Labor

Bridget - posted on 02/27/2010

Hi Corrine! First of all, congratulations! Breath, breath, breath. That's the biggest thing to remember when in labor. Have a birth plan also. If you want drugs, take them. Epidural..take it if you want it. My last one was born in 1993 and the doc couldn't get the epidural in. I wasn't happy with him needless to say, however while sitting up I went from 5-8cm in about 10 minutes! That was fun! I felt the pushing urge at that point so they put me back in bed. I did end up having a c-section with my son because he was a huge baby. I was overdue with him and told my docs I couldn't deliver a baby that big, but no one would listen to me. So, make sure everyone knows what you want! My son was 9 lbs 9 oz and was 22" long! He also had a big head...my sister called him a buddah baby! Nothing was or is wrong with him, I just have a small pelvic area and he didn't fit. With my daughter I delivered naturally. She was 11 days early and was induced because I too had pre-eclampsia. She was born in 1978 too! I had one shot to help with the pain and one to help because I threw up. By breathing throughout the whole labor and laying on my left side (keeps the blood pressure down), I was actually able to control the pain and panic attacks a lot better. I was only 19 with her so it was scary. I had a good support system with her (doctors, nurses, family, and a little support from my husband at the time) and I had a fantastic support system with my son. My daughter was 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 1/2" long. Even she got stuck for a few minutes and we had to have a forcep delivery. No problems with that either! Even though both my kids were different in their births, I felt I did very well with their labors. Have someone with you at all times, remember it is YOU having the baby, no one else and everyone is different, so voice your wants and needs! If you want drugs...then have them! Best of luck, hang in there, and even though it is a natural thing for women to have babies, it does hurt and there are ways to relieve the pain and make it a very positive experience. And, enjoy that baby! They grow up so fast! I now have 2 grandchildren!!!

Becky - posted on 02/26/2010

Amii, I fully agree with you about natural over induced birth under normal circumstances, but, when you have pre-eclampsia, waiting to go into labor on your own is not usually an option. It is a dangerous condition and the only remedy is to deliver the baby, so doctors want to have the baby born as soon as it's safe for the baby - or sometimes earlier, if the condition is serious enough. Bottom line, you have to do what's safest for yourself and your baby, even if it's not what you originally wanted your birth to be like.

Chelsea-Marie - posted on 02/26/2010

i found it extremely hard to change positions and breath because i was so stressed out my body just stiffened up. i was in labor for 6 days and active labour for 24 hours and to be honest i dont really remember much of it, i tried giving birth naturally but he got stuck so they had to push him back up n i had an emergancy caeser . i hope your labor is so much easier than mine

Lisa - posted on 02/25/2010

I have had two successful vaginal deliveries and found that with both, (one without any induction, one with induction), that breathing and finding calm thoughts during my contractions were what made things go smoothly. I changed position constantly and told myself multiple times that I had nothing to fear...as soon as I felt fear creeping in, I would say it again as the "fear" made me tense and feel more pain...both deliveries were very fast and without an epidural or any other pain medication...the whole "mind over matter" really came into play and helped me. With my second child, when the pain was most intense, I just began to consider pain medication and discovered I was ready to push...moments later my little girl arrived! I realize I have been very fortunate, but I truly believe that remembering to breathe and stay as calm as you possibly can helps. Good luck! Hope your delivery goes smoothly!! :)

Amii - posted on 02/25/2010

if you are given a choice i would def. suggest a natural over an induced birth, the drugs they give you for induction are a synthetic version of the natural chemicals released by your body during childbirth, they dont actually "make" you give birth, they replicate contractions in the hope that your body will be then go into labour as a protection response to outside stresses. If you feel it is neccesary then of couse you would never choose to put your baby at harm by not having an induction, but should you be given the choice a natural labour is much less painfull (the fake contractions brought on by the induction drugs are thought to be much more painful than normal labour) and less restrictive(during induction you will be connected to an IV the whole time in order for the drugs to be administered).
We all have heard plenty of horror stories about birth, but we forget to tell new mums that there are plenty of peacefull births as well. My second stages of labour (the pushing part) lasted 40 mins and 1 hour. I truley believe the more information and well rounded knowledge you have of the wonder of birth the more relaxed and comfortable you will be so read up! I would suggest Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth, she is a bit hippy in some respects but her ideas about your own personal attitude to your own birth really helped me!!!
Goodluck and welcome to the club
ps did you know that some women actuallu orgasm during childbirth???

Sarah - posted on 02/25/2010

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! You are almost there! :) I'm a very anxious person to begin with, so yes, I was pretty darn nervous the night before I was induced lol. I was induced at about 7am in the morning & I was in labor for about 11 hours from the time they started the pitocin. I chose to get an epidural , and honestly getting the epidural was no big deal at all for me. One word of advice about the epidural if you decide to get one...make sure the anesthiologist remembers to turn your epidural pump ON! My anesthiologist forgot to turn my epidural pump on, so all I got was the first initial dose. Awesome. So, the majority of my labor was actually without an epidural since it completely wore off before they realized it haha. Yes, it hurt, but we as women are stronger than we might think! A different anesthesiologist came in when I was about 8cm and gave me another dose which worked perfectly...enough to where it dulled the contractions just enough to where I could still feel to push. I was soooo scared and worried about the pushing part, but for me, the pushing turned out to be the easiest part! I pushed for about 15 minutes and my baby was born. :) I know all women are different and not every delivery is going to be the same. But, just remember to relax as much as you can...and just try your best to breathe through those contractions. I think you are going to be just fine!! And once it's all over with and you have your baby in your arms, seriously, you will forget all about the labor and delivery part and just concentrate on that sweet baby!



Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes!!

Lisa - posted on 02/25/2010

Read Marie Monihan's book on Hypno-birthing. It will feel a little new-age but if you open yourself to the perspective, it will take away ALOT of the fear. We went through the course about a month before delivery and it REALLY helped me relax. I was SCARED too, but I gained a lot of confidence from the book and course. I can honestly say that giving birth was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

I got an epidural at the very end (8 cm) and it was fine.

Chelsea-Marie - posted on 02/25/2010

epidurals are my best friend when it comes to labor. omg, i had the gas, (didnt touch it at all it made me aggressive if anything) i had 2 shots of pethadine they worked for about 10 minutes. then finally the epidural, i had a really hard labor and the epidural made it all better. and with advise for labor there isnt really much anyone can say cuz when ur in laborur in ur own little world trying to block out the pain and everyone around you. trust me it gets annoying when all u can hear is people telling you to breath good luck hun x hope ive been helpful

Becky - posted on 02/25/2010

I think almost all of us are pretty terrified about labor the first time around! It's only natural when you have no idea what to expect. And it seems as soon as you find out you're pregnant, everyone wants to tell you the worst labor stories they can think of. Seriously, I dont' know why women do that!
I was induced at 37 weeks with my first, because I had pre-eclampsia as well. Luckily, it didn't show up until 37 weeks, so I never had to do the bed rest. My dr. just sent me straight in to be induced. I was induced with Cervadil - a hormone ring they put in your cervix to soften it, and they told me they would start Pitocen the next day to make me contract, but I never needed the Pitocen. The cervadil put me into labor about 14 hours after they put it in, and I progressed so quickly on my own, they didn't need to do anything. I was only in labor for 4 1/2 hours. I did most of my labor on the antepartum unit - they barely got me to labor and delivery on time! I did have an epidural, but because they couldn't give it until I was in l&d, I think I was about 9 cm. dialated before I got it. I was going to refuse it, but the anesthesiologist strongly suggested it because of my blood pressure. It was fine. Once you're in labor, you hardly even feel them putting in the epi! It didn't really have time to work for me because my son was born 10 minutes after I got it (2 pushes!), but it did dull the contractions a bit. I think because I was already ready to push, they didn't give me a very high dose, because I still knew exactly when to push and I was up and in the shower within about an hour of my son's birth. I never lost feeling in my legs at all.
My labor with my second son was 3 1/2 hours from first contraction to his appearance. 100% natural.
Honestly, labor was nowhere near as bad as I was afraid it would be. It was painful, but it was bearable, especially the second time around. For me, it just felt like really bad menstrual cramps.
For me, it really helped that my husband is very strong and was excellent at keeping me focused on my breathing through the contractions, instead of focussing on the pain. it really helps to have a strong, compassionate support person with you. Like others have said, just relax, trust that your body knows how to do this, and let your body take over. It might help to bring something with you that you can focus on - a picture, favorite music, etc. Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for pain medication if you need it. I did have gas with my first too. I don't think it really did anything for the pain, but it helped me calm down and focus, so it did help in that way. If you are allowed to get up and walk around, some women find that helps with the pain, and helps speed up labor. Although personally, I was more comfortable staying in the bed once the contractions got bad. A warm shower can also help.
You are going to do great, and seriously, as soon as that little baby is placed in your arms, you're already starting to forget the pain. It is the best feeling in the world!

Kathy - posted on 02/25/2010

My best advice is to keep your body relaxed and breath naturally through the contractions. You will breath fast, slow and deep, pant, or however you body naturally needs to has your contractions change throughtout labor. When you feel yourself not keeping control through the contraction, losing sounds in the room-feeling panicky-consider the different pain medications. I have had 2 different types of epidural. With the first I was not able to feel any pain or pressure but I couldn't move anything from my waist down. I did have a mild backache and a headache for a day but that could also be from the all the meds from the c-section that I ended up having. With second epidural, I could move but felt no pain. When it was time to push, I felt pressure-alot of pressure. I was able to push alot better than the first time and had a sucessful vbac. I was able to be up and walking within an hour which I am sure I wouldn't have been able to do this first time from the total lack of all sensation. The only side-effect the second time was a mild backache. So stay calm, relax, listen to your body and breath as you need to, when and if you need pain meds-get them, and don't be afraid if something goes all amiss-it happens, all that matters is that you and baby are healthy!!

Amanda - posted on 02/25/2010

as they all say relax, and one of the best advices i ever got was when the midwife/doctor says don't push Don't push but keep asking can you push yet continually till they say yes, that way you have less chance of tearing and then having stitches. i did it with both of mine and didn't even get a graze. also my first was a 4 1/2 hr labour all natural 7lb 14 oz second was 2hr 21 mins labour with gas and 8lb 04 oz and i will be having more kids.

Deborah - posted on 02/25/2010

Relax as hard as it is, i have had 8 healthy babies and my biggest advice is relax, breathe thru each contraction. All the very best with everything, your baby will make everything worth the hard work you went thru. :)

Sheree - posted on 02/25/2010

I was petrified about labour too, i was also a first time mum. I was meant to be induced on the 24th but went into labour naturally on the 19th, to be honest im the biggest wimp when it comes to pain and i didnt even know i was in labour. I had 2 panadols for back pain, and went to the hospital 1.5 hours before my little girl was born. You hear so many horror stories about labour and birth that you dread it, but it was amazing experience. I didnt end up having any pain relief at the hospital, but a close friend had the epidural and said it was amazing. Best of luck with everything and congrats :)

Shonell - posted on 02/25/2010

Hi Connie,congrats like thee others say don't let stories freak you out,am not familiar with the drug epidural.But i was induced with both of my kids and the pain was unbearable i didn't receive any help with drugs but every body pain is not the same. with my girl it was 3 days & 8 hours,and my boy was only 1 hour could you believe that and to think i want to go back to the drawing board.I'll keep you in prayer for swift labor.

Jennifer - posted on 02/25/2010

I was induced as well. I wanted to keep my options open as to pain relief methods. A few hours after being induced I had nubain. It helped with the pain a little, mostly just to help me sleep. A lot of women swear that nubain is great and it did well at the beginning. I don't know if I started it too early, but I wanted something stronger after a while. At about 7 hours after being induced, I opted for an epidural. They had the dosing just right for me. It was enough that I was not in pain, but was able to feel enough to push. If I'm not induced with my next baby, then I'll try to keep my options open again, but if I'm induced, I'll probably have them prep me for an epidural and wait to administer it until I need it.

Carly - posted on 02/25/2010

I was goign to say what Angela said -she had some good advice! .Remember labour is a natural thing woman have been having babies for many,many years- think positive and remember @ the end of it you will have your bub!! Do stay calm breath and do things to distract you like Angela said.If you think you can do it pain free do i wanted to,but i'm a sook and hate pain..i had gas which ended up not helping and made me and Logan tired ...and then had medication to speed up the labour.DON'T let our stories freak you out though i have been told real life storeis of amily/friends having 4hr even 2 hr briths with there first children and one my partners cousin was 34 at the time.Best of luck with it hope to here and see pics of ur bub when he/she arrives:)

Angela - posted on 02/24/2010

Only advice i will give is to stay calm and breathe. Bring things that will help distract you such as magazines to read, music to listen too, things to have a manicure etc. I was induced and was in an induced labour for 18 hours before they had to give me an emergency c-sect. Really consider whether you would like pain relief. Many women are against it and want to go through labour as naturally as they can. I'm not that type of woman...my pain threshold is very low so pain relief for me was a welcome relief...i had 2 shots of pethedine which enabled me to sleep during the labour and by the time it wore off, i was going into surgery for my c-sect. The epidural was heaven!!! couldn't feel my legs but no pain whatsoever. I did have 1 side effect and that was a huuuuuge migraine for the next 5 days so i had to take pain relief for that and thankfully for family support, i was able to rest a lot while they looked after my little one. Other then that, it was a good experience. I too was petrified of having a child but once my little girl came into this world, it was all forgotten about. I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant with my second...sometimes i think to myself...'are you crazy???' but i know it will all be worth it in the end. Keep positive and try to only think of it as a positive experience. GOOD LUCK!! XO