35 Week Bump Update

Oh how the time is is flying! We are nearing one month left as a family of two before becoming a family of three.

After 10 years married (our anniversary is in about two weeks time, just sayin) it seems crazy to think how much is going to change yet at the same time it feels so right.

Pip is still head up so I am ramping up the acupuncture treatments as well as being more consistent in doing the moxa treatments at home. I am now seeing the midwife on a weekly basis and we will talk more serious about options if Pip remains breech. I was informed at our appointment yesterday that they are not trained to do a breech delivery even if it is a frank breech and the OB on call at the hospital will take over if we arrive in labour this way, most likely resulting in a c section. Definitely not a favourable option.
I suggested that we have time and would like to talk about this next week. No need to stress now!

As for my favourite obsession, my belly button, it remains flush with the belly but am sure that with one good kick it's all over and will pop out. If you hear a scream, it's probably me!

Just like Mom and Dad

So the ultrasound confirmed that Pip is indeed breech. Even after all the convincing that Rob has been doing and the crazy things I have been doing the little one is being stubborn just like Mom and Dad, guess that's to be expected!

I meet with my midwife on Monday and we will talk more about it but in the meantime it looks like I am going to ramp up my foot burning and hip elevations.

We were told that Pip is Frank Breech which means that it's bum down in my pelvis with legs pointing straight up to the head. From the images, we were able to tell that Pip's head is facing my left side and tucked down so I feel confidant that a flip or roll is coming soon! I have been told that this is a good kind of breech to have, what ever that means, and it is possible to deliver with this position. I think I'll wait until I chat with my midwife to see what she says.

In the meantime here is a shot of some incredibly sweet baby toes. With the head in such a tucked down position and the feet up by the face getting a clear face shot was pretty difficult. Guess we will all have to wait a bit longer to see who's in there.

Wee foot measures 7cm long!

34 Week Bump Update

Well, another week down and closer to Pip's arrival. I have really noticed a slow down this past week, getting tired so much earlier and easier. I am also finding it hard to stay in on one position for too long either standing, sitting or lying down, as my upper back is getting sore and the belly is getting bigger. Speaking of the belly, I noticed that for the past week or so I was bumping into things more frequently which is not like me so figured it was time to get the measuring tape out. Sure enough the belly has grown two inches since the last measure, thank goodness I'm tall otherwise I'b be standing back a foot from the counters while trying to make dinner!

With my diaphragm now pushed waaayy up into my ribs my voice has changed. Kind of like puberty but not! It's become raspier, a bit deeper and when I try to sing most of the time nothing comes out. I'm guessing for some that's a good thing.

Still doing what I can in order to turn Pip but to be honest I really don't know anymore what direction Pip is in. There are so many lumps and bumps that it's pretty difficult to figure out what is what. Guess I'll have to wait until Wednesday for the ultrasound to confirm. Fingers crossed.

It seems that I can not get enough liquids this week. I'm drinking almost three liters of water a day but still feel like I'm very dehydrated, always thirsty, dry mouth and lips. Guess I just need to keep drinking!

We finished our prenatal classes and can not say enough about how fantastic they were. The instructor, Leslie, was amazing. She was very inclusive of the partners at all times, even during the breast feeding class, which really enforced the idea that this is a partnership and not just what mom says. She also covered all the questions we had and didn't know we had in a very open and honest manner, a lot of common sense and excellent solid advice on all the topics she covered.

Now I understand that I have not given you any details about the classes as this would be the longest post ever, but am more than happy to tell you about it if there are questions. If you click the link below then click the prenatal button on the top of the page it will direct you to an outline of what is covered in her classes.
I think Rob said it best; the only advice he will give expecting Dad's or parents is just go to these classes, don't bother with anything else as you will be wasting your time.
You can link to her website here http://www.birthspirit.ca/ as well, I have put a link to her web site under my links header.

Burning My Feet

As mentioned earlier, Pip is in breech position and we have started to try some alternative methods of turning the baby.

I have been going for acupuncture treatments for over a year now for a variety of different reasons and was aware of the Moxa treatment that was given to help turn a breech baby. Last week I went in for a treatment and to be honest, it felt really nice. I was all warm and cozy while Pip was dancing away.

Essentially it's a cigar size stick of mugwort that is lit up and placed over your pinky toe. This stimulates the uterus by improving blood flow to the area thus stimulating the baby to move around. By doing this daily there is a better chance of the baby turning on it's own as opposed to an external version, which I am hoping to avoid at all costs as I have heard that it can be quite painful.

This is a very simple procedure and so was given a stick to take home so Rob can do it for me. Now I will admit that waving a burning stick over your feet to turn a baby sounds very odd but it doesn't hurt and after doing a quick bit of research it appears to be a fairly regular treatment for breech babies. Convincing Rob took a bit but he is a great sport and played along with my request.

I am also laying down every day (when I remember to) with pillows under my hips to elevate them for 15 min. This helps Pip raise out of the pelvic bone area and being top heavy, as in head is much larger that the rest if the body, will hopefully flip around.

We shall see what happens. The good news is that my midwife has sent me for an ultrasound late next week to confirm Pip's position, I'm not going to argue! We are pretty excited to be able to see Pip again as we were only expecting the two ultrasounds early on so this is a great bonus.

Stay tuned for any updates as they occur.