Go big or go home, right? Ever the overachiever, I’m going big.
Everything about me is big right now. Well, except my boobs, but even those have got me kicked off the Itty Bitty Titty Committee recently. Big feet, big knees, big hair. Most of all, big baby. With big baby comes big decisions. To C (section) or not to C (section), that is the question.
I have never wanted a cesarean. Some women do. They don’t want to go through the ordeal of labour and don’t want their lady parts to be stretched out. They like the idea of being able to schedule their child’s birthday. No muss, no fuss, no surprises. I can sort of get it, but that’s not for me. I want the experience of labour. I want to know that I can do it. I want to look at my child and feel that I brought him into this world, quite literally. The thought of having him lifted out of my abdomen in a sterile operating room with that bright light shining in his fresh little face is not a pleasant one. The thought of him not being placed directly on my breast actually brings tears to my eyes. I’ll still be lying there geting stitched up, across the room from where my brand new baby will be getting wiped down and weighed and placed into his daddy’s arms. I’m teary eyed as I’m writing this, because unless I go into labour right now, this is likely what’s in store for us.
Yes, I have a choice. I have an amazing team of midwives and a great OB looking out for what’s best for me and the little one. I was given my options, told the risks of each path, and allowed to make the choice myself. I chose the route I never thought I’d take. After receiving the results of yesterday’s ultrasound I think it would be irresponsible to stick to my birth plan. Baby H, at 37 weeks plus 5 days, weighed in at a whopping 10lbs. Even with a +/- 1lb margin of error, 9lbs is still huge at this point. Maybe if I were about to deliver I’d go for it, but I’m still 2 weeks from my due date with no signs that labour is on its way.
My midwife says to try to relax and who knows, I could end up labouring over the weekend. Wouldn’t that be marvellous. So, I’m dutifully sipping my raspberry leaf tea, and on tonight’s menu is lots of yummy Thai dishes with extra spice. Maybe that’s the stuff of old wives’ tales, but I don’t care. I’m willing to try it because at the very least it will be delicious.
Pretty please send some positive labour vibes my way peeps!
Due to the serious nature of this post, please enjoy some comic relief in the form of this goofy photo of my dog
Oh, Shannon. Wow. I so, so feel for you. Not a fun choice to have to make. I also relate to the hoping-to-coax-your-body-into-labour thing… I was recommended evening primrose oil (taken two ways), walking, sitting/bouncing on a partially-deflated exercise ball, squatting as much as possible… and, of course, sex, if physically manageable. None of these things actually worked for me, mind you… but I’ll send you the best vibes I’ve got!
Thanks :) I just started the evening primrose oil yesterday and have been trying to walk as much as possible, though that is difficult due to the pains this causes in my knees :( With all the extra fluid and the huge babe I’ve put on 60lbs and my knees don’t like it one bit. I should get an exercise ball though… I’ve also been drinking pineapple juice like it’s going out of style, although I hear you’d have to eat the equivalent of 7-10 pineapples in one sitting in order to stimulate the uterus so that one is questionable. I hope I can get in to see the midwife today. She wanted to do an internal to see if anything is happening, but she’s been at birth after birth this week and all her appointments are backed up. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Oh no!!! You poor thing! I totally get where you’re coming from – the thought of a C makes me weepy, too. But 10lbs at 37.5 is no joke. You could be looking at 12+ pounds by the time he’s ready to come out on his own. OUCH!!!
I’m hoping that your tea and Thai works, but otherwise, at least you’ll get a healthy happy baby. And that’s the ultimate goal, right?
Yup, the happy healthy baby is the ultimate goal… that’s why I chose to book the section. The risks of vaginal delivery at this point are higher for the baby, and for the section they are higher for me, but I’d rather the latter. I’m having quite a bit of cramping today, so who knows… Fingers crossed!
10 is still doable. My tiny 5’3″mom did it…twice. I’m not saying you have to, or should. I’m just saying it’s possible. My cousin just gave birth two a 9 1/2 pound baby at home a few days ago. (BIIIIIGGGG baby’s in the family.) use your gut, literally and figuratively, and yes to the sex!
(I just want to add that I feel absolutely no judgment either way. I’m not in your shoes and I didn’t hear what the medical professionals did. I am just trying to encourage you because you said you really wanted to do it on your own and I actually hear about lots of people giving birth to 9 1/2-10 pound babies. Like I said, runs in the family.)
I also feel that 10 is doable, but I found out that isn’t the only concern. I called my midwife pretty much right after writing this post because I was pretty upset. I wanted to be induced because at least at 10lbs I’d have a shot, and hey, if it didn’t work I’d be getting a C anyway. BUT, not only is he 10lbs, he’s really big boned. His measurements are literally off the charts. His head is already 10cms across, consistent with a 42w old fetus, and the circumference of his head is even larger. They stop giving you dates after 42w, so the report just says “off the charts”. Luckily the rest of him is equally big, otherwise I’d be a little worried! I went for an internal yesterday because we were hoping I might be progressing enough to go into labour this weekend, but nope. I’m still a tightly sealed incubator. His head isn’t descending into my pelvis properly either, most likely because it doesn’t fit. For a midwife to say she’s not sure a natural delivery is possible this early in the game is a big deal. The OB I’m seeing is one of the leaders of the movement at this hospital to greatly reduce the elective c-section rate as well, so for him to recommend one is a big deal. I can’t believe I grew such a huge kid. There’s something in the water…
Aww :( Shanz. I’m sorry. You’re right. A c-section probably is best then. I know this might sound a little funny, but are we sure they even had your due date right all along? lol. A whole month ahead developmentally is incredible!
It almost makes me think of that movie, Jack, with Robin Williams. Very cute stuff.
Feel free to punch J for doing this to you :P
I know it’s crazy! But yes, my due date is right. I had an early ultrasound due to a suspected miscarriage that dated him back when he was just a lil fetal pole! lol
J already comes home every day from work, looks and me and says, “Oh my God… what did I do to you?” And he was very afraid I’d be beating him up during labour. How lucky for him that won’t happen now. Maybe i’ll punch him just for funsies.
Thinking about you today…I don’t know when everything is scheduled for, but I’m sending good thoughts…
Awe thanks! I don’t know when it’s scheduled for yet either :( The hospital didn’t have any available appointments so I think it’s whenever the OB I’ve been seeing can fit me in on his on call days. I’ll have more info tomorrow. Enjoy this time at home! :)