Pregnancy Update (and a bit of complaining!)

A few weeks ago we had our last ultrasound to determine if Skogen was still breech. Prayers were answered and it was then that we found out that he has flipped and is not head down. We also found out that he was about six pounds and eleven ounces (give or take a pound) and has a lot of hair! Since the ultrasound, I have been busily preparing for a natural delivery, ruling out a repeat c-section all together since his positioning was right on. However, in the last week I have developed some sort of pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome, which seems to really be affecting my pregnancy and the decisions that lie ahead.

Natural birth, for many different reasons has been my number one priority this pregnancy. After my c-section with Maida, I was determined to never have to go through that again. I have researched repeat c-sections and I know specifically why they are more risky than VBACs (vaginal birth after c-section). I know that a VBAC would be not only healthier for me, but for Skogen as well. As I flip through the statistics, while also examining my own personal dreams of having a natural birth, I can’t ignore the pain of the carpal tunnel syndrome and I’m second guessing my decision for a natural childbirth.

The pain is so great in my hands, especially at night, that I feel like if I just call up and schedule a c-section for next week, I will know for sure that I only have a few more days to endure the pain (supposedly, the carpal tunnel syndrome goes away after you give birth). At this point, we have no idea when Skogen could come. It could be today, or it could be in four or five weeks! I just don’t know how long I can stand this pain. It’s the kind of pain that makes me crazy. Not only is there pain, but there is tingling and numbness, making it very difficult to do anything around the house, even simple things like brush my teeth or feed myself breakfast. It’s the kind of pain that I can’t get away from. I can’t pop a pain killer and expect it to go away. I’ve tried everything from hot packs, cold packs, dangling my arms while I sleep, propping my arms up while I sleep, sitting up while sleeping, bracing my wrists, massage, cold baths, warm baths, to increasing fluid intake… nothing takes this pain away. It is also the type of pain I can’t sleep through. I’ve been getting about three hours of sleep a night for the past five days, and that’s three hours of waking up every half hour to shift positions and try to get my hands comfortable again. This pain is also affecting all the “nesting” that I want to get done. I have this deep need for everything to be perfect when Skogen comes. I have a strong desire to clean and organize like crazy until he arrives, but with my hands this way, I can’t do any of it. I’m really wondering where I should go from here.

Have any of you had this carpal tunnel syndrome while you were pregnant? What did you do for it? Did it effect your birth (for example, I can’t imagine pushing a baby out on my hands and knees if my wrists are this sore)? For those of you who have chose to have repeat c-sections (for whatever reason) or had to have a repeat c-section (no choice), was it easier than the first? Did you get to hold and snuggle and breastfeed your baby in recovery? Do any of you have any tricks on how to get the baby to drop and labor to start naturally? With Maida I walked a whole lot and ate pineapple, which I have always thought started my labor -Ha! I would be totally comfortable waiting until Skogen’s due date, or after, for him to come, but it’s just this darn carpal tunnel that is killing me! I can’t imagine being in this much pain for two, three, four more weeks. I see our doctor next week again and so until then I look forward to any advice (or encouragement!) that any of you have. I’ll continue to take one day at a time and we’ll see what happens…