Last Dr OB appt

Bingo is still breech.  He actually moved up a bit.  But he is getting his eviction papers on the 6th.

Weight gain has been perfect.  I'm healthy and everything we can tell about him is that he's healthy too.

I should be getting both a spinal and epidural and probably won't be able to walk for a whole 24 hour period.

Still sore but not as much

I slept forever last night - went to bed at 9 and woke up at 7.  The turning over was horrible but it was a good sleep.

Getting up and down is not so bad.  I'm more sore to the touch.

Hopefully it will just be the regular pain which I know how to live with.

It was good I was so sore - helps me realize the type of pain I'm in for with the c-section.

So what happened?

I was anxious going in but everyone at Sibley was great.  My doula and my godmother went with me and it was great to have them both there.

I got to hang out in a delivery room for 2 hours so that was nice.

It sucked that I couldn't have liquids I was thirsty the whole time.

So they put me in the gown and gave me an IV.  They got vitals on the baby - his heart beat was good and strong.  And apparently I was having regular contractions every 3 minutes.  I couldn't feel any of them - very normal for 37 weeks.

They were not strong contractions either.

The doctor checked me and he said he dropped (butt first) a little bit more than yesterday which is not good.

So the doctor came in with the house OBGYN.  The house OBGYN monitored Bingo via sonogram.  He was still very much transverse.

The doctor started to move him which was painful and I asked him when I get the drugs.  I went to the bathroom right before and there was some confusion on sticking me.  The doc was very impressed that I was able to handle the pain without much problem.  But it was going to get worse and so I took the drugs. 

I could have done an epidural but chose not to.  Because it would take a long time to recover after.  Also it might not be that bad.  The doc said if he just needs 30 more seconds he would tell me so I could hold out a little longer.

And then we will see if it will work an epidural.

So about 5 minutes in he stopped - it wasn't going to work.  It was really hard - I held on to the doula's hand tightly and dealt with it.  It wasn't comfortable at all but it wasn't the worst thing ever.

He said he could try again but he doesn't thing it would work.  The kid is very very much stuck.

So I agreed no more tries.

We discussed the c-section.  He showed me how big the c-section scar would be.  The c-section will be August 6th at 7:30 am.  I will get to Sibley at 5:30 am.

Then I spent an hour in the bed while Bingo and I were monitored.  Neither of us had any issues; oru heartbeats and blood pressure etc were good.  The nurse told me all that I can expect with the c-section.

The good news is that I can have as many people as I want in my triage room.  So it might be more than me and my sister - yeah!!!

Bingo will be out in the world by 8-8:30 on August 6th.  I will be able to hold him by 9:30 am.  I won't be able to walk for at least 12 hours but he will get to stay with me that whole time.

I'm thinking of all the silver linings - healthy baby, no tearing, able to fully plan on what is going on, etc.

It's August 6th for delivery!!

We tried to turn him but no dice.

He likes what he likes.

C-section is scheduled for 7:30 am on August 6th.

New theory on Bingo's location

He's directionally challenged and thinks his head is going to come out of my mouth.

Little one swam north yesterday evening something fierce.

What is a Version

Sorry I thought there were links in my post from a few weeks ago

External Cephalic Version

http://www.webmd.com/baby/external-cephalic-version-version-for-breech-position
 
 

Very Stubborn Baby

Leaving the doctor's office now - he hasn't turned but his butt isn't that low either.  So to the Version I go - that will be at 2 pm tomorrow at Sibley.

This is going to hurt.  I get some drugs to relax me but te doctor warned me about the pain.

He might not be able to turn him but he will know fairly quickly.  Bingo's cord could be around his neck which is why he won't turn.

If the version DOESN'T work then Bingo will be out August 6th by 10 am.  (Mike - I will still make the game.)

If the version does work then we wait until he drops and I go into labor.  So that will be any time after the version.  But I think he will be later than his due date of Aug 13. 

If he doesn't want to make an appearance by August 20th I will be induced.

Accupuncture Today

She really jammed those needles in because we are trying to turn a baby.  He moved a fair amount during our session and we could tell he came down a little bit.  He didn't flip but he did get a little lower which makes it easier for me to breathe.

But since I've been home he's moving quite a lot.  So fingers crossed.

I've also been having Braxton Hicks contractions.  He will be here sooner than later.

I'm still sore but figuring out ways to deal with that.

Doctor's appt tomorrow at 9:30 - so a new update tomorrow by noon.  We should know where Bingo is and some of the odds on the Version.

The Version is Thursday at 2 pm.

My doula is taking me and my godmother is bringing me home.

Random Extreme Diziness

Apparently this is normal - I'm well hydrated; well fed.  I was sitting down on the couch with my feet up watching a video for work and had overwhelming dizziness.

I had a bit more salt in my lunch than normal.

Very boring weekend of doing nothing and laying on the couch reading.

And Bingo is still wiggling around, hopefully getting ready to make the big turn.

Thanks to everyone who has calmed me down today

You all know who you are :)

He will be here 3 to 5 weeks depending on his position.  Right now I'm having a lot of pain becuase of how he's sitting on me so the reality of childbirth pain is becoming more apparent.

Is August 6th a good birthday?

So Bingo is very much butt down and breach.  He is dropping a bit which is good just the wrong end of him is dropping.

Next Steps:
I am going to keep up with my exercies and moxibustion and talking to him to get him to turn. 

I see the doctor on the 23rd to check his position again
-- if he is face down then all is well and we just wait for labor to start
-- if he is still upside down (i.e. butt down) I go go for my Version

The Version is scheduled for 2 pm on the 24th at Sibley.

The doc isn't that optimistic because his butt is so low but it is worth trying.

If the Version doesn't work my c-section is scheduled for August 6th.

Should Bingo be a c-section delivery I will need help when I get home on August 10th for about two weeks.  Help like checking on me; maybe helping me go to the pediatrian; etc. 

I'm going to try not to worry about the c-section recovery until after the 24th when I know its for certain.

More Moxa to Move Bingo

I'll keep doing this until he's turned or out.

And yes my foot is huge.

Visted the Day Care Again

All is well.  I just popped in at 4:45 because I wanted to.

The kids who were there were all happily playing.  They place was clean; organized chaos. 

I spoke to Maria the owner.  She is very nice and rubbed the belly and even listened to Bingo moving. 

I will stop by again after he's born.

He should start going November 3rd.

Breast Pump Ordered!!!!

And all major things are "done".  I have a few things to print out and pack my bag but I'm ready to go if Bingo comes early.

He's at term starting tomorrow. 

No idea if he's turned but I'm doing the exercises and I have acupuncture today.  I'll find out if he's turned on the 16th and if I need a Version then too.

Car Seat Installed!!!!

Didn't take long and MPD gave me all the details about kids in car seats.

So if the stroller is coming with me and Bingo, I can only take one short other passenger.

Update - 5 weeks from the Due Date

I'm going to start posting updates to the blog more frequently as we (Bingo and I) get closer to the end of this pregnancy.  So check back here for updates.

Once you know I've gone to the hospital (an FB post will be put up) then someone from my Birthing Team will post updates here about what is going on.  It won't be gory - just updates, maybe some photos of nothing graphic.  It will be a way for me to journal about the delivery.

Right now Bingo is breech and has been breech for the last 15 weeks.  Bingo needs to be heads down to be delivered vaginally.  Bingo should have turned on his own by now but he seems very comfortable curled up in a ball up top.

So now what?
Eastern meds - I'm seeing an accupuncturist who is trying to use needles and moxibuxtion to turn Bingo.

Doula postions - My doula (I met with her yesterday for the first time, see below for more) gave me some exercises to do to help Bingo turn.  Most of these are stretching exercises to make room below for Bingo to adjust himself in.

Western meds - After my doctor sees where Bingo is at my July 16th appointment (he could turn by then); my doctor will schedule an External Cephalic Version or a Version.  This will be done on July 23rd or 24th at Sibley Hosptial.  My doula will be with me.

Basically the doctor gives me some light muscle relaxants and moves the baby from the outside.  Bingo will be monitored to make sure his heart rate doesn't go up or down, etc.

There is a remote possibility that this could cause my placenta to rupture and that would force an emergency c-section.  This is why it is done in a hospital.  Per my doula and doctor it is very very rare for that to happen and my doctor would probably stop what he is doing if it could get to that point but it is possible.  (Don't worry, bags will be packed this weekend just in case).

If he doesn't turn?

If Bingo doesn't turn I will have to have a c-section on August 6th (my 39th week). 

I don't want a C-section - it is not because I hate Western medicine but I had three surgeries last week.  I had a lot of drugs pumped through my body and for me personally I would prefer not to have more drugs pumped through me and all the drugs get pumped through Bingo.

A C-section is MAJOR surgery and it will take me 6 weeks to recovery.  I won't be able to go up and down stairs (I will need help walking him 4 blocks to the pediatrian during those 6 weeks because I can't carry the stroller up and down the 8 stairs in my building).  I can't drive. 

I won't be able to hold anything bigger than him.

At the delivery, provided Bingo and I are okay, Bingo will get some skin to skin contact with me but for the majority of the hour I'm being sewed up he will be in a warmer.  And then after I will be in and out of it so he won't get to just live on me; feed, etc the same way as if I have a vaginal birth.  I also will only be able to have one person in the room; I won't be able to move or hold Bingo even if he is laid on my chest; recovery will be epic and harder as I'm single; it will be harder for Bingo to nurse (but he will nurse).

Here is an article about c-section.  If I have to have one I will have  silver lining for it but its not my choice of delivery so let's all hope and pray that the Version works.  A c-section is not the end of the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meredith-bland/10-surprises-from-the-first-days-after-delivery_b_5544704.html

 

Technically Bingo could come any day now - if he starts coming now I'm in c-section city as he hasn't turned.  But If he turns on the 23rd/24th, he will be here in the next 5-7 weeks.

 

Stay tuned....

 

Yeah tired - so I will write about meeting my Doula later.  She is awesome.  And I'm really glad I chose her.