Posts Tagged ‘Pregnancy’

Three Weeks Left! Eek.

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Great news! Binary Boy is definitely still head down, confirmed via a quick ultrasound today at my 37-week prenatal appointment. Also, for all 2 of you who know “pregnancy speak”, here’s where I’m at:

  • Baby has engaged or “dropped”
  • He is at -1 Station
  • I am 1/2 centimeter dilated already*

Also, my normal Braxton Hicks contractions have been more often, much longer, more uncomfortable and somewhat painful. In addition, I’ve been having false labor pains in my back. On the tune of about 1-2 an hour. Sometimes, they migrate to my abdomen, which is a good sign and means I am more than likely continuing to dilate.

In a nutshell, and for those of you who read this and felt like they were reading Greek, it means everything is going accordingly! w00t! Probably time to get that bag packed sometime soon, hmm?

*I know 1/2 centimeter doesn’t seem like much, but considering that Binary Boy has been breech up until this past Wednesday, the fact that I’m dilated at all is a super great sign. Typically, the baby’s head pushing on the opening of the cervix is what helps dilation occur (in conjunction with contractions, and, of course, hormones), so it means that during the past 2 days his head has helped in dilation. If it continues at this rate, well, he could be born right on time. :heart:

He Flipped! (With Some Help)

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Today, I have some good news! Binary Boy flipped. He is now head down the way he should be. 😀

So, what worked? Well, unfortunately, nothing I had been trying for the past 2 weeks did, so I asked the midwives for a referral to an OB that could perform an external cephalic version. They referred me to Dr. Uribe. So, yesterday, Kevin and I went in for a consultation to see if I am a good candidate for the procedure.

Side note: If you live in Austin and need a doctor to do a version on a breech baby, Dr. Uribe is the guy to see. He’s been doing versions for 20 plus years and really knows what he’s doing.

He checked the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby via an ultrasound and felt for the amount of “give” and wiggle room available. After a few dozen other questions and filling of paperwork, he deemed me a good candidate, especially since I am between 36 and 37 weeks pregnant.

Before I made the decision to get it done or not, we also went over the risks. The most major one is the placenta detaching. If that happened, I would have to have an emergency cesarean section to deliver the baby. Which is why it’s good to be between 36 and 37 weeks pregnant – the baby is still small enough to turn, but developed enough so that we could take him home with us if it came down to an emergency cesarean. Scary thought, that one.

Since there was a very small chance that would happen, I couldn’t eat or drink anything past midnight last night. No water even. That was the toughest thing about it for me. I usually drink water throughout the night when I wake up.

Anyway, after we discussed all the risks, I made the decision to get it done. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make, but I know that a version is much less invasive than a cesarean and I just had a feeling that Binary Boy wasn’t going to be able to flip on his own. I was told several times, by a few different people that I was somewhat small and it might be tough for him to fully turn around without some assistance.

So, first thing this morning we drove to the hospital. (more…)

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. 😉

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.