So, I had the version (the baby flip) attempt on Thursday. Notice that I say “attempt.” It was amazingly more painful than I had read it would be, although those articles tend to be written by men – the same men who describe labor pain as “bad cramps.”
I am pretty bruised feeling all over my belly, and actually have quite a spectacular red/purple/blue bruise on the underside of the belly now. It’s something like the size of 3 quarters put together in the shape of a triangle. That’s from one of the doctors digging her hands underneath the Bean’s butt, and trying to “lift him” out of my pelvis. His top half moved quite a bit, and we were all pleased (as I was doing serious labor breathing), and then we figured out he was simply bending at the waist. Stubborn? Must be related to Tim’s family.
So now we’re moving into what I would call the “woo woo” arena. I’m seeing a new chiropractor tomorrow who specializes in working with pregnant women, and we’re going to start what’s called the Webster technique, which involves sacrum adjustments. It’s based on the idea that baby won’t move into position if your back is too out of alignment. I don’t know how well it will work, considering I’ve had chiropractic care throughout this pregnancy, but we shall see.
I’ve also contacted someone about a process officially called “moxibustion” but which my doula Elly calls “smoking the toe.” Essentially, there is some sort of nerve connection between the uterus and the little toe, and you light up a cigar-shaped roll of special herbs and put it by your toe, and the baby may possibly turn. I would never have believed a few years ago that I would even consider trying either of these things.
If none of that works (please work!), then we’ll have to go ahead with a c-section. The J-man already doesn’t understand why I’m not picking him up, or why I’m keeping him away from my belly (it really is that sore) – so I don’t know HOW we’ll get through to him that he can’t climb on Mama for several weeks. Either way, sometime in the next few weeks, we’ll be bringing home the new guy.
I don’t think I’m prepared. Do you ever feel prepared?
Posts that hopefully are similar:
- In Celebration of the Woo
- In Which I Disappoint
- The VERY LONG birth story of E. Normous
- More “Why I’ve not been blogging”
- Teaching the Doctor
- Nesting is Hard Work
- Of Grandmothers and Fruit Salad
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Um… ow. Owie. I just read the wikipedia on versions (I did not know what you mamas were talking about :bag:). Sounds awful! Maybe just standing on your head will help, with gravity and all… So sorry you have to go through that!