text:
Infield fly ruling draws Braves' ire, sparks disruption
ATLANTA -- When Andrelton Simmons hit a lazy fly ball during the eighth inning of Friday night's National League Wild Card game, what at first appeared as if it would be a routine out for Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday turned out to be anything but.
When shortstop Pete Kozma moved back toward the infield after initially calling for the ball as he charged toward it, allowing it to drop between him and Holliday, a raucous standing-room-only crowd at Turner Field thought the Braves had just loaded the bases, while trailing by three runs with one out in the eighth.
When fans realized left-field umpire Sam Holbrook had made what appeared to be a late infield fly ruling, calling Simmons out and leaving runners at second and third, some of them began throwing bottles, cups and other items on the field in protest. The ugly scene created a 19-minute delay, during which the stadium's field crew cleared hundreds of items off the infield and outfield, while the Cardinals' players huddled in the shallow infield before retreating to their dugout.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez charged on the field immediately.
"I was arguing or protesting that it was not an ordinary effort," Gonzalez said. "I thought that the shortstop had to go way out there to make a play on that fly ball, and I think we've got to take account of the crowd, 50,000 people yelling, and I thought there was some miscommunication between Holliday and Kozma. I went out there and protested the game."
During the long delay, crew chief Jeff Kellogg went to the Braves' dugout to speak to Major League Baseball executive vice president Joe Torre, who was in attendance, about the protest. Before play resumed, Torre, accounting for the scheduling logistics and timing of a one-game playoff, rejected the protest in real time.
"As far as 24 hours and waiting for a written report, practically, it just didn't make sense," Torre said. "So I spoke to [Braves general manager Frank Wren and Gonzalez] and asked them what they were basing their protest on, and I ruled basically to disallow the protest based on the fact that it was umpire's judgment call. And you really can't -- not that you can't protest -- but you can't uphold a protest based on that."
The Braves officially dropped their protest once they realized Torre's feeling was that Holbrook had made a judgment call.
"I saw the shortstop go back and get underneath the ball where he would have had ordinary effort and would have caught the baseball, and that's why I called the infield fly," Holbrook said.
Kozma was approximately 90 feet onto the outfield grass when the ball dropped between him and the charging Holliday, and the umpire's arm didn't go up to indicate the infield fly rule until a moment before the ball hit the ground.
"I went back and I was under it, and I called for and just missed it," Kozma said. "I bailed at the last second. I thought [the ruling] was the right call. I am an infielder. I went back and was camped under it. I thought [the umpire] made the call. All I heard was the crowd. I just bailed at last second."
The Major League rulebook clearly states the circumstances of the infield fly rule: "An infield fly is a fair fly ball [not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt] which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out," says Rule 2.00 in the definition of terms. "The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule."
A further comment on that official rule spells out the complexity of making the call: "The umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder -- not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines," it says. "The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately."
Some of the Braves' players questioned whether Holbrook made a call soon enough. Others questioned whether it fell under the category of "ordinary effort." Kozma was never under the fly ball, and he moved forward at the last second because he mistakenly believed Holliday was in position to make the catch.
"I haven't seen [the infield fly rule] called where the guy wasn't camped," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said. "You know, normally when you're that far out, nobody's camped. But I saw the rule where it doesn't necessarily have to be an infielder, it could be an outfielder who comes in and ultimately makes the play. But you really don't see any clear indication that one of the two was camped."
But Jones did not blame the call for the loss.
"Well, ultimately I think that when we look back on this loss, we need to look at ourselves in the mirror," Jones said after the loss ended his 19-year career. "We put ourselves in that predicament, down 6-2."
While the infield fly rule is designed to protect baserunners, the Cardinals were the team that benefited from the ruling this time.
"I understand why the Braves would be frustrated," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "We get that. But when that call is made, at that point, a couple things can happen. But we know that the ball is dead, runner is out, and runners advance at their own risk.
"But our guys would have made this a whole lot easier if we make the play, and they make that play 99 times out of a hundred. It just didn't happen that time."
After making the call, Holbrook and the rest of the umpiring crew stood in the middle of the infield attempting to stay away from the danger of the objects being thrown on the field.
"The Atlanta Braves have a strong and loyal fan base, and a small group of those fans acted in a manner that was uncharacteristic and unacceptable," Braves president John Schuerholz said. "The actions of those fans are not representative of the Atlanta Braves or Major League Baseball. We apologize to the St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball."
Braves catcher David Ross was cognizant of the danger presented by the flying objects. But like many of his teammates, he understood why things became so volatile in that situation.
"It's a one-game playoff, and they know their season rides on it and they're passionate fans," Ross said. "There is no place for it in baseball. But on the same hand, I don't blame them. They were just so upset."


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That's oh-be-GUY-n, not oh-be-GIN, as some (primarily people from Texas) would like to refer to my chosen profession. Although, working in this field can sometimes cause one to develop a penchant for gin...hmmm.
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Good News and The Bad News
The good news:
We have a beautiful, healthy, perfectly angelic looking baby growing and thriving inside. (All bias aside, we got a glimpse of his face with the 3D scanner and he is gorgeous.)
The bad news:
He's breech and near the 90th percentile of size for dates.
The good news:
My 24 hour urine protein was below the range for mild pre-eclampsia.
The bad news:
(TMI alert) I produce so much urine in a 24 hour period that I filled the collection jug to capacity and was unable to capture my last two voids. (I knew I went a lot but this is ridiculous! That jug is frigging huge!)
The good news:
My OB thinks I may be a candidate for an external version.
The bad news:
But that is subject to change if this kiddo continues to grow to gargantuan proportions.
The good news:
I don't seem to have pre-eclampsia, yet.
The bad news:
I definitely have gestational hypertension (146/90 today) and may have to repeat the 24 hour urine study in the not so distant future.
The good news:
I may soon be able to tell my patients what it is like to have both a vaginal delivery and a C-section.
The bad news:I may soon be able to tell my patients what it is like to have both a vaginal delivery and a C-section (sob)!
All labels aside, I am trying not to flip out too much about the Bean's stubborn streak just yet. I am just shy of 35 weeks, I have great amniotic fluid (18 cm plus) and a little more time. I'm more than a bit discouraged that he is measuring so large, because that can be 1) an impetus to proper positioning and 2) even less pleasant to deliver vaginally, should he decide to turn around. The fact that I am outgrowing scrub sizes in a matter of days despite not gaining tons of weight on the scale (18 pounds total for the pregnancy thus far) should have been some sort of clue to his rapid expansion, I suppose. While a C-section isn't an ideal outcome for me, it won't be the end of the world if if is necessary. There is no guarantee that I would have a vaginal delivery, even if he were cephalic, and if he's ginormous, I'm not too sure that I would be all that keen on a dystocia or a 4th degree over a surgery. In fact, I *know* I would much prefer a C-section over a 4th degree (just repaired one at 2 am this morning, as a matter of fact) some orifices just shouldn't combine. Ah well, patience was never a strong suit of mine, but I will just have to wait to see how this all turns out. For now, I'm (mostly) healthy, he's healthy, and that is all that truly matters. (But if you have any sure fire remedies for flipping breech babies, please do clue me in!)
42 comments:
- Judy said...
I've read some ridiculous suggestions, so I won't share those.
My #3 child made some attempts to go transverse on me, keeping his head just above my left hip for the last 3 weeks or so of the pregnancy. OB advised me to press gently on his head whenever I thought about it -- not that it did a lick of good. In the end, he (OB) shoved the head over and ruptured my membranes to keep him in place.
THEN he proceeded to tell me, several times, what a huge head the baby had.
Fortunately, I still don't know what it's like to have a C-section -- or even a tear. 10 lbs and I thought 0.5 oz, but his birth certificate moves the decimal point over.
I hope yours is a little smaller than mine and that you don't get to find out what it's like to have a C-section. - 6/19/2007 12:00 AM
- RedSpiral said...
Okay I feel weird leaving these suggestions on an OBs site (being 'just' a doula and all lol) but you asked for suggestions... if nothing else *consider it*, it can't hurt to at least try. They're less interventive than a version or cesarean, I swear. :)
The Webster technique in chiropractic is GREAT for adjusting a pelvis and making more room for the baby to turn on their own. Find a chiro who is certified in this technique.
Go to an acupuncturist and talk to them about moxabustion. This has had great success in the things I've read and it's not interventive (no needles). You can even buy the moxa sticks and do the treatments at home so need for repeated visits.
You should definitely find out more NOW about optimal foetal positioning- there's a great book (and you know what, I will *mail you* my copy if you'll promise to mail it back) called "Sit up and Take Notice" by Pauline Scott. She co-authored "Understanding and Teaching Optimal Foetal Positioning" which is written more for practitioners, whereas "Sit up" is more for the layperson. I have "Sit up" and would happily mail it to you tomorrow -- *it can't hurt!* There's a link to my email address on my site if you want it -- seriously, just let me know.
Shoulder dystocias are indeed terrifying (I've attended one and it was by FAR enough for me, there's a photo of it on shoulderdystociainfo.com) but there is so much you can do to work with a larger baby (if it is indeed larger- sizing at this stage is so iffy!) Was your last baby large as well? How confident are you that the measurements are accurate- I've heard (from an OB at a birth I attended) that the measurements can be off by as much as 33% and the sonography techs with whom I've spoken have affirmed this as well. I personally could not schedule a cesarean with that much room for error, but it sounds like you are pretty confident that the measurements are accurate.
Pushing out a large baby doesn't feel different than pushing out a small baby and you can do a lot to avoid a dystocia -- stay off your back, change positions often while pushing (at least 90 degrees of movement, from side lying to hands and knees, etc), and avoid coached pushing. Avoiding that epidural is key because it won't leave you restricted in movement and sensation of contraction but you can certainly have an epidural with someone supporting you on hands and knees, squatting, etc., allowing you to keep moving while pushing but with pain relief as well. (I'm telling you everything I'd tell a client so I do recognize you know this stuff but a pregnant woman is a pregnant woman to me :)).
That same client who had a 10#14oz baby at 40 weeks with shoulder dystocia went on to have a 10#3oz baby at 38 weeks vaginally, with no pain meds or tears, laughing the whole way through her labor.
I'm looking at the possibility of an induction at least, an interventive birth likely, and a cesarean possibly (well who doesn't have that possibility right?) with my history of pre-e and the Atenolol I'm taking now to hopefully stave it off this time around. We'll see how it goes but the docs I'm working with feel really strongly about it and are practically hopping up and down in excitement over the huge reduction of pre-e they're seeing in all of their patient load. Amazing stuff... scary to be on this end of it, I have to admit. So I can totally hear your feelings about 'if I need this, I can live with it' but damn if I wouldn't like to push my baby out in the water at home. *sigh* I guess we'll see.
Either way -- a version for me would be a last resort, there are less interventive things that you can try that can't hurt and still leave plenty of time to schedule a version or cesarean if that is what you wish to do.
Good luck to you no matter which way you go! You've got to be comfortable and feel confident in your choice, no matter which way you go. I can't wait to hear your birth story! - 6/19/2007 2:05 AM
- Jennifer said...
You don't know me, but I recently discovered your blog through another blog and have enjoyed reading about your pregnancy experience. I am at 32 weeks myself, in my first pregnancy. Since this is my first pregnancy, I give this bit of information with a "hey, it's worth a try attitude." I don't know yet how open you are to "alternative medicine" (my OB is very open), but I know that hypnotherapy can work (I used it to lose almost 60 lbs last year before I got pregnant).
I have been reading Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method and just came across the chapter about breech babies. The author, Marie Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy., cites a study in which hypnosis was used to turn a breech baby prior to birth. I'll quote part of it so you can decide if you want to look a little further into it.
"...included 100 women who were referred from practicing obstetricians and additional 100 who responded to an advertisement. Only women who were found to be carrying their babies in breech position at 36 weeks gestation or more were included... 100 women in the study group uesd hypnotherapy. The comparison group of 100 women had no hypnotherapy, through some did have ECV... In the study group, the mothers, while in hypnosis, were led through guided imagery to bring about deeprelaxation. Suggestions they were then given that they visualize their baby easily turning and see the turn accomplished, with the baby in the proper vertex position for birthing.... The study ended with 81 of the 100 breech babies in the study having turned spontneously from breech position to vertex position."
It feels kind of odd giving this info to a doctor, but I hope it is something you will consider. Best wishes! - 6/19/2007 8:11 AM
- Awesome Mom said...
I have giant babies (no gestational diabetes or anything), so I know how you are feeling. I was crushed when I had to have my first c-section but it turned out ok and my nether regions are much better off in my opinion. My youngest was 11 pounds 6 ounces. Yikes! I hope the version works out.
I would hate to have a c-section, however, I do believe my OB would do a good job. I've had 5 deliveries so far without epidural/pain meds (except when I had an episiotomy and she put pain meds in but I still felt the cut...pain was gone for the stitching) or c-section. My babies are always small though...from 6 lbs 11 oz-7 lbs 13 oz. I wonder if this one will finally reach the 8 lb mark?
Hope you can have a safe delivery and healthy babe and healthy you!
Dawn - 6/19/2007 11:07 AM
- MentalMom said...
I certainly wouldn't lose all hope yet of a SVD although your days of being on your feet most of the day may be coming to an end. Although being as busy and active (and upright) is helping Bean get into a good position.
I had the opposite problem with my 24 hour urine...I produced a whopping 1200 cc's despite being hydrated. I was in full on PIH though with a BP of 180/110 on admission to L&D. Mag + pit really is an unpleasant experience.
http://www.spinningbabies/com has lots of suggestions on optimal fetal positioning.
If this baby is delivered by C-section you could always shoot for baby #3 and try for VBAC and be in the unique position of having experienced vaginal birth, C-section and a VBAC. :-) - 6/19/2007 11:59 AM
- Bean said...
Here is an article from the Spinning Babies website on turning a breech baby. Scroll to the bottom for helpful hints (you already know the rest :-)
spinning babies:breech version
The suggestion to seek out a good Chiropractor is a fairly good one (early AM repairs probably equal mucho backpain...) even if the Bean decides to stay put.
And there's always visualization (Turn Bean, turn!) if you feel up to it.
I'm hoping for the best whichever way Bean decides to come. - 6/19/2007 1:35 PM
My baby was breech at 34 weeks, vertex by 36 week appt. yesterday. I did inversions (see spinningbabies.com), went swimming and did head-stands in the pool, spent a lot of time visualizing the baby vertex and asking it to turn, and had acupuncture and did twice daily moxibustion treatments for 2 weeks. Moxibustion is more statistically successful than external version (about 70% v. about 50%). See 1998 study by Cardini and Weixin: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/280/18/1580
Chiropractic work (Webster technique) is also supposed to be very helpful (some cite 80-90% success with it, but no clinical trials have been done to support this), but now is the time to start if you want to do this, especially if the babe is big.
All of these efforts are non-invasive, low/no risk, don't involve exposing the baby to pharmaceuticals, and I figured it couldn't hurt to give them a try. If they don't work, there would still be time for an ECV. I know you are maybe not such a hippy, but these are all gentler alternatives to ECV that you can try in weeks 34-37. I can't say for sure if the baby would have flipped if I had done nothing, and I think my baby isn't as big as yours, but these are worth a try, and swimming feels so good this time of year anyway!
Good luck!
A pregnant blog lurker - 6/19/2007 1:35 PM
- Type (little) a aka Michele said...
I had a 4th degree. My daughter was OP (more like sideways) vacuum assisted. It was midline, I healed fine and 3 years later, I feel fine, but for my next, I am afraid to attempt vaginal. Though I am terrified of a c/s.
- CappuccinosMom said...
Just an encouragement--my very big baby was still flipping (transverse and breech) at term. He was born vaginally (and vertex!) at 42 weeks 12 day and 10 lb 8 oz.
I'm sceptical of ultrasound weight estimates as they always way over estimate my babies weights and way underestimate my bodies ability. - 6/19/2007 4:34 PM
Love your blog! You probably don't hear this too often, but I wish I could go back and have a c-section. Our son wasn't breech, but was measuring quite large, and at our last u/s at 38 weeks, we were told that his head would *probably* fit. I went ahead with my planned vaginal birth and after 4 hours of pushing with a vacuum assist, he was born, perfect and healthy. However, at 32 years old and 22 months postpartum, I now have stress incontinence because my pelvic floor muscles were just decimated by the delivery. I've made some progress with biofeedback and physical therapy, but if my next one measures remotely as large as my first, I'll probably go for elective surgery.
- Type (little) a aka Michele said...
Is he frank? Transverse?
External version. Yuck. - 6/19/2007 11:17 PM
- MamaOnABudget said...
Find a chiropractor who is skilled in The Webster Technique. Dr. Webster had something like a 95-97% success rate at turning breech babies (over multiple thousand attempts). My chiro had a 100% success rate when I last asked.
a;so take a good look at spinningbabies.com - 6/20/2007 12:22 AM
- Cindy said...
I hope you both continue to remain healthy AND have a safe delivery (one way or the other).
My second was breech at 36 weeks. First one was SVD of 9"12# with no complications. Oh, and I'm an OB/GYN who really didn't want a c-section. Fortunately, my daughter's EFW at the time was 7 lbs, lots of amniotic fluid, post. placenta. So, we did the version at 37 weeks (after I had spent about two hours/day with my bottom in the air, put headphones on my belly, taken long baths, jumped up and down on a trampoline...and figured out that she wouldn't flip on her own). Successful version, no problem and 2 weeks later SVD of 10 lb 2 oz healthy baby girl!! So much for EFW!! But with two little ones at home and a demanding job to get back to, I am still so grateful that I avoided c/s. I hope all works out as well for you! - 6/20/2007 3:01 PM
- Midwife with a Knife said...
The midwives I worked with as a resident had some breech-flipping exercises they'd have their pregnant ladies do. I can't remember what they were though. :(
I agree. A 4th degree is worse than a c-section. I actually think of it as a vaginal c-section.
And, I'm on call tonight. And I get to do a breech with the residents. My favorite thing! :) - 6/21/2007 1:07 AM
I know... I KNOW... most docs, especially OB's dislike (yes I'm being diplomatic with that word) ICAN... but here is a great resource for you to help flip that beautiful baby around.
Oh, and the gargantuan baby thing isn't a sure thing, right? Most u/s can be off by a whole pound, read that in a medical journal a year or two ago... Best case scenario... I suggest getting yourself under MWAK's care =)
Please read the paper... It has some great resources and ideas. - 6/21/2007 11:38 AM
- XE said...
Sorry about the possible c-section Dr. Whoo. Hopefully your little guy will flip around and you'll be able to deliver him normally after all.
- XE said...
Oh, and on the subject of pre-eclampsia, I'm sure you've read all about this, but I just found out:
"Antiplatelet agents during pregnancy are associated with moderate but consistent reductions in the relative risk of pre-eclampsia, of birth before 34 weeks' gestation, and of having a pregnancy with a serious adverse outcome."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17512048 - 6/21/2007 7:35 PM
- Amanda said...
No surefire cure for flipping breech babies. Even OFP postures sometimes fail.
My shortest offspring tried to be breech, but flipped around week 35 or 36. He was 8 lbs 14 oz when he was born (not sure if that's ginormous in your estimation or not -- but it sure FELT big!) and I ended up with a 2nd degree tear along the line of my old episiotomy scar.
My cousin's wife's had both a vaginal birth and a c-section. Her take on the c-section was that it really wasn't bad at all. She knew when her daughter was being born (breech, like your bean), she got a good night's sleep, and although the incision recovery wasn't fun she said it wasn't as terrible as she was afraid it would be.
And because she and my cousin are sick people, they deliberately opted for a birthday of Friday the 13th for their child. My family cracks me up :) - 6/21/2007 9:25 PM
- ICU too said...
Interesting blog! (I'm from TX and we go call it OB/ GIN) LOL
It's nice to get a OB docs perspective as a patient. I'm pregnant with my first - a boy due Aug. 3rd!
I'm an nurse but I do ICU. No OB experience except for a brief rotation in school. I've been trying to read up on everything like crazy to refresh my memory.
Do you have any experience with perineal massage and stretching? Does it work? I realize you don't want to give out medical advice but maybe you know of some links or studies. I've read it can be helpful in preventing lacerations but it doesn't sound pleasant to perform!
What about circumcision? My husband and I are really on the fence about it. Just when one of us thinks yes, the other thinks no. And then we both have a change of heart and flip sides. I guess we need to hurry up any decide one way or the other. Any advice? So many decisions to make!
Good luck on the remainder of you your pregnancy. I hope that BP stays in check. And I don't know any great ways to get the little one to turn. Maybe you can have a heart to heart with him and convince him to be agreeable! Whatever your method of delivery, I wish you a speedy recovery.
I've enjoyed reading your blog!
Thanks! - 6/22/2007 7:06 AM
Thanks for your blog - I had a baby girl 10 months ago and am pretty fascinated with the Ob field in general because of it. It's fun hearing a dr's side of pregnancy.
Sorry to hear that your little guy is breech. After a vaginal delivery where I had "the works" (vacuum, forceps, episiotomy) and recent laparoscopic surgery to repair a lot of damage - I'm wondering if c-sections aren't the way to go. Probably would've been a quicker recovery in my case.
Best wishes as you endure the last few wks of your summer pregnancy. ;-p
-a fellow mommy in Ohio - 6/22/2007 3:20 PM
Get your multip, proven pelvis self hooked up with Midwife with a Knife to get yourself one of those vaginal breeches she is awesome at facilitating ;)
- Eliza said...
I turned a 33-weeker who weighed 6 lbs 13 oz two weeks later at birth by scrubbing a floor. My husband opened a can of paint to show me how too-yellow it was for the baby's room, poured some into a cup, then hammered the lid back down, sprayed yellow droplets everywhere. I was on my hands and knees under the kitchen table, swearing like a sailor and scrubbing energetically, when WHOOSH! I felt the baby flip-flop and sure enough the next day at the OB she could feel the head (unfortunately at 33 weeks I was less than thrilled to be dilated at all but at least the head flipped down). So maybe some angry scrubbing?
Nope.. The only thing I know about delivering babies is how to push them really fast out of my ED up to OB...
My wife works L&D, and she just told me that most external repositions usually flip back around the way they were used to if they aren't delivered very soon after turning... (yeah, I know.. I'm full of encouragement!)
But all three of my kids were C-section babies... At least they have cute heads right after birth!!! - 6/24/2007 8:44 PM
- Mama to Monkeys said...
As an OB, don't you know how notoriously inaccurate late term ultrasounds are for predicting size?? A perfect example is a girlfriend of mine who was told she "needed" a c/s for a gigantic ten pound baby. Baby girl turned out to be just six and a half pounds five days past her due date...
Have you seen the website spinningbabies.com? It might help you avoid that most likely unnecessary surgery.
Good luck! - 6/24/2007 10:05 PM
- Mama to Monkeys said...
Oh, and I hear handstands in a pool works wonders for flipping a baby. I've also met women who have had their babies flip while in labor... Why not wait and let your baby pick his birthday rather than giving him an early eviction notice? You never know, your body (and his) might surprise you.
Hey there! I am so glad to have found your online journal... I am a blogger of 3+ years and have only recently ventured out of the AOL blogosphere... I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog, you remind me so much of myself. I am a former journalist (first career) turned RN (ER, then OB) and mother of three wonderful kiddos. I will definitely bookmark... you do a great job are a great read!
http://journals.aol.com/elgeiselman/Porkchop/ - 6/26/2007 6:41 AM
- Unknown said...
I'm not an OB, nor a midwife, but it's my understanding that in certain positions the pelvic diameter (I think even including the soft tissue/ perineal area) is roomier than others... those positions being squatting and on all fours (I know the all fours bit is used in the case of shoulder dystocia) ... but, these positions might be hard to get into if one is under the influence of an epidural. I guess my point is, perhaps there are other factors such as birthing position and your personal anatomy, beyond big baby-ness, that would determine whether/ how severely you would tear?
- Angela Hammond said...
I just stumbled my way in here. Hehe! A big baby! I had one of those 4 months ago. 4.46kg. Best of luck with him. I needed a LSCS in the end as missy wasn't engaged and well past her eviction date. She was also breech up to about 36 weeks, and then turned. But still needed a caesar in the end. It wasn't bad at all. Don't worry one bit about it! Big babies are lovely and contented things.
Had my last sonogram this pregnancy (hopefully). It was a normal sonogram, so I don't trust it for marker checking really. Baby still one week behind, but consistent with the last two sonograms. Fluid good (this was important to me as many trisomy babes have problems with fluid levels). Heart beat 150, and everything looked as good as you can get. I'm measuring 28.5 weeks. Supposed to be 29.5, but that's alright. Baby is around 3 lbs. My bp was 120/70. Very good. Only 1 lb in weight gain in 2 weeks so I am pleased. Baby is almost head down right now but is at a 45 degree angle with legs up under my right ribs. I know you've seen plenty of these, but I think being able to see my cervix on sonogram is cool (I think the internal cervix looks like a heart, or lips about to kiss). Placenta is out of low lying position, still anterior but much higher now.
Hope your little one moves head down without much difficulty.
Dawn - 6/29/2007 3:01 PM
Go for the section - I've had 3 vag. deliveries (all had tears, two involved the recturm and then a section b/c of the prior 4th degree tear's after effects). Having had both, I prefer recovering from a c-section than the random surprises that may await a big bad vag. delivery. KWIM?
New to your blog, but love your commentary. Congrats on the pregnancy! You must be so busy between work and family, but if you have time to give advice, it would be appreciated. Would appreciate your opinion as I can relate to your blog personality.
Am female, 27 going on 28. Finished med school and 2 years of residency in a field (not Ob/Gyn) I don't see myself practicing and find boring but affords nice lifestyle. Can't seem to squash interest in OB/Gyn since I decided not to enter it 2 years ago. Now debating whether to switch into Ob/Gyn and "bite the bullet" for the next 4 years and just do it. I enjoy the patient population and find the topic fascinating.
But I am torn because I feel like I can't "have my cake and eat it too." I feel that I would be giving up my personal life/time with my husband (also in medicine) and future children. Would be doing Ob/Gyn residency during childbearing years. Definitely want to have at least 2 kids in the next 5 years, and be involved with raising them!
What are your thoughts having gone through it, about my starting Ob/Gyn now in light of all this? Should I give up on this dream and focus on being a mom and not being an Ob/Gyn? I don't think there is another field in medicine I would want to do...Help! - 7/02/2007 11:30 AM
Dr. Whoo ... hope you're doing OK, and that the baby has flipped over!
Those last few weeks are really challenging ... hang in there!
When you can, let us know how you're doing! - 7/02/2007 5:05 PM
- A Lupie Momma said...
Havn't seen in a post in awhile and hoping everything is well.
- Angela Hammond said...
Have you had your baby yet??? :)
I was doing good following along till the 4th surgery thing, but based on what (little) I do know I am assuming that has to do with a ummm....tear in an area that pains me to even type? YIKES, cut my abs wide open....I do not want to tear myself a new one literally....Glad to hear the bean is good although huge! Only a few more weeks!
whoops...I meant 4th degree not surgery, but I bet you caught that.
Hope you are doing well -- best wishes as the arrival of the Bean gets more imminent!
I have my fingers crossed for you! I got the all-clear from the sonographer two days ago re: my C-section.... the bottom section of my uterus has lengthened sufficently allowing plenty of clearance between my placenta and my dear friend Ms Cervix. Hang in there, all the best for the delivery and post-partum, I am sending happy-happy-joy-joy-no-rippy-ma-hoo-hoo vibes over to you!!!!
Mo from New Zealand - 7/07/2007 5:43 AM
- Kristina said...
Hey! Just found your blog today and look forward to following it.
"But if you have any sure fire remedies for flipping breech babies, please do clue me in!"
Feels weird for this new doula to be giving medical advice to an OB, but you asked for it ;)
Here is an article on breech babies from spinningbabies.com. Obviously you will know what a breech baby is, why it is a problem, etc....so scroll down a bit and you will see the section on "breech timeline" with ideas:
also you probably know of most of these: play music or talk to baby low in the abdomen, shine flashlight low on abdomen in a dark room, lay in an inverted position with hips higher than head for long time, "tell" baby to move in your mind....there is little to no evidence to back any of these ideas up, but they don't seem to be of any harm, either. And as a doula, I always add the caveat, "check with your practitioner first". LOL. - 7/07/2007 7:37 PM


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Don't Tell Jacksonville (Murray Hill)
Friday June 7th 8 p.m.
Doors open @ 7:30 p.m.
🔒 Don't Miss Out on Jacksonville's Best Kept Secret.
Show Details
- This show will be at an indoor location
- At this show you can buy drinks at the venue and bring outside food. However for this particular show we ask that you not bring outside drinks.
- This show will have chairs provided
- This show is wheelchair accessible
Secret comedians.
All comedians remain unknown until they take the stage. Every lineup is carefully curated to include the very best local and nationally touring talent. You may discover your next favorite comedian or see a familiar face. You'll never know who might show up!
Secret locations.
From historic mansions to candy stores, rooftops to rock climbing gyms, we transform just about any environment into a unique setting for live stand-up comedy. The precise location, and other show details, are sent to you at 8:00 AM on Jun 8, 2024. You can also reveal the show details at our website. This show will be happening at an undisclosed Indoor location in Murray Hill, Jacksonville.
Unique live experience.
Our shows are run by a local team of comedy lovers, and comedians who are passionate about creating a fun and relaxed environment for experiencing live comedy. There are no two-drink minimums and each show is completely unique. We thrive on good vibes and welcome you to be a part of the DTC community.
Refund and Exchange Policy
Your purchase can be refunded up to 24 hours before the listed show time. Don't Tell Comedy will allow you to transfer your order for another future event of equal cost, as available, if you are unable to make the event or if your order is not eligible for a refund.
More questions?
Check out our frequently asked questions or feel free to reach out to us if you still need help!


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Red Sox - 000 000 030 - 3 6 1Matasuzaka was sharp though 6.2 innings, allowing only five hits and one run. But with a runner on third base, Pedro Borbon singled on a drag bunt to the right side on the infield to give Texas a 2-0 lead. Elvus Andrus lined a single to center -- and in came Manny Delcarmen.
Rangers - 010 000 42x - 7 11 0
Michael Young crushed MDC's first pitch to deep left for a three-run homer and what had been a pitchers duel was suddenly a hefty 5-0 Texas lead. Boston came back with two outs in the top of the eighth, as Eric Patterson singled, Marco Scutaro doubled (5-1), and Darnell McDonald homered to right (5-3).
The Rangers scored two more, mostly off Michael Bowden, in their half of the eighth, and the Sox went down without much resistance in the ninth.
The Yankees (with 2 hits and 3 errors) lost to the Royals 1-0 and the Rays beat the Orioles 3-2. Tampa Bay is 1 GB New York; Boston stays 6 GB.
The Red Sox are off tomorrow, but the Yankees host the Tigers and the Rangers visit the Rays (Lee/Price).Daisuke Matsuzaka / C.J. Wilson
Afternoon baseball in Arlington, with a forecast of 104°.Scutaro, SS
McDonald, RF
Martinez, 1B
Beltre, 3B
Lowell, DH
Saltalamacchia, C
Hall, 2B
Kalish, CF
Patterson, LF
That's not quite the outfield we expected to see in mid-August, though it's partially because LHB are hitting only .103/.186/.131 against Wilson this year. Righties are .245/.351/.365.
Starting on Tuesday, 15 of the next 21 games are at home.
Trivia: Which two players have the most 3-HR games since 1919?
Orioles/Rays at 1:30 and Yankees/Royals at 2.August 15:
1916 - Babe Ruth outduels Walter Johnson at Fenway Park, as the Red Sox beat the Senators 1-0 in 13 innings.
1991 - Yankees captain Don Mattingly is benched and fined $250 for refusing to cut his hair. He asks to be traded for the second time in two months. "I'm overwhelmed by the pettiness of it." Four of his teammates -- Steve Farr, Matt Nokes, Pascual Perez, and Mel Hall -- have also been warned about the length of their hair.


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"Hey, I think sat behind you in Marketing last semester."
I tugged the ear bud from my left ear, letting it fall neatly over my shoulder and turned to see the source of the voice. Sitting [ironically] behind me, was an innocent-looking guy. Blue-eyed, blonde-haired and messy-headed, he stared at me expectantly with a smile, waiting for a response.
Surely not what he'd hoped for.
I searched my brain for his face, desperately seeking a connection. It was true that he bore a rather striking resemblance to a former classmate, but one from high school – not college. I continued to try, but I just couldn't place him. And, unfortunately, the deeper I spun, the more his smile faded.
He allowed me relief; sharing his name. He was B. He smiled again. "Well, what's your name?"
It was a simple question, I guess. Part of the give-and-take of introductory pleasantries and the first step of truly getting to know someone. It's how it goes. I know it. I wasn't surprised.
But there's this battle in me that involves the answer, and it started years ago. What is my name?
Before college, I was painfully shy. Shy to the point that I couldn't breathe properly when talking to strangers. So shy that I could count on my fingers the amount of people I was comfortable looking in the eyes. And shy, not in an adorable and darling way, but in the most unfortunate way. The way that makes you weird and unsure and awkward and scared. The way that prevents you from being cool or popular or any number of things that young kids spend their childhoods so desperately trying to be.
I was, however, fortunate enough to have friends, most of which I met in elementary school. We were a scrappy bunch – none quite like the other – that enjoyed gushing over The Jewel Kingdom in the cafeteria, drawing in class and beating up boys on the playground. In a good, comforting way, we were united in our "oddness."
As such, I was good within my circle of friends. It expanded and shrunk a few times over the years, but always for the better. I could always talk to them – even look them in the eye – without fear of judgement. But if they weren't around, I was silent. I didn't try to make new friends, I didn't talk to or look at other students and I didn't make any effort to overcome my shyness because I didn't think I could. I sat in the back of the class with a book on my desk and hair in my eyes, calm and collected as long as I was left alone.
I knew, however, that that was no way to live. The summer after I graduated from high school and was getting ready to move into the dorms at MSU, I promised myself that I would be more open and less shy. I didn't really know how to go about it, but I was determined to try, so I went after it head-on.
For my first couple of days at MSU, I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with a new person. I filled my tray and picked a target, forced myself to make small talk and got some phone numbers. I didn't keep in touch with any of them, but I got over that initial fear of meeting new people, which was huge for me. In my dorm room, I left my door open and made a point to say, "hello," to anyone I passed in the hallway.
Which was how I met A.
A was a goofy guy who was always laughing and saw the best in everyone. He was easy to be around, which was a relief for me, and knew how to take and make a joke like nobody's business. So, naturally, when he forgot my name a few days after we met, I refused to tell him again. And he, naturally, decided to start calling me Candy.
It stuck.
Initially, it didn't occur to me that the name Candy had racy connotations. I thought it was cute and appropriate considering my love of all things sweet, so I didn't mind when the rest of the people on our floor started calling me Candy, too. To be honest, I still think it's an innocent nickname; regardless of what A meant when he dealt it to me.
He was my first friend at MSU, and the first person who made me believe that I have no reason to be so shy. His nickname was a daily reminder that I was succeeding in stepping out of my shell. Without making a big deal of it, A taught me that I am worth talking to. He convinced me to forget fear by teaching me to handle awkward silences with panache and that people aren't inherently mean. I didn't realize it until recently, but I'd been waiting my entire life to meet him just so I could learn how to function socially.
Since then, there are people in my life who have only known me as Candy. For a long time, if anyone asked, I was Candy because that's what all of my closest friends called me.
But today, I think, "I'm Kaitlin," will do.
B smiled again. "It's nice to meet you."
I may still be a little shy and awkward, but you know what? I embrace it. I'm not a social butterfly and I don't want to be. Everyone's got their off moments and I've learned – thankfully – that they're nothing to be ashamed of.
I've lost touch with A, but I'm thankful for everything he taught me whether he meant to or not. In his words, "life is full of awkward moments, but they're only awkward if you believe them to be. So don't. You'll be happier for it."
P.S. For those theatre geeks out there… I'm Shy.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Hi-Hat Cupcakes
Peanut Butter Cupcakes via Annie's Eats
I liked these cupcakes, but I found them to be a little dry and reminiscent of cornbread. Which wasn't necessarily bad, just not quite what I was going for. My only changes to this recipe were to add an additional tablespoon of sugar and use natural, chunky peanut butter. Do you have a good moist peanut butter cake recipe?
1 3/4 c (248g) all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbsp (177 g) butter, room temp
1 1/3 c (264 g) sugar
2/3 c (156 ml) creamy peanut butter
3 eggs, room temp
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c (118 ml) sour cream
1/4 c (59 ml) buttermilk (or use regular milk and pour about 1/2 tsp vinegar into the measuring cup before you measure you milk)
Preheat the oven to 350F and line 2 muffin tins with 22 liners. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the peanut butter and mix to combine, scraping down the edge of the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well to incorporate each and scarping the sides before each addition. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat until well-combined.
Scrape the sides of the bowl and add half the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just incorporated. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined, then add the second half of the dry ingredients and mix just until the batter is homogenous.
Divide the batter between the 22 cupcake liners and bake 18-20 minutes or until the top springs back when light pressed. Cool on racks in pans for 3 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream
The buttercream I used for these cupcakes was a mix of scraps. I added some Whipped Caramel Ganache to Swiss Meringue Buttercream, but not in any specific quantities. The recipe below is a suitable substitute.
Please click for a step-by-step guide to making Swiss Meringue Buttercream and troubleshooting tips!
5 egg whites
1 1/4 c (250 g) sugar
1 1/2 c (340 g) butter, room temp and cut into cubes
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, melted and cooled
In the base of a double boiler, bring water to a simmer. In the top bowl (or just a bowl to place over a pan of simmering water) combine the egg whites and sugar and whisk constantly until the mixture is hot to the touch (160F on a candy thermometer if you want to be completely accurate), about five minutes depending on the original temperature of the eggs. When the mixture has warmed sufficiently, pour it into the bowl of your stand mixer and whip on high speed until the bottom of the bowl is room temperature, ten to fifteen minutes. When the bowl is no longer warm, turn the mixer to medium-low and begin adding the butter piece by piece. Let each chunk incorporate completely before adding the next and don't rush the process!
After all of the butter has been added, add the vanilla and melted, cooled chocolate and turn the speed back to high. Whip for about 3 minutes or until the buttercream comes together.
Chocolate Dip via Martha Stewart
Don't make this until you're ready to dip (see assembly instructions below)!
2 c (12 oz/340g) chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
3 Tbsp peanut oil
Combine the chocolate and peanut oil in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 30 seconds. Mix to redistribute, then microwave for 30 more seconds. Mix again and microwave for 20 minute bursts, stirring and checking until the chocolate is smooth.
Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Chocolate Dip
Frost cooled cupcakes with buttercream. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate or freeze until the frosting is cold and firm to the touch. When the cupcakes are ready, prepare the chocolate dip. Transfer to a deep container. Dip each cupcake and hold upside down over the dip for about five seconds to let excess drip away. Place back on baking sheet and top with a peanut. Once all of the cupcakes have been coated, store in the fridge to set. Serve at room temperature.


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Here We Go Again: A Discussion with Numbers USA's Rosemary Jenks
With the "Gang of Eight" announcing their immigration reform package yesterday, I'm sure many American found the deal sensible, rational, and fair. It's a bipartisan deal, which pleases the independent segments of the electorate, and has Sen. Marco Rubio endorsing it wholeheartedly. Immigration keeps the United States economically vibrant, unlike Europe, which has become older, grayer, and more Islamized. We should welcome immigrants, but not at the cost of undermining our economic interests – which is what NumbersUSA, an organization dedicated to common sense immigration reform, is trying to tell members of Congress. I was able to speak with Rosemary Jenks, NumbersUSA's Director of Government Relations, about the new proposal last night.
On NumbersUSA's website, they lay out the details of the package:
1. Create a tough but fair path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States that is contingent upon securing our borders and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country when required;2. Reform our legal immigration system to better recognize the importance of characteristics that will help build the American economy and strengthen American families;
3. Create an effective employment verification system that will prevent identity theft and end the hiring of future unauthorized workers; and,
4. Establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation's workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.
It doesn't sound like snake oil, but anything from government that sounds too good to be true – tends to be that way. Case in point, the passing of Obamacare. However, to low-information voters, or those who aren't privy to immigration data, it represents, as Jenks said:
…part of the problem with the immigration debate because when you see an outline of a proposal, and you don't know a whole lot about the issue, it tends to look pretty reasonable. It's only when you get into the details that things start to fall apart. So, you know for example – the bottom line is that this proposal is virtually identical to the proposal from the Gang of Eight in 2007. And I actually like Sen. Sessions's title for them better, which is "masters of the universe." They basically have been meeting behind closed doors. They don't allow anyone else into the meetings – anyone who might disagree with them – and then they come out with this grand announcement, and assume that everyone will fall in line and vote for it. But the problem is that this proposal is not well thought out in terms of what's best for America. And part of the reason for that is that involved in their little secret meetings, and closed-door negotiations, are groups like the AFL-CIO, the Chamber of Commerce, and organized religion, the ethnic advocacy groups – special interest groups have all had their say, but the one group that's always left out of these negotiations is the America people. So, here we go again – starting this whole process, and we're looking at essentially the same proposals with the same meaningless so-called triggers that aren't actually triggers – and massive amnesty.
Closed-door negotiations? It's a bit ironic that comprehensive immigration reform that intends to keep us an open, immigrant friendly nation needs to be fleshed out in secret meetings. However, what shocked me was the involvement of the AFL-CIO. The Democratic wing that's beholden to union interests have usually opposed illegal immigration since they allow, for example, contractors to underbid union contracts. Why are they for amnesty? Jenks explains that:
basically, the unions have an interest in amnesty because immigrants, legal or illegal, is the only growing population of union-dues paying members. If they want to continue their dues, the need to legalize the illegal population to keep them here, keep them unionized, and keep them paying dues. So in exchange for that amnesty, they've made a deal with the Chamber of Commerce, in which the unions give up on guest workers – to get amnesty – and the Chamber gives them amnesty to get guest workers. So, everybody wins, except the American worker.
However, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) did say, at the close of the press conference yesterday, that the proposal will tie immigration the influx of legal immigration to the nation's unemployment rate. However, Jenks wasn't convinced that this item in the package will be taken seriously.
Well, the fact that they're talking about giving expedited amnesty to AG workers [agricultural workers] and to dreamers – and then some kind of extended amnesty to all of the rest of the eleven million illegal aliens in the country, despite the fact that we have 7.9% unemployment tells me whatever they have in mind for the future is certainly not going to happen because they've already vastly exceeded the ability of our economy to employ these people. We've already got twenty million Americans who can't find full-time jobs. So, we're going to add eleven million more?
The growth industries in the U.S. economy are mostly highly skilled, high-tech occupations. So, why would we then be giving a massive amnesty –expedited amnesty – to AG workers, and creating a new guest worker program for low-skilled labor? It doesn't make sense. We should be reforming our legal immigration system to meet the needs of the 21st century. Instead of doing that, they're basically just packing on a whole bunch of new programs that will continue to flood the labor market, primarily the low-skill labor market, and increase the competition for our own most vulnerable workers. And who's going to pay for it? The taxpayers.
Yet, Brad Plumer posted on The Washington Post's WonkBlog yesterday – and said that illegal immigration has "slowed since 2007." So, what's the big deal? Isn't that a positive indicator?
there has been – it appears – through some Census data – that the number of new illegal aliens coming into the United States slowed somewhat during the recession, but there's also evidence that the number has started to pick up again. It's entirely possible that's because of all this talk of amnesty – but the bottom line is illegal immigration is going to be affected by some small degree by economic changes in the United States. But the fact is that the illegal population has stayed at about an estimated eleven million. It hasn't actually dropped. We still have a huge problem, and you can't stop illegal immigration by redefining it as legal. That's not a long-term solution.
What alternative policy does NumbersUSA endorse to solve this crisis? Jenks said that since its inception, NumbersUSA has supported the proposals laid out from the 1995 U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, which was chaired by former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Jordan, a Democrat, and her commission had these key points in their report.
- a scale back of family chain-migration by implementing a prioritization of family relationships to determine who will be admitted through family-based immigration. Spouses and minor children of US citizens would continue to be admitted as first priority;
- elimination of other family-based admission categories, including:
- Adult, unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
- Adult, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
- Adult, unmarried sons and daughters of legal permanent residents; and
- Siblings of U.S. citizens.
- a focus on the admission of highly-skilled individuals to support the national interest by bringing to the U.S. individuals whose skills would benefit our society. Recommended the elimination of the admission of unskilled workers and elimination of the diversity visa lottery;
- immigration admissions level of 550,000 per year, to be divided as follows:
- Nuclear family immigration 400,000;
- Skill-based immigration 100,000;
- Refugee resettlement 50,000.
- Stressed deportation is crucial. Credibility in immigration policy can be summed up in one sentence: those who should get in; those who should be kept out, are kept out; and those who should not be here will be required to leave.
Without a doubt, amnesty will be unpalatable to Republicans in the House. As a naturalized citizen, who immigrated via adoption from South Korea, I want America to remain an open nation. However, there are rules. It's unfair to the legal immigrants to be cast aside because millions of illegals broke the law. They've waited patiently, and now they're about to be cut in line. There's something unethical about it, but we shall see how conservatives react to this new amnesty push – even with the stringent standards attached to the pathway to citizenship.
Originally Posted on PJ Tatler.