Thread: KarlysKbug's (Karly) Birth Lodge

You have lots of stalkers! I cant wait to hear about your homebirth! Thanks for sharing your birth story! I had read it way back, but it was fun reading it again. Good luck!!

Awww-- I feel so special to be mentioned. Glad that my HB inspired another. It truly was transformational for our entire family...

I'll be there in MI the first week of August. I think the 4-6th (I need to be home before the 7th, bc that is Taya's 5th birthday...) I'll let you know as dates get closer....but hopefully you'll have a newborn. Though I'd love to see you!

So tell us more...how did you find out you were pregnant? How did you learn it was a boy? And I will ask, but you can just PM me if you prefer, what did you do about testing this time?

Liz

Originally Posted by Lkg4dmcrc

So tell us more...how did you find out you were pregnant? How did you learn it was a boy? And I will ask, but you can just PM me if you prefer, what did you do about testing this time?

Liz

We had always wanted closely spaced kids. My DH is the middle of three boys, all almost exactly 2 years apart. My younger brother is 20 months apart from me. We were lucky both times around and it didn't take long at all to become pregnant...although I was convinced it would take longer both times. So the kids will be almost 17 months apart. I have gotten lots of comments (positive and negative), but we are excited and happy about the spacing and as an added bonus, the close spacing will be great for both kids, developmentally.

We discussed testing, as we didn't do any with our first pregnancy. We never entertained the triple scan, since those results are just probabilities and have so many false results. We decided to go ahead with the NT scan (u/s). It is done in combination with a drop of maternal blood (which tests for the presence of a certain protein) and the results for Down Syndrome are over 90% accurate. We never really felt concerned with the results, but it was nice to get a peak at the baby and we felt the added knowledge didn't hurt (especially since it tests for other trisomys as well). Our results were around 1 in 1,000 chance. We had decided against an amnio, no matter what the results of the NT scan, because it wasn't a basis for us continuing the pregnancy and the risk of m/c (however small) wasn't worth the concrete results of the amnio.

We also had the 20 week u/s, because we felt, again, that the knowledge it can provide is important...especially since I was already decided on a HB and didn't want to do so without ruling out any obvious medical issues. Luckily, all looked perfect and we found out that we are having a son. We were happy with either and part of me wanted my daughter to have a sister, but we are thrilled to get to experience raising both a son and daughter.

My MW appt went awesome today. She came with both of her assistants this time, so it was a bit of a full house. She remembered to bring the birth pool and it looks great. I think it is the same or similar to the one Jordan (jorgiegirl) had for her waterbirth. It has handles, an inflatable seat and the bottom of the pool inflates for cushioning as well. I am so excited to use it!

We opted to do the GBS swab (well she just gives it to you and you do it yourself). My MW is very laid back and doesn't care what you decide, just presents the facts. It doesn't affect how your pregnancy or laboring at all, not even if you have your water broken for a prolonged period. She said the only time it would raise concern is if you have a fever during labor (although she said this is something she keeps an eye on, regardless). We decided to do the test and hope for the same negative result as last time. We just want to have the information on hand in the event of a transfer, as "unknown" status is often treated worse than a negative, according to my MW (the attitude you get from hospital staff).

I can't say enough how much I love that MWs palpate your belly and tell you the baby's position. I love the little glimpse as to what they are up to in there. He's head down and in a great position. My MW was surprised at how low he is already, as she estimated him to be at -1 station. Kailey was also very low toward the last few weeks (but of course the OBs had to do an u/s to confirm her position...ugh). My BP was good, no swelling and the little guy's HR was in the 140s. Everything is pretty textbook and boring...just the way we like it!

Yeah for a boring and great appointment! I hope your results come back negative. My chiropractor heard an interesting thing from her MW regarding GBS +. Her MW said that if the birth is in the water then there's no risk to the baby if mom is GBS+, I haven't heard this anywhere else but thought it was interesting.

Cindy

Yay for an uneventful appointment! I'm hoping for GBS- results for you too. And he's so low! WOW!

Ah, Karly...the woman from the August BB that I love to hate for your four hour labor. You're the first August Lodge!!! That's so exciting. I enjoyed reading through your birth story And yay for uneventful appointments!

Sounds like a great appointment! I can't wait to hear how your homebirth goes!

Originally Posted by lifeisgood

My chiropractor heard an interesting thing from her MW regarding GBS +. Her MW said that if the birth is in the water then there's no risk to the baby if mom is GBS+, I haven't heard this anywhere else but thought it was interesting.

That's really interesting, Cindy. I wonder if they add anything to the water. Like I mentioned, my MW is only ever concerned in the event of a fever. She does water birth and land births, but I will have to ask her if she has any information about the transmission not being a factor in waterbirths. Right now, I am really not concerned about a positive result. The transmission rates are low, regardless and my MW also has some regimen for moms who test positive that helps get rid of the colonization or at least lower the culture numbers, so if nothing else I would try that as a preventative measure.

In another fun note about the MW appt, DH was thrilled when she happened to mention how everyone at the birth would be utilized. I think she likes to make sure people are comfortable with having one (or more) assistants present and wants to ensure that they will not be all in your space. She mention how they do all the clean up (taking down the pool etc), the laundry, and usually make a meal or two. Her comment was that she would make sure we are all "fed and watered" before she left, LOL. DH was in awe. I guess I hadn't mentioned that part to him before, as it wasn't my first concern since I will have other family present as well. I warned my MW not to be too accommodating or DH might prepare a "To Do" list! I have visions of one of the assistants out mowing the lawn.