I started reading Sam about a year ago, and I’ve been waiting anxiously for her to pop that kid she’s carrying, if for no other reason than she’s been stingy about letting us know what flavor she’s getting.
I can’t stand suspense.
I can imagine that Sam has had just about enough suspense herself, considering that she is waaaaay overdue. That baby just wants to stay inside. So Karen asked us to write about late babies as a gesture of solidarity and sisterhood.
I’ll never know what it’s like to wait for a baby. My children are forcibly wrenched from my womb, evicted before they are prepared to go into the world.
I was three weeks away from my due date of Christmas Eve when my OB told me that The Poo was breech. I was furious, mostly because I kept insisting to her that there was a head lodged in my ribcage and she kept telling me I was wrong.
Then, lo and behold, an early December ultrasound showed her in classic breech position.
I was devastated.
The doc told me I had two options: try to turn her, or have a c-section. If we had her turned, in the hospital, with drugs and pain, there was a risk to her.
If I had the section, with drugs and pain, there was a risk to me.
My husband and I went home to think about what we should do. I remember it with incredible clarity – sitting in the living room of our loft, crying.
I couldn’t face the idea of putting that small baby in danger, no matter how small the risk. And especially if the docs couldn’t guarantee that she’d cooperate and actually wind up head down.
I was much more comfortable taking the risk on myself.
The surgery was scheduled for Dec. 15. It was at once odd and comforting to know exactly when she was coming. It gave me time to get everything ready – I even sent out our Christmas cards, addressing and mailing them on Dec. 14.
When they opened me up, the doctors found an enormous fibroid tumor blocking our girl from turning.
The first decision we ever made as parents was the right one.
Now I’m waiting on my second child, a boy baby. The tumors are still there, all six of them, and odds are Shaggy will be breech, also. We’ve already tentatively scheduled a c-section for the week before he is due, sometime around Aug. 8.
I’ll never know the suspense of waiting. I’ll never know the sensation of labor. I’ll never know the kind of patience it takes to wait for my child to emerge when he or she – and my body – is ready.
Sam, my hat is off to you, both for your patience and your courage. I’ll be waiting with baited breath to meet your newest little one. Good luck!
***
Sam is being induced today, so keep your fingers crossed for her that she has an easy time of it.
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Yes, trying to turn a breech baby hurts. Alot. And usually doesn’t work – in our case it didn’t.
Meh, labor is overrated. I was in labor for 17 hours, never dilated. NEVER. Ended up with C-Section; scheduled for second. You’re not missing anything – the end result is healthy baby and that’s all that matters.
Good luck Sam!!
Oh my goodness- what a story! I am so glad you and baby were ok and hope the same for the next one!
Steph
Cordy’s birth was much the same, aside from the fibroids. She was in classic breech that was discovered after I kept insisting her head was in my ribs. C-section was planned at 38 weeks to put most of the risk on me and not her. Turns out, she was far larger than they predicted, so it was good we didn’t try to turn her.
But Mira, well – she waited nearly a week after her due date to come out. Drove me insane.
I’m right there with you. Maddie was, uh, pretty early and born via emergency c-section. I had to have a classical cut, so I’ll be having a c-section if I ever go down the baby road again. I wonder how I would have done with the waiting…patience has never been one of my traits.
oh lordy. You mom types are amazing
OOh OOh! My birthday is 8/8 and its a great one.
Oh yes, turning the baby hurts. Kid15 was transverse breech – that’s side to side – and Dr. Margaret Nelson (still love her) set me up for an “external inversion” on a Wednesday. At some point tiny little Dr. Nelson crawled UP on the bed and was pushing this way and that and I was making the tiniest squeaks (instead of screaming) After all the hard work, Kid appeared on ultrasound to be in the right position, when he began to move very steadily back into his original position. Hmm. Ok, schedule a C-section for two weeks from today. Oh, please can’t we do it today? No, two weeks. I’m going to Florida for a conference but I’ll be back next week. Oh great. The following Sunday, yep, in labor. Kid15 was delivered by a doc I’d never met before. And he was totally wrapped up in the cord.
I’m totally done having babies, moved on to grandparenting, but reading along the last few months has been an interesting vicarious experience. Because you NEVER forget. I’m feelin’ it right with ya – physical and emotional. And 8-8-08 sounds like a great birthdate, if you get to pick…
My kids were all forceably evicted too.
Have to say my recovery is going much better this time.
beans was breech too. our doctor wanted to try for the flip. after a few days filled with worry and tears, hubby and i said no.
doctor was not happy with us.
but thank god we said no. poor bug was so stuck up in my ribs they had to make an extra cut in my uterus to get her out. neither of us would have made it through the attempt to flip.
“The first decision we ever made as parents was the right one.” us too.
I totally agree w/pgoodness. With Evan I was in labor for 12 hours and he was facing the wrong way (he’d been served his eviction notice as well but decided he was damn well going to stay put). Ended up having a c-section.
Flynn was an unintended scheduled c-section and, I’ll tell you, the difference in recovery was like night and day.
Second time around I knew what to expect and I hadn’t been tired out by labor, so caring for her just started off better.
You’ll be alright.
I agree with pgoodness that labor is overrated! I had a c-section after 16 hours and wished I had it sooner. Isn’t it nice when you realize you actually made the right decision for your kid?
My best friend had a version to try & turn her breech baby and said it was more painful than her recovery from the c-section she ended up having.
My baby was due on his due date… maybe he sensed that I really didn’t want to make a decision about inducing/c-sections etc.
I’m glad things were okay with you and your daughter. And I believe that things will be okay with your next child. I’ve only had a vaginal delivery so I can’t really say which delivery method I’d prefer but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. Of course I had an epidural (THANK GOD FOR THESE THINGS!!) and it went smoothly ALTHOUGH I did tell me husband I was done pushing after my son’s head came out. He told me I couldn’t stop but I figured he wasn’t pushing so who was he to talk:) Sorry for the images this may conjure up for anyone but I still think that story is funny:) Sick humor I have I know. P/S: I commented on Sam’s blog but I did it late so she’ll already have been induced by the time she gets my post about hoping she goes into labor before having to be induced:) I’m slow I know:):)
Sara was breech and I opted for a c-section. I had a lot of problems after but she was great!!
Tried to have V-Bac with TC but I wouldn’t dilate so another c-section it was. This time I did great!!
It’s amazing at what we take for granted. Breathing normally, until a cold comes along and sleep isn’t possible because of a plugged nose. Well, that’s one thing, but not experiencing labor because of tumors is something you don’t count on.
I’m glad your baby was safe, and I’m glad your new baby will be safe because of the decision you made. I’m sorry you feel bad about missing out on something. I understand that feeling.
I’ve heard that is terribly painful to try and turn breech babies and it may have been worse in your case. So relieved that you are both fine.
I will never have that feeling either. I was induced the first time (ugh!!) and c-section the second time. Sometimes I really wish I could have experienced going into labor, water breaking, etc. But, it’s not the end of the world and I have two healthy kids so what more could I ask for, really?
me either. 3 kids, 3 c-sections, 1 tubal ligation. the end.
You definitely made the right decision. The only thing that matters is that the baby comes out safely – who cares if that’s by c-section, or pushed naturally (or not so naturally, with sweet, sweet drugs) out your hoo-ha.
Oh, and I vote for August 8. Because that’s my 30th birthday and what a lovely present it would be if Henry and I shared that day.