An "unstable lie" is not like an inconvenient truth. It is what baby Radwood does- i.e. a baby that refuses to pick a position and stick with it. Since 25 weeks, baby has spent time in vertex (head firmly tucked down), frank breech (pike-position with head up, butt down, feet near chest), footling breech (feet smooshed waaaay down with head up) and transverse (horizontal, lying on its back or face). It is uncomfortable process for the baby to switch from some positions to other positions- vertex to breech, for instance, is sucky. Footling breech to transverse feels funny but actually is not uncomfortable, just odd.
So how do I know the baby is doing this? Matt and I are getting quite professional at baby-part identification. We've got head, back, butt and feet totally figured out. Arms are tricky because they are weaker and smaller, but of course the arms are not necessary if you already have one or more of the other parts determined. And arms can be figured out later in the process once the weaker punching is differentiated from the stronger, firmer kicking.
I'd rank footling breech as the least comfortable by a large margin. The baby is capable of putting very strong point pressure on my cervix and bladder, and sometimes pokes so hard I actually yelp and double over with surprise. I'm fairly sure that it is inevitable that the baby will eventually make me wet myself if it keeps this up. Additionally, when the baby is in this position, it can "stand" up in the uterus and THAT is ridiculously uncomfortable. Depending on how it is sitting when it does this, baby either;
a) wedges its grapefruit sized head up and under my ribs (ouch, achy)
b) stretches the skin of my mid-belly up and out in a very uncomfortable and freaky looking manner (bigger ouch, and creepy)
I'm very much hoping and looking forward to a return to vertex. I'm trying to stay optimistic on this- it has done it several times, it can do it again. If not, there are ways of firmly massaging it into place once it is big enough to ensure it won't spin around again. This is no fun, I've read and heard, but really I think it sounds like a good idea to me!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Stretching!
The stretch marks started a long time ago- I don't recall exactly, but I've had wagon-wheel spokes of purple on my chest for at least two months, I think. I guess it was about time- I've never had marks there before.
Roughly one month ago my belly-button bruising zone started getting a stretch mark that looks like a crazed scribble directly above my "button" itself. That has held steady since then, except for when I (painfully) accidentally whacked my belly on the kitchen table and the stretch mark itself bloomed up in a bright red set of minute bloody speckles for a week or so. Those went away as I suspected they would, and needless to say I am now more cautious with my personal space.
Most recently, a small scar from a mole removal on my left belly-side suddenly developed a stretch mark perpendicular to the scar itself, so now I have an "X marks the spot" style marking. I had a very funny disagreement with Matt about which was the stretch mark, and which was the scar, and considering I can hardly see that part of my body right now I almost let him convince me of the opposite orientation to reality. However, in the bright light of day and when I'm all relaxed, you can see that the incision scar and tiny stitching scars sit lengthwise, and the stretch mark is vertical.
So there we go. They are here, and they are bound to multiply. I'm not surprised; I've seen it as totally inevitable considering that I've had pale white stretching marks on my butt and knees ever since high school.
One funny thing is that no matter how many times I gently tell people that stretch marks are genetic and related to your skin proteins, almost everyone who seems my belly-button scribble mark insists on telling me about some cream that will prevent more. This is simply not true. Creams can make them less itchy, but nothing will prevent them except good genetic luck.
Roughly one month ago my belly-button bruising zone started getting a stretch mark that looks like a crazed scribble directly above my "button" itself. That has held steady since then, except for when I (painfully) accidentally whacked my belly on the kitchen table and the stretch mark itself bloomed up in a bright red set of minute bloody speckles for a week or so. Those went away as I suspected they would, and needless to say I am now more cautious with my personal space.
Most recently, a small scar from a mole removal on my left belly-side suddenly developed a stretch mark perpendicular to the scar itself, so now I have an "X marks the spot" style marking. I had a very funny disagreement with Matt about which was the stretch mark, and which was the scar, and considering I can hardly see that part of my body right now I almost let him convince me of the opposite orientation to reality. However, in the bright light of day and when I'm all relaxed, you can see that the incision scar and tiny stitching scars sit lengthwise, and the stretch mark is vertical.
So there we go. They are here, and they are bound to multiply. I'm not surprised; I've seen it as totally inevitable considering that I've had pale white stretching marks on my butt and knees ever since high school.
One funny thing is that no matter how many times I gently tell people that stretch marks are genetic and related to your skin proteins, almost everyone who seems my belly-button scribble mark insists on telling me about some cream that will prevent more. This is simply not true. Creams can make them less itchy, but nothing will prevent them except good genetic luck.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Bobble-head strikes again
Two weeks ago the ultrasound technician said, and I think this is a pretty direct quote, "Baby looks pretty tightly packed in there. Shouldn't be able to move much anymore!" Head was down. Baby looked pretty darn snug.
Right.
A few nights ago I had one of these highly miserable evenings of nauseous torture that I rarely experience. This has happened to me a couple of times, although this was by far the worst yet. I was coughing, crying, and just about retching into our trash can by the bed. The only thing I didn't do is actually puke. And I didn't put it together that the baby was squirming insanely the whole time- I thought maybe it was my anxiety. Noooo... that is the tail wagging the dog in this case.
When we went to the OB's today I asked, because I was slightly suspicious, if baby was currently head up or butt up. She gently patted the baby's cute little bobble-head under my skin and confirmed my suspicion once more- the baby has squirmed its way upright, again. I have a grapefruit sized baby head under my left ribs and while it is kinda cute to feel it in there... well... no one (but the baby, who is surely pleased with its accomplishment) is too happy with this. Soon the baby will really grow too big, and it will get VERY firmly stuck (instead of just kinda stuck) and I truly hope that the baby is head-down at that time.
In the meantime, I have been instructed to do more back flexes and (as Matt and I call them) butt-wiggling exercises. These are in the hopes that baby will get jostled out of position during my contortions and decide to go head-down again.
Right.
A few nights ago I had one of these highly miserable evenings of nauseous torture that I rarely experience. This has happened to me a couple of times, although this was by far the worst yet. I was coughing, crying, and just about retching into our trash can by the bed. The only thing I didn't do is actually puke. And I didn't put it together that the baby was squirming insanely the whole time- I thought maybe it was my anxiety. Noooo... that is the tail wagging the dog in this case.
When we went to the OB's today I asked, because I was slightly suspicious, if baby was currently head up or butt up. She gently patted the baby's cute little bobble-head under my skin and confirmed my suspicion once more- the baby has squirmed its way upright, again. I have a grapefruit sized baby head under my left ribs and while it is kinda cute to feel it in there... well... no one (but the baby, who is surely pleased with its accomplishment) is too happy with this. Soon the baby will really grow too big, and it will get VERY firmly stuck (instead of just kinda stuck) and I truly hope that the baby is head-down at that time.
In the meantime, I have been instructed to do more back flexes and (as Matt and I call them) butt-wiggling exercises. These are in the hopes that baby will get jostled out of position during my contortions and decide to go head-down again.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Gettin' big
I ran into a friend today at the grocery store that I have not seen in at least a month, maybe 6 weeks. She looked a bit surprised at how big I've gotten. And as we chatted, I got to thinking- I am big! The baby, and my uterus (fundal height, for those of you that want to know), both measure 3 weeks bigger than average. This means that while I'm in my 31st week, I look and feel about 34 weeks pregnant. Do the math- that takes me to 8 1/2 calendar months! Babies take 9 full calendar months (10 lunar months, which I know is confusing but think of all the months that take over 28 days to complete and you'll get it).
No wonder I've lost the ability to quickly or comfortably put my socks on. No wonder people get a funny look on their faces when I tell them I'm due in mid-March. And then I sometimes I get, "Oh wow. I wish I had looked like that at 31 weeks. I was as big as a HOUSE." Uh, thanks!
Keep in mind that Matt and his siblings were all born about 3 weeks early and quite big, so that suggests that perhaps this baby is just being a good Rad-baby and developing right on schedule. Baby is half from that gene pool, so I can easily see how that might be the case.
Then again, maybe the baby will want to cook until the last "full term" second- that would be, technically speaking, 42 weeks from June 5th- which is March 25th. That assumes that the baby doesn't stress or otherwise show signs of being unhappy, but I'm trying hard to think about it like this- anytime between February 20th and March 25th is fine. Before that = less fine. After that = induction (yuck).
Interestingly, I have several friends that were themselves born very post-term. We are talking 44 weeks, about 11 lbs. So this happens, and while it is sometimes very bad for the baby, it also is sometimes no problem at all. I think that is pretty amazing (and the poor moms!). These days no doctor will let a pregnant woman carry that long, but it is interesting to hear about.
No wonder I've lost the ability to quickly or comfortably put my socks on. No wonder people get a funny look on their faces when I tell them I'm due in mid-March. And then I sometimes I get, "Oh wow. I wish I had looked like that at 31 weeks. I was as big as a HOUSE." Uh, thanks!
Keep in mind that Matt and his siblings were all born about 3 weeks early and quite big, so that suggests that perhaps this baby is just being a good Rad-baby and developing right on schedule. Baby is half from that gene pool, so I can easily see how that might be the case.
Then again, maybe the baby will want to cook until the last "full term" second- that would be, technically speaking, 42 weeks from June 5th- which is March 25th. That assumes that the baby doesn't stress or otherwise show signs of being unhappy, but I'm trying hard to think about it like this- anytime between February 20th and March 25th is fine. Before that = less fine. After that = induction (yuck).
Interestingly, I have several friends that were themselves born very post-term. We are talking 44 weeks, about 11 lbs. So this happens, and while it is sometimes very bad for the baby, it also is sometimes no problem at all. I think that is pretty amazing (and the poor moms!). These days no doctor will let a pregnant woman carry that long, but it is interesting to hear about.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
What a pain in the #$%
A few readers of this blog will know that two years ago I had to have minor surgery on my butt. It hurt a lot and was, shall we say, demoralizing yet hilarious. Rest assured that you do not want this to happen to you (which is pretty much the case for all surgeries, I would think).
Well, it happened to me again. And you know what? It sucked, again. However, I feel good because I can list some positive things. and I will.
Positive changes since last time this happened-
1) At no time were my butt cheeks taped together with 2" wide medical tape (removal = yeeeeeouch!)
2) My surgeon was nice
3) I was not misdiagnosed at first
4) I knew what to expect from the procedure (i.e. very painful, but quick)
5) I knew that taking a painkiller an hour before the procedure was an extremely good idea and followed through with that concept
and
6) I used my new breathing techniques! Yeah!
That is right! The very nice nurse and I practiced some of the labor breathing techniques that I've learned while the surgeon ripped me a new %$#hole. Sorry, I couldn't resist the joke on that one. And you know what? I think it helped. Well, that and the fact that the surgeon was really, really understanding and tried very hard to be less sadistic than the one from two years ago.
So now, I am in recovery mode. Such a relief!
The poor baby had to bathe in all my nervous energy all morning and had a pretty significant freakout (kicking, squirming) after the surgery was over. I understand. It didn't know what was going on, all it knew was that it was swimming in a pool of adrenaline-laced fluid. But now baby is back to its usual antics, so I know that it has recovered.
Well, it happened to me again. And you know what? It sucked, again. However, I feel good because I can list some positive things. and I will.
Positive changes since last time this happened-
1) At no time were my butt cheeks taped together with 2" wide medical tape (removal = yeeeeeouch!)
2) My surgeon was nice
3) I was not misdiagnosed at first
4) I knew what to expect from the procedure (i.e. very painful, but quick)
5) I knew that taking a painkiller an hour before the procedure was an extremely good idea and followed through with that concept
and
6) I used my new breathing techniques! Yeah!
That is right! The very nice nurse and I practiced some of the labor breathing techniques that I've learned while the surgeon ripped me a new %$#hole. Sorry, I couldn't resist the joke on that one. And you know what? I think it helped. Well, that and the fact that the surgeon was really, really understanding and tried very hard to be less sadistic than the one from two years ago.
So now, I am in recovery mode. Such a relief!
The poor baby had to bathe in all my nervous energy all morning and had a pretty significant freakout (kicking, squirming) after the surgery was over. I understand. It didn't know what was going on, all it knew was that it was swimming in a pool of adrenaline-laced fluid. But now baby is back to its usual antics, so I know that it has recovered.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Big baby!
I had an ultrasound late yesterday and it re-confirmed what the last ultrasound (which was 10 weeks ago) said... our baby is a big and tall baby! It is 3lbs 13oz according to their estimates, and at the 83% of height and weight. This means, for its age, it is bigger than 83% of other babies. The baby also slept (somewhat mercifully) through the ultrasound, with a few short periods of moving slightly, yawning, and some light fidgeting. I was a bit concerned it would do its normal calisthenics instead, so taking a nap was a welcome surprise.
It is tucked into a very good position right now- head down, elbows bent, hands near its face, and legs firmly curled up against its abdomen. The technician said that it looks nicely proportioned- good muscles, nice long limbs, plump but not too plump for its age. I have a very average amount of amniotic fluid, which is a good thing although it made seeing the baby's face nearly impossible. Needless to say Matt and I were brimming with pride at our little buddy in there.
Babies in the third trimester gain about a 1/2 lb per week, so at current estimates the baby will be born weighing in around 8 1/2 lbs. This is exactly what Matt weighed at birth!
It is tucked into a very good position right now- head down, elbows bent, hands near its face, and legs firmly curled up against its abdomen. The technician said that it looks nicely proportioned- good muscles, nice long limbs, plump but not too plump for its age. I have a very average amount of amniotic fluid, which is a good thing although it made seeing the baby's face nearly impossible. Needless to say Matt and I were brimming with pride at our little buddy in there.
Babies in the third trimester gain about a 1/2 lb per week, so at current estimates the baby will be born weighing in around 8 1/2 lbs. This is exactly what Matt weighed at birth!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
29 weeks and 3 days
Here we are at aaaaaalmost 30 weeks. So exciting!
I had a doctor's appointment today that was great- I learned that my body likes to "dump sugar" when I eat christmas cookies for breakfast, which means to give an almost false positive for excessive sugar in the urine. The nurse was very funny, "Did you have a lot of sugar with your breakfast? Like maybe some christmas cookies?" Uhhhh... guilty as charged.
I also gained almost no weight since my last appointment, which is neither good nor bad. I gained more-than-average for first 25 weeks, and therefore one month below average is kind of a relief. I guess I'm evening out, which is nice.
The baby is settled in head-down again. I'm glad, and more comfortable. I thought it was, but its little angular butt kinda feels like the blocky shape of its head, so I was slightly confused. I know its feet felt like they were near my ribs, but then sometimes they "jack-knife" with their legs extended so that is not necessarily a perfect sign of being head-down.
The baby kicked the heart-rate monitor and startled the nurse, which was funny. It moved around quite a bit and generally showed off its fine talents of being an active baby. That made everyone happy and Matt is so proud of his little acrobat's antics. Apparently this baby is far more active than average. Good! Healthy!
On an unrelated note, the friend's baby is HOME! Little boy Kit got to come home from the hospital in time for Christmas and has been gaining weight steadily without further feeding interventions. I am so happy for my friends that their little guy is doing so well. He is still a month from his "due date" so you can imagine how exciting it is that he is already at home full time. He already weighs more than I did when I was born- amazing! Also, the report is that he looks great in the sweater I bought him, and it fits nicely. Awwww...
I had a doctor's appointment today that was great- I learned that my body likes to "dump sugar" when I eat christmas cookies for breakfast, which means to give an almost false positive for excessive sugar in the urine. The nurse was very funny, "Did you have a lot of sugar with your breakfast? Like maybe some christmas cookies?" Uhhhh... guilty as charged.
I also gained almost no weight since my last appointment, which is neither good nor bad. I gained more-than-average for first 25 weeks, and therefore one month below average is kind of a relief. I guess I'm evening out, which is nice.
The baby is settled in head-down again. I'm glad, and more comfortable. I thought it was, but its little angular butt kinda feels like the blocky shape of its head, so I was slightly confused. I know its feet felt like they were near my ribs, but then sometimes they "jack-knife" with their legs extended so that is not necessarily a perfect sign of being head-down.
The baby kicked the heart-rate monitor and startled the nurse, which was funny. It moved around quite a bit and generally showed off its fine talents of being an active baby. That made everyone happy and Matt is so proud of his little acrobat's antics. Apparently this baby is far more active than average. Good! Healthy!
On an unrelated note, the friend's baby is HOME! Little boy Kit got to come home from the hospital in time for Christmas and has been gaining weight steadily without further feeding interventions. I am so happy for my friends that their little guy is doing so well. He is still a month from his "due date" so you can imagine how exciting it is that he is already at home full time. He already weighs more than I did when I was born- amazing! Also, the report is that he looks great in the sweater I bought him, and it fits nicely. Awwww...
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