Smushed?
I just found out from my doctor that it has not been such a good idea for me to be lying on my stomach, as far as the baby's well-being goes. So now I am really worried that I squashed her. I think Kaiser should give all the pregnant women Dopplers to take home so that they can do their own heartbeat tests whenever they get worried. Instead, I am going to have to wait till sometime in March to find out if I squashed her. Anyone reading this who may have an investment in her coming out un-smushed, please be forewarned.
posted by Sarah Goss at 10:49 AM
14 Comments:
The good news is that at birth, most infants are pretty pliable and poseable. You have to be pretty careful, but you can generally rearrange body parts to your liking - within reason.
I wouldn't worry. The baby is very small and very well protected. Just laying on your stomach isn't enough to do any damage.
As I'm sure everyone else did uypon reading Sarah's blog entry, I did a google search on safe sleeping positions. Every medical page that came up focused far more on the expectant mother's *comfort* rather than safety. They said lying on your back or stomach could put *you* at risk as far as blocked blood flow, and that you could lose consciousness, but none of them said anything about squashing the baby.
BTW, I just realized the above reference to blocked blood flow sounds kind of scary. That was referring to very extreme circumstances--so don't worry too much 'bout that either.
Sar, do you remember when we were little kids, we used to stress ourselves out about the positions we slept in? We were convinced that no matter what position we assumed, some vital organ would be crushed. One time we stayed up all night (obsessing? us? how odd :o), examining every possibility, and decided that nothing was safe and that we should sleep standing up. Eventually we realized that our bodies are pretty resilient, though. You should be ok, pal.
Thanks, you guys! You know, I had done some reading (not much, but a little) on the subject and found the same thing as Jenny: it focused more on the mom's comfort ("sleeping on a watermelon") than on the baby's safety. And my doctor is usually very laidback and tells me not to worry about things when I am worried. That's why I was so surprised when she said sleeping on my stomach could have been bad for the baby (she said "it puts some pressure on the kiddo"). She also said, though, that if I occasionally, accidentally rolled over onto it, it wouldn't be a big deal... I am mixed up so I think I should just call her and try to talk to her (usually she is so busy we can only do phone tag!) Thank you for caring about me and doing some research for me!!
PS
Albert, you crack me up. What more can I say? (I have an image of a clay-like infant and me gently molding it to my liking...).
As near as I can recall, the best position for a mother-to-be is the so called "weeding" position where you squat down and pull weeds between the rows of corn. But those were the old days, and maybe there is new advice today. I haven't kept up.
I think as long as she's still moving about in there, she's fine! I think Jenny is right, that sleeping on your stomach is more a danger to the mom, but I don't think you have to worry about that either. So, try not to worry... babies are resilient!
Hi! Thank you, Anonymous--I am sure you are right. One thing, though, is that I *don't* feel her moving yet, which is part of what worries me, although the doctor said that I might not feel her for a few weeks more, since this is my first pregnancy and I guess it takes longer on the first one... but, if I felt her moving, I would definitely be less worried about the stomach thing. I am trying so hard not to go there, but I will *never* be a back-lier! (Which I've read has risks for pregnant people, too, actually; the side is the desirable place.)
Er...thanks, Dad! I wish I could weed, but it's San Francisco and no one has a yard. Or weeds. Well, maybe figurative weeds of the soul.
oops, anonymous above was Katherine! an oversight...
Aha--Katherine! :-)
As soon as I feel any moving, believe me, I will be blabbing about it--I can hardly wait. I am sure the first kick will generate a blog post :-)
In the meantime, it's hard to check in with her and know if she's okay!
The coolest thing (from a male perspective) was when Gwen was pregnant w/Elijah and he kicked me while I had my ear to her tummy.
Oh, Albert! I can't wait for that to happen. Right now I don't feel anything except tiny ripplings which MAY be the baby, but which may also be gas. Alas.
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