and the 20 week mark seemed special. This week was actually a big week, I had my first consultant appointment to discuss my care plan and birth plan. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I didn’t know what to expect as I was not under consultant care with Darcie, so this in itself was new territory. I read that I should be prepared to battle to get the birth I would want and how they would always push for a VBAC if it was appropriate. I already knew that a VBAC would be an option, there was nothing physically wrong with me and I recovered well from my emergency c-section, so I knew this is something they would be keen for me to try. "Try", I didn’t like the sound of that. I tried to give birth naturally (well I was induced so it wasn't completely natural) last time and it resulted in me being put to sleep and missing the entire first moments with my brand new and tiny daughter! This actually affected me for a long time and I suffered with a little post-traumatic stress. So, as you can probably imagine, I was very apprehensive about this meeting. My fears couldn’t have been further from the truth. My consultant was very understanding and let me lead the conversation. She listened to my experience with Darcie and then asked if I had already thought about the birth of this pregnancy and what I would like to happen. I simply explained that this time I wanted to be in control and more importantly be awake for birth of my second child. She agreed, and said that a planned c-section would probably be better at minimising the chance of post-traumatic stress as I can better prepare myself for what’s to come. Then she asked me to wait and off she went to book me in for my c-section. Just like that. I have been given a date for the procedure and for the pre-op, which is before my due date of the 14th September 2014. I was in shock how stress free and relaxed the meeting was. During the meeting we also discussed my care plan for the remainder of my pregnancy, due to my complications last time (high blood pressure and measuring very small due to reduced waters) they have decided to book me in for some growth scans for 28, 32 and 36 weeks. This has given me more reassurance that I will be closely monitored in case similar complications arise. Touch wood, everything is currently fine at the moment. So on the whole, this pregnancy has been a lot easier than Darcie, I have still had minimal sickness and generally I’m feeling well. There are some days where sickness takes over then I usually develop a migraine, but these have been rare moments in this pregnancy. Bump wise, I think I’m measuring a little bigger than I was with Darcie at the same stage but week on week I’m starting to feel more and more uncomfortable – especially at night! On Wednesday we get to see bubs again and all being well, we’re hoping to find out whether we’re having a boy or a girl – I’m still convinced it’s a boy! So be sure to look out for another update very soon!
Have/are you been under consultant care? What has been your experience? Mummy B xoxox