A Transverse Baby

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Feature image from SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION

I know this is a little off the topic of ITP and Bleeding Disorders, but it was something I wanted to write about.  There isn’t much personal information onIine about transverse babies, and a few people keep asking me what it feels like to have a transverse baby, so I will do my best to describe it.

I’m currently at 36 weeks and our baby has been transverse for at least two months.

As this is my first experience with the third trimester, I have nothing to compare to, so for most of the day, everything just feels normal to me.  But I will try and break it down so it makes a little sense for people who are unfamiliar with the feeling of a transverse baby.

transverse baby, transverse position of baby, baby transverse at 36 weeks, baby transverse at 37 weeks, baby transverse at 38 weeks, high risk pregnancy, fetal development, systemic lupus erythematosus, pregnancy complications, complicated pregnancy, high risk pregnancy complications,A transverse lie is where the baby is positioned horizontally instead of vertically in the uterus.  Unlike a breech birth, which is difficult to birth, but not impossible; a transverse baby won’t come out through the pelvis.  A transverse baby at term means a cesarian birth.

Sleeping

It is hard to lay on my side, I know pregnancy is uncomfortable but this is next level shit.  Laying on my side means either a head or a bum against my lungs and rib cage.  It’s more comfortable to sleep on my back as the weight as the bum and head balance each other, but I know it is bad for me.

The Belly

Screen Shot 2016-07-06 at 10.27.09 amMy pregnant baby bump is disappointing.  I haven’t got that beautiful sort of maternal belly happening (pictured left).  My tummy has more of a solid tumor aesthetic (pictured right).transverse baby, transverse position of baby, baby transverse at 36 weeks, baby transverse at 37 weeks, baby transverse at 38 weeks, high risk pregnancy, fetal development, systemic lupus erythematosus, pregnancy complications, complicated pregnancy, high risk pregnancy complications,

Discomfort

I don’t look like a pregnant woman, I don’t walk or stand like a pregnant woman. (Apart from my round tummy) When I sat among pregnant women at our Adult Education class I realised l how different I was.  I did not wriggle around or need cushions and bean bags like the other ladies.  I sat on my chair like I would have 9 months ago.

My hips don’t hurt and my bladder isn’t being crushed.  Because there is no pressure from the baby I don’t think they’ve begun to stretch out at all.  I haven’t felt unstable yet.

Our baby is quite high, sitting up out of my pelvis keeping the weight off my pelvic floor muscles.  I imagine this baby feels a lot lighter than other babies as there if no downward pressure from a head or bottom in the pelvis.

Movements

I don’t feel any kicks.  But I can feel flutters, hickups, pressure and a slight turning sensation.  The movements are consistent with what I have always felt so I am not concerned with the lack of ‘kicks’.  But I am a little sad.

‘Where do you feel most of the kicks?” My doctor asks.  The answer is, I don’t.  I don’t get kicks.  I get nudges; very strong nudges, like the baby is fully stretching out inside me, trying to make more room.  His bottom goes one way and his head another.  It’s very strange and quite painful, as I was never meant to stretch that way.

Another transverse mother wrote, “Mine will stretch out and I can feel him on both sides it feels like he’s going to break through the skin!”

Wearing Maternity Clothes

With a transverse baby at 36 weeks I still fit into the same jeans I was wearing 9 months ago!  That is a bonus for my bank account because I have been spending a lot of money on coffee and cakes this last week.

Everyone thinks it’s a girl

When a baby is transverse it tends to sit high.  This means that everyone thinks I’m having a girl!

Fundal Height

My fundal height is measuring shorter than normal.

Towards the end of this pregnancy, my fundal measurements have started to fall shorter of where the uterus should be.  This is because the baby is not pushing the uterus lengthways, but side to side.  I’ve had a couple of ultrasounds to confirm that the baby is still growing properly and measuring the right size for its gestation.

Pain

I am hurting in all different areas.  I have complained about my pain a few times and the general response has been ‘suck it up,’ ‘welcome to pregnancy,’ or ‘yeap it does hurt hey.’  I felt like I was being over sensitive and was worried I would sound weak – so I stayed quiet for longer than I should.

The truth is that trans babies really do hurt.  My ligaments are stretched in strange ways, my ribs are tight, by lungs are cramped and my body is actually hurting.  There is bone rubbing against bone and I feel like I’ve been hit by a car most days.

When I tell pregnant women that my body hurts, they kind of don’t really give a crap.  I need to vent to another Trans mother!  So please, any other trans mothers, share your stories in the comments below.

What happens with the next baby

I have been told that it’s likely my next pregnancy will be another transverse lie because of the way my uterus was stretched.  Or perhaps due to something about my muscles, pelvis and spine that made the baby want to lie sideways.  Either way, I’m hoping it is not true.

There is lots of baby turning advice on SPINNING BABIES, if you have a little transverse baby at the moment.

by Meg

Meghan Brewster is a writer and blogger. She is an ITP patient and launched ITP&Me in 2011. She is a coffee lover and a try hard dancer. @meghan_brewster

One thought on “A Transverse Baby

  1. raehardin36@gmail.com'
    RaShar Hardin says:

    Omg!Y baby was breech most of Pregnancy I started floor exercises and now transverse last 3 weeks… Scheduled C-section 07 19 17. It’s sooo painful. I’ve done natural births, C-section and Successful Vbacs. This is last baby but man,all they say is suck it up. Thanks so much.

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