Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

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Getting Closer

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

This Friday, for the start of my 36th week, I start going weekly to my prenatal appointments. That means that this might be Binary Boy’s birthday month! Am I excited? You betcha. Am I ready? I think so, but I’ve never had a baby. So, I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. 😉

I’ve had some time to ruminate over him being breech/transverse. I’ve decided that I will let them do the external version as soon as possible, because the smaller he is, the safer it is for him.

All this thinking though has lead me to this conclusion: I’ll be able to hold him in my arms in 4 short weeks (or so). And, honestly, I’ll be happy no matter how he gets here, just as long as we’re both healthy. I’ll be able to gaze into two beautiful eyes that I’ve only been able to dream about for 9 months. And, really, at that point, I won’t care whether or not I had my “perfect birth”.

My plan is to keep doing everything that I’m doing, but to let go of all the expectations I’ve been holding onto. My stressing over it on a daily basis is not helpful. To either of us.

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It’s Not Him, It’s Me

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Yesterday, I had my first chiropractic appointment. Most of the appointment was taken up by testing my balance and flexibility, but he did manage to get in some adjustments around my hips. He wants me to come in 3-4 times a week for the next month. Which is fine, but considering Kevin and I still share a car (it’s a long story on why – for later), it’s going to take some juggling to make it work.

Basically, the chiropractor confirmed what I have been secretly thinking since finding out that Binary Boy is still breech. The chiropractor determined that the muscles around my hips and lower back are too tight, which is preventing Binary Boy from turning. Though, he did mention, as an afterthought, that Binary Boy might not be ready to turn, yet. 😛

Sure, Binary Boy has another 4-5 weeks to “bake” in there, but from what I understand most babies are head down by now. And true, we might never know if he just turns on his own or if it will be the adjustments, but at least I’ll know that I’m doing everything in my power to facilitate a natural birth for him!

So, in addition to the chiropractic adjustments, here are the other things I’ve been doing:

  • Lateral lunges, daily
  • Breech tilt (pillows under the tush), 2-3 times weekly
  • Ironing board (used like a plank), 2-3 times daily
  • Warmth and cold, daily and mostly in conjunction with the ironing board
  • Warm baths, 2-3 times weekly
  • Music (on mah bellah), daily
  • Reclining as little as possible
  • Homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla 30X

I think I have all my bases covered, so if he doesn’t turn by week 39 (in a month), I guess a natural birth just wasn’t meant to be. 😉

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Breech Baby Blues

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

So far, in all of my later monthly check-ups, including my 33 week appointment this past Friday, Binary Boy has been transferse (side-to-side) or breech. If he does not move head-down within the 3 weeks, measures will have to be taken to manually turn him from the outside or, if that doesn’t work, the midwives have told me that I will have to schedule a c-section at 39 weeks.

Serious bummer. 🙁

I know that there’s still time, and I know that only 3% of babies are breech at term, but it’s really making me stressed and antsy to know that most babies are head down by this time in most pregnancies.

The midwives are being very supportive and have given me several things to do. I’ve been doing special exercises and various other “tricks” to try and persuade him to flip around. I will find out at my next appointment, which is in two weeks, if he has moved at all. I’m hoping and praying that he does.

I can tell where his little head is just my feeling now, and in all the things I’ve tried so far, he’s moved a little, only to float right back to where he’s been the entire time.

He’s done everything right up until now: gaining weight at the perfect pace, staying active.. Basically, doing everything a growing baby should. So, I’m hoping that at the last minute, he’ll flip and make things a whole lot easier on both him and I.

In the meantime, anyone know any other ways to get a breech baby to turn around? I’ll try pretty much anything at this point.

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8 Weeks and Counting

Friday, September 5th, 2008

Today I hit my 32 week mark. Only 8 weeks left! That’s 224 days, so far, that I’ve been pregnant. You know, in case you’re counting. 😉 Some days I feel like it’s all gone so fast, and others, I just can’t wait to meet him already!

Apparently, for the next 8 weeks, Binary Boy is supposed to gain a half a pound a week. Oh. My. Gosh. I have no idea how I can get any bigger, but, I’m sure my body will find a way (scary).

Anyway, here are my bulleted lists of what’s been going on with my pregnancy since I last updated.

Good stuff:

  • My hips don’t hurt anymore! My mom says it’s because they’ve probably done all the stretching they need to. I hope she’s right. That was pretty damn awful.
  • I don’t (read: can’t) stuff myself anymore with food. There’s just no more room in there. It’s all him, now. I’ll have my little noshes throughout the day, but no more constant eating & snacking.
  • I’m sleeping better. Oh, I still get up like 4-5 times a night to pee, but I can fall right back asleep now. Sleep = Bliss.
  • Drinking coconut milk (read: electrolytes, I just love anything coconut) helps keep my feet a semi-normal size. See below.
  • Binary Boy’s crib and co-sleeper are ready when he is.
  • Kevin (my coach) and I started my birthing classes last Tuesday. We’re taking the Bradley Method classes, as they are more geared towards natural, unmedicated child birth than Lamaze or others. After one class, I know they are going to be helpful and I’m so glad we’re taking them together. Kevin has mentioned that he doesn’t want to see any videos. I think he’s sorta S.O.L. at this point. Poor guy. 🙁

Not so good stuff:

  • Oh my aching feet. My poor, swollen, sausage-feet. They are hideously swollen by the end of the day. And totally uncomfortable to walk on. Plus, I need a pedicure. It just depress me to look at them. At least the coconut milk helps some.
  • Even though Binary Boy’s crib and co-sleeper are ready, nothing else is. Not his changing table, not his room, not much of anything else. It’s really stressing me out and I can’t do it alone. We’re going to try and make some real progress within the next week or two.

And, yet again, the good outweigh the bad. I plan on keeping it that way, too.

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