A Likely C-Section
Well I've had a lot to think about over the last two days. Let me start from the top....
I was really thinking that Adam had dropped because of the movement I've been feeling really down low. And there was one day I had some pain and I thought maybe he was turning. Nope, the pain was severe gas pains (ow) and the movement down low is just him growing. He grew one lb in the last two weeks. Right now he is weighing in at 5 lbs 15 oz, so almost 6 lbs and if I were to go full term, he is looking to be about 8 and a half lbs. They measured him and again, he's very average everywhere, just very long, which is adding to his weight. They also said long babies sometimes are overweighed because their length messes with the calculation of how they determine weight. So, I think he's gonna be a long and skinny baby. That'll be cute cause he'll look like an old man with his jeans up high! HAHA.
Ok so here is the dilemma. He is STILL breech and the doctors want him to be head down by 37 weeks. It IS possible, but I don't think it's going to happen. He has been in this position the entire pregnancy and he's more cramped than ever and I just don't see him moving. I think he gets his stubbornness from his mother. Anyway, I have two options:
1) C-Section at 39 weeks
2) Try to turn him and attempt a possible vaginal birth
My original uneducated thought was to go with option two. Turning him made the most sense to me to put him in proper positioning. Well, not so fast. I talked to the doctor and did some research of my own and it turns out there are some significant risks to turning him:
A) When you turn a baby, it can interfere with the amniotic fluid, causing introductory problems.
B) Sometimes turning a baby can encourage contractions, which would lead to preterm labor.
C) Turning a baby can cause improper placement of the umbilical cord, possibly cutting off circulation
D) Turning a baby can cause lung development issues.
E) It is painful, and as soon as we get him in proper position, he might turn right back to breech position.
F) The success rate of turning babies is 58%
G) My doctor recommended a C-Section over turning him.
H) I could labor for hours, and then still have a C-section anyway
I) Because of all of the above, babies who have had versions (turning) tend to end up in the NICU more than babies that have not.
SO! In short, I just am not comfortable with the risks. I have always said from day one that I do NOT want my baby in distress, period. He is an innocent little life and I do not feel comfortable putting him in a situation where things can knowingly go wrong. Everyone seems to be saying go for the turning first, but I don't know if they are fully educated on the risks it presents. 58% success rate? That is not a very high number, and even if it was higher, knowing the risks and problems it could cause? I'm just not comfortable messing with it. I would feel much more comfortable knowing that I would have a rougher recovery, but that he would be fine when they deliver. I guess that's lesson one of being a mommy.
I am definitely leaning towards the C-section but I want to have one more serious conversation with my doctor before making the final decision. It's major surgery and I want to make sure I haven't missed anything before I commit.
I never thought I would ever have a C-section. Recovery looks SO rough. BUT, women do it every day and I will have help. We will have to prepare more and I will definitely have a harder time taking care of him at the beginning, so I'm really grateful my mom will be with me.
I also am a little sad that with a C-section, you don't get that instant moment where you hold your baby. My mom will have to hold him until I'm sewn up and transferred to a bed, and I really wanted that first moment of life bonding moment. But, there's no guarantee a vaginal birth would have worked out, anyway. And with a planned C-section I could mentally prepare for everything. I really hope that being separated from him at the beginning won't mess with breastfeeding. I am going to change my birth plan to say that I want a nurse there AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after surgery to ensure a proper latch so he can feed. I really want to try hard to give him what's best, breast milk.
So yeah, I'm a little sad about me not being able to take care of him as well at the beginning, and I'm sad about the initial separation, but the risks of turning and my anxiety regarding it greatly outweighs the sadness so that's why I'm leaning towards it.
Again, it's still "possible" he will turn in the next two weeks. Any bets? I'm thinking not. Ha, my child. I think I read 95% of babies have turned by now? Not mine. He's comfy and he's not moving! Go figure.
I was really thinking that Adam had dropped because of the movement I've been feeling really down low. And there was one day I had some pain and I thought maybe he was turning. Nope, the pain was severe gas pains (ow) and the movement down low is just him growing. He grew one lb in the last two weeks. Right now he is weighing in at 5 lbs 15 oz, so almost 6 lbs and if I were to go full term, he is looking to be about 8 and a half lbs. They measured him and again, he's very average everywhere, just very long, which is adding to his weight. They also said long babies sometimes are overweighed because their length messes with the calculation of how they determine weight. So, I think he's gonna be a long and skinny baby. That'll be cute cause he'll look like an old man with his jeans up high! HAHA.
Ok so here is the dilemma. He is STILL breech and the doctors want him to be head down by 37 weeks. It IS possible, but I don't think it's going to happen. He has been in this position the entire pregnancy and he's more cramped than ever and I just don't see him moving. I think he gets his stubbornness from his mother. Anyway, I have two options:
1) C-Section at 39 weeks
2) Try to turn him and attempt a possible vaginal birth
My original uneducated thought was to go with option two. Turning him made the most sense to me to put him in proper positioning. Well, not so fast. I talked to the doctor and did some research of my own and it turns out there are some significant risks to turning him:
A) When you turn a baby, it can interfere with the amniotic fluid, causing introductory problems.
B) Sometimes turning a baby can encourage contractions, which would lead to preterm labor.
C) Turning a baby can cause improper placement of the umbilical cord, possibly cutting off circulation
D) Turning a baby can cause lung development issues.
E) It is painful, and as soon as we get him in proper position, he might turn right back to breech position.
F) The success rate of turning babies is 58%
G) My doctor recommended a C-Section over turning him.
H) I could labor for hours, and then still have a C-section anyway
I) Because of all of the above, babies who have had versions (turning) tend to end up in the NICU more than babies that have not.
SO! In short, I just am not comfortable with the risks. I have always said from day one that I do NOT want my baby in distress, period. He is an innocent little life and I do not feel comfortable putting him in a situation where things can knowingly go wrong. Everyone seems to be saying go for the turning first, but I don't know if they are fully educated on the risks it presents. 58% success rate? That is not a very high number, and even if it was higher, knowing the risks and problems it could cause? I'm just not comfortable messing with it. I would feel much more comfortable knowing that I would have a rougher recovery, but that he would be fine when they deliver. I guess that's lesson one of being a mommy.
I am definitely leaning towards the C-section but I want to have one more serious conversation with my doctor before making the final decision. It's major surgery and I want to make sure I haven't missed anything before I commit.
I never thought I would ever have a C-section. Recovery looks SO rough. BUT, women do it every day and I will have help. We will have to prepare more and I will definitely have a harder time taking care of him at the beginning, so I'm really grateful my mom will be with me.
I also am a little sad that with a C-section, you don't get that instant moment where you hold your baby. My mom will have to hold him until I'm sewn up and transferred to a bed, and I really wanted that first moment of life bonding moment. But, there's no guarantee a vaginal birth would have worked out, anyway. And with a planned C-section I could mentally prepare for everything. I really hope that being separated from him at the beginning won't mess with breastfeeding. I am going to change my birth plan to say that I want a nurse there AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after surgery to ensure a proper latch so he can feed. I really want to try hard to give him what's best, breast milk.
So yeah, I'm a little sad about me not being able to take care of him as well at the beginning, and I'm sad about the initial separation, but the risks of turning and my anxiety regarding it greatly outweighs the sadness so that's why I'm leaning towards it.
Again, it's still "possible" he will turn in the next two weeks. Any bets? I'm thinking not. Ha, my child. I think I read 95% of babies have turned by now? Not mine. He's comfy and he's not moving! Go figure.
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