All went well at the appointment, including having all 3 kids with me until it was time to check the baby. Little miss girl has been heads down since 20 weeks at our ultrasound (possibly before that too). I've always had this lingering worry that she will flip. I asked Dr. P to check her position at 28 weeks (which is well before he start confirming position) and she was heads down... 32 weeks: heads down. Then came 34 weeks: BREECH!
Darn it!
Her little noggin was neatly tucked under my ribs. You could feel her little head at the top-right of my belly. Her butt was down, her back was along my right side, and her legs were tucked to my left. Babies are not *supposed* to turn after 32 weeks because of their size, well, I have a little rule breaker. ;)
She should look like this:
But now looks like this:
So. ::deep breath:: What to do now...
1. Don't give up hope (this one is tough for me).
2. Research ways to get her to flip before my 36 week appointment.
3. Explore options.
In the next 2 weeks before my next appointment, I can try my best to encourage her to flip on her own. So far I have found these tips:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc-NgWIhMGk&feature=relmfu)
a. Play music at the base of your pelvis to encourage baby to migrate that way. You can also apply heat there as well for the same reason.
b. Inversion Pose, 30 seconds once a day.
c. Breech tilt: 10-15 minutes once a day
d. Accupuncture: which I won't get my butt in gear and do because I'm not already "in" with an accupuncturist. Should be done between 30-34 weeks anyway... my little one didn't flip until 34 weeks.
e. Chiropractor: A chiropractor certified in The Webster Method can open your pelvis and get things aligned correctly, which should in turn coax baby to turn.
At 36 weeks, we discuss "options."
Our options are, external version, vaginal delivery of a breech baby, or a c-section.
External Version
An external version is a method where the OB will try to manually, externally try to turn the baby at 36 or 37 weeks. There is a 40-50% success rate and a few risks. My baby may be a good candidate for an external version since she just now flipped... it's not like her hiney is wedged into my pelvis... she should still be pretty floaty, though by 36 weeks, who knows. The risks are: placental abruption, cord prolapse, uterine rupture, and ... the procedure not working. The first 3 would mean a c-section, right then... at 36 weeks. ACK! Scary. I've also heard horror stories about external versions: no success, emergency c-section, painful prodcdure. Yet, if she flips I can continue on for a normal delivery. There is also the money aspect. Because it's done in the hospital, it's going to be a bigger bill... not what we need. So I will think and decide in 2 weeks. All that said, I completely trust my Dr. I'm not worried about the pain or even really the emergency c-section. I'm more worried about the success rate (more of her flipping, then flipping BACK) and the cost factor.
C-Section
After that point, an option for delivery is a scheduled c-section about a week before my due date. This has been my worst pregnancy fear yet. I know I know I know there are worse things, but in my little world, a c-section is not wanted. I want more kids (possibly many more, who knows if we are even at the 1/2 way point) and I don't want to contend with being a "VBAC" or another c-section every.single.time. from here on out. It will always be an "issue." Then there is recovery. Do I want major surgery? No. Do I want to recover from major surgery with FOUR children under the age of 6: No. Do I want to be planning nad hosting a baptism when she's a week or so old while still recovering: No. Do I want to still be in recovery mode at Christmas: No. In my head, a c-section is my last option...
Breech Vaginal Delivery
I've said that I love my Dr. before. Let me say it again, I LOVE MY DR! Without me asking, he threw the option to still deliver naturally on the table. He did say he would rather section, but it's at least an option to induce and deliver normally. If we went this route, her butt/legs would come out first, then her belly, shoulders, arms and lastly, head. The risk here is that her cord could get squished, causing lack of oxygen to her. Eek. Or her head gets stuck all together. In layman's terms, the risk is fetal death. Now, that risk is less than 1% AND my Dr has delivered babies breech before, but still, *that* is the risk you are contending with. When I think this through, I do feel like since I've already delivered 3 babies in ::that:: way, I seriously doubt she would get stuck. Additionally, we can monitor her and if she's not fairing well, a c-section can always be an option in place if necessary.
Lots to ponder.
Back to the "now." I did the inversion pose yesterday and we (June is my coach) got her to shift a bit. I don't think she's head down, but she might be transverse, where her back is at the bottom, head and butt at the sides of me. I still feel a large mass, but instead of it being in my ribs, it's more in the center of my belly. That could be her butt (praise God if it is) or she could be transverse. However, either way, she moved a little.
So for the next 2 weeks, I will focus on getting her to move and hope that I hear "She's head down!" at my next appointment and can smoothly move to 40 weeks without issue.
Prayers, effort, and time will tell... little stinker!
1 comment:
I will certainly be praying that little miss flips around on her own (with some natural help from you) in the next few weeks! It seems that she wants to make sure you understand that even with 3 older siblings, she will still be "heard" ;)
I know that a c-section is that last thing you (and most people) want to think about, but coming from someone who has had two - it is do-able. Yes, it would make things a lot more challenging (esp with older siblings around) but I think because you have already given birth several times, you could bounce back quickly. If this ends up being a likely route, let me know. I have had both an emergency & a scheduled C-section so I could give you some background info (repay some of the baby advice you have given me along the way).
Like I said, I will be hoping & praying she will flip around on her own for you. Will be checking back for updates :)
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