I get computer time!

Joe is in Wisconsin for work for the next three days, so I get the computer to myself! I used to be able to get on a few times a day, but with him working from home now, I don't get on very often at all. Did I mention he's working from home now? Probably not...well, he is. He's working for the engineering firm in Wauwatosa that he will be at after we move. It's been an adjustment for everyone having him home all the time, but I think we're managing pretty well. The boys have finally figured out that when he says he "has to go to work" he won't be getting in his car and driving away, so they don't run to the window to watch him leave anymore.

It just occured to me that I probably didn't mention that I am not working right now. I've been working from home doing exhibit design for about three years, but for a variety of reasons have decided to stop. The biggest reasons being that with a newborn, and a state to state move, I just need to clear my plate of a few things, and reduce my stress level as much as possible. I've yet to decide if I want to continue working when the baby gets a little older, we'll just have to see how things work out once we're moved. At any rate, my work computer is back with my employer, since I don't need it right now, and they do...which is why getting online is hard...we're down to one computer.

I thought I'd write an update on my last midwife appointment. I had an appointment on Friday, and everything was great. She commented that the baby isn't huge and since after two pregnancies (and a c-section) my stomach muscles aren't as tight as they used to be, the baby has a lot of room to move around. This came up because she wanted to let me know that since I've already HBAC'd, she's not worried about me birthing a breech. I told her I'm not worried about breech either, but for some reason I've had this niggling concern about the baby being acyclinic. (I've had people ask me what that means, so please forgive the brief definition:)

Acyclinic is the term used to describe a baby whose head is engaged in the pelivis turned at an angle. So instead of the back top of the head (the narrowest part) going through the pelvis first, the area above an ear, for example, is trying to fit through first. Presenting in this fashion makes the head too wide to fit through. The only way these babies can get out is via c-section. Many women are c-sectioned for acyclinic babies, but are told "baby was too big", or "your pelvis is too small," etc...

With this kid having that much swimming room in there, s/he being acyclinic is a definate possibility. (I've also had people ask me why that would make a difference, so here's another brief explanation:)

If a baby engages (drops into the pelvis) prior to labor on their own, the odds of them jamming themselves in there acyclinic are really quite low. It's certainly possible, but the risk is small. A baby that has lots of room to move around and get comfy up in mom's uterus is not going to be inclined to engage themselves in mom's cramped pelvis. They are going to want to stay where it is nice and roomy. So if a baby is unengaged, or "floating" prior to labor, the baby will essentially be getting forced into the pelvis via contractions. Therefore, the odds of the baby getting pushed into the pelvis with their head cockeyed are greatly increased.

All of that to say, I'm wearing the binder from my c-section most of the time now to "fake" the stomach muscles I used to have. By wearing it, I'm restricting the amount of space the baby has, and the plan is that will encourage them to engage on their own to get themselves more room. Once their head is in my pelvis, they will have more wiggle room for arms and legs. I don't really mind wearing it, except if I'm outside for long periods because it's been so hot lately, but the baby doesn't like it at all! It's really kind of funny how much the kid pushes at it!

In other news, I got my La Bassine (my birth pool) earlier this week! I can't wait to get it set up and test the 3" thick inflatable bottom! While roomy with very nice thick sides, the last pool we used had a very hard bottom, which was...well, hard on my bottom. The footprint of this pool is significantly smaller than the fishy pool we used before, which will be nice since we're birthing in a smaller room, as we've converted the downstairs bedroom into Joe's office. I'm really glad I decided to sink the extra $$ into getting this pool. The downside is we won't be able to use it as a giant ball pit/outdoor pool for the kids like we did with the last one.

Since I don't have anyone to take one right now, I plan to post a new belly picture this weekend...my kids are pretty sharp, but camera use is still a little beyond them. ;o)