Baby #2 is almost here!

I realized the other day that there have been so many happenings with baby #2, and I haven't had a chance to update my friends! Here's my best attempt at a few (brief) updates:

1 - Baby #2 is head down!
Baby had been breech since we started checking at the 29 week mark (more on that later), so I had kind of accepted that his or her arrival was probably going to consist of a scheduled repeat c-section. Even though I hated my c-section and was really hoping this baby would decide to cooperate in terms of positioning, I was just happy to be having another healthy, happy baby. At my 34 week appointment, I went in thinking that baby was still breech. We spoke with my OB and took a look at her calendar to schedule the baby's birthday. We settled on Friday, June 8th before I'd even gotten on the examining table because I was just so sure the baby hadn't flipped. When I got up on the table, she measured and checked the heartbeat, and everything was looking great. Then she felt for positioning, and seemed to not be completely confident in what to tell me about how the baby was hangin' out in there. So, she went and got a little ultrasound machine just to be sure. We took a look at the screen, and what do ya know? Baby was HEAD DOWN! We were in shock. I made her check again just to make sure. Yep, vertex! Holy cow, I was actually going to have a chance at a vaginal birth. She asked me if I still wanted to schedule the c-section, and I said "No'! We want to go for a VBAC!" We were very excited and shocked pretty much the entire day. We had some catching up to do in terms of how we were going to plan this whole VBAC thing, because I'd never really considered the possibility. Onto the next.

2 - VBAC
I had no doubts about wanting to attempt a VBAC, but before we made any final plans, I needed to see that baby was still head down at our next appointment. So, at our 36 week appointment, my nurse confirmed that baby was indeed still vertex. At the suggestions of some of my friends, I'd been thinking about attempting my VBAC with the support of a doula (more on that later), but didn't want to finalize anything with a doula before researching other options. I looked all over the the web for VBAC classes that'd be happening somewhere in the cities, but believe it or not, none were being offered at all or within time before our due date (which I found to be quite ridiculous)! I didn't feel confident just going into a VBAC with no plans or arrangements, since I know that I may run into some moments where I'd need to make some decisions that could impact the success of a VBAC, so we decided to go through with a doula.

At my most recent appointment, I spoke with my OB about what would happen if I go overdue. She basically said that if I go past 41 weeks, we'd need to schedule a c-section. They don't like to induce labor with VBACs because it increases the risks of uterine rupture. So...I'm really hoping that I don't go too far overdue, because I'd really, really, really like to avoid another c-section. Keep your fingers crossed that baby comes within a week or less of the due date!

3 - Doula
Our doula search was pretty easy. My buddy Alicia hooked me up with her Bradley instructor, who then put a note onto doula webland for anyone who would be available to help out a couple attempting a VBAC in June. I only heard from two people because everyone else's calendars were full for the month of June. Typically, doulas are set up way more in advance than one month! I'm not usually one to procrastinate, in fact, I'm an overplanner, so getting all of this set up within a matter of weeks before the birth was quite unusual. Considering I didn't even know I'd be having a VBAC, though, I'd say I'm okay with the rush. Anyways, my doula's name is Ashley, and she seems to be a great fit for us. She is somewhat new to the doula world as she's only accompanied a few births, but she seems really motivated and educated on the whole process, and she's experienced her own birth, so we're happy with that. We met with her last weekend and decided we wanted to move forward with her. We were actually supposed to meet with her for our first (and probably only) prenatal visit on Saturday, but because of an illness that came about with Kellen (poor buddy had a fever of 104 that came on within just a few hours, so we took him into the E.R. and found out he had pneumonia -- so hard to see your sweet little toddler go through such an awful thing), we had to reschedule for later this week. (BTW, Kellen is doing MUCH BETTER now! Thankfully, we caught it early so he's on the quick mend!) So - keep your fingers crossed that baby comes around the due date and that with the support of Aaron, my doula, hospital staff, and of course, my own willpower, I have a successful VBAC!

4 - Group B Strep
Ugh, so I found out at my most recent appointment that I tested positive for Group B Strep. So annoying. It's really not that uncommon (something like 1/3 of pregnant woman test positive for it), but it just adds a level of annoyance to the birthing experience. Instead of getting to take my time at home and go into the hospital when I'm ready, I have to make sure to get there in enough time to have two rounds of antibiotics through an IV before birthing baby #2. I've been told that if I don't make it in time for 2 rounds, we'd just have to stay at the hospital a little longer to monitor baby to make sure he/she didn't get Group B Strep, but I honestly don't want to risk it...with everything that happened with my sister and Lexi, I'm not going to take any chances. Healthy baby. Happy baby. That's all that matters to me.

5 - Tummy Scare
This is an older update, but it was a pretty big deal at the time and I feel that it's worth mentioning. At my 29 week appointment, everything was looking good until my OB measured the size of my uterus. I should've been measuring at 29 cm (give or take 1 cm), but instead I was measuring at 25 cm. She got out another measuring tape and  it was still measuring 4 cm on the small side. At this point she decided that I needed to go in for an ultrasound that day just to make sure everything was OK. I had gone to this appointment by myself because at my last few appointments, Kellen was very distraut and it was difficult to get through an appointment with him, so Aaron stayed home to watch him. Now, instead of Kellen being distraut, I was the distraut one. I was just imagining the worst. What was wrong with the baby? Did the baby have IUGR? Was I doing something wrong? Was there some type of chromosomal or genetic issue that they didn't catch at my 20 week ultrasound? Was all the stress I was going through at home having an impact on my baby's growth? I was just so upset I had no idea what to do with myself. There were lots of tears and panic. A couple hours later, Aaron was able to join me at the clinic and we had our ultrasound. Turns out, baby was measuring fine - just at where he/she was supposed to be measuring. I guess something was just up with my uterus, or how the baby was laying, or how long my torso is (which doesn't make sense because Kellen always measured right on)...no one could really explain, but it was a relief that nothing was wrong with the baby. My OB told me that I'd probably be measuring off the rest of my appointments, but as long as there was consistent growth, everything would be great. Fortunately, my growth started catching up at future appointments. At 32 weeks, I was measuring 29 cm; at 34 weeks, I was measuring at 32 cm; at 36 weeks, I was measuring 35 cm; at 37 weeks, I measured at 36 cm. So, it turns out everything was just fine and dandy, and all seems to be growing well in there :)

6 - Cloth Diapers
Because I'm going to be staying home with my bambinos next year, we wanted to find a way to save some major money. I did some research, and one of the overwhelming things I kept coming upon was cloth diapering SAVES MAJOR MONEY. So, I did some research and learned that it really isn't as hard as it looks from the outside. It takes a lot more planning and preparation than disposables, but if you're willing to do your research and spend a little bit of money up-front, it's very doable. I'm going to be doing a combination of prefolds (knickernappies with thirsties covers) and pocket diapers (a mix of fuzzi bunz and bum genius). I've only actually spent about $225 upfront, and with some generous gifts from both of the grandmas, we've got a complete set! I'm really excited to give it a shot. I know there will be a learning curve and I'll be tempted to do disposables, but with how much preparation I've gone through getting it all ready, I don't think I'll let myself fail. I have the time, the research, and supplies, so I really think I can do it!

My next post will probably not occur until baby #2 is here - I'm hoping I'll be posting a wonderful, VBAC birth story. Stay tuned. :)