Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Still here

Yes yes yes, I am a bad blogger. Oh well spank me later. Here is an update:

Roo is breech! Yes bye bye natural birth unless he decides to turn. I am 35 weeks now and we found out at 32 weeks he was breech. To say I was upset would be an understatement. Then someone who just had a breech baby wrote "If you had told me while going through IF that I would have a baby, but need a c-section and then face breastfeeding issues, I would have been thrilled". That put it all into perspective for me, well that and thinking about how lucky I am that Roo is otherwise healthy.

After doing all kinds of natural turning techniques including, pressure points, swimming, hand stands, hanging from my feet on an inversion table, crawling with my butt in the air, and chiropractic care our next step is a manual outside aversion. The procedure has risks which is why we tried everything else first, but the risk is small and doesn't include fetal death. Okay actually there were two cases of fetal death associated with the procedure, both happened in Zimbabwe, with no fetal monitoring. I am in the USA, under the care of a Dr who does 4-5 of these a week and will have extensive monitoring. The risk in our situation is that Roo wouldn't tolerate the procedure well and thus need to come out ASAP. This is why we haven't shared that he is breech with R's family and also why we are waiting till 36 weeks to attempt it.

The procedure is about 60% effective, with about 2% of those babies then reversing back to breech position. The possibility that Roo doesn't tolerate the procedure is .5%. R and I thought a lot about not doing the aversion, I spoke with people who have had successful ones and unsuccessful ones and through those conversations we decided we would go forward with the procedure.

Of course if Roo turns on his own by Friday then I won't need the procedure but at this point it seems highly unlikely. Feel free to send me good vibes, positive thoughts and turning dust for Friday, and as always we take prayers too.

As for everything else, well it is all just fine. My heartburn was God awful last week, it had been getting worse the last two months. I cried to my Dr to prescribe me something, but he wouldn't and so I am on Z.anta.c over the counter. It has been two days and I feel 100% better! I am so relieved!

I promise to update more regularly. Also for those waiting on Roo's blog invatations, you will need to wait a little longer.

9 comments:

Amanda said...

35 weeks already??? Your pregnancy flew by!! I'm sorry little Roo is breech...I'll be sending you some good vibes in hopes he turns on his own!!

Jessica White said...

They're ALIVE! I was begining to worry about you guys. I'm glad that you're all doing well, and sorry that Roo is breach. Hopefully the aversion works.

35 weeks already: WOW!

Good luck

Anonymous said...

I must agree, your pregnancy has just flown by! I'll be sending lots of turning prayers to you guys, but I am happy to hear that Roo is healthy anyway. Good luck, dear!

Sasha & Mark said...

I like the statement that put it in perspective for you. It is so true. I do hope Roo turns on his own by Friday, so best wishes!

ggop said...

Good luck and hope Roo turns. I know this is a disappointment but you are taking it in the right spirit.

FWIW, a friend whose son was transverse went through the procedure you describe. He turned on his own.

She spent over 18 hours in labor, had pitocin, baby's heartrate did not respond well to the drug. Eventually they went for an emergency C. So these things happen..

I'm glad you are taking it in your stride. Hope the procedure works if Roo does not turn.

Amy (TheGiggleWorm) said...

I hope the baby turns!!! I can't believe you are at the final stretch - yay!

shiner said...

I'm just glad you and the baby are okay. I am very sorry you are going through this, I know how badly you wanted a natural birth. I'll be praying for you...glad you're back.

K @ Running Through Life said...

Wow, time has flown! Turn Roo turn! Good luck on Friday!

(kfishie from the nest)

Rachel said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Roo is breech, but glad everything else seems to be going well. I really hope he turns for you.