We finally got to meet with Midwife Judith this week after having our last two appointments with her cancelled and meeting with the other midwives instead. Remember the last midwife appointment? The one where Mary Jane couldn't determine whether the lump under my ribs was head or feet? I was pretty sure that Judith would be able to figure it out today, though. After 5 minutes of trying to work it out, she did get the job done...with an ultrasound machine.
So, as it turns out, the Sprout is head up. In other words, Sprout is a breech baby. As my colleague Afi noted, he is dropping, but what we didn't know is that the wrong side is coming down!
We are going to encourage him to do a forward somersault in the next week. If he doesn't though, we are electing for something called external version. Basically, I have to be admitted to labor and delivery, take a pain reliever and then the doctor tries to rotate the baby manually from the outside. Sounds like fun, right? Not really, but it is a very proactive way to get closer to our goal of having a natural childbirth. The procedure is only 60% successful and even after you do it, the baby may still flip back to being breech depending on if there are anatomical reasons why he might be breech in the first place. There are also some minor risks associated with external version -- mainly that it can trigger labor or cause the baby to get tangled in the cord. Therefore, we have to be prepared that we might actually have the baby next week. Also, before I get asked any more, a doctor performs the procedure, though one of the midwives will be present.
There are alternatives. For example, prenatal chiropractors will do a less aggressive version. However, that often takes 2-3 sessions and I don't know much about it. You can also do different exercises to encourage the baby to move. For example, one website encourages a stern talking to from the father, putting up pictures of vertex (normal) babies to help positive visualization, playing music, pelvic rocks, diving in a pool, and, oh yeah, conjuring up the baby's "birth spirit guardian" to ask for assistance. I'm opting for the external version in the hospital.
The other option is just waiting for a c-section. If I can avoid that, I absolutely will. Doctors will typically not allow mothers to deliver a breech baby vaginally so as to reduce any of the possible complications of a breech birth. I am disappointed, but did have some suspicion this might happen. (It just seemed like a possibility knowing that I am in week 36 and that the baby sits like a floatation device on my belly.) And, while disappointed, all I really want is a healthy baby and I know that I just can't be in control of everything. In this case, I may not be in charge in choosing the type of birth I originally planned. Aaron was very disappointed as well as he has invested a lot in helping me have a natural childbirth. He may not be able to flash his official Bradley birth coach card now....We'll make sure to keep you all updated in the next week.
Just a few notes:
* We met with the pediatrician that Midwife Mary Jane recommended and I think we will go with him. I think he must be used to folks like us as 99% of his families breast feed and his office is right next to the health food store. He seems like a pretty traditional pediatrician (you know, believes in vaccinations and what not) and in general seems warm and kind.
* Oh, also at the midwife appointment, there was a huge weight gain! HUGE! But, Midwife Judith and Aaron reassured me. Judith said she thought the water weight in my right foot might be all of my weight gain alone. Good. Because I still have been skipping desserts and sodas and I don't want to have given that up and still be gaining weight. Judith even said "you poor thing" to me at least two or three times. Especially I gave her the laundry list of all the ways that I am uncomfortable.
* I have been swimming at the Y. It felt good but I didn't get the promised 48 hours of relief. I vow to go back and keep floating. I wanted to go to the prenatal swim class yesterday, but overslept after not sleeping for most of the night.
* The nursery is 99% done, just a few things to put up on the wall. Yeah. At least if the baby comes next week, we will be ready. I'll post photos this weekend.
* The lovely folks at the school gave me a surprise shower. It was sweet of them, especially as it was on a Friday afternoon and everyone had a huge amount of work to do to get ready for an event at the school today. I owe a big thank you to them, especially the technology specialist who must be ready to spoil the Sprout more than anyone I know. She completely loaded me up on gifts and was one of the hostesses.
* My sister and grandmother have come for a visit. With them, they brought the family crib, the rug I bought on eBay from someone in Tampa, and things from Zachary's recent babyhood: Fisher Price aquarium swing, co-sleeper, etc. It's good seeing them.
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