How Much Does it Cost to Bribe a Perinatologist????

Last week I went to my regular OB for a sonogram, Baby Boy's abdomen was measuring small.  So, on Friday I went to a Perinatologist for another sonogram to confirm that his abdomen was small, and if it was we were probably looking at delivery early this week. 

So, I began mentally preparing myself for delivery this Tuesday (2 days from today).  In fact, I began dreaming longingly about it.  No more waddling around, no more pain in my butt, no more lower back pain, no more "When are you going to have those babies?".  I told everyone I ran into, "I am pretty sure we are having babies next week."

So, after a long and in-depth sonogram Friday afternoon at a specialist's office, the sonographer left to share the results with the doctor.  I prepared myself for the inevitable - the perinatologist would come in and say, "I'm going to call your OB and recommend that you deliver early next week.  Time for those babies to come out."

In came the perinatologist, and she began scanning my stomach again (I am pretty sure I have set the world's record for amount of sonogram jelly that has been smeared on my tummy in the past 8 months).  She talked about how great it was that both of the babies were moving, pointed out that they were both "practicing" breathing, the cord blood flow was still good, all their parts were there and looked to be in working order, and they were weighing at between 5 and 6 lbs. (That's right people, I am carrying approximately 10 to 12 lbs of baby in my belly.)

"How's his abdomen?"  I asked hopefully, bracing myself for the delivery news. 

"It's still measuring small - around the 9th percentile."  she said.

"So that's concerning right?  They probably need to come out, right?" I said feigning concern.

"Actually, we really look at fetal movement and cord blood flow to determine if it is time to deliver the babies.  Both of those look really good on you.  I'm not as concerned with his abdomen size, as much as those other 2 things. So, I am going to recommend to your OB that we don't induce delivery right now."

What?  What did she say?  No delivery.  On goes the back pain, butt pain, waddling and intrusive questions.....

As I walked out of the office with the nurse to schedule my next sonogram for the following week I asked, "Do you thing $50 would change her mind?" 

The nurse smiled kindly at me, shook her head no, and handed me my appointment card.  "See ya next week!" she brightly said.

"See you next week." Ugh!