My baby has a birth date

[meli-mello]

(I also posted about this in another thread and took some of it from my blog - I just don't have the energy to type the same thing out over and over again )

Baby is breech.

I went for an ultrasound yesterday and the doctor’s and my suspicions were right - baby has got it’s little (or, apparently, not so little) head firmly planted at the top of my fundus. What I thought were high contractions are really headbutts from the inside, I’m thinking I can even see a little bruise there but that is probably from something else. It does explain why I am super numb and sensitive in that area.

After the ultrasound I went to see my doctor who sent me to the hospital to have an Obstetrics consult. I’ve spent the past week coming to terms with the fact that if Wrackspurt was breech he/she has been in the same position for at least a month now - I can tell because those hiccups he/she gets 5x a day are always in the same spot (in fact, the baby has them right now). I’ve spent the last week lying in uncomfortable positions, with the blood rushing to my head, playing music to my crotch and other various things to try and turn this baby but baby seems to be snug where it is. Maybe the baby will turn on it’s own but either way I have decided to forgo the version since my close friend who is an Obs/Gyn said that at this stage it could hurt the baby - and will definitely hurt me and they will get me all prepared to have a caesarian anyway just in case.

Is this a huge disappointment? Yes, terribly. Am I scared? Totally! The last couple times the dentist has come near me with local anesthetic I have cried and started shaking because it makes me feel so terrible (pathetic but true). That is one of the reasons why I was trying so hard for a natural birth. But at least I have the time to come to terms with it - as long as baby doesn't show up before then.

I know there are more things I can do to try and turn this baby - I’ve read all the literature and will keep trying in the hopes that maybe it will turn itself but I have to be okay with this decision despite the fact that I have spent the last 9 months getting my body and mind ready for a medication free labour. What is most important is a healthy baby and a healthy Mum and this is what is best for the baby no matter how disappointing it is. My main goal these last 9 months has been to be able to bond with the baby right away and to get breast feeding started as soon as possible - apparently that is still possible (for a little while) even with the caesarian. I just hope I am still the fast healer I used to be.

So… our baby has a birth date: April 8th. I hope baby stays in since I need the time to start packing up our apartment since we are probably moving soon. Luckily my Mum comes back to town on the 1st and can help me.

[milosmomma]

I'm sorry momma.

As you may have seen in my posts, I was in the same position a week ago. I could have written your post....come to think of it, I think I may have written the same post.

I finally decided that I'd done all I could do and if baby wasn't going to turn, there was probably a reason. I, too, made the decision to skip the version after hearing far too many stories about it not working (again, because there were reasons that the baby was breech). I heard every story about a friend's sister's boyfriend's aunt whose baby turned at the last minute.

It was when I finally accepted that the baby would turn if he could, but that he probably wouldn't, that he pulled a fast one and turned (at 38.5 weeks). I'm ecstatic that he did turn, but I know that if he hadn't, I'd still already made peace with what would happen. At this point, I may still need a C/S (I'm going for a VBAC and they'll only let me go so far past my due date), but I know that if that DOES happen, I've already waded through my emotions and found a place where I can accept it.

I'm sending you positive energy and, no matter what happens I wish you a joyful birth and a healthy baby.

[BensMom]

Sorry to hear that. I ended up with a c/s for breech last time. I tried it all- chiro, version, pulsatilla,moxibustion, ironing board,swimming, hypnosis...nothing worked. I also found a provider who woudl attend a breech vag birth, but he ended up flaking on me when I went past my EDD.

I would definitely keep up with trying to turn your babe. Anything you can do to avoid that c/s will be worth it. Because it really is a harder recovery and will affect future pregnancies. Can you get a 2nd opinion on the version? Usually the dr's with more experience with them are less worried about the risks. If its done in the hosp, with monitoring, you and the baby should be fine. We went home after my unsuccessful version and had her 2 weeks later. Sure it was painful when he was trying, but it didnt last long.

Is there anyone who would deliver breech? I have since found that there is a Dr in this area who would not have flaked on me and he will even deliver primary breeches (1st time moms). Too bad I didnt know about him at the time.

Whatever happens good luck. There is a sticky around here somewhere with tips for making the best of your c/s. There are ways to make the experience more comfortable for you and your baby, and those tips really helped mehave as decent as possible experience with my c/s.

[mkmama]

i'm so glad you are taking the time to process this and come to acceptance so you can truly enjoy the baby's birthday! You will be holding your LO soon! Wow!

[GISDiva]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this Melanie. I hope baby does turn, but if not I hope everything ends up the way it's supposed to.

[3for3hb]

[meli-mello]

Thanks everyone! I have made peace with it - if the baby turns, great! If it doesn't, well, at least the baby is healthy and I have lots of support to help me heal. The babe can stay in until the 8th though - I have no problem with that! Also, I like the date 08/04/08. I have a thing with numbers.

[All together ooky]

I read that AUGUST 4th! Eeks. Never mind.

I'm sorry. I hope the baby turns for you. We'll be here to support you either way.

[Jennisee]

Sending you "turn at the last minute" vibes. It is such a tragedy that so few providers will attend breech births any more.

[treehuggermama]

Sending you turning vibes and wishes for a wonderful birth. Mine was transverse until 36 weeks but turned just before the version so it does happen.