Jamie and I made our way to the Foothills hospital last night to try the ECV procedure. The nurse and the OB that attended us were very nice and I was quickly put at ease, feeling we were in good hands. I was hooked up to the fetal monitor and JJ's heart rate was good. My blood pressure, though high, was considered good enough to proceed. A quick ultrasound confirmed that JJ was still in the breech position. I asked the OB if he could tell if the cord was wrapped around JJ's neck, thereby preventing him from going head-down. The OB could see the cord was up by JJ's neck but couldn't tell if it was wrapping around his neck or not.
The OB put tons of gel on my belly and literally tried to crank the baby around using his hands. It was very uncomfortable but I didn't feel any pain. At one point I thought it was going to work. I could feel JJ moving but then a sudden stop and the doctor couldn't go any further. The doctor let go and right away JJ went back to his original position. The OB tried a few more times before saying it wasn't going to work. My uterus and the space in there was just too tight. The OB scheduled the c-section for Nov 10th - 6 days before JJ's due date.
I can't help but have mixed feelings about this. I wanted JJ to pick his own birth day. To come when he was ready to come but due to my blood pressure, doctors would prefer to operate before I go into labour. Another part of me feels relief. I've done nothing but worry and attend appointment after appointment, listening to "experts" tell me what's best for my baby. I've never felt so tired or overwhelmed by medical information. All I want is a healthy baby boy in my arms.
I haven't given up hope that JJ will turn. Either by some of the tricks we're trying - the latest is holding a smoking stick of herbs beside my little toe (seriously!) - or because he decides it's time to turn on his own.
In the end - we'll continue to hope that all goes well.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Exploring Our Options
Jamie and I had to meet with a doctor at our clinic on Monday to discuss our options with regards to having a baby in the breech position. Really, our options are quite limited.
The first option is to have an ECV (or simply "Version") preformed on my abdomen. This means an OB would try to turn JJ from the outside. The baby would be closely monitored by ultrasound, as well as my blood pressure, during the procedure. If baby were to go into any kind of distress, the procedure would be stopped. There is a small risk of going into labour due to the procedure, which would lead to an emergency c-section. We have been told that this is the only chance we have at turning baby and having a vaginal birth.
Our second option is to book a c-section. Because of my blood pressure situation, the doctors would want to deliver baby before I go into labour. The c-section would likely be booked for next week (38 weeks) or the week after that.
So that's it. Our two options according to conventional western medicine. The doctors feel there is a less than 1% chance JJ will turn on his own before I go into labour.
Jamie and I discussed these options and originally thought against the ECV. The procedure is known to be quite painful and the success rate sits at around 25%. We didn't want to risk going into labour while JJ is still not quite ready to come.
Booking a c-section didn't really appeal to us either. C-sections are not as safe for mom or baby as a vaginal birth is. Also, I feel like we've worked so hard to have a "normal" birth. We got ourselves a doula and I attended yoga, chiropractor, massage, read countless birthing books - all in attempt to prepare for a natural birth. A c-section is anything but.
In the end, we booked the ECV for this Friday night. I'm quite worried about it and just pray nothing goes wrong. In the meantime, I'm trying a chiropractic technique and acupuncture as a way to encourage JJ to turn on his own.
Oh and did I mention I'm suffering from a nasty head cold right now. There's not too much I can do about that either :(
The first option is to have an ECV (or simply "Version") preformed on my abdomen. This means an OB would try to turn JJ from the outside. The baby would be closely monitored by ultrasound, as well as my blood pressure, during the procedure. If baby were to go into any kind of distress, the procedure would be stopped. There is a small risk of going into labour due to the procedure, which would lead to an emergency c-section. We have been told that this is the only chance we have at turning baby and having a vaginal birth.
Our second option is to book a c-section. Because of my blood pressure situation, the doctors would want to deliver baby before I go into labour. The c-section would likely be booked for next week (38 weeks) or the week after that.
So that's it. Our two options according to conventional western medicine. The doctors feel there is a less than 1% chance JJ will turn on his own before I go into labour.
Jamie and I discussed these options and originally thought against the ECV. The procedure is known to be quite painful and the success rate sits at around 25%. We didn't want to risk going into labour while JJ is still not quite ready to come.
Booking a c-section didn't really appeal to us either. C-sections are not as safe for mom or baby as a vaginal birth is. Also, I feel like we've worked so hard to have a "normal" birth. We got ourselves a doula and I attended yoga, chiropractor, massage, read countless birthing books - all in attempt to prepare for a natural birth. A c-section is anything but.
In the end, we booked the ECV for this Friday night. I'm quite worried about it and just pray nothing goes wrong. In the meantime, I'm trying a chiropractic technique and acupuncture as a way to encourage JJ to turn on his own.
Oh and did I mention I'm suffering from a nasty head cold right now. There's not too much I can do about that either :(
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Keeping My Promise
Last week I mentioned in my post that doctors were getting concerned about my rising blood pressure and sent me in for blood tests. On Thursday the 22nd, I went in for a regular check-up and the doctor reviewed my results. It turns out that I have some sort of elevated enzyme in my liver. This symptom, combined with my high blood pressure, swollen feet and bad headaches got me sent immediately to the hospital for further testing.
When I got to the hospital, I gave more blood and was hooked up to a fetal monitor machine as well as a blood pressure machine. Jamie and I stayed there for a few hours while very nice nurses came and went and told us everything looked good. A doctor eventually came by and told me I had developed "Pregnancy Induced Hypertension". Basically my body is starting to reject the pregnancy. If left untreated, "PIH" could lead to much more serious conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia. Severe cases of PIH can lead to induction and a baby being delivered sooner rather than later. Fortunately for me, my case seems to be mild.
The doctor decided to discharge me but gave instructions that I was to stop work immediately and go on bed rest. Bed rest means I can't really do anything. I have to sit or lie down for the whole day and night. I can't drive, bathe on my own (for fear of seizures), shop, do anything more that walk to the washroom or kitchen for a snack. I also can't houseclean or go out for anything other than doctor appointments. In addition to bed rest, I have a nurse that comes to the house daily. She checks JJ's heart rate and makes sure I'm doing "my homework". My homework includes taking my own blood pressure three times a day, noting any symptoms of high blood pressure (headaches, swollen feet, hands or face, vision disturbances etc) and counting JJ's movements twice a day.
Yesterday I was sent for an ultrasound to make sure the placenta still looks good and that JJ is continuing to grow as normal. It was great to see JJ again! He was a little shy and kept his hands in front of his face but we did get a good look at some cubby cheeks and a cute little nose:)
JJ gave everyone a surprise though as it was quickly discovered that he's in a breech position. This means his head is up by my belly button instead of down in the pelvis. A breech presentation often means a C-section but there's hope he'll turn on his own or that maybe we can find a trick or two to turn him ourselves.
Other than the breech position, everything looks good. JJ is measuring totally normal and his Mom's blood pressure has come down quite a bit.
Please keep us in your thoughts and wish us luck in the next few weeks to come.
When I got to the hospital, I gave more blood and was hooked up to a fetal monitor machine as well as a blood pressure machine. Jamie and I stayed there for a few hours while very nice nurses came and went and told us everything looked good. A doctor eventually came by and told me I had developed "Pregnancy Induced Hypertension". Basically my body is starting to reject the pregnancy. If left untreated, "PIH" could lead to much more serious conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia. Severe cases of PIH can lead to induction and a baby being delivered sooner rather than later. Fortunately for me, my case seems to be mild.
The doctor decided to discharge me but gave instructions that I was to stop work immediately and go on bed rest. Bed rest means I can't really do anything. I have to sit or lie down for the whole day and night. I can't drive, bathe on my own (for fear of seizures), shop, do anything more that walk to the washroom or kitchen for a snack. I also can't houseclean or go out for anything other than doctor appointments. In addition to bed rest, I have a nurse that comes to the house daily. She checks JJ's heart rate and makes sure I'm doing "my homework". My homework includes taking my own blood pressure three times a day, noting any symptoms of high blood pressure (headaches, swollen feet, hands or face, vision disturbances etc) and counting JJ's movements twice a day.
Yesterday I was sent for an ultrasound to make sure the placenta still looks good and that JJ is continuing to grow as normal. It was great to see JJ again! He was a little shy and kept his hands in front of his face but we did get a good look at some cubby cheeks and a cute little nose:)
JJ gave everyone a surprise though as it was quickly discovered that he's in a breech position. This means his head is up by my belly button instead of down in the pelvis. A breech presentation often means a C-section but there's hope he'll turn on his own or that maybe we can find a trick or two to turn him ourselves.
Other than the breech position, everything looks good. JJ is measuring totally normal and his Mom's blood pressure has come down quite a bit.
Please keep us in your thoughts and wish us luck in the next few weeks to come.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Birthday, Shower, Update etc.
Well here we are at 36 weeks and I can't believe how much time has suddenly stood still. Seriously. I've hit the point in the pregnancy where I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. 4 more weeks feels like a lifetime. If that's the case though, then it's been a lifetime since I last updated this blog!
I have to say that my Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful. For my birthday this year I decided I needed a little TLC. Jamie and I booked a one night stay at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff. While there, I was treated to a facial and pedicure. It was heaven! I saw my feet for the first time in months and they were looking a little rough. Not anymore - now they look fabulous! While at the Rimrock, we also enjoyed a swim in their pool as well as a couple of feasts in their beautiful dining room. It was a really lovely birthday gift (and for those that are counting - yes, it was an early birthday treat).
I have a shower coming up! My very sweet friend France will be hosting it on Sunday, Nov 8th. Since I got over-excited about baby coming, I've purchased most of the essentials already. This has left some people stumped as what to give as a gift so Jamie and I registered at "Babies R Us". If you'd like more details, just give me a shout.
Last Thursday I went in for a regular prenatal check-up. Apparently my blood pressure has been creeping up and the doctors don't like that. I had to go in for blood tests and I'll get the results this coming Thursday. Rest assured, JJ's heartbeat is strong and he continues to move around as best he can in what little space is left. I promise to post an update when we know the results from the blood tests.
Our last childbirth class is tomorrow night. I think I'm going to miss our instructor. She has been quite the character :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Word from the Father-To-Be
Ever since I created this blog, I've taken the opportunity to talk about my thoughts and feelings regarding the pregnancy. People often ask about Jamie though. What does he think and how is he feeling? I thought I would use this post to check in with the dad-to-be.
Are you excited to be a Dad? - "Yes I'm very excited and looking forward to starting this adventure - creating a new family".
How do you think the pregnancy has gone so far? - "It's gone really well. It's been exciting to see the progression over the months."
How do you like childbirth classes? - "The classes are interesting. It's good to discuss common issues with other people and find out how they're doing things."
Do you feel prepared for the big day? - "Yes, I feel as prepared as I can be."
What do you think is going to be the best part about being a Dad? - "Watching him grow up. Hearing him laugh. Seeing him smile. Playing with him."
And there you have it! A few words from my better half. It may not be much but hey, there's a hockey game on ;)
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