Baby Flip Update

On Wednesday afternoon, Jared and I got to the hospital pumped up and ready to attempt to flip the baby...only to be sent home. There wasn't enough room in triage because apparently everyone decided to go into labor around 4:00! We scheduled to try the flip the next day at 4:00. I was little bummed because I was ready to have it done and I had already gone all day Wednesday without eating and had to do the same thing on Thursday! We went to the hospital yesterday and were able to get in for the procedure. The doctors tried about 4 or 5 times (about 10 minutes total) to flip the baby but the little stinker wouldn't cooperate. The head and body would move but the bottom wouldn't come out of my pelvis area. The procedure was definitely bearable but was uncomfortable (probably about a 6 maybe 7 out of 10 pain wise). I am a little sore this morning and the areas they pushed and pulled are definitely tender to touch.

I had a dr. appointment this morning and everything still looks good. Since the baby is breech and will probably stay that way we scheduled our C-Section. We are scheduled for March 3rd at 9:30. So in 12 days (or less) we are for sure going to meet our little one and find out if it is a boy or girl! We are both really excited, but the reality of it all does hit from time to time!

I feel okay about the C-Section and am glad that we at least tried to flip the baby. We both know that God has the ultimate plan throughout all of this. If this is how He wants our baby to enter the world, who are we to second guess that plan!

Full Term

Here are the most recent pictures in my baby belly journey:

35 weeks

The size of a crenshaw melon (once again ???)

About 6 lbs and 18 1/2 inches long

37 weeks

As long as a stalk of swiss chard

6 1/3 lbs and about 19 inches long

Jared has been wanting to put his photo skills to work and take an artsy photo of me pregnant in order to frame and put in the baby room. I think he did a great job! We couldn't decide if we liked it better in color or black and white.

I am officially considered full term at this point!!!

Although I would still like to make it to 39 weeks, if the baby was born now it would no longer be considered pre-term. Yay!

Grace and Mercy

There are certain times in my life that God has abundantly shown Himself to a point where I feel undeserving and ashamed at my doubt. Now is one of those times.

Since finding out that we were expecting a little one in March Jared has been looking for a new job to provide more income and better benefits. I have wanted to cut down to at least 30 hours/week to stay home more once the baby comes. Jobs have been sparse and there haven't been many possibilities over the last 9 months. We have been through our fair share of dr. appointments, hospital visits and ultrasounds which have added up financially. My hours were reduced in December, which was an unexpected decrease to our monthly income. Through it all we have both been trying to rely on God as He has always been faithful to provide. As much as I try, my first instinct is to always become anxious and worry. The final straw was when we did our taxes and realized that we owe the government this year. Needless to say we were both discouraged.

The same night we did our taxes (1 1/2 weeks ago) Jared got a phone call from a friend saying he had just been hired at bodybuilding.com as their Director of Web Development. His friend told Jared that he wanted him to work in the department he was overseeing as a Web Designer. We were both a little hesitant to believe that the job would actually happen. This last Friday Jared interviewed for the job and was extended an offer a couple hours later. That same night his friend called and said that he felt Jared was worth more than the initial offer and that he would be sending him a new offer on Monday with an increase in salary. Both Jared and I sat there that night completely humbled and overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy.

I am still amazed at God's timing and his overflowing grace. Being a Christian my entire life I think it is easy to overlook the concept of grace and mercy at times. This was such an intense reminder of how undeserving I am, yet how good and gracious the Lord is.

We have also decided to try and flip the baby. Our appointment is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00. I was slightly anxious all week wanting to make the right decision. After being able to talk to the doctor on Friday I feel good about the decision and know that the outcome is in the Lord's hands. If the baby turns we will wait for labor to progress naturally, if the baby doesn't turn we will schedule our C-Section.

There is so much change happening right now that sometimes it is hard to absorb. We are both excited to meet our little one and begin this next chapter of our life together.

To Flip or Not to Flip

Since baby is still breech we began a discussion with our Dr. at our last appointment as to our options.

We basically have two:

1. Try to flip the baby manually (called external cephalic version)

2. Schedule a c-section (or if I went into labor naturally it would be an automatic c-section, assuming baby hadn't flipped naturally).

An ECV works about 50% of the time and has the most success if:

- you have had a baby before (no)

- there is a normal amount of water around the baby (low side of normal)

- your baby has his knees bent (no)

- his or her bottom isn't engaged in your pelvis (no)

- the baby's head is not right up against the placenta (yes)

Basically, we are 1 out of 5.

My fluid levels were checked on Friday and they are remaining stable around 7 cm (normal range is 5-20 cm). My Dr. said an ECV is very uncomfortable and at times painful; however, is harmless to both the baby and mother.

An ECV would be scheduled a week from Tuesday on February 16th.

A c-section would be scheduled between March 2-5.

I found this video on You Tube of an ECV:

Right now we are praying and thinking about what to do. We have to make our decision by Tuesday in order to schedule the procedure if that's what we decide. We are still praying that the Lord will turn the baby and that we can avoid both and ECV and a c-section!

Baby Shower

Last weekend we had our couples baby shower! It was a lot of fun and Jared and I felt very spoiled and loved by all our friends. Throughout our entire pregnancy there has been so much love and support poured out on us. We are very thankful to all of our family and friends! We have had baby showers with both sides of our family, a surprise work shower and a couples/friends shower (unfortunately I don't have pictures of the other showers). Below is a recap of the fun times:

Pre-Party Prom Pose

My sweet friends Jennifer and Annie who organized the shower

35 weeks pregnant

Size of a honeydew, over 18 inches long and 5 1/4 lbs

Yummy cupcakes, made by Jennifer

She sent home all of the leftovers with us, which was a HORRIBLE idea with my sweet tooth. I did let Jared have a couple!

Game Time

Do you know the gestation period of an elephant, horse, whale, mouse, etc.?

Presents!

As you can see we were very spoiled and got very cute things. A couple people gave us both a boy and a girl outfit, which was so fun. Everything I have is so neutral that it made me excited to go shopping. Also, instead of a card, everyone had to bring a book and sign their name in that...it was such a cute idea and a great keepsake!

Thanks everyone for making our shower so special!!!