In the home stretch now

I didn't realize it was my decision to do the ECV (physically push the baby from the outside) procedure or just leave the baby as is and schedule a c-section directly. In speaking with my ob, it seemed fairly logical to just proceed with a c-sect, considering the baby has been in the upside down position for a fairly long time (since 32 weeks I believe) and hasn't switched. She said there's usually a reason - maybe he is too big. And if I go through with ECV, it doesn't always guarantee a vaginal birth anyway. So I discussed with the fiance, and we decided to just go ahead with a c-sect. It is now scheduled for Aug 10, 1pm. Yowzas. That means only a week and 1/2 to go before baby bean is yanked from the comfort of my womb and is forced out into this crazy world!!

All in all, I would say I had an easy pregnancy. I didn't throw up (well maybe once or twice), I'm not so huge I can't get myself out of chairs by myself, I didn't gain massive weight, face didn't change, nose didn't start spreading, didn't gain weight in butt or hips, didn't start farting uncontrollably which I was waiting to happen in my 3rd trimester because I heard that does happen, no heartburn which I heard was also very common in the 3rd trimester, so I could eat whatever I want including spicy food. And no 'roids. I thought I was on the verge of getting them but it didn't happen so that's great. No gestational diabetes, no stitches needed to the cervix, no bed rest.

Here's what I did go through: I was nauseous in my first trimester (ixnay on the curry or balsamic vinegar) but 2nd trimester totally felt better, I still gag when I brush my teeth in the morning, my feet do swell and I get cankles now by the end of the day (thus the limited footwear), back hurts if I sit the wrong way, very uncomfortable to sleep but that preggle body pillow sure does help, hard to turn from side to side when in bed, and hard to get out of bed, peeing 3 x a night. Used to not be able to fall back asleep after getting up to pee, but now I'm much better - that gets you used to having to wake up in the night to feed the baby. And now in the 3rd trimester, I find myself drooling a lot on my pillow when I sleep. I don't usually drool, so that's a weird one. I think it's because my sinuses have been out of whack this whole time.

But all in all not bad at all.

Did I mention that we had 2 baby showers thrown for us? One in BK and one in YonkYonk. That was so great and I'm so thankful for having people in my life that love, care and support us. The bean is much loved even before he's born. Who could ask for anything more?

Holy Hot, Batman!

Today was 98 degrees at 10AM this morning. Think what it must be now. Whew. Like I said before, hot weather is not a pregnant woman's best friend. Anyway survived going to the specialist this morning. They confirmed that baby bean was breech. They said he was "frank breech" which means: the baby's butt is towards the birth canal and his legs stick straight up in front of the body, so his feet are towards his head. hmm I wonder if he's ok to be in that position. Anyway, they also confirmed that he is currently 6 lbs 9 oz. That's pretty big already. They didn't tell me if turning the baby around physically from the outside is a possible option, but the specialist said that usually they prefer to try even if it doesn't work because, if let's say you do have to go into emergency labor (due to baby's blood pressure dropping), then you end up having a c-sect which was the only other alternative option to begin with. This would take place in a hospital so I suppose you would be in good hands. Anyways, he said I would need to discuss the options with my regular ob/gyn on my next visit, which is this Monday. And now I have to visit the specialist every week until labor to check and make sure all is ok with baby since I am over 35. Doctor visits galore.

And on a different note, I just wanted to give a shout out to Birkenstocks. The only sandals I've been wearing since the start of Spring. I don't think I would be able to walk as much as I do, if it weren't for these shoes. They are definitely taking a beating this summer. And even with my swollen, bloated feet, I can still fit into them. Sometimes my feet hurt, after walking for long periods, because the arch supports etc push up against your feet, but all in all they offer the best support. I think I would have had more back pain than what I suffer from now, if I weren't wearing them. Besides the permanent t-strap suntan that I now sport because of the sandals, all on all, these are good shoes to own.

To breech or not to be

So I will be in my 36th week this Thursday. At times it feels like I've been pregnant forever, and at times I can't believe the baby will be here in a few weeks time. Currently the baby is in the wrong position, and this is apparently the critical week where he needs to turn his head down. He seems to like where he is...wanting to go more up instead of down. He is still pushing up against my right ribs every now and again, which is slightly uncomfortable and hurts sometimes. Really weird. I sometimes think he's trying to eavesdrop on conversations when he does this. Anyway, I've tried the kneeling on all fours to get the baby in the right position exercise, but that doesn't seem to be working. I even tried lying on a slant with a bag of ice on the top of my belly to get him to switch (only tried twice) but that also didn't do anything except make my belly really cold, cause the baby to kick a lot, and give me a headache with all the blood rushing to my head. Friday I go to the specialist who will determine how big the baby is and see if he can be manually moved externally into the right position (which is high risk and might lower the baby's blood pressure and force me into early labor) or if the baby is too big and my pelvis is too small for the baby to fit through the birth canal, so will need a c-section.

I guess I am looking like I'm about to explode. Lots more people..strangers...have been telling me this lately. Someone even asked me if I swallowed a watermelon. Ah, right - that was one of my cousins being a dick. Although, there are a few people who actually tell me I look small. Funny - people's perspectives. I personally do feel like my belly will explode any minute or I will tip over. I mean, will my belly really expand even more than now? It's been pretty much at 36" - 37" - 38"circumference depending on how the baby has positioned himself. I've used my belly as table to write on. I can use it as an armrest when I'm holding a drink. I feel the need to put a napkin on it, instead of my lap, because it's now where the food or condensation from a cup land. I have trouble fitting into a booth. It's like bumper cars with my belly against the table. I feel like I am starting to waddle instead of walk. My feet and ankles start swelling in the heat, or if I stand or sit for a long period of time. The swelling thing has been happening more so now in the last few weeks but it also has been a lot hotter lately. Heat is really not a pregnant woman's best friend. The worst has to be I can't find a good sleeping position anymore, even with my preggle (body pillow). That thing seems to egg on charlie horses when I'm changing positions at night. Ah but it's not that bad and it will be all be worth it in the end, right?