Everything so far seems to be right on track: baby's measurements are on target, s/he gained 800 grams in a month (gordito/a!) and now weighs about 2 kilos. We saw baby´s mouth opening and closing on the ultrasound monitor...either yawning or gulping down some delicious amniotic fluid for breakfast.
I was told to continue with my prenatal yoga, but to avoid other exercise that could tire me out. Obviously, I have NO problem with that whatsoever!
I'm at 33 weeks and baby is still sitting upright - although Dra. A didn't seem to worried - there is still time to turn around; but she did say that it wouldn't do me any harm to crawl around for about 10 minutes every morning. Seems like it would be easy, but now that I think about it, moving around on all fours for 10 minutes could be a little tedious.
So of course I turned to Dr. Google to ask about "ways to make baby turn around" - and only 3 search results were of any use - the rest were sites about "baby turn around" lyrics. I don't know what song it's referring to, don't really care, and obviously I need to work on my search word skills.
 |
| http://mix1041.radio.com/2010/09/10/karsons-breeched-baby/ |
ANYWAY, so here are some tips to help coax your baby into position. I highlighted some of my favorites, so you don't have to read all: (Oh, and I'll let you know which worked!)
1. Visualizing the baby moving down with the head very deep in your pelvis, several times a day; especially in conjunction with positions and exercises below.
2. Swimming as often as possible. This keeps your body and pelvis loose and relaxed. Do in conjunction with headstand below if you have help.
3. Headstand - with assistance and in a pool frequently as possible. (I CAN'T EVEN HEADSTAND WHEN I'M NOT PREGNANT!)
4. Breech Tilt - begin at 32-35 weeks gestation. Do 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time, when you have an empty stomach, and the baby is active. Prop one end of an ironing board securely on a sofa or chair 12 to 18 inches high (or may use slant board). Lie down, bend knees but keep feet flat on board. Relax, breathe deeply, avoid tensing. May also use pillows on a flat surface to raise hips 12-18" above shoulders. Gravity pushes the baby's head into the fundus, tucks it, and baby can then do a somersault to a vertex position.
5. CD/iPod headphones - place them inside mom's pants toward her pubic bone and play classical music for 10 minutes 6-8 times a day. (I CAN IMAGINE MYSELF WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH MY EARPHONES IN MY PANTS INSTEAD ON IN MY EARS. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THINK I'VE REALLY LOST IT!)
6. Flashlight - try moving slowly down from the top of the uterus toward your pubic bone while you are in a breech tilt position. (THIS SEEMS LIKELY, SINCE BABIES ARE SENSITIVE TO LIGHT.)
7. Massage - start with your left hand at the bottom of the abdomen and your right hand just above it. Move move your hands clockwise around the right side of your tummy. As your right hand reaches the top of your abdomen, slide the left one over your right and move it down the left side of your tummy. Your left hand leads as you you come full circle, continuing clockwise. Massage gently as you would to apply lotion. Massage for ten minutes or more up to several times each day.
8. Clothespin - place on the small toe of each foot at the outside corner of the toenail; sideways so that the toenail and toepad are stimulated for 30 minutes per day, this is an acupressure point that is a "moving down" point. You can also do this with just finger pressure as you remember to do it.
9. Motion Sickness band - place with the bead four fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone - another acupressure point that is used for stimulation of the uterus. Do not use this point if you are experiencing any pre-term labor.
10. Glass of orange or other juice - follow this with a side-lying position with your hips positioned higher than your feet. Babies move more after a sugar high!
11. Pelvic Tilt- with an ice pack on the top of your tummy on an empty stomach, 10 minutes twice a day. Do this while lying on your back on the floor with knees flexed and feet on the floor with three large pillows placed under your buttocks. Try this in conjunction with headphones and visualization.
12. Cat stretch - start with all fours, then lay your head and chest flat on the floor with your buttocks in the air, as you round your back and return to all fours.
13. Knee-chest position - by kneeling with hips flexed slightly more than 90 degree, but with thighs not pressing against your tummy and your head, shoulders and upper chest are flat on a mattress for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five days. (OK, THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOT! 15 MINUTES EVERY 2 HOURS!?!)
14. Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach. (THIS WAS SO LONG & COMPLICATED, THAT I GOT TIRED JUST READING IT.)
14. Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach. (THIS WAS SO LONG & COMPLICATED, THAT I GOT TIRED JUST READING IT.)
15. Pelvic Rocking
To do pelvic rocking get down on your hands and knees and gently tilt your pelvis as you arch your back, then return your back to a flat position and relax your pelvis. Do thirty to forty of these 3 times every day.
16. Ironing Board
Elevate the pelvis by laying on a board or ironing board that has been propped up onto the edge of a couch - MAKE SURE IT IS STABLE! This position should be assumed for 8 to 10 minutes daily. This position has been shown to be as successful as an external version in some studies. (HAHAHA! THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK WITH OUR IRONING BOARD, GORDO!)
Elevate the pelvis by laying on a board or ironing board that has been propped up onto the edge of a couch - MAKE SURE IT IS STABLE! This position should be assumed for 8 to 10 minutes daily. This position has been shown to be as successful as an external version in some studies. (HAHAHA! THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK WITH OUR IRONING BOARD, GORDO!)
17. Moxibustion
A form of acupuncture which is currently the subject of a research study to see if it could help turn breech babies. Some therapists claim an 80% success rate, but before trying it, seek advice from a qualified acupuncturist
A form of acupuncture which is currently the subject of a research study to see if it could help turn breech babies. Some therapists claim an 80% success rate, but before trying it, seek advice from a qualified acupuncturist
18. Have someone (preferably the father) talk loudly but soothingly to the baby, low on the belly, close to the skin, telling the baby to turn around, to come towards the voice (have also heard that commanding works). (I DON'T THINK RICOS TAMALES OAXAQUEÑÑÑÑOOOOS!!! CONSTITUTES TALKING SOOTHINGLY TO YOUR BABY, AMOR.)
19. Find every picture of a head-down baby you can find and plaster them all over your house/work, in your purse, and anywhere else you can think of and keep the faith. Your baby will turn! (THIS IS A LITTLE SPOOKY, NO?)
19. Find every picture of a head-down baby you can find and plaster them all over your house/work, in your purse, and anywhere else you can think of and keep the faith. Your baby will turn! (THIS IS A LITTLE SPOOKY, NO?)
20. Have you ever heard of elephant walking? It has worked well for my students who carry breech near term. Elephant walking is walking on hands and feet instead of knees. (NO, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ELEPHANT WALKING. AND WHY ELEPHANT? ISN'T THAT MORE LIKE ORANGUTAN WALKING?)
jajajaja...lo disfruté muchooooo! me rei muchisimo!!! el otro buen consejo (y que me consta que funciona) es ponerle un cepillo de dientes eléctrico en la coliflor lo más que puedas para incomodarlo con la vibración. Besos a los 3
ReplyDeleteJade