BABY FLIPPED!!!

The baby flipped into the heads down position!!! I am in absolute shock! Talk about beating the odds. But we know God's above the odds, right? Now for the story, which I know you're dying to hear...

Yesterday Davey and I went to my regular OB check up for the week. Dr. Stewart checked the baby's heartbeat (still sounds great), explained the c-section, told us what we need to know, and then we left. I had asked her if she wanted to feel to make sure baby was still heads up, but I guess she didn't feel the need since she said "I would know it" because I would have been very uncomfortable while it happened. She didn't check my cervix either. All last night, I kept having this nagging feeling that she should have checked baby's position just in case. I just couldn't get rid of the feeling. I'm not typically a worrier, and I usually don't have a problem getting over things, but I couldn't get over this one. My thought was that I'd hate to get to our c-section day and then, after an ultrasound, find out that we didn't need one, after everyone had already planned for it. Why not just be completely sure? So what led up to this? Well, all last weekend the baby moved A TON. It didn't hurt, but I did notice how much wiggling he/she was doing. It's always been hard for me to be able to tell the baby's position just by feeling my stomach, so that wasn't conclusive. However, I didn't think baby had flipped because of several reasons. First of all, I didn't want to get my hopes up, and I'd come to peace about having a c-section. Second, everyone had told me that I would be very uncomfortable when it happened and that I would *know* it. I've heard stories about feeling like you're in labor, getting nauseated from the movement, etc. Third, the odds of Baby turning this late in the game were very slim. I kept saying to Davey that I thought the baby was trying to turn, but there just wasn't any room. Well, apparently there was enough!

Now to back up farther, last week in addition to a lot of praying, I tried some hilarious things to try to get Baby to turn. I figured it can't hurt, right? Here's what I (we) tried, based on others' suggestions:
Davey talked to Baby at the bottom of my belly.
I rubbed my stomach in a circular motion.
I shined a flashlight at the bottom of my stomach (babies will supposedly move toward the light).
I did exercises suggested by the midwife at the doctor's office.
I tried various yoga positions. (Let me tell you, some are not very glamorous, especially as awkward as I am now with a giant belly.
Okay, and my favorite one, (which my sister wants me to do again and take a picture...sorry, not happening!) is lying on my back on a flat hard surface - ironing board works great - tilted up against the couch, with my head down and feet pointing up. Add to this headphones at the bottom of my stomach playing Dave Matthews Band (Davey's choice). I did this twice, for 15 min. at a time, which was as long as I could stand the blood rushing to my head. Of course, the theory behind this technique is to use gravity to get the baby's bottom out of my pelvic cavity so it's possible to flip over. I think the ironing board technique may have been what did it, because ever since then my stomach has felt a little different. I'll never know for sure, but Dave Matthews Band and an ironing board make for a great story.

So, back to today. I called the doctor's office today and they said to come in so they could check. First Heather (midwife) checked the heartbeat, which sounded fine. Then she felt the top of my stomach. She got a puzzled look on her face when she said "that sure feels like a butt." And then she checked my cervix. She said, "Sarah ,that feels like a head." At this point, I wasn't getting my hopes up for anything, and based on the fact that very few babies flip this late, I'm sure she wasn't either. Well, then she got the ultrasound machine to get a clear picture...and Baby's head was down!!! We couldn't believe it! She was so excited for me, gave me a huge hug, and said "Talk about waiting to the last minute!"

It's amazing the different emotions Davey and I have gone through the past few weeks, probably me more than him. From disappointment, to anxiety about a c-section, and then finally contentment knowing that God knew best no matter if Baby flipped or not. There is a part of both of us that is a little sad knowing that we may have to wait a little longer (past when we would have had a c-section) to meet our baby, but that's okay. I feel like at this point it doesn't matter what happens because we'll be prepared for either regular labor or c-section. You can make your plans, but you just never know when it comes to babies. How do people go through life without peace from the Lord? I'll never know.

Thank you for all your prayers! While I am thrilled that God answered our prayers this way, let me make something clear: Even if the baby hadn't turned, that would not have meant that God didn't answer. It just would have meant that He answered differently than what I desired. Sometimes I forget that what seems like an "unanswered prayer" is really just a different answer. I know I'm not very old and I have a lot more to learn, but how many times in my life already can I look back and say I'm glad God didn't answer a prayer. I'm sure I'll have to learn this lesson again and again.

So now we just wait...as everyone else does for their baby to arrive. We'll try to keep everyone posted!

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10