Stubborn Dragon Baby!

Dragon Baby is "stuck" in his position. His head is under my right ribs, his butt on my bladder and his legs are stretched out to my left side. He's basically laying in a hammock and doesn't seem to have any intention to move. He's already in the top of his peer group - I read this weekend that only 4% of babies aren't head down by 36 weeks.

I had the version on Friday morning. I was not prepared for how uncomfortable/painful it would be. On the bright side, I was able to practice the breathing techniques I learned in our birthing class (a bright side I could have done without). The procedure was done in labor & delivery so I spent a few hours in a birthing room. The doctor who did it is very experienced but after 15 minutes of trying to move him, she gave up. Dragon Baby was bracing himself with his legs and yelling "No!" at the top of his lungs. The doctor suggested I try acupuncture but there is nothing else she can do - it's really up to Dragon Baby to move on his own.

I started interviewing doulas earlier last week and found one who has five kids of her own and has attended over a hundred births. I called her for advice and she also recommended acupuncture and several positions they may help move him. We've been trying them all and I made an appointment with an acupuncturist.

Ryan found a website, spinningbabies.com, that has a bunch of crazy suggestions on how to move the baby. We've tried them all repeatedly, including doing handstands in the pool at the ranch.

I met with a midwife on Tuesday and the little stinker has not budged. The truly good news is that Dragon baby is moving all the time like crazy and his heart rate is strong, so we know he's healthy. He's just too darn comfortable in his hammock! The midwife had a lot of encouraging words, she had a cesarean herself, so I feel more comfortable about it. Plus she said the surgeon can fix my scar from my laproscopic surgery in November. We went ahead and booked the surgery and all of my pre-op appointments.

I had an appointment with an acupuncturist this morning. She put a few needles in but the main technique is moxibustion (application of heat resulting from the burning of a small bundle of tightly bound herbs, or moxa, to targeted acupoints). So far no results but she gave me some moxa to try at home. Ryan has no idea what he's in for - he's basically going to have to hold a cigar looking thing next to both of my little toes for 20 minutes a day. This will be a great photo op!

No one seems to be overly optimistic that he's going to move but I'm still giving it my best shot. I never thought that I'd have to have a cesarean, I really thought that I'd be trying to do this without intervention, with the help of a doula. It's much better to have a planned cesarean instead of waiting until I go into labor and then being in an emergency situation. Short term, recovery will be more difficult but maybe there will be some benefit long term since my pelvic floor won't be wiped out (especially if Dragon Baby inherits the Ryan's head size). Dragon Baby announced his existence to the world in a big way (emergency room ultrasound) so I guess he's continuing with his stylized entrance to the world!

Cesarean is scheduled for June 15 at 1:00 pm. I'll be meeting with the surgeon and nurses several times beforehand so I will feel comfortable with the process. Next appointment is June 5.

Eventful day!

Today was my last day of work - so excited to be able to relax for a few weeks (hopefully)! I woke up with a cold so step one is to fight it off.

I also had my 36 week appt today. We found out Dragon Baby is in a transverse position (confirmed via ultrasound). I guessed exactly where his head was - I knew I was too comfortable for him to have "dropped down." Ideally he should be head down by now so I'll be going in on Friday to have a "version." This means a midwife will try to move him externally to the correct position. I'll go back next Tuesday to see where he is. If I were to go into labor now, I'd have to have a cesarean immediately.

We had our last birthing class tonight. We learned more about cesareans (nice timing) and took a tour of the hospital. The delivery rooms seem really small but ok. Hopefully I won't be there long! The recovery rooms were really disappointing. There's a potential I'll have to share the room, there's no room for visitors (one hard chair), AND if my roommate objects to Ryan he won't be able to spend the night. I told him to avoid being objectionable, I think he'll try his best. I've been picturing the room I stayed in when I was admitted for my cyst and this is not even close. There's even a nice big balcony off the rooms but of course we're not allowed to use them. I guess this will be extra encouragement to get out of there asap.

My preggo buddy!

We celebrated Sheila Stinson's baby shower this weekend. She's 5 weeks behind me and is also having a boy. Our kids will be forced to be friends.

Birth class

We had our second birth class tonight. Learned about breathing techniques, watched videos of a few births and had Q&A with an anesthesiologist. My favorite part was lying on the floor, faking a contraction, and Ryan rubbing my back. Birth is going to be a sinch! The anesthesiologist said that at kaiser rwc he thinks 80% of women in labor have epidurals. I think my plan will be to avoid it but worst case scenario, I'm open to it. Just seems like it opens a whole set of issues that are best to avoid, if at all possible. We will see what happens, no one can know how my labor will go!

35 weeks

We spent this last weekend in Santa Barbara for the wedding of Elaine (my Godmother's daughter) and Damon. Had a fabulous time - wedding was great and we ate delicious food all weekend.

Belly is getting big but I'm still feeling good. My latest pregnancy symptom is an allergy to my wedding rings. Cue the jokes...

Here's a few pics from the weekend and my belly.

Baby Shower!

The hostesses with the mostesses!

Delicious lunch.

Marilyn Creer, Dylan Phillips, and I.

Awesome keepsake - all the guests signed a blanket for Dragon Baby.

All the guests!

Jackson Ranney may be tiny (4 mos here) but he's mighty!

Owls are so cute!

Mrs. Sparks.

Chocolate cake with raspberry filling - just the way I like it!

Courtney Greene and I.

Baby games!

"Grand" and "Nana"

Some of the beautiful floral arrangements by Mrs. Sparks.

Adriana + Dylan (8 mos), Jamie + Carter (4 mos), Sarah + Jackson (4 mos). Dragon Baby's future friends!

Jessica Sparks and Adriana Phillips hosted the best baby shower for me on April 28th at the Morgan Hill House, Villa Mira Monte. Everything was perfect, I couldn't be more thankful. Here's some photos from the event! I was almost 33 weeks pregnant.