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tnrsmom
08-24-2003, 08:03 AM
OK we decided that since the baby still is not ready to join us on the outside (I am 41+ weeks) we would do something with him/her still on the inside. I went ut yesterday and bought all the supplies for a belly cast. How fun would that be to do with the kids and my dh and my mom.:)

Unfortunately things did not go as planned. I was on my knees while the kids applied the strips. Then my mom and Steve took over as it was drying pretty quick. Everything was fine until I thought I was just having a hot flash. It got really bad and I remember telling my mom that it hurt. Nothing really hurt but I was miserable. Next thing I knew, I was laying down and my mom was yelling at Steve to call the midwife. I had passed out for the first time in my life!! I was awake enough to call out the MWs phone number to Steve though. I guess I was only really out for a few seconds. Just enough to freak out everybody in the house including the kids who witnessed the entire thing. The MW said that the belly cast holds in a lot of heat and to get me on my left side and cool me down with cool towels. Tyler brought me some water and I felt better within a few minutes of having the cast off. Still a bit lightheaded but OK. My mom was trying to wash me off with wet cloths but I was covered in vaseline and plaster. I finally got them to let me take a shower as long as Steve was right there with me. It took a while but I got most of the residue off and got out. They made me lay down again and were both so sweet. It is a good thing my mom was here or else Steve would have called 911 and I probably would have been taken to the hospital and had tests done on the baby, something we have managed to avoid the entire pregnancy and I was not too excited about having at 41+ weeks. Anyway, we are all fine but it did add a bit of excitement to our evening. Not quite the excitement we were hoping for but it was exciting nonetheless.:shrug

Just wanted to warn anyone else considering belly casting. If you start to feel hot, take off the cast and cool down. You can always start over again later!




Spark
08-24-2003, 08:48 AM
Whew! Thanks for the warning, but sorry you had to go through that!!! That sounds a bit scary! Glad your midwife was called and not 911.

I've heard that we should only lie down or sit down during the casting process. Maybe the overheating is why?

Again, sorry you had to experience that. I'm sending you labor vibes for when your babe is ready for her/his grand entrance!

Corriander
08-24-2003, 09:17 AM
I stood up while dh and I did mine. And I did start to feel light-headed. I figured it was because of all the standing. Dh got a tall stool for me to sit on and we finished up quick. But I did feel really wiped out for the rest of the day. Not enough fluids and too much standing, and the heat of the plaster all did it.

2girlsmom
08-24-2003, 10:18 AM
Stephanie, that sounds terrible. How scary! Don't try any more extreme tactics to get that baby out!!:D
Glad you're ok.

Rachel

The Lucky One
08-24-2003, 12:06 PM
Omgosh. I just did a cast for my friend last week. Whew. I'm glad you're alright. How scary!

lisa

fourlittlebirds
08-24-2003, 12:58 PM
Wow, that is good to know! I had no idea that it could do that. I wonder what could be done to keep the mother's body heat down... maybe a fan on her? Air conditioning? I'm assuming, too, that it would make a difference to have as few layers of plaster on there as possible, apply them quickly, and get the cast off as soon as it begins to get firm enough to stand on its own, which happens pretty quickly, even while it's still wet.

Clarity
08-24-2003, 01:51 PM
most casters say to do it earlier in pregnancy, like 34-36 weeks when you're more comfortable, and can go longer without peeing.

kerikadi
08-24-2003, 07:23 PM
With my last pregnancy I did it at 37 weeks and fainted too. We tried it standing with my hands & arms in the cast - hands on my belly and I just fell right on to DH. I woke to him yelling in my ear that if I didn't wake up he was going to take me to the hospital - that sure woke me up :eek We did it again the next day, I was reclined in a chair and we didn't include the arms and it went much, much better - I LOVE my cast :D

Keri