Robbie 3.0 » April 2009 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

< > April 2009

Wed, Apr 29, 2009 2:04 PM
Here we are, 38 weeks today and Little Robbie is still nesting comfortably footling breech. My doctor did not check for dilation today because she doesn't want to risk puncturing the bag of waters, so I don't know if I have progressed beyond the 1cm dilation and 100% effaced of last week. I have not experienced any contractions this week so I doubt it, although I have have some slight cramping since leaving the doctor's office.

I have had two acupuncture sessions this week and am scheduled for one more tomorrow morning with a Chinese medicine clinic who claims a 100% success rate with turning breech babies, barring any "structural" problems. My doctor assures me there is no structural or other abnormality with either me or the baby. I've also seen a chiropractor this week who is trained in women's health and pregnancy to focus on loosening the ligaments supporting the uterus to allow baby more room to turn. Even though I'm doing everything I can to try and turn him "naturally", we are still scheduled for the external version on Friday at 8am. If we still have no success and he remains breech, my doctor has scheduled me for a c-section next Friday, May 8th, at 9am. Of course, if he's turned by then and no longer breech, we'll cancel the c-section and just wait until he decides to come. My doctor won't wait much past a week overdue, though and would induce if he waits too long.

So, this next few days to a week will tell us a lot. Either way, we'll have a baby in the next 10 days to couple of weeks!

We read and enjoy each of your comments. Thank you all for your prayers and your support. Michelle, I will definitely want to learn from what you learned regarding c-sections and recovery if we go that way!

More updates as we have things to share!

Comments:
Lindsay: Hey girl...I washed the SUV around 37 weeks and I think that's when Lexi turned on her own. I didn't ever feel any big movements (which having heard from others, even the baby flipping on their own can hurt), so I bet she turned when I was up and down and upside down trying to get the car sparkling clean before her arrival!! Not sure if this will work for you, but I'll say a prayer that little Robbie gives you a shot at a vag delivery!! :) If not, it'll all be worth having him in your arms! Best wishes! Love, Lindsay

Michelle: If he is breech, you will probably not have a lot of contractions as there's not the presure from the head but from the feet. With Will, I had full tummy pressure if I did a lot of walking/shopping but can't say I really had a full on contraction...until Zac - who was definately not breech.

We'll keep praying and keep watching for posts about little Robbie.

Glory Rogers: You are down to the wire and Kevan and I are so excited for you both. We know God will be with you all the way. We will continue to pray for you.

Add a comment:

Name: Email:
Comment:

Notify me of scrapbook updates
Wed, Apr 22, 2009 7:16 PM
Hello, everyone! We are 37 weeks today. I had my weekly doctor's appointment today and Little Robbie is still feet first. In fact, I am dilated to 1cm (same as at last week's appointment) and my cervix is 100% effaced (thinned out). Dr. Wittek could feel his feet! Isn't that strange to think about!! She consulted with a perinatologist (a high-risk pregnancy specialist) on whether the baby can be manually turned at my current stage of progression. The perinatologist, Dr. Wickstrom, agreed he can and we have the procedure (External Version) scheduled for next Friday, May 1st at 8am. It will take place in the hospital, so that if there are complications or if I go into labor we are in the right spot to handle it. The procedure consists of two physicians pushing (to put it lightly) on my belly from the outside to manipulate the baby into the head-down position. I have seen the procedure done and it looks pretty brutal to the mom. I'm told it is very "uncomfortable" but I think that is putting it nicely.

The doctor has told me that if my water breaks or if I start to have regular painful contractions to call and come on into the hospital to be checked. She doesn't want me to labor at home because Robbie cannot be born safely in the feet-down position. I'm going to try to remain calm if labor starts but praying that he turns on his own before that happens to prevent any emergent conditions or complications. I'm also trying to resign myself to having a c-section, just so I'm not crushed when/if it has to happen. As long and he comes out safely and a healthy, happy baby we'll be happy!

We'll keep you posted! Remember, if you want to be on the mailing list for a quick email update, please let me know and I'll add you: emaildawners@gmail.com

Love,
Dawn

Comments:
Michelle: I really, really wanted to have a regular delivery with Will but after I had a c-section, I was okay with it and actually was fine with it for Zac as well. Let me know if you want to have an idea of what to expect during and after if you do have a c-section. There were things I found out after that I wish I would have known before that really helped me with handling the c-section with Zac.

Aunt Bessie: Remember, God is in charge. Everything has been
ordained from the beginning of time.

Glory Rogers: Dawn- Kevan and I will be praying for you and Little Robbie. God is always faithful and will be with you and help you and the baby through this time. Everything will be alright. We love you all.

Add a comment:

Name: Email:
Comment:

Notify me of scrapbook updates
Tue, Apr 14, 2009 9:27 AM
We've had two appointments this week. My OB appointment was yesterday and she checked my progress for the first time. I am 1cm dilated. Of course I could be that way for weeks, but it's exciting to know something seems to be starting to happen.

This morning we had a sonogram to check Little Robbie's positioning. He is breech. His little feet and bottom are down. He at times is kicking and standing on my cervix, in fact. His little head is in my right rib. This morning in the shower he seems to stretch or stand up and put pain in my lower left abdomen and my right rib. Little stinker! The sonographer measured him at about 5 pounds, 11 ounces. We are 36 weeks today. One month left!

Please pray that he turns head down in the next week or so. If not, my doctor may decided to try to turn him manually. This can be a painful procedure for me and the risk is that it could send us into labor. They usually try to wait until 37 weeks or after, so that if it sends me into labor the baby would be fine when delivered. We'd just rather avoid it all together if possible, although if it would keep us from having a c-section I'm all for it!

Comments:
Pat Zeigler: Hey Dawn and Rob, we are all praying for you, Miss Pete has memtioned prayer for you on her facebook, just wanted you to know that we here in SC are excited and a waiting the wonder news that Little Robbie is happy kicking in his mommy's and daddy's arms. In God we trust - Pat

Add a comment:

Name: Email:
Comment:

Notify me of scrapbook updates
Sat, Apr 11, 2009 1:47 PM
New addition to the photo album. I've finally posted some before and after pictures of our basement remodel.

Comments:

Add a comment:

Name: Email:
Comment:

Notify me of scrapbook updates
Thu, Apr 9, 2009 11:12 AM
Well, we are nearing the end! We are 35 weeks and seeing the doctor every week from now on. At last Monday's appointment she thought he was facing head-down position. We are having an ultrasound to check his position next Tuesday. I feel slightly more uncomfortable at times, depending on how I move, so I think he certainly is closer to the head down position than he has been. It's a lot harder to get up off the couch and out of bed now. I'm still feeling good, though and still working full time.

We had two wonderful showers this last weekend, given by my Aunts and my friend. I'll post some picture of these. I think we have all the basic layette stuff we need. I ordered my breast pump yesterday. Things are really coming together and I'm getting the closets and nursery all organized. It's amazing how much stuff a baby needs....or at least we think he needs!

We have our last of 5 childbirth classes next week. At last night's class Rob got to wear the "Empathy Belly". It weighs about 30 pounds and they had to lie down, turn over, and bend down to pick up something or tie their shoe. I think he got a good idea of what it may be like to have all that extra weight in front of you. So far, that's been my favorite part of the classes.

Also in the photo albums I've posted a picture of our infertility specialist, Dr. Daniel Stewart, and me comparing bellies. I went to visit him to tell him how well this pregnancy has gone, thanks to his help getting it started. Everyone in the office seemed pleased to see the "fruits of their labor" and laughed at Dr. Stewart's bragging that I had the bigger belly of the two of us. I took it as a compliment since we've waited so long for this!

As things continue to progress and labor approaches we'll try to keep you all updated. The notices of an update to this site don't go out until sometime in the middle of the night of an entry, so there may be a delay in notifications. For anyone who would like to be on an email notification which can be sent quicker from the hospital if time permits, please email me at: emaildawners@gmail.com and I will put you on a group list for more timely updates.

37 weeks is considered to be full term, so essentially we could go into labor anytime in the next two weeks to 6 weeks. A broad range, but my doctor says she won't let me go much past a week beyond my due date of May 14th.

I'm going to enter some pictures now, so be sure to visit the photo album. Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Love,
Dawn

Comments:

Add a comment:

Name: Email:
Comment:

Notify me of scrapbook updates