due may 22nd with my first child...any tips??

Brenda - posted on 02/20/2009

I just wanted to add my induction was not due to being over due, I had pre eclampsia, so I had an extreme situation that required medical intervention.  I would have preferred none, but unfortunatley my body was not ready to give birth and I had my water broken for me, and almost had a c section due to the fact my water was broke for 20 hours (due to risk of infection, the doctors will not let you go more than 24 hours with your water broken).  By the time I had my epidural I'd been in labor for about 17 hours and was the baby wasn't descending because his hand was on his head.  The labor I had before the pitocin wasn't bad, I could handle that through breathing, but my body never took over for labor on its own and they had to keep increasing my pitocin.  Remember, though, mine was a little bit complicated, and the only reason I relate this is because of my advice to stay flexible.  Sometimes unexpected things come up and things won't work according to your birth plan.  I just know how difficult it is if you go in unprepared for those things that pop up especially when I went in with my heart set on a completely natural birth.  I am proud to say that by the time I delievered I had no drugs or epidural in effect, so the the actual birth was natural and the most amazing experience of my life!

Jennifer - posted on 02/20/2009

i cant offer much advice cuz this is my first too, but i am due May 25th, right near your due date!

Rebekah - posted on 02/20/2009

I agree completely with Allison and will just add that "information is power." Arm yourself with the facts of labor. It's painful. But, it's purposeful. And your body is designed to handle it. Honestly the more you know, the more comfortable you will be, and that will lead to an easier labor/delivery. Watch "The Business of Being Born" and read lots of books. I personally would never leave it to the "nurse on duty" to give you all your childbirth information when you arrive at the hospital. The nurses want what is best and easiest for THEM, not always you and your baby.

I had a completely natural labor and delivery without any medications because I allowed my body to do what it was intended to do. No nurse at the hospital ever gave me any advice. I moved in the positions my body needed for labor and I did what relieved the pain in that moment. Trust your body... it is much stronger than you thing... Even though this is my second child, I'm still taking a child birth class-- this time with a hypno-birthing emphasis.

Allison - posted on 02/20/2009

Check out the book The Thinking Women's Guide to a Better Birth. Watch The Business of Being Born. Try to avoid any and all medical interventions: trust your body and baby know when to do and resist some of the scare tactics OBs use to scare you into inductions or c/s - "baby too big" "you're not dilating fast enough", etc. Visit . Look into getting a doula (see http://www.dona.org). Get good information about the pros and cons of epidurals or other meds - there are many techniques that can help you relax and deal with pain without medical intervention. Also know that pregnancy is 38-42 weeks, so try not to worry if you don't have your baby by your due date :-)

Trust birth!

Brenda - posted on 02/19/2009

I'm due May 6, but I will give you the best advice I can.  STAY FLEXIBLE.  Keep your options open, and be prepared for anything.  Make sure you attend your birthing class if you can, and do your preregistration as soon as you can.  They should offer you a paper to fill out of some sort that lets you choose what you want to do at the birth. 

Your nurses are the most important part of your labor (assuming here that you're having a hospital birth) because they will be there the whole time.  They are there to support you and help you out.  They can also tell when it might be beneficial for pain meds because of the state you're in.

I used Stadol (non narcotic form of demoral) because I did not want narcotics.  I also had an epidural (which was no where near as bad as I feared).  I had gone in wanting a natural birth and ended up being induced, and most people who've ever been induced will tell you, pitocin makes it nearly impossible to go without pain meds (nearly, some women can, I wasn't one of them).  I had to get over not being able to do it natural afterward, so this time I'm going in prepared for everything. 

Just remember, it is a natural process, and you will get through it.  Just listen to the nurses and they'll get you through it.  Meds are an option, but some women don't need them, but as a first time, your labor will likely be longer than not, but if you go into labor naturally, a lot of early labor is much more managable.  Every woman is different, and my suggestion is just sign all your paper work ahead of time, and that way you'll be able to ask for it if you need it.  :)  I had to come out from under Stadol to sign for my epidural because I had been so against it to start with.  I believe fully that the epidural allowed me to dialate fully and relax enough that I didn't have to have a c section.  Sometimes, they can relieve enough pain to let your body relax and progress if you aren't progressing well.

Again, just stay flexible and go wtih the situation as it comes.  You're labor nurse will be there for you and as things progress ask questions of them, and they'll help you out!