Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the end! ...

RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

Hi Wendy--

First of all, remember that whatever you choose, it is not a moral issue:). I only say that because I've had people imply to me that it is.

Baby #1--natural childbirth. I did the breathing and thought I was going to die from pain. Pushing was a great relief.

Baby #2--natural childbirth. The pain was not so bad until the midwife broke my water to get things moving. Then I was in agony--went from a 6 to birth in 30 minutes.

Baby #3--some kind of drug in an IV. It did not really help with the pain when I hit transition. The contractions were so hard and fast I could hardly catch my breath. I had to have oxygen.

Baby #4--My first epidural. It was so relaxing compared to my other birth experiences. The only thing was that it was difficult to feel the urge to push, in fact, I was glad that I'd 3 prior births, because I knew how hard to push, even though I could not feel it, but if it had been my first, it would have been hard.

Baby #5--another epidural. I got it when I got to the hospital at a 7. I think that it really slowed my labor down and that if I could have toughed it out, the baby would have come faster, but the whole experience was relaxing and pleasant.

Basically, I have never felt pain like the pain of childbirth and if I have any more children, I will get an epidural if I can.

But it is a personal decision for each woman. I look forward to hearing your birth story, whatever you decide:7

Maggie
 
RE: 2nd half of my post could be upsetting to some

Well, I planned on a delivery w/epidural, but had things I did and did not want all written out: walking epidural was one- so I could be mobile, and no episiotomy (? sp), my DH and best friend were to be my coaches. I didn't want DH to have to bare the burden of a possible long labor alone.

So all was well going as planned until my last week of pregnancy where come to find out DS turned himself around and became breech. I was in utter denial the whole week. Something like 4% of babies become breech so late on. I was very uncomforable that week and my belly became slanted, no joke. I tried pressing to even it out, nada. I told DH he was feeling the butt and it was just out of alienment, DH admimently said no it's his head. Well it took an OBGYN and an ultrasound to convince me. As I had 4 days till "due date" we scheduled a c/s the next day - talk about being totally surprised. Anthony arrived the next day w/in 13 min of operation! Talk about quick delivery ;-)! I was happy but bummed my best friend couldn't be there (St. Johns btw Autumn!). Once Anthony was all messured up and weighed, come to find out kid has Dad's head and the circumfrence was 1" larger than the average baby - OUCH! Actually to this day his head is HUGE and it litterally off the charts in size, over 100% - but seeing as his Daddy is in medical school, I'm not worried about what filling it up!

This pregnancy, well I had thought c/s, but wanted to see the doc's thoughts on if VBAC was safer. As this is my last pregnancy a c/s wasn't a concern of mine per say. She was open to a VBAC but said if I wanted c/s that would be fine. At the time I did want a c/s.


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Well WARNING COULD UPSET THOSE WHO FIND COMPLICATIONS UNSETTLING
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There is another internet board I frequent and have been part of for over 2 years. A mom on there I knew and had e-mailed off and on through the years personally was due with her baby last week. We keep a workout log like this forum every week, and I heard every week updates on her pregnancy, and everything. Well she was adiment about doing a VBAC, had resereached it out of the wazoo, and knew there was a small, .05% actually, change of there being a problem from it that would hurt the baby. Well she went into labor last friday, and had SEVERE complications, her uterus abrupted and the baby was deprived of oxygen while the surgeans got her ready for a c/s. Leah was born totally brain dead. And she actually died this monday. Everyone on the boards is horrified and terrified. It was tragic and her chances were so small to have this happen. As it happened my 12 week checkup was on friday so I brought all this up w/my OBGYN. I asked which has a less risk as research I've seen shows c/s has less complications to the baby. She agreed and said this was so. So seeing as I don't plan on more children, I feel confident to say I don't want to even try this, no matter how small the risk. I just want to do what is statistically the safest. On an up note another friend of mine on that board was freaked out because of this ladies experiance as she was planning a VBAC as well. I am pleased to say she had a sucessful VBAC on saturday and all is well with mom and baby. So long story short, I'm having a c/s.
 
RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

Wendy, you may want to research the different drugs you can take while you are in labor. I had a bad side effect with the epidural, and the nubaine made me feel like I was drunk and out of control where as one of my friends had no problems at all. Everyone reacts differently, so you may want to look into what all your options are. If your research convinces you that you do not want drugs, make sure everyone knows, nurses and the doc, everyone, and tell them not to even ask you if you want any so that they will not pressure you into something you don't want.
 
RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

"I wish I never had gotten an epidural. It takes away your freedom. My blood pressure plummeted, I felt weak and my body was in uncontrollable shakes, and I felt completely helpless jsut laying in bed. When Layne cried, I couldn't get up and get him, I had to ask someone to bring him to me."

******************************************

You hit the nail on the head as to why I would prefer not to get the epidural if possible...although the "walking epidural" was mentioned in this thread...at my lamaze class she referred to it as the "light epidural"...that may not be so bad...you have more freedom then because it's not as strong....

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
 
RE: 2nd half of my post could be upsetting to some

DRUGS DRUGS DRUGS. LOTS OF THEM AND AS MANY AS YOU CAN GET. Of course, that my be the pharmacist blood in me too. ;)

**Melanie**
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

 
RE: 2nd half of my post could be upsetting to some

LOL Melanie!

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
 
I have given birth once, and chose not to use any drugs. I used the hypnobirthing technique and that is what helped me to accomplish my goal. Basically, when labor got really intense, I went "deep inside" to a very focused and inner place, until time to push. Looking back, I felt I was in a time warp, meaning 5 minutes or 5 hours could have gone by and I was unaware. Anyway, it was a good experience, and as soon as my baby was born I felt no pain or pressure.

Good luck, all you want is a healthy baby either way!

http://lilypie.com/days/050710/4/23/1/-7/.png[/img][/url]

Due 7-10-05
 
RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

Never heard of hypnobirthing...sounds like a very interesting concept. Thanks for sharing!

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
 
RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

Wendy,

If you don't mind, I just wanted to add something. Since you mentioned that you might be interested in natural child birth, my advice is don't let them break your water, if it doesn't break on it's own ahead of time. It doesn't guarantee to speed anything up, but it frequently makes contractions more painful and increases the hospital's urgency to try all sorts of interventions. I would let it break on its own.

Also, as I mentioned before, after labor was over, I felt no real pain. I attribute this to not having been medicated. Giving birth does a really good job of numbing you "down there."

Anyway, just FYI, Good luck!

http://lilypie.com/days/050710/4/23/1/-7/.png[/img][/url]

Due 7-10-05
 
RE: Moms: I'm full of questions now that I'm near the e...

I couldn't agree more with what emy said. I also healed about three times faster unmedicated than medicated.
Good luck, hun!
 
I had a C-section due to a breech birth, and so I had an epidural. No pain, period. I then took painkillers during my recovery, weaning myself off. Be prepared Wendy- you may not get the choice if you end up needing a C-section!:eek:

Jennifer V
 
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