A Little Worked Up

I'm feeling much better today, but the last few days I have been a little stressed. I've been trying, semi-successfully, to keep it under control. Then yesterday a friend suggested that perhaps I might have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) given that I seem large for dates, I have trouble figuring out baby's position, and baby has been breech. A reasonable suggestion, and one I appreciated her bringing up, from the point of view that it's something I would want to know before going into labour.

So I've been praying and I've been researching and I've been looking forward to today's visit with Lucia.

The prayers helped... by the time I got up this morning I was feeling much more peaceful.

The research in some ways eased my mind and in other ways worried me more. Many cases of polyhydramnios are for reasons unknown. Other causes could be any number of conditions of the central nervous system, heart or kidneys, in which the baby either can't swallow properly or produces too much urine. Whatever the reason, polyhydramnios can lead to premature labour/rupture of membranes, prolapsed cord, placental abruption... all very not good things. Signs of polyhydramnios include shiny, tight belly (doesn't describe mine), breech baby (because baby can float around so easily), difficulty identifying baby parts during palpation (I think I am just inexperienced and not gifted at this vs not being able to find baby parts. Neither Lucia nor Dr. Lopez has had any difficulty identifying baby's position), difficulty finding a heartbeat (never a problem), heartburn (not a problem), swollen legs (mine get slightly swollen, but not extreme and it only makes sense that it is heat related given the heat here), varicose veins (not a problem).

Of course the idea that my baby might have an abnormality is stressful, and the idea that it might cause problems during birth is disconcerting to say the least. But the good news is that most women with polyhydramnios go on to deliver healthy babies.

We saw Lucia today. She palpated and quickly discovered that the baby was full on head up. She laid a rebozo (a rectangular piece of fabric traditionally used as a shawl or a baby sling) on the floor and had me lay on my back on top of it. She and Andrew each took an end, lifted my bottom/middle about a foot off the floor, gave it a little shake to disengage the baby from my pelvis, then wiggled me by alternately pulling on the ends of the rebozo, for about 10 strokes. Lucia checked after that and baby had rotated a quarter turn! Cool.

She didn't express any concerns about my size or how my belly felt, and she seemed fairly relaxed about baby's position. Obviously we'd all be reassured if baby were in a favorable position, but it is good news I think that baby doesn't seem to be locked into breech.

I asked her a little more about everyone's role at the birth. Lucia will be a doula. She will be concerned with my emotional and physical well being- comfort measures, making sure I'm hydrated and fed, etc. She will spend the most time with us. Dr. Lopez will be there, I assume from the time active labour gets well underway, for medical support. He will watch for any developing complications, suture if needed, etc. The pediatrician will be called when the birth is imminent, and will be there for the baby, to give medical attention to the baby if needed, and to perform the newborn exam.

I'm feeling a little better about not having met the pedi yet. Andrew is totally on board with what I want and more than willing to run interference if the pedi (or Dr. Lopez for that matter) wants to take baby before I'm ready or perform some sort of intervention I don't want.

I did mention to Lucia that I don't want the baby vigorously cleaned up after the birth, just covered to stay warm (like that will be a problem if this heat continues!). I've seen lots of birth videos where baby is briskly rubbed, wailing, and imagine that is not a happy time for baby. There's no harm in leaving the babe vernixy and even a little bloody. In fact, from what I understand the vernix is terrific skin conditioner. :)

We talked also about home birth supplies and I'm in pretty good shape. I got the absorbent bed pads at the store yesterday, and Lucia told me that Depends make great postpartum pads. She thought we might be able to get the pharmacy at the entrance to our area to have an order ready for pickup if we need it, so we wouldn't have to purchase things we wouldn't necessarily need. She told me to get a 30cm wide tensor bandage for belly binding so that answers that question. I also tried the plastic sheet yesterday and it covers the bottom half of the bed completely so I think that will be good.

We'll have our care provider meeting here at the house a week from Sunday. I will be 36.5 weeks. A little closer than I'd like but I think it will be fine. It gives me a little more time to get the house a bit more organized as well.

So, I left feeling pretty good. I'll still be curious like crazy to know about baby's position but there are things that we can do to encourage baby to turn vertex and then I'll just have to leave the rest of it in God's hands.