What's your fundal height? (singleton, multiples?) - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[Trisha Kalous]

Originally Posted by moriahmoonstar 

I will send in an email to The Farm and see if Pamela Hunt can send me any articles. I was so enamored with Ina May and all the 'famous' midwives there that I really didn't need much convincing to listen to them ;) I am so nervous and hesitant about ultrasounds, and if there is any chance it's not as harmful later than I would wait.

I love that you are so comfortable with the ideas of twins, that's such a beautiful thing and exactly the attitude it takes to do a uc and homebirth. I just witnessed a beautiful easy twin homebirth, so cool to take some of the fear out of it.

Are you a midwifery student?

Yes, actually :) I'm studying with Ancient Art Midwifery Institute (AAMI) www.ancientartmidwifery.com I'm just beginning with their studies, but I've apprenticed with a midwife for about 2 years too. I hold Trust Birth meetings here in Green Bay, WI ( www.trustbirth.com). I met with a local CPM here last night (group meet n greet style) and right now, I doubt that I'll be hiring her. Too many restrictions imposed by state legislation that I'm not comfortable with. I'm going to talk with her specifically about my concerns before making the final decision. I wish I could find an unlicensed midwife to work with. Even though it's not legal here to midwife without papering up, I'd be much more comfortable having a midwife attend my birth who doesn't have to transfer my care for x,y,z or consult with a CNM or OB for every little thing that comes up... who of them will advocate for a multiple home birth that doesn't go textbook? I'm guessing no one. Virtually no OBs that will back up a homebirth midwife either.  I would much rather an unlicensed midwife who would help me find accurate info and then let me make my own decisions and work with me on that level. I don't think the state has ANY business governing how I give birth. I respect that this midwife is being honest and honoring her contract with the state regarding licensing, but just don't think that she'll be what I'm looking for this time around. In the weird case that there's only one baby in my belly, then we're definitely fine with a UC. We're only looking at our midwifery options in case we decide that we want an extra pair of experienced hands, though I'm pretty sure that we'll be fine either way. I have complete faith in my body to grow and birth these baby(s)!

[Renae08]

Originally Posted by Trisha Kalous 

Yes, actually I'm studying with Ancient Art Midwifery Institute (AAMI) www.ancientartmidwifery.com I'm just beginning with their studies, but I've apprenticed with a midwife for about 2 years too. I hold Trust Birth meetings here in Green Bay, WI ( www.trustbirth.com). I met with a local CPM here last night (group meet n greet style) and right now, I doubt that I'll be hiring her. Too many restrictions imposed by state legislation that I'm not comfortable with. I'm going to talk with her specifically about my concerns before making the final decision. I wish I could find an unlicensed midwife to work with. Even though it's not legal here to midwife without papering up, I'd be much more comfortable having a midwife attend my birth who doesn't have to transfer my care for x,y,z or consult with a CNM or OB for every little thing that comes up... who of them will advocate for a multiple home birth that doesn't go textbook? I'm guessing no one. Virtually no OBs that will back up a homebirth midwife either.   I would much rather an unlicensed midwife who would help me find accurate info and then let me make my own decisions and work with me on that level. I don't think the state has ANY business governing how I give birth. I respect that this midwife is being honest and honoring her contract with the state regarding licensing, but just don't think that she'll be what I'm looking for this time around. In the weird case that there's only one baby in my belly, then we're definitely fine with a UC. We're only looking at our midwifery options in case we decide that we want an extra pair of experienced hands, though I'm pretty sure that we'll be fine either way. I have complete faith in my body to grow and birth these baby(s)!

Have you thought about hiring a doula that is studying to be a midwife or just has tons of experience? One of the best homebirth midwives in my area started out as a doula, which she did as a full time job for ten years while she slowly studied to get certified in midwifery. She helped a lot of "unassisted" mamas during that time. She is still known for being the most "hands off" midwife around. This just sounds right up your ally?

[Trisha Kalous]

Originally Posted by Renae08 


Have you thought about hiring a doula that is studying to be a midwife or just has tons of experience? One of the best homebirth midwives in my area started out as a doula, which she did as a full time job for ten years while she slowly studied to get certified in midwifery. She helped a lot of "unassisted" mamas during that time. She is still known for being the most "hands off" midwife around. This just sounds right up your ally?

Yeah, I've thought about that. I really don't like being watched by anyone though, which is my hang-up with inviting someone else. I can't have that feeling that I'm taking someone else away from their family or activities. I'm too much of a worrier! I have a few friends and family who would probably be happy to help, just not sure that we want to invite someone. 

[Renae08]

Ok, so I just measured again because my LO had his/her rump/head sticking out and it was above my belly button on the right side (close to my lower ribs) by about an inch or two so it made me curious. I measured 26cm. Now, less than a week ago at 17+3 I measured 23cm. I am no expert at this (obviously) but this is all starting to make me wonder what is going on in there. I have a midwife appointment next Wednesday so I will be curious to see what she says.

Oh, and after I measured myself I palpated my belly and I only felt what I would say is just one baby. One head, one rump, maybe a leg or elbow. I even got a kick/punch from the little tyke in response! Lol. This was all on the right side of my uterus and when I palpated the left side I didn't feel a whole lot of firm body pieces, just mushy matter. Could the position of the baby elongate my uterus to measure that far ahead?

[Renae08]

Originally Posted by Trisha Kalous 

Yeah, I've thought about that. I really don't like being watched by anyone though, which is my hang-up with inviting someone else. I can't have that feeling that I'm taking someone else away from their family or activities. I'm too much of a worrier! I have a few friends and family who would probably be happy to help, just not sure that we want to invite someone. 

I totally understand. I was that way with my first. We hired a doula and by the time asked her to come I had already progressed pretty far. She spent a total of a hour and half there! 45 minutes of labor and 45 minutes after. She said is was the shortest birth she ever attended, although my actual labor time was not that short (10-11 hours).

[moriahmoonstar]

Originally Posted by Trisha Kalous 

Yes, actually :) I'm studying with Ancient Art Midwifery Institute (AAMI) www.ancientartmidwifery.com I'm just beginning with their studies, but I've apprenticed with a midwife for about 2 years too. I hold Trust Birth meetings here in Green Bay, WI ( www.trustbirth.com). I met with a local CPM here last night (group meet n greet style) and right now, I doubt that I'll be hiring her. Too many restrictions imposed by state legislation that I'm not comfortable with. I'm going to talk with her specifically about my concerns before making the final decision. I wish I could find an unlicensed midwife to work with. Even though it's not legal here to midwife without papering up, I'd be much more comfortable having a midwife attend my birth who doesn't have to transfer my care for x,y,z or consult with a CNM or OB for every little thing that comes up... who of them will advocate for a multiple home birth that doesn't go textbook? I'm guessing no one. Virtually no OBs that will back up a homebirth midwife either.  I would much rather an unlicensed midwife who would help me find accurate info and then let me make my own decisions and work with me on that level. I don't think the state has ANY business governing how I give birth. I respect that this midwife is being honest and honoring her contract with the state regarding licensing, but just don't think that she'll be what I'm looking for this time around. In the weird case that there's only one baby in my belly, then we're definitely fine with a UC. We're only looking at our midwifery options in case we decide that we want an extra pair of experienced hands, though I'm pretty sure that we'll be fine either way. I have complete faith in my body to grow and birth these baby(s)!

I know the perfect midwife for you in California ;) I'm apprenticing for an old school, unlicensed awesome midwife. She's being delivering babies for over 30 years. She is in the process of licensing but isn't in much of a rush. I'm personally not going with her since I work for her and felt like it would complicate the relationship. but since my midwives ARE licensed I will switch in a second if they aren't willing to let me do something because of regulations. Especially if we have twins I would want the unlicensed midwife there who has done three twin homebirths this year.

So tell me about breech/breech, have you seen this before or breech/vertex? My midwife will do a homebirth of the second is breech but not the first.

[Trisha Kalous]

I know a couple awesome midwives in CA too! Too bad I'm all the way over in WI :-/

Originally Posted by moriahmoonstar 


I know the perfect midwife for you in California I'm apprenticing for an old school, unlicensed awesome midwife. She's being delivering babies for over 30 years. She is in the process of licensing but isn't in much of a rush. I'm personally not going with her since I work for her and felt like it would complicate the relationship. but since my midwives ARE licensed I will switch in a second if they aren't willing to let me do something because of regulations. Especially if we have twins I would want the unlicensed midwife there who has done three twin homebirths this year.
So tell me about breech/breech, have you seen this before or breech/vertex? My midwife will do a homebirth of the second is breech but not the first.

[Trisha Kalous]

I've read that there's a slight chance if baby a is breech and baby b is vertex that their chins could get hooked together (making the babies stuck together) on the way out so that's my guess for why your mw wont attend. For me, I would definitely be checking out www.spinningbabies.com for things to encourage good presentation for the babies! But ultimately, I'm comfortable birthing them however they wish to be born. A breech presentation is nearly always born safest when mom and baby aren't messed with and they're in some sort of vertical position

[timesway]

How do u measure? my mw hasnt measured atall yet.. would be interested to know how to do it

[Trisha Kalous]

Originally Posted by timesway 

How do u measure? my mw hasnt measured atall yet.. would be interested to know how to do it

measure in CM from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus (however high up it goes)... Here's someone else's explanation I found on Baby Center, (it was easier than wording it myself :) )

First of all, lay down on the floor. You'll need to pull your pants down to do this. In the area where your pubic hair grows, locate the hard bone that bulges out about halfway down your mons. This is your pelvic bone. This is point 0. Now, starting from your pelvis, use two fingers to press lightly on the area below your stomach. You should feel a sort of ridge that doesn't move as readily as fiberous fat tissue does. It will take some practice and you may not find it the first try, but keep it up and once you find it, you'll be able to find it faster and faster each time!

Now that you have found your fundus, take a flexible tape measure, such as you'd use for sewing, and set the 0 point on your pubic bone and measure up to your fundus.You want to measure in cm, that's important.

Now that you know your measurement, what does that number mean? Well, typically you'll measure a cm for every week pregnant you are, or within 2 cm. (So if you're having trouble finding it, look within that region and you should be able to find it faster.) Typically if it is your second pregnancy or you are carrying extra weight, you may measure a few cm larger, so bear this in mind.

[timesway]

i measure about 18 cm i think.. and im 19 1/2 weeks (i think) this is baby (thats got this far) number 1, and last scan baby was lying sideways across my tummy.. its measurements are all on target for its growth except its  tummys a bit ahead (ha.. funny considering everyone tells me i dont eat enough :P )

[jessmn]

I had an appointment today (20 weeks 3 days) and measured 25 cm (twins). The OB said that sounds about right.
 

[MarieWalter]

By the way, if anyone's still having a hard time finding their fundus - I finally was able to feel mine after my MW suggested starting with my fingers higher on my abdomen and going down until I felt the hard ridge, versus a lot of the instructions suggest starting low and going up. I'm right at belly-button, no idea on the cms :)

[lisathena]

at 15 weeks i was measuring at 20 weeks....i am now 17 weeks and not sure of the measurement. I think it still may be twins, it was termed a vanishing twin pregnancy at 8 weeks but my heart still feels that other baby is there....but most likely not??? I go 1 week from this thursday for our ultrasound....

[Renae08]

I went for my ultrasound yesterday which confirmed one healthy baby and then had my midwife appointment today and I measured 21cm... I knew I was measuring incorrectly! I'm looking forward to hearing what happens with all of you ladies!

[nstewart]

My MW measured me for the first time today.  I am 21 weeks, measuring 21cm.  Bang on.

[Trisha Kalous]

We are having just ONE baby!

[FarmerMomma]

Congrats. Does one sound easy now after gearing yourself up for multiples?

[lisathena]

Trisha how did you find out? I am curious, as i am in the same boat as you were...thinking its 2...
 

[Trisha Kalous]

Yes! Everything seems soo much simpler now! There was only one place in town that I could find to go get a quick u/s done WITHOUT being under the care of a mw or ob. So we went, and it was less than 10 min, and just one baby was in there. That's all we wanted to know. Also found out that my placenta is up by my fundus. DD was disappointed to find out there's only one baby but I'm a bit sad but greatly relieved!