Sweet, Sweet Vindication

Erin had another appointment with the babydoctor this afternoon. My absence was excused; I had a note from my wife.

Despite the Beanlet being somewhat hyperactive, everything is fine. I would say “back to normal”, but the truth is that–up to this point–nothing has actually been normal.

The babydoctor admitted to Erin that she’d been overly cautious during her bout with placenta previa, and immediately thereafter. But then she relented; Erin is no longer on bed rest.

Erin’s been cleared to go to the Orioles/Tigers game this Saturday (with the entire Nieman clan). Further, she can go to work, she can travel, and she can go shopping. I figure #1 and #3 of the previous sentence cancel each other out… for the most part.

So… great news all around.

One Result, Two Reactions

After Erin’s initial diagnosis of complete placenta previa, her “regular” obstetrician (let’s call her TZR) effectively put Erin on bed rest. There was a long list of things she wasn’t allowed to do, and a much shorter list of things that were okay. TZR said, “Let’s wait to see what happens.” TZR told Erin, “If the placenta migrates, then you can go back to having a normal pregnancy.”

Translated: Wait and see; it’s left to “Fate” (if you believe in that sort of thing). But, here’s a nice juicy carrot that we’ll hang in front of you. If by “Fate” (or standard embryological development) the cervix is no longer covered by the placenta, you can have this sweet and juicy carrot, travel restrictions will be nullified, and the massive burden of worrying about your health–as well as that of your unborn child–will magically be lifted!

A few days after the 22-week sonogram, TZR (or one of the nurses tasked with conveying TZR’s response) called Erin at home. I wasn’t there, so the following is completely made up, but the message is the same.

Erin: So?
TZR: Yes, the placenta has moved. You no longer have the previa.
Erin: So everything can go back to normal?
TZR: No.
Erin: What?!
TZR: Yeeeaaah, sooooo your placenta is still low-lying, and I don’t want to take any chances. Continue living as you have been.
Erin: [silence]

The upshot is that while one doctor says, “Everything’s great! Congratulations on the placenta migration and all that,” the HMO doctor says, “Not so fast, and forget everything I said last time. You’re still on bed rest.”

“See that rug you’re standing on? Well, firstly, you shouldn’t be standing at all, despite the now-favorable position of your placenta. And, secondly, here… let me get that for you.” *YANK*

Erin’s reaction to all this is disappointment, feeling let down, high hopes dashed. There’s never been anything that she can do about the location of her placenta, so there’s no direct action she can take to better the situation. But, it’s like a broken promise. The carrot was a lie.

My reaction to all this is: Lying [redacted]. Who the [redacted] does she think she is [redacted] with my wife’s emotions like that? Erin doesn’t need this [redacted]. Don’t you think she’s got enough [redacted] to worry about being all [redacted] pregnant and [redacted]? Hey, thanks for your [redacted] help, you [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted].

Erin has told me that it doesn’t help the situation that I now basically hate TZR. But I don’t hate her. She’s being extra-cautious, ultimately for the benefit of my wife and child. I just react differently to the disappointment I feel when someone lies to my wife, and hurts her feelings.

Erin’s got another appointment with TZR on July 17th, and another sonogram is scheduled for August 11th. At least I kept my promise to Erin that The Beanlet Blog would remain profanity-free.

22 Week Sonogram

During the 20 week sonogram, The Beanlet positioned himself in a way such that they couldn’t properly image his heart, so we went back this morning.

Before we get to the images, something suspiciously unbelievable happened. After the doctor reviewed the images, the tech came back and told us everything is great… even with the placenta.

Tech: Everything’s great!
Me: No placenta previa?
Tech: Nope.
Me: No marginal previa?
Tech: Nope.
Me: So she’s got a low-lying placenta?
Tech: No, that’s why I said “everything’s great”.
Me: [stunned silence]

Now, I’m no obstetrician… but it seems highly unlikely to me that the placenta would “migrate” from completely covering the cervical opening far enough away (a matter of an inch or more) in just 2 weeks. So, that leads us to believe that they initially mis-diagnosed the previa altogether, or they’re wrong this time.

Erin’s doctor will receive the report within the next few days, and we’re eager to hear what she has to say about all this placenta stuff.

Anyway. Click any of the images below for a larger version.

The Beanlet’s Bum

The Beanlet’s Junk

The Beanlet’s David Bowie Impersonation

The Beanlet’s Marilyn Manson Impersonation

The Beanlet’s Nap Time