UPDATE...

If it were only this EASY!

On Monday, 10/10, (38 Weeks) Kevin and I went in to the hospital for my scheduled external cephalic version. This procedure is done in a labor and delivery room and is where the doctor attempts to manually turn the baby from the outside!  I was a little nervous since I've heard that it could be very painful and uncomfortable.  When I arrived, the nurse had me change into a gown and brought the ultrasound machine in to double check that Logan was indeed still breech.  Sure enough...the stubborn little man was nice and cozy with his head pushing up against my ribs, and butt in my pelvis! The nurse then strapped me to the fetal heart rate monitor, inserted an IV, and gave me a shot in my arm to relax my uterus.  When the doctor came in (Dr. Angela King), she checked Logan out on the ultrasound for herself, and also measured the amount of amniotic fluid.  Unfortunately, since I was already 38 weeks along, I had VERY little fluid in my uterus.  She said that would definitely lessen her chances of being able to flip him, since there really wasn't much wiggle room.  She was great though, and said that she was willing to give it a "college try"!


I was really preparing myself for the worst, so I closed my eyes and started taking deep breaths as the doctor PUSHED Logan's butt up from my pelvis with all her might and used her other hand to push his head and spine down.  Honestly....it didn't hurt at all!  I think I so in tune with my breathing and SO determined to get him to turn, that I zoned out completely.  The nurse and the doctor kept checking on me because they were amazed that I was so calm.  I kept reassuring them that I was fine, and to continue.  Luckily I was laying down flat and couldn't see what the doctor was doing.  Kevin said that it looked really weird!  Unfortunately, after trying to turn him in both directions several times without success, the doctor stopped.  Logan was just too big, and there was too little fluid to turn him.  The doctor and nurse both said I was a strong lady and were shocked on how well I did.  Apparently my pain tolerance is higher than I thought. (which would have been great for a natural labor, but oh well.)

Dr. King is going to do my c-section next Thursday, October 20th, at 12 noon.  There is always a possibility that he decides to come earlier, though! We wouldn't be surprised one bit, since he seems to love keeping us on our toes!  Kevin, and my good friend Abby are going to be with me during the c-section so that Kevin can stay with Logan in the nursery after he comes out, and Abby can stay with me while I get stitched back up.  I can't believe we'll be parents in exactly ONE week! :)

My heart really hurt when I first realized that I was going to have to have a c-section after all the preparation I've done for a natural childbirth.  It has definitely been a humbling experience to know that I really DON'T have control over things, and that in the end, it's in God's hands.  I am at peace knowing that I tried absolutely everything to help turn Logan.  I just hope and pray for an easy, uneventful surgery, and that Logan is born healthy and happy.  In the end, that's all that matters!!!

Thanks so much to all of you who have given us such wonderful support through these last few weeks! We love you, and can't wait for Logan's grand arrival!

37 Weeks...Breech! :(

37 Weeks: (10/2/11) "Baby's now the size of a watermelon! Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!)."

UPDATE:  We had our ultrasound today, and it turns out that Logan is BREECH! :(  This took me completely by surprise because the doctor said he was head down when she did my pelvic exam last week.  I was holding back tears, and broke down completely once we got in the car.  I DO NOT WANT A C-SECTION!  I've worked so hard preparing for a natural childbirth, hired a doula, practiced hypnobirthing techniques, and had my heart and soul set on an intervention and drug-free delivery.  Thankfully, I called my acupuncturist and  she made me feel much better.  She said that both her children were breech, and she was able to flip them using acupuncture.  She sounded completely certain that I can flip Logan with no problem...even at 37 weeks.  SO...I'm headed to see her today at 3pm.  I'm also working with an amazing prenatal chiropractor that is also specialized in flipping breech babies.  Going to see her tomorrow! Logan is a little stubborn, but I am MORE stubborn, and will not give up until I've tried everything under the sun to flip him. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

36 Weeks...Hello 9th Month!!! :)

36 Weeks:  (9/25/11) "Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy hair that covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term! His skin is getting smooth and soft, his gums are rigid, his liver and kidneys are in working order, and his circulation and immune system are basically good to go. His lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day he gets a little closer to breathing on his own."

UPDATE:  I can't believe it, but we are officially in the 9th month!  Logan will be here in about 4 weeks!!! We can't wait for him to finally be here. :)  I packed my hospital bag, and made a list of the last minute items that I need to throw in there before we leave (phone, camera, snacks...etc.).  We also installed Logan's car seat in my car and had Stephanie (my doula) check to make sure that it was correct.  I've noticed ALOT more movement lately also!  He is wiggling and kicking like crazy these days. :)  He also got the hiccups the other day and Kevin was able to feel it for the first time.  

We had our 36 Week check-up on Tuesday (9/27) and met with Dr. Abrahamson.  She is the other Ob/Gyn at our doctor's office. Dr. Guiroy wanted us to meet with the other doctor just in case she wasn't able to make my delivery.  I had my first pelvic exam done, which was really exciting because she confirmed that Logan was head down, and also said that I'm 2cm dilated! :)  I know that doesn't mean much, considering that some women dilate early and don't make much progress for weeks, but I still think it's a good head start! We are having our last ultrasound on Monday to check on Logan's size!  I'm a little nervous that they're going to tell us he's really big and encourage us to induce. (NOT going to happen!)  I'm really happy that our doula, Stephanie, is coming with us on our next doctor's appointment because she has been a great advocate for us! I know that she will support us in our decision to not induce and let Logan comes when he's ready. :)  We'll see how the ultrasound turns out!!! Hopefully I won't have to even discuss an induction.