More "Month 9" Ups & Downs

Time for a few more ups and downs:

Downs ... with Ups

• I tested positive again for GBS, as I did with Zyler. (See previous GBS posts.) Not a huge concern, as many women choose not to get the test and deliver perfectly healthy babies... but my supervising midwives were especially concerned for different reasons. I wanted to proceed with a home birth, so we decided to have me test again after I had been diligent about various measures to eradicate the bacteria. The drama and stress of the situation was great, due to details not appropriate for this public media, but we were successful and got a negative result! So, we have a plan of action for treatment during labor, as well as while I am still pregnant (including garlic and a chlorhexidine wash). I am trusting that all will work out as it should. I prayed for God to let me know if I should return to a hospital-planned birth (for IV antibiotics), but I have yet to receive that message. So, just another down that has become an "up." :)
• No imminent signs of labor... but my midwives are hoping I make it at least another week so as to have as strong a baby as possible. (See above bullet.) At my last checkup, however, they guesstimated a good-sized baby at maybe 7.25 lb.
• Got a little cold from Zyler. Nothing too miserable, though.
• I'm still feeling relatively good. Sleep is pretty good (most nights), and my diastasis recti isn't quite as painful as a few weeks ago.
• Zyler's new room (aka "blue room") is coming along. (I know, we need to get some pictures!) Jason and his dad got the sub-floor installed. Now, to purchase new hardwood flooring.

38w 1d - Appointment

I had my 38-week appointment today with the same CNM who I talked a lot with about the GBS+... She was awesome and asked how I was doing with that. I told her that I never got through to 1 of the baby's docs about it but that I have my plan of action and I'm at peace with it... I also plan to start a garlic regimen to reduce the GBS colonization.

She went over some basic advice for the first couple of weeks as parents which I found very nice and helpful, and I was glad Jason was there to hear some of it. =) Such as suggesting that I get out of the house for even an hour and leave him with the baby to put him in a bit different role. We also discussed a little about breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Pason's heart rate was around 120 I think--we're guessing it was napping. Still head down and in great position. We discussed their protocol if I get to 41 weeks as they don't like to go over 42... And I told her basically there aren't any labor symptoms and she saw that as a good thing so my body wouldn't be messing with my mind driving me crazy and not letting me sleep. =) I've had very occasional back cramping and seldom sharp cervical discomfort, but nothing I can time with any regularity.

Oh and she confirmed if I am using evening primrose oil to help "prime" and thin my cervix. I'm currently using 1500 mg and she suggested I could go up to even 3000 mg anytime now.

They will start doing cervical checks next week (Wednesday) if I want them to. I'm kind of undecided being GBS+ but she said if water isn't broken then risk is minimal, if any.

I've found a great midwifery article about self-treatment of the GBS with garlic and the article also discusses cervical checks if you are interested.

36w 2d – Ups & Downs

I haven’t used this topic in a while so I will use it as the outline for a pretty sizeable update.

Downs

• Last week I tested positive for the Group B Strep test. A pretty thorough explanation of it is provided by americanpregnancy.org. An otherwise healthy mom can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. It is upsetting to me as the treatment recommended by the CDC is IV antibiotics (Penicillin), and therein lies a risk of later developing thrush, and, even worse yet, the baby being exposed to any bacteria that are antibiotic resistant and become “super bacteria.” I plan to ask more questions to Pason’s doctor whom we have selected to see us at the hospital. (We will then transfer the baby’s care to our local area.)
• Our crib arrived with considerable shipping damage, but we’ve already received the beautiful replacement. (This is definitely also an “up!”)
• Bad (icy) weather is possible this Saturday when we are supposed to have another baby shower.
• I’m starting to not sleep as well. I’m definitely in month 9!

Ups

• I've hired a labor/birth doula! We met with her the first time a couple of weeks back.
  
• On the 8th I was honored to attend our second baby shower in Shenandoah. Tremendous thanks go to Andrea & Kathryn for all their hard work, beautiful cake, and other yummy food, and to all the wonderful ladies who attended and who have sent plentiful baby gifts!
• The nursery is close to completion. We haven’t felt rushed or pressured since we plan to keep Pason in our bedroom at first. I welcome feedback on the Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper that we plan to use!
• Last CNM (certified nurse-midwife) appointment yesterday was excellent. Pason’s heart rate approximately 143. My BP 110/72. My weight gain good—I think around 25 lb, not sure exactly where I started. Fundal height 37 cm. Provided my birth plan to the midwife. We discussed the GBS+ result and how it may affect my labor experience. I got her talking pretty well, and J got to ask a few questions such as what defines fetal distress? We probably spent 45 minutes with her. :) I love the midwifery care model!
• We finally decided about a week ago to stay with the plan to birth at the hospital instead of the new natural birthing center. A lot of factors went into our decision, but overall we are glad we did our research (regarding hospital and birth center births) and feel confident we have made an informed decision. Perhaps, if we have a “next time,” the birth center will be better established and we will feel more comfortable and know better what to expect.