Quick Baby Update

I had my prenatal appointment on Tuesday.  I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and things are moving along.  I am getting bigger and bigger, but luckily not gaining weight.  Being plus-sized (and not to mention obsessed about not gaining weight), this is an acceptable thing.  My blood pressure was still acceptable and there is no swelling to talk about.

Jemma was breech during my appointment and has been for a few weeks.  She has not been willing to move no matter what I try.  In fact, this pregnancy reminds me a lot of my first one with Johnny.  He was a very stubborn boy and was in the breech position from about 19 weeks on.  He would not move either.  I am okay with her being breech as long as she doesn’t get really big like Joley was (she was 9lbs 6oz).

A breech baby does have several drawbacks though.  I don’t have that comfortable position when she is stretched out because her big head is up in my chest.  All contractions I feel are pretty intense because they are putting pressure on her head and she, in turn, pushes back.  Finally, I don’t get to feel those baby movements the way I had hoped to.  I feel kicks and movements down low and only big head movements up high.  I miss those little baby kicks up high.  If she stays in this position, we will have to take her to a hospital after birth for an ultrasound to check her hips but I have faith that things will be okay there.

The good news with a breech baby is that I don’t have the intense back pain I did with Joley and my pelvis is getting a bit of a break for the time being.  I know that will get worse as she gets bigger but I will take it while I can.  The biggest (awkward) positive is that, if breech, I have no reason to have those little thoughts in my head about a VBAC.  I know that a repeat cesarean is the best for me and my family but those other little voices are always there telling me that I don’t get that “real” birth.  A breech baby will make a VBAC much less possible.

Jemma was moving and shaking and her heartbeat was wonderful.  She had her hand behind her head and it was super cute.  Next month I have to take my glucose tolerance test… yuck!  In the meantime, I will keep enjoying the foods I want in case a time comes that I can no longer.  I will start asking for some thoughts and prayers later in July so that everything turns out okay there.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts about me and the pregnancy.  I do really appreciate it!