Week 30, Day 1 (The things we do for bubs)

First up an update on the whole 'kick out the new mummies' policy.

My info was right, and wrong. (Considering that one of the sources was the antenatal class, that's a bit of a worry).

Yes, they DO expect you to transfer 3 hours after delivery at Chch Womens, but only if you've got somewhere to go (ie a maternity hospital). It goes without saying that you make sure your vehicle is graciously sprung and not heavy on the suspension for the trip in or out (winces). You get two nights at the maternity hospital, and providing you're well, off you go. With either hospital, these policies depend very much on the wellness of mother and baby, ie a normal birth without interventions and a baby with a good performance vs (say) a caesarian/epidural/baby in a ventilator etc.

But according to my midwife, unless you're sick, they don't want you in hospital. I figure that makes sense - look at the virulent strains that have spread through Chch Womens and Chch Public this year alone.

If (once we transfer to Linc) they need to boot me out after two days because they need the bed, Robyn assures me we won't go home unsupported. To quote her, "baby needs to be latched on, and you need to be well and feel confident. If this isn't the case, there are things we can do."

Whew....!

...oo0oo...

But how did it happen that I got the chance to ask my midwife before next week's appointment? Funny you should ask!

On Thursday night Robyn rang me to say she had the results of my blood test, and as soon as I heard her voice I knew I was in for disquieting news. This is a lady who doesn't bother you with banalities - she keeps her calls short and pertinent. It does however mean your heart sinks when you hear her voice on the phone ;-)

It seems the glucose level indicated there *might* be a problem, but it might also be considered inconclusive so to be sure, (deep breath) I had to do the full on glucose tests.

Twelve hours of fasting with nothing but water, then three blood tests over the space of two hours.

Getting one blood test out of me (prior to baby) was impossible - no one's ever tried for more than one before! They're not that stupid ;-)

I decided to go in on Monday, to give myself time to prepare, and told Robyn as much.

Bad move.

Within two hours I was a mental patient. Snapping at the dogs, shaking like a leaf, and so damn distraught that Wayne had to step in and get tough. "Keep this up hon and you'll abort before Monday. Take the damn test tomorrow and get it over with."

By this time it was close to midnight, so I finished my cup of tea, spat out my peppermint (the addiction that replaced ciggies), and went to bed.

mmm-Hmmm... that wasn't such a good idea either. Thursday night decided to be 'one of those nights' where the reflux was king, and when you're fasting, you can't take anything for it. I ended up catnapping/reading most of the night in the lazyboy (upright), listening to the MP3 player. (Yes I got one, a real beauty! Thanks honey!)

Bloody ghastly night. Baby kept me company though, and I blessed him for it.

So 11am saw us at the medical centre, and me rolling up my sleeve.

I did bloody fantastically well for blood test number one. Just a little bit of trembling, didn't eat anyone or go out through a single window.

Waited the required hour, went back in for #2.

Ditto number one's result - a nice wee gusher, over very soon, horrible but I was able to stand it. Whee, this isn't fun but I'm coping, who'da thought, eh?

Waited the last hour, went back for #3.

Shit.. the blood nurse has gone home. New nurse, ah well. She looks competent.

Yep.. it all went to custard.

They dug into me a further eight times, looking for a vein. Wayne kept telling them they weren't going deep enough (he'd watched the first nurse strike oil effortlessly both times), but what does the husband know?

As for me, I held on .. barely. They changed staff again (this time a doctor) and she had no more bloody luck than the second nurse.

Someone who isn't phobic might well end up with a problem after all that.. imagine how close I was to going spectactularly insane. But on try number #10 they found a running vein and got enough for a vial. If they'd told me to come back again (a-la the first blood test and the pregnant nurse), I'd have replied with a very rude and expressive negative.

Now we wait to see what the results say, but I'm not too worried. Thank the Gods for Wayne, and the test being behind me and not ahead.

Braeden honey, you are worth it but please don't ask your mother to do that again!