Sorry for the random title. I really have nothing else to call this post considering it is going to be a random hodgepodge of an update.*Friday I went to the dr for my 34 week appointment and had an ultrasound. Everything is looking beautiful. Archer is right on track weighing in at 4lbs 11oz, pretty big already!!
*The ultrasound confirmed that he is in fact breech. My new Dr discussed two options with me.
1. Turning the baby from the outside. 2. C- Section... I go back next week for one more ultrasound to make sure that he hasn't flipped around and then we will make the call. I already know the call I'm making, C-Section. No one is going to try and turn a baby that is inside of me. It is starting the be bad enough when he moves the wrong way and I have a head shoved up in my ribs, much less having someone FORCE him into position. Nothankyouverymuch.
*If you have had labor and C-section I would love to hear your preference. If you have had a C-section I would love to hear your experience. Anything I should know? Any tips/ recovery advice? This is all new to me.
*This weekend was quite busy. I think I did a little too much.
-Friday was my nieces birthday party and chasing a two year old the whole time wore me out, especially since he wanted to do all of the activites the big kids were doing.
-Saturday we started our first little garden for our backyard. They are just seeds so they have a long way to go, and a lot to learn. I hope its successful because we planted a TON of seeds! Keating "helped" and dumped out an entire packet of lettuce seeds... we aren't even sure if you can plant lettuce in the south right now, but if so we should have about 80 lettuce plants give or take!
-Sunday we started the day off at church. Then I decided it was a good day to clean out Keating's dresser to get ready for Archer's room, cleaned out our basement freezer, hung a little art work, washed more baby clothes, painted a bed for my niece, revamped our mantle for Spring, cleaned out Keating's closet and I'm sure there is more I am forgetting. I'm not sure if this is me nesting or just taking advantage of the amazing weather we have had, either way I am feeling it today and can hardly walk. Pregnancy is hard work and I am happy to be in the end stretch!
*Now if you are wondering about the "freezes beautifully" title. I have started preparing double amounts of food in preparation for my maternity leave (eat half now/ freeze the rest for later). So far I have made 3 dishes, but only 2 have made it to the freezer, the third was eaten before it got there. Oops! So, do you have any favorite dishes that "freeze beautifully"? We are open to anything, casserole, pasta whatever... we don't discriminate.
As always, thank you all for your comments. I love reading them. I know there is a way to comment back to people so that they know I responded... but I have no idea how to do this? Anyone else know?
Ah- I hope he flips on his own! But, I am sure either way everything will work out beautifully. ;)
ReplyDeleteRed Sauce freezes amazingly well and you can always put it on pizza or a little pasta.
Chicken noodle soup.
Chili.
I had a c-section because Connor was breech. I highly recommend some high-waisted granny panties - and yes, I just 'said' that! All of my regular panties are low-cut and were incredibly uncomfortable around the staples on my incision. I definitely sent my husband to the nearest store in search of the biggest pair of panties he could find! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a child yet, but I hear you on going the c-section route!! Lasagna, vegetable soup, mexican lasagna, broccoli/chicken casserole, etc. let me know if you want specific recipes!!
ReplyDeleteThis will sound like a huge coincidence but my son is also named archer and I had a c section because he was also breech. Very weird. The c section scared me a lot before I had it. Obviously the actual csection part was easy but the recovery was much harder than the birth of my son who was not born by csection. There ate pros and cons to both ways of birth. As for the turning thing, I made the same choice as you. I was not willing to risk having to deliver at 37 or 38 weeks in the case of fetal distress. Wow. I feel like I am writing a book. I would love to talk more about this since you are in such a similar position! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI had a c-section. It wasn't so bad, but definitely the underwear thing. and you'll have to experiment with different nursing positions because it was hard to cradle the baby across the belly area. Just take it slow and easy. It was kind of hard to move in bed and get in and out of bed in the beginning, but it gets better. and picking the baby up was difficult the first day, but your husband will be able to do that! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI've had both and the c-section recovery was a lot harder. My daughter was breech, and we chose c-section as well. Looking back, I wish I would've tried some at home things to see if she would've turned. Also, my doctor that I have for this new pregnancy said that if this baby is also breech, that she would be easy to turn because they are easier to turn with each pregnancy (because of muscles and ligaments being looser). My advice though, is try to avoid a c-section!
ReplyDeleteHopefully he'll flip on his own! Brody was late to flip, but he did. Apparently second babies are notorious for taking their time turning around!! I wish I knew more freezer recipes, but the only things we really freeze are spaghetti sauce and soups. I always make a double batch of spaghetti sauce and freeze it for a quick pasta sauce or lasagna in the following weeks.
ReplyDeleteI also had a c-section (actually two). I tried to deliver naturally but never dialated. I recommend loose fitting pants without elastic bands if possible. I chose to wear maternity pants since they were much looser after delivery but there was no elastic to dig into my stomach. Yoga pants were definitely too tight fitting, and I had so many! Nursing on my side was a huge help. Our bed is quite high so I had to use the steps. The first c-section was a little more painful so I just slept on the sofa for a few days since it was lower.
ReplyDeleteI would also go with the c-section instead of having someone turn the baby. I hear it can be painful and not even work..can you imagine?!
My son was frnak breech from 20 weeks on he never did flip. I chose not to do an aversion and manually flip him. It causes stress to the baby, and 50 percent of the time they flip back. My c-section was text book. This was my first surgery ever or hopsital visit so I was scared! But, it was great. Recovery took a good 4-5 weeks before I could walk around a lot and not feel sore the next day. Just take it easy.
ReplyDeleteI have had 2 c-sections and will have my 3rd in less than a month. My first was an emergency c-section so I didn't have much time to think about it, my second was scheduled and was so easy. I thought the recovery was pretty easy compared to the emergency section. The underwear thing is a must. My Boppy was my BFF because it helped me easily nurse and avoid putting pressure on the incision. The only real issue once I was home was not being able to drive for a few weeks and going up and down our stairs. Good luck! I really hope he turns for you on his own.
ReplyDeleteI had a c-section (due to a 9+ lb baby who couldn't fit through my pelvis) and I honestly didn't think it was bad at all. The actual experience is kinda weird with knowing what they are doing but not being able to feel it. But, my recovery was super easy. Just make sure you get out of bed as soon as possible and get to walking around. It won't be the most fun you've ever had but getting up and moving around helps so much. Also, if your doctor has the option, ask to him to use glue instead of staples. Sounds funny but you won't have to go back in to get staples removed. I scar super easy too and my scar is just a thin line - I think the glue helped with that. Just remember, no matter how he gets here, it'll be the right way and you'll have a baby in your arms!
ReplyDeleteOur son was breech and my doctor actually recommend accupuncture. I tried it and it worked!! Well I should say he turned...whether or not it actually caused him to turn, who knows. It was worth a shot!
ReplyDeleteHopefully he turns on his own so you don't have to worry about it! I froze a bunch of different kinds of enchiladas and different lasagnas {regular, chicken & cheese, spinach & mushroom, etc.} to get us through the first few weeks. I even got created and made a mexican lasagna. It's layered like lasagna, but with tortillas where the noodles would be, and taco meat, cheese, kidney beans, just whatever you want in there.
ReplyDeleteOn the comment follow up, change your dashboard to the old blogger interface, go to settings, then to comments. At the bottom, it says "comment notification e-mail". That has all your comments go to your e-mail and you can e-mail back your reply if the commenter has their e-mail set up {most do}. I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about, though =) This blog has a better tutorial on it:
http://libby-bonjour.blogspot.com/2011/02/noreply-commentbloggercom.html
Sorry I just left a novel!
Hm, my OB gave DD until 37 weeks to turn before even talking C section. She did end up turning right at 37 weeks. www.spinningbabies.com.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
OH I hope he turns for you but if not, things will be fine. I did not have a C-section but I know the recovery is much longer. I guess the only up side is being able to plan it!
ReplyDeleteI don't do a lot of freezer meals but wish I did! I just don't know much about it. I do like to stock up on Trader Joe's frozen foods though. They are usually pretty yummy on those busy nights.
I do the email reply on my iphone but wish there was a way to reply in the comments where it would notify the person they've been responded to. That way other posters could see my reply. Not sure that made sense at all. Sorry.
Hi there! I had a c-section with my daughter because she was breech. I, too, chose not to try to turn her. I was way too worried about the risks to her, and it sounded painful! She's my only child so far, so I can't compare births, but I will definitely say the c-section was not as bad as I'd heard. Of course it was painful, but nothing like I expected. I feel like it was important to get up and moving quickly, but don't over do it! I definitely agree with the underwear comments, at least for the first few days. Also, for about the first 4 or 5 days at home, I slept upright in our bed. And last advice, the football hold for nursing was perfect in the beginning! It kept Faith off of my incision, and she just nursed better that way!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you guys! Lots of prayers coming your way!
I had a Csection bc of my sons cord was around his neck multiple times and was causing distress from 32 weeks on...ugh
ReplyDeleteAny who!
My biggest piece of advice is get up and walk...its gonna suck, I mean big time but the more you do it the better you will feel. and get up and take a shower as soon as they will let you. Again kinda rough but after you get all those bandages and tape off you will feel much better. Oh and if you do have tape and such have someone soak it off while you sit on the shower chair in the shower.
you will kinda feel like you insides are about to fall out if you stand up straight or move to fast but I promise their not;)
A friend of mine had a vaginal birth her first and then a csection her second and she told me the csection recover is 20x worse. Main thing being is you are not supposed to pick up anything over like 7 pounds, which makes it a little difficult to be a mommy to a toddler. and the pain is a little much while trying to take care of two. Call in the troops and get some help those first few weeks
I had a C-section after laboring for 20 hours and dialating to 10cm. Abigail was an 8lb. 3.2oz baby and never dropped into my birth canal so we went with a C. I was completely exhausted for about a week, I think mainly from the trauma my body went through prior to the C. So, I am due with Jack, baby #2:)May 30th and scheduled a C yesterday for May 23rd. I was thinking of trying a natural birth but I don't want to put myself through that again and I think he may be a bit larger than Abigail. So, my advice is to take the pain medication as directed. I tried to be brave and not take it after leaving the hospital and I was WRONG. I needed it, so make sure you get your prescription filled and take it right before the ride home from the hosptial. Otherwise you will be just fine, it wasn't that bad!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy 1st was breech and I had a c-section at 39 wks. After a few months had passed I began doing a lot of research, and I wished I had done everything I and the Dr. could do to have turned him. You think turning a baby is painful, but the pain after a c-section is no picnic. He still has plenty of time to turn, and if I were you I would start doing some exercises to turn him. I did my homework and was extremely prepared for my second baby who I am proud to say is a VBAC. If you do end up with a c-section, you won't be able to hold your baby for at least an hour after birth, I was too sick most of the 1st day from all the meds. I majorly prefer a vaginal birth. ESPECIALLY now that you have a toddler who will need you as well a vaginal birth would be ideal if you can help it; I was so happy with my second birth that I didn't have that recovery to deal with. On a side note, I live around the ATL area as well, and if you have a c-section with this one, and you want a VBAC in the future, North Fulton is the absolute best place to deliver. Their c-section rate is much lower than any other ATL hospitals.
ReplyDeleteMy 9lb 7oz son waited until 39 weeks to turn on his own. Plenty of time for Archer to turn. Give it time and try some at home tricks (bear crawl, Ice packs) and see if that works! Good luck, and either way .... A happy, healthy baby is all that matters!
ReplyDeleteI just made another freezer meal for us before our 2nd baby arrives (I'll be 37 weeks on Sunday! Yikes!). I made some spaghetti & pasta casseroles, a tater tot casserole, and something I NEVER would have thought of if not for Pinerest: breakfast! I froze a dozen egg-mcmuffin style sandwiches and almost 2 dozen breakfast burritos. Just take them out, nuke for a few seconds to heat through, and eat. One handed food is so much easier than trying not to drip cereal and milk on a feeding baby! I am so glad I found those on Pinterest. I also wanted to make some mini-quiches for my 2 yr old to eat those days too, but our freezer is PACKED now, so.... I guess enough is enough for now.
ReplyDeleteI had a c-section (no labor) and have to tell you that it was a CAKE recovery. So easy. I wore the mesh panties for a few days (because they were so loose and didnt touch my incision)
ReplyDelete1-I HIGHLY recommend a belly band for support - a thick structured one. I used the Belly Bandit pulled low so it covered the incision and it helped a TON. It forces you to use muscles other than your abs and helps a lot with soreness. I only took it off for showers the first 3 weeks.
2-I took the pain meds religiously in the hospital, but I didnt need anything besides Advil at home most of the time. At least once a day Id pop a percocet and be great. Each persons pain tolerance is different though, so dont try to be a hero. If you need the pain meds, take them.
3-GEt up and walking around as soon as you can after the procedure. IT will be tender, but it helps a lot in the recovery.
4-just a warning - you will get some pain in your shoulders about a day after the procedure. totally normal.
All in all for me, it felt like a muscle pull, definitely nothing sharp that felt like a surgery. My c-sec wsa elective, so I will not be attempting a VBAC. If we have another baby, Ill be having another section.
I just had a 2nd C-section 2 weeks ago. I was hoping for a VBAC, but baby boy was too stubborn, and at 41 weeks didn't want to come out. I found recovery not to be bad at all. Echoing what others said - take the medication they offer you! Don't try to be a hero or anything and skip it. It'll help you feel much better!
ReplyDelete- Like others said, get up and move around as soon as possible. I didn't know this with my first, but @ 6AM Sunday morning I was asking the nurses to get me out of bed! I think that helped a ton!
- The hardest part of recovery for the 1st 2 weeks has been my 2 year old -- with just not being able to pick him up. He really doesn't understand why mommy can't hold him. My husband has been great and has been taking care of him! And I am happy to say that yesterday I picked him up for the first time with no problems at all. So give it some time!!!
- Coughing, laughing, and sneezing the first couple of days will hurt! I always had water around to get rid of any tickles so I wouldn't cough.
Just take it one day at a time - and before you know it, you'll be back to normal :)