Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I guess I'm changing the baby's name to Frank.

Frank Breech that is.

Little boy has gotten himself in a full frank breech position - his little butt nestled in my pelvis and his feet up by his face. Ugh. Although he still has a chance for turning, we all heard the "my baby turned at 39 weeks" stories, my tech said in this presentation, we don't have the best luck. Time will tell.

Everything was measuring within the same growth curve (30%) until we got to his head. Yeah, it's freaking huge. At 28 weeks, it was measuring 28 weeks. Now at 34 weeks, it's measuring 36-38 weeks. WTF? Tech said it was most likely due to not being compressed at all in the pelvis so it just is going to be bigger than normal. So that one measurement threw everything else off - overall growth is now at 54% and weight is estimated at 5lbs 5 ozs. But like I said, that can totally be off.

His NST was strange too. His baseline hr is usually around 140bpm and today it was over 160bpm, going up to 180 during movements. So I don't know what to think about that either. But damn, I'm sure he'll have to have a higher hr to support that giant head.

My appointment with the doctor isn't until next Tuesday, so we'll see what he says. I'm pretty bummed about a c-section, as I really really really don't want one. No, I'm not scared of one or think I can't do it, yada, yada. I just would really rather go into labor on my own. I don't want a birth 1 second before my baby tells my body he's ready to come out. I am far from the fence of elective inductions, so scheduled c-sections (for breech babies, not other medically necessary situations) don't sit with me well. I know if it's necessary, it'll be necessary, but I hope I'm able to schedule it out as close to 40 weeks as freaking possible. If I can even wait until labor starts, I'd be happiest.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad it's all ok in utero! Sweetpea's melon must just be filling up with all those extra brain cells - you'll have a genius on your hands! :) And one tiny plus to a c-section is not having to, um, allow for the extra size of his head down yonder. :) You know me, captain optimism and all. Turn, baby, turn.

Shannon said...

Glad to hear everything is well! My husband was born frank breech (no c-sec) and this is why I think he was an only child. Here's hoping yours decides to move.

Charlotte said...

Lordy, Nancy, looks like your boy is gonna cause trouble from the get-go, huh? I hope he turns somehow, cause a baby in that position has no hope to come vaginally. I'm a c-section x's 3, and it is really not bad. I kwym about having a vaginal delivery b/c that was I tried for twice...it was hard at first to come to terms with, but in the end it didn't matter.

Jendeis said...

Sure you've already googled this, cause you're on top of things, but just in case...

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/turning_a_breech_baby

Anonymous said...

your kid sure likes to keep things interesting! I am glad that the scan stayed on the same growth curve. And the logic that his head is measuring bigger because there is more room for it makes sense to me. Hoping he can use that wonderful brain of his to turn back around on you.
xoxo

ssbean said...

I hope he turns so you can have the delivery you want. However if a c-section is going to happen, at least you don't have to worry about pooping during the process. See, there's always a good side.

Ali said...

Thanks for the update.

Jenera said...

My little man turned at the very last minute but he wasn't quite frank breech. However Aidan was and he also turned. Maybe your guy will hear the C-section talk and flip himself around. Glad things look good so far.

Anonymous said...

What weird measurements. Not sure what to make of it. Sorry about the breech. I hear putting a pack of frozen peas by his head helps turn the baby. It's worth a shot, right?
~Velma

Topcat said...

Mate, what a bummer if you have to have a c-section. But, if he's head is that big ... maybe that's a good thing? ;) (Just sayin')

Karl (Frank) certainly likes to keep you on your toes, doesn't he!?

And, I totally had a dream about you. You were sleeping in Tigers room, wih Karl. Mr TC was running around trying to find Karl his dummy. (Pacifier) I was SOOOO cranky, thinking, what the fuck is he running around after Nancy for? I need help with Monkey!

So, sorry I was angry at you in my dream. But, Karl was here safe and sound!

XOXOXOXO

Denise said...

If I'm remembering right, Banana turned vertex last week (at 34 weeks)-and that's with another baby in there, so I think you still have hope for Karl (or Frank). I'm glad everything looks okay with his growth and it sounds like he is a good size, even if he has a huge head!

Tara said...

I'm totally with you on avoiding any and all medical interventions unless they are ABSOLUTELY necessary.

Hope the little bugger turns around for you.

Anonymous said...

I'm hearing you Nancy. My baby is measuring in the 53rd %ile, with a head at about 81%ile!!!

My OB booked me in for a c/section yesterday. I am trying to get used to the idea.

Hope your boy turns and you get the birth you are hoping for.

MrsSpock said...

Are you risked out of an external version because of the VCI?

A c/s is not ideal, but it's not that bad. It's just kind of creepy when you're utterly numb from the chest down.

Elana Kahn said...

I'm so glad that Karl's growth is on target. I don't see why they *have* to schedule you for a C-section? Why can't you just say "I want to go into labor on my own and then you can do the C-section if you have to". Best case would be for him to get his butt outa your pelvis and put his head there! :-)

jenn said...

I'm so glad he's on the same growth curve! And so sorry that he just refuses to listen when I tell him to be nice to momma!!! I really hope he turns for you, but barring that- I do hope you get to hang in as long as possible!

Hollie said...

So glad to hear baby boy is growing well. He's just gonna be extra smart. I do hope he somehow turns, but... I know you really want vaginal birth, but this baby just may not work out that way. I hope you can be happy with your birth experience either way it goes.

nancy said...

MrsSpock - Nope! My OB said he'll try the version with me - I'm going to talk about the timing with that. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'll try it.

And yeah, I know c-sections aren't that big of a deal - people get them all the time, I just really wanted to go as naturally as possible. 2 natural births followed by a c-sec? Ugh.

Anonymous said...

Having had 2 c/s here's my 2 cents. If you have to have one, it is so much easier to recover if you do it before labor starts. My first, I went through all of labor and pushed 3 hours and he didn't move. With #2, I scheduled since he was due around Xmas and my recovery was so much easier because my body still had strength from not going through the stresses and rigors of labor. I was up and walking and using the washroom less than 12 hours later...And with 2 others to take care of, getting back on your feet ASAP is a big consideration, IMO.

Molly said...

Has anyone told you to spend a lot of time on your hands and knees?

It may help with the turning. Worth a shot, anyway.

Amanda said...

If I remember correctly, Baby A turned after 34 weeks from breach to transverse (not that it's the same as vertex) and Baby B is transverse 1/2 the time when I wake up. No clue what that's about, but I swear it's true! I'm just hoping that he turns for you.

And whoo-hoo for keeping up the growth. Now...about that big ol' head. Just means he has a big brain. :-)

Monica Fayth said...

I'm sorry he's in breech, but I'm glad his growth seems to be on track.

Melody said...

I'm so happy to hear that his growth still looks good! I'd be pretty shitty about the C too. I know we do what we have to do, but it really bites.

Misty Dawn said...

I'm so happy to see that Karl is not shrinking!! I am worried about him being breech. I think that would freak me out a bit too.

Hopefully he will turn!! Man your boy is stubborn already! LOL

Kaci said...

Glad the growth is right on track. Hope Karl turns for you, and that if he doesn't you can still wait until you go into labor to have a c-section. I know people talk about a big advantage of scheduling a c-section is that you recover faster not going through any labor but my sister was in labor for 36 hours before hers and was up walking around as soon as they took her catheter out. She was released right at 25 hours after her surgery. It was different circumstances, as her baby had been transferred to a hospital 60 miles away, but her doc wouldn't have released her if he hadn't felt she was ready. The way she talks, her recovery was really easy.

Sarah said...

Just want to say, that what Mol mentioned--I did that, and it worked with Andrew (well, I can't say that IT was what worked). Andrew turned on his own at 35 weeks. It was such a weird feeling! I all of a sudden felt some crazy-ass movements, and I felt my belly and thought it felt different. Doctor had ordered an ultrasound at 36 weeks, but prior to that, he was scaring me with all the c-section talk. Low and behold, the ultrasound revealed he was head down. Woot! He also came 6 days early, which was nice. He was 6 lbs, 6 oz, so the little peanut could probably have still turned back breech! (Little head too).

Leslee said...

Can I suggest you look into going to a chiropractor and have "the Webster Technique" done? It was mentioned in the article JenDeis provided, but I've heard it can really help!

Good luck!
Leslee
babyattheend

Jamie said...

I hope Karl Frank Breech does some shifting in the next couple of weeks.

If so, I also hope his head growth slows down!