38 Weeks!

Week 38: Oct 12, 2012
159 lbs, Bust 37 ½, Waist 43 ½ , Hips 42 ½

Manual turning of the baby was not successful. I am supposed to try again at Vanderbilt with an OB at 39 weeks (Friday Oct. 19). I’m not confident that it will work because: 1) The baby will be bigger and therefore, it seems, less likely to turn. If it didn’t work at 37 weeks, why would it work at 39? 2) They are rougher and the procedure could end in damage to the placenta or distress to the baby and end in emergency cesarean. If I have a cesarean, I’d like it to not be an emergency. Also, my placenta is anterior and very large, so manipulation of the baby would be difficult anyway, and risks damage to the placenta, given they would not be able to manipulate on my belly – just around the edges. However, the midwives encouraged me to try so I didn’t wonder if there would be anything else that could be done, if baby doesn’t turn. The risk is only 6%. I am still praying for a miracle that the baby turns before then and it would be necessary. Four outcomes could happen – all but one would be ok with me. The following would be ok:

1) The baby turns and no damage is done

2) The baby doesn’t turn and no damage is done

3) The baby turns and it makes labor start (at least I’d get to labor)

The only outcome not ok is if the baby does or doesn’t turn and damage is done resulting in an emergency cesarean…but then again, I’m looking at a cesarean anyway if the baby doesn’t turn, so not too different anyway. Of course then I might wonder if the baby had turned on its own had I waited for labor to begin spontaneously. One thing they generally recommend is a scheduled cesarean directly after the procedure if the baby doesn’t turn. I am opting not to do that. I would like to go into labor on my own, if possible, so at the very least the baby is born on the day it is supposed to be born. Still praying baby turns on its own before the ECV!

One awesome praise is that my AFI was up to 10 or 11 at my ultrasound on Tuesday. This is good news, and I believe due to the coconut water and homeopathic I took. Let’s hope it’s still good on Tuesday at my next ultrasound (getting them every week now to check AFI).