Sunday, December 25, 2011
Oh Christmas Tree
One more post dedicated to our cute little Christmas tree, because it wouldn't have been Christmas without it. Here she is, in all her holiday glory.
A Christmastime Belly
I know I'm showing a bit much here, but I took these photos for my family yesterday and thought I'd share. I can't help but laugh at the full belly shot--it looks fake!
One and a half weeks (or less) until D-day. (Yes, I know this for a fact.)
Once again, Merry Christmas!
One and a half weeks (or less) until D-day. (Yes, I know this for a fact.)
Once again, Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Handmade for Baby, Part 2
Another beautiful gift for Baby Vanberg:
Bunting knitted by my coworker Jordan's mom. Buttons sewed on by Jordan. So cute and cozy! And what beautiful work! I wish I had one. Seriously.
Bunting knitted by my coworker Jordan's mom. Buttons sewed on by Jordan. So cute and cozy! And what beautiful work! I wish I had one. Seriously.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
External Cephalic Version
We had our external version this week. Boy, what a day. Because the experience varies widely from woman to woman, pregnancy to pregnancy, I won't go into great detail about how the version felt. The manipulation only lasted two minutes and, to our dismay, it was unsuccessful. After I was hooked up to an IV and monitored for an hour, Dr. Hall performed an ultrasound to see how the baby was presenting. He was complete breech with his head under my heart, his back curving under my right lung and his butt low in my pelvis. The procedure took two doctors -- Dr. Hall taking the butt and another doctor at the head -- and they tried with all their might to turn our baby to no avail. Ben tells me my pregnant belly disappeared and all you could see was baby turning during the procedure. Everyone in the room thought he had turned, but as soon as Dr. Hall put him back on the doppler, he was back to his usual breech position. Dr. Hall did not want to try again--there's probably a good reason why our baby won't turn. This is a scary thought to me: why isn't he turning? Is it because something is wrong? For now, we know he's got a very healthy heartbeat, he's extremely active (Dr. Hall measured his gastrocnemius earlier this week because he couldn't believe the muscle development already), and his size is great. I am thankful for and focused on all of these positives. Right now, baby knows best where he needs to be and we need to trust that.
I was disappointed with the outcome, yes. But Ben and our doula, Jenevieve, were right there through it all and while baby and I were monitored afterward, and they were such amazing support. We talked over the experience and the possibilities that lie ahead. Now it's over and Ben and I move beyond the questioning and anticipation and focus on the final weeks of preparation. He may still turn; I'll nudge him in the direction of making a turn as best I can, but I'm working on letting go of that last ounce of control I hoped to have over this birth. I'm focusing on our days ahead, when we'll hold our son in our arms. The way he comes into the world, however that may be, will be beautiful. Beautiful because he will be surrounded by unconditional love upon his arrival. It will be his perfect birth story.
I was disappointed with the outcome, yes. But Ben and our doula, Jenevieve, were right there through it all and while baby and I were monitored afterward, and they were such amazing support. We talked over the experience and the possibilities that lie ahead. Now it's over and Ben and I move beyond the questioning and anticipation and focus on the final weeks of preparation. He may still turn; I'll nudge him in the direction of making a turn as best I can, but I'm working on letting go of that last ounce of control I hoped to have over this birth. I'm focusing on our days ahead, when we'll hold our son in our arms. The way he comes into the world, however that may be, will be beautiful. Beautiful because he will be surrounded by unconditional love upon his arrival. It will be his perfect birth story.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Breech: Update
It's been three weeks since I first posted about our baby being breech. Three weeks since I admitted my doubts and fears about him turning and the possibility of a c-section. What hasn't changed in that time: baby is still breech; what has changed: our outlook.
At the end of November we began our Inspired Birth class (which, by the way, we love). During the first class I shared my doubts and fears and talked a bit about letting go of expectations and any control I thought I had over this birth. If anything, this pregnancy and working with a breech baby has helped me to surrender myself over to the powers that be; this birth is much bigger than me, and I'm becoming more comfortable with that. Katie, our childbirth instructor and one of our doulas, recommended to us a doctor in Denver who still delivers breech babies vaginally. My mind had been working around this idea already, but I hadn't found the right resources to guide me to someone who could assist in a vaginal breech birth until this point. We were so grateful for Katie's recommendation and that she had such confidence in Dr. Michael Hall.
The week after Thanksgiving I called Dr. Hall's practice and scheduled a consultation. Dr. Hall is a man in his mid- to late-60's and looks, as Katie put it, like Colonel Sanders. He's been practicing medicine for over 30 years and delivering breech babies for about as long. He is passionate about his practice and also very protective of it: he takes every breech birth seriously, never letting down his guard during labor and delivery, and he will not deliver your breech baby unless he is certain you will be strong enough to see it to the finish. I was happy to hear this: my concern, despite his reputation, was that his practice would be very much like most doctors -- pushing drugs or intervention where they aren't necessarily needed. Dr. Hall expressed his strong belief in natural birth to me. "I will not pull your baby out, I will not be the one delivering this baby, you will."
I had another ultrasound so that Dr. Hall could assess whether or not we are a good candidate for vaginal delivery. So far, so good, although, baby is huge! I know ultrasounds can be imprecise this late in pregnancy, but I've had two in my third trimester (one at 33 weeks and this one at 35 weeks) and he's been estimated at 5.5 lbs and now 6 lb 9 oz. Yowza!! His weight/size is going to be one of the deciding factors if we go forward with a breech vaginal delivery. He's a big boy. Both Dr. Hall and my friend Megan, who did the US at 33 weeks, pointed out our little man's chubby cheeks. Too funny!
Anyway, I went home and talked with Ben about things and we decided to have Dr. Hall try an external version at 37 weeks, which is this week. While I would be happy to work with Dr. Hall in the event that our baby doesn't turn, I would really, really like to continue working with the Boulder Nurse Midwives and deliver at Boulder Foothills Hospital. So cross your fingers and toes that the version works. They only have a 50-ish percent success rate. Thankfully, one of the doulas from our Doula Circle will come with us to the version. Much needed support.
We have a big week ahead of us and I'm so thankful for the advice and support from our childbirth class, doulas and birthing community such that we have the opportunity to explore all options for delivery. I know I said I'm surrendering control over to the powers that be, but it still feels good to know that, if only on an intellectual level, I have some say. I'm a work in progress, okay?
Please keep thinking those baby turning thoughts!
At the end of November we began our Inspired Birth class (which, by the way, we love). During the first class I shared my doubts and fears and talked a bit about letting go of expectations and any control I thought I had over this birth. If anything, this pregnancy and working with a breech baby has helped me to surrender myself over to the powers that be; this birth is much bigger than me, and I'm becoming more comfortable with that. Katie, our childbirth instructor and one of our doulas, recommended to us a doctor in Denver who still delivers breech babies vaginally. My mind had been working around this idea already, but I hadn't found the right resources to guide me to someone who could assist in a vaginal breech birth until this point. We were so grateful for Katie's recommendation and that she had such confidence in Dr. Michael Hall.
The week after Thanksgiving I called Dr. Hall's practice and scheduled a consultation. Dr. Hall is a man in his mid- to late-60's and looks, as Katie put it, like Colonel Sanders. He's been practicing medicine for over 30 years and delivering breech babies for about as long. He is passionate about his practice and also very protective of it: he takes every breech birth seriously, never letting down his guard during labor and delivery, and he will not deliver your breech baby unless he is certain you will be strong enough to see it to the finish. I was happy to hear this: my concern, despite his reputation, was that his practice would be very much like most doctors -- pushing drugs or intervention where they aren't necessarily needed. Dr. Hall expressed his strong belief in natural birth to me. "I will not pull your baby out, I will not be the one delivering this baby, you will."
I had another ultrasound so that Dr. Hall could assess whether or not we are a good candidate for vaginal delivery. So far, so good, although, baby is huge! I know ultrasounds can be imprecise this late in pregnancy, but I've had two in my third trimester (one at 33 weeks and this one at 35 weeks) and he's been estimated at 5.5 lbs and now 6 lb 9 oz. Yowza!! His weight/size is going to be one of the deciding factors if we go forward with a breech vaginal delivery. He's a big boy. Both Dr. Hall and my friend Megan, who did the US at 33 weeks, pointed out our little man's chubby cheeks. Too funny!
Anyway, I went home and talked with Ben about things and we decided to have Dr. Hall try an external version at 37 weeks, which is this week. While I would be happy to work with Dr. Hall in the event that our baby doesn't turn, I would really, really like to continue working with the Boulder Nurse Midwives and deliver at Boulder Foothills Hospital. So cross your fingers and toes that the version works. They only have a 50-ish percent success rate. Thankfully, one of the doulas from our Doula Circle will come with us to the version. Much needed support.
We have a big week ahead of us and I'm so thankful for the advice and support from our childbirth class, doulas and birthing community such that we have the opportunity to explore all options for delivery. I know I said I'm surrendering control over to the powers that be, but it still feels good to know that, if only on an intellectual level, I have some say. I'm a work in progress, okay?
Please keep thinking those baby turning thoughts!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Setting up the Crib
Erin, Jessie and I in the nursery after setting up the crib. Big thanks to Locke and Erin for the crib and changing table!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Jessie Visits!
Jessie came to town to help us around the house before baby arrives. I was really looking forward to this weekend because we planned to set up the nursery! Jess was super helpful, and it was just really nice to have my life-long best friend around during such an important time.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
RMNP: Winter
Another day in Rocky Mountain National Park. First we took a walk around Bear Lake.
Because I have been plagued by an aching back through this entire pregnancy, the Bear Lake loop was as long a hike as I could tolerate for the day. While I haven't had much to complain about through these last 9 months, my back has definitely given me a lot of trouble, especially more recently. I'm pretty pathetic lately: walking from here to there only when I need to, avoiding any quick moves or being pulled around by my dogs (actually, avoiding walking them at all at this point). I am so looking forward to days ahead, when I'll carry my babe on my back or in my arms instead of in my belly, when I am back to my usual strength, able to walk my dogs and hike stride for stride with B.
After our walk, we were touring around the park and spotted a huge train of cars stopped along the side of the road. This usually means there are elk in the area, which is pretty common in the park, and we considered just driving away but decided we might as well stop since we hadn't seen any herds yet this trip. Boy, were we in for a pleasant surprise! Not only were there about 100 female elk, but also three coyotes trying to pick off one or two from the herd. How cool to see the elk charge after the cowering coyotes, and to hear the coyotes cry out after their defeat.
In the end, the herd defended their territory and a coyote came out of the pack injured. A reminder that winter in the mountains -- nature -- can be harsh and unforgiving; only the strong will survive.
Because I have been plagued by an aching back through this entire pregnancy, the Bear Lake loop was as long a hike as I could tolerate for the day. While I haven't had much to complain about through these last 9 months, my back has definitely given me a lot of trouble, especially more recently. I'm pretty pathetic lately: walking from here to there only when I need to, avoiding any quick moves or being pulled around by my dogs (actually, avoiding walking them at all at this point). I am so looking forward to days ahead, when I'll carry my babe on my back or in my arms instead of in my belly, when I am back to my usual strength, able to walk my dogs and hike stride for stride with B.
After our walk, we were touring around the park and spotted a huge train of cars stopped along the side of the road. This usually means there are elk in the area, which is pretty common in the park, and we considered just driving away but decided we might as well stop since we hadn't seen any herds yet this trip. Boy, were we in for a pleasant surprise! Not only were there about 100 female elk, but also three coyotes trying to pick off one or two from the herd. How cool to see the elk charge after the cowering coyotes, and to hear the coyotes cry out after their defeat.
In the end, the herd defended their territory and a coyote came out of the pack injured. A reminder that winter in the mountains -- nature -- can be harsh and unforgiving; only the strong will survive.
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