ECV successful

May 1, 2014  (for some reason blogger posted this in American time, but it's really Thursday here)

After arriving home on Sunday, I was feeling a bit nervous about my water breaking and a prolapsed cord, but it didn't haunt me.  I tried to take it easy and my mom does everything, but I still needed to play with Julian.  I missed him and he obviously missed me.  I was so tired.

On Tuesday I was feeling well and ready for the ECV.  I arrived and the backup midwife and my student midwife were there.  I was monitored and baby looked great.  The docs insist on 16 gauge IVs (ridiculous) but since I wasn't going to be induced I asked if 18 would be ok.  The doc said whatever ;)  The back up midwife was struggling to find my huge veins because I had cold arms.  Poor thing.  I helped her find them, but she missed.  A resident equivalent got an 18 in no problem.

A team of people came in to watch the ECV.  My doctor (whom I love) stated that a doctor in South Africa (with a 95% success rate with ECVs) insists you have to use baby powder instead of oil to move the baby.  I don't know, but the smell of the baby powder made me think of baby, so I wonder if that is why.

I chewed the nifedipine (they don't use terbutaline but I looked it up and there isn't much difference between the two statistically) and I felt so relaxed.  After confirming where he was on ultrasound, she moved him.  I was surprised it actually took some effort because he seemed to move so easily on his own.  It wasn't painful except on my right groin where I had been having intermitent round ligament pain for the past few months.  She held baby in place until the drug wore off and she could feel my uterus tightening.  I was also placed on the fetal monitor and toco.

All was good but all I wanted to do was sleep.  Drugs hit me hard, even ones that are suppose to clear out of the system quickly.  My shoulders were very heavy and arms.  I just relaxed.  They sat me up slowly and I drank a lot of water.   It took longer to clear, but I eventually was able to shake the dizziness and get up.

Right before we left he gave a big kick and I though he turned.  They checked quickly and he was fine.  I was paranoid all day that he'd turn back.  I stayed on my right side (I know he loves it there and has never flipped while I've been on that side) and rested.  I wanted to play with Julian, but I stayed and he climbed on me.

Yesterday I was more relaxed and actually felt him lower.  He did a big kick in the evening and I thought he flipped again but Dan felt and his head is much lower.  He might be engaged since I can't see my belly button.  It's lower and under my tummy instead of being on top.  That would be awesome if he's engaged!!!

Today he's just kicking away happily and I'm trying to squat without leaning forward (he flipped while I was on hands and knees one time).  I'm unfortunately probably going to keep him posterior just so he stays head down, but at least there are lots of positioning for posterior babes in labor.

We're going to get through this and maybe even easily!  I have so many people praying for me.  I'm excited for the precious gift at the end of it all.  Now, come on baby...I'm ready.  Cook if you need to, but I'm ready!