November 2013 Babies!

[mama.luv]

I didn't know an epidural can do that. I had my son 17yrs ago, so we didn't have internet to research this stuff. And I was only a teenager so I don't think I was mature enough to worry about side effects. OMG I do not want a catheter again, that is like the worse pain ever when they put it again. I'm trying to avoid getting that.

 

[Nariah01]

Man some you guys make my husband seem like a saint.

He is pretty good though, I found a good man I can't complain. He gives foot/back/shoulder rubs when I ask and sometimes when I don't. He handles most if not all of the cooking and makes sure I have pretty much any food I want considering my digestive system right now is all wonky. He helps clean when he has time, and he has been doing the litter box since day one. The only thing that is like pulling teeth with him is yard work. He hates doing any yard work but he won't let me do anything because most of it he has deemed too difficult for me to do while pregnant.

But lately hes working so much he doesn't have much time to help, and what little time he does have I would rather spend with him not having him help me clean house.

As for pain meds, I just have a strong desire to do it naturally. I figure our bodies are designed to do this and have been doing this for ages without pain meds so I can do it to. Not to mention like Want I want to be able to walk and use the bathroom. And I also hate needles with a passion so anything that keeps me from having more needles is a plus. That and every time I have had any type of pain medication I always need more and it never works the way its supposed too. I dunno what it is but I have heard its a red head thing.

 

[berniegroves]

Once I was pregnant and started doing research I knew I wanted to try and have as natural a birth as possible. I always kept in mind that I may need drugs for medical reasons and that was fine.
I also didn't like the idea of not being able to love around or not feel my legs etc, and I know people whose epidurals had gone wrong and one side of their body went numb instead of lower half which really freaked me out.
I also read that having an epidural can slow the labour process down considerably because you're numb. And I really didn't want a catheter.
I also wanted my recovery to be as quick as possible and I think generally having drugs in your system slows that process down.
A lady I worked with had 3 kids, the first she had a drug called pethedine and whilst it was just supposed to help with the pain she had a bad reaction and basically cannot remember the entire labour process. Her first memory is from hours after her daughter was born and she said that is her one major regret in life as she has no memory of her first child being born. That totally freaked me out! With her other two children she had natural labours.
My friend in California had an epidural her first time and said it was fantastic, then with her second by the time she arrived at hospital they said there was no time for an epidural, she was totally freaked as she hasn't planned for a natural labour. Immediately after the birth she said she'd definetly have an epidural for her third. But a week later she changed her mind and said her third would be natural as well, her reasons being her recovery was so much quicker and that the baby was more alert and so took to breastfeeding much more easily. Her third is due in October and she's planning on going natural.
After I read about the physiology of labour and how your pelvis is trying to open And that lying on a bed is physically hindering that process I knew I wanted to be able to move around etc. so for me it was an easy decision.
My labour progressed more quickly than the midwives expected and it was only when they insisted I lay on the bed to push that things slowed down. I ended up with forceps and they had to cut me.
But despite them taking an hour to stitch me back up within 2 hours I was walking around the hospital and had no problems with my recovery at all. I really think getting up immediately and moving around helped me heal.

At the end of the day each labour is totally different and there is no right or wrong way to do it. The above is my personal opinion and it works for me. But everywoman feels differently about labour and delivery and its about going what's right for you.
I think as long as we all do our research and understand the choices and what they all mean etc then as long as the baby is delivered safetly that's all that matters at the end of the day.

Incidentally that's what my birth plan said "I'd like a delivery as natural as possible. But will do whatever is necessary to ensure my baby is delivered safely"

 

[Rockinmomtobe]

You guys are totally freaking me out about labor. Im so scared already and I still have at least 3 months before it happens. lol not cool. Scared isnt even the right word....Im terrified. Everyone says oh dont worry, once the contractions start, youll be in so much pain it wont matter what they do. Still terrified.

So, OH and I have that wedding this weekend, we're leaving tomorrow and it was going to be like....a mini babymoon since we wont really have the money to go before the baby gets here, but yesterday OH got sick I feel so guilty for wishing he wasnt sick, but I was really looking forward to some romance this weekend lol. And I dont want to get sick eeeek! Oh well.

My new thing of the week is that im getting full faster. has anyone noticed this yet? I was extra hungry the last few weeks and this week ill eat half of my lunch and be full. Not all the time, but I bet some of the time my little guys squishing my stomach

 

[The Alchemist]

Rockin - I was terrified of labor AND delivery too! Last pregnancy, by third trimester, I just wanted dd out, but at the same time, I didn't because I was scared if what's to come. I think for me, it want because of the pain but because l&d is so unpredictable, anything can happen, but that's why I researched as much as possible about each circumstances. I asked my mommy friends how theirs were. I watched videos. I read the birth stories here on bnb. And whatever was to happen, I will accept.

So don't be too terrified. Think of it that we are power machines designed to house our spawn and birth it to the world...however l&d may go, trust me when they say, once you hold and look into your baby's eyes, you're too in love to even look back.

 

[The Alchemist]

Rockin - oops, forgot to mention. No, I haven't noticed I get full faster. But my cravings totally changed to wanting sweet, junky carbs oppose to craving for fruits and veggies. So....last night, I baked a cake by scratch at 11pm. Kitchen demon totally possessed me lol!

 

[wantb502]

I definitely have noticed getting full faster. My problem is I want to keep eating for some reason and end up uncomfortable.

 

[missjenn]

eeek! I'm a little freaked out to now! I just always had my mind set on the epidural and really didn't think to consider anything else. I based my decision on pain....and the tolerance I have....which is none!!!!

 

[missjenn]

I hope you guys still get to go the wedding though! Hopefully your hubby feels better soon!

 

[Co_Cowgirl]

I have no idea what I want to do! I thought I wanted an epidural but I hated the Catheter when I had to go in for the first threatened miscarriage.

I can't ask any of my friends because they all have had C-Sections!

DH is not much help with these kinds of decisions he says "what ever you want"

 

[Co_Cowgirl]

And I have noticed all of a sudden I look more pregnant! I have it down to talk to the Dr. Next week to make sure I am not putting on too much weight as once.

 

[Nariah01]

eeek! I'm a little freaked out to now! I just always had my mind set on the epidural and really didn't think to consider anything else. I based my decision on pain....and the tolerance I have....which is none!!!!

I wouldn't freak out too much you still have a lot of time to look into all your options. You ultimately need to do whatever you are most comfortable with, you know your body better then anyone on here. if your worried about pain you can just set aside sometime to talk to your doctor about all the pain medication options for birth and then do your research after that so you can make an informed decision.

Because many people get pain meds or an epidural for labor and do just fine.

 

[mama.luv]

I think everybody is different. I had an epidural and didn't have any side effects. To be honest, before I found out I was having twins, I was saying that I would have a scheduled c-section because I keep having flashbacks of what I had to go through having my son and I refuse to go through that again. But my situation was one of the worse case scenarios that can happen. So now, I'm playing everything by ear because I know that there is a high chance that I may need a c-section since I'm having twins. I will do whatever it takes to have my babies born without any health risks or complications. I wish I can have a home water birth but I think that's wishful thinking

 

[whittnie117]

I haven't thought too much about my options because I always thought I'd do as natural as possible, but my mom and sister have struck again with trying to get me to do what they want me to do. My mom makes fun of me that I won't be able to handle labor without an epidural and just laughs at me saying I want to try. It makes me feel down and sad to not only being made fun of, but to not be believed in. My sister says she won't come unless I have an epidural because she knows I can't handle it and doesn't want to deal with me if I don't. She's never had a baby, I think it's coming from my mom. Anyhow, it just kind of hurts to not have any faith put in you. So now I don't know what I want to do.

 

[mama.luv]

I would recommend all first time mommies to take the natural route. If the pain is too much for you, then get an epidural. Your family shouldn't assume that you cannot handle the pain if you have never gone through it. Some women go through labor faster and easier. You maybe one of the lucky ones that end up at the hospital in labor and the babies head is already poking out, and all you will need is like two pushes then it's out. Hey I've heard many stories like that, it happens. I actually want my labor to be like that

 

[The Alchemist]

Boy, I'd love for that to happen: head almost out upon arriving to the hospital lol. My friend almost gave birth in the car on the freeway.

If I had it my way, I'd want a home water birth too. That just sounds so relaxing, but unfortunately, my hospital doesn't provide that. But they're in favor of different birthing positions, which I don't really know too much about.

 

[bb1]

I had a c-section with my first because of failed induction and baby was distressed with each contraction, I was induced at only 38 weeks due to pre-e so that probably had something to do with it.
I have been told I will most likely have another C-section due to high BP but I do have it under control at the moment so they are saying if it stays down I will possibly have a VBAC. I told my Mum this and she has already started about how I wont be able to take the pain and I should just ask instead for the Ceaser but I would really love to try VBAC but only if there will be no problems for baby. I know she is only saying this because she went in with my SIL who has NO pain tolerance and she had a horrendous labour and delivery and Mum didnt handle seeing her in pain like that. But it still hurts that she thinks I cant do it.
I have had the opposite in I am getting hungry more often but still getting full normally, but baby is still very low and hardly ever comes up to the top of my bump.

 

[mama.luv]

I am hungry all of the time and I eat bigger portions now. I swear I felt like a pig yesterday when we went to eat out for breakfast. I ate 2 big pancakes, hashbrowns, eggs, ham, bacon and sausage. I only left scraps of the meat on the plate. Yikes!!! Then for dinner I had a big torta (mexican sandwich with carne asada, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and avacado). I'm going to break the scale soon if I don't stop

 

[The Alchemist]

Oh Mama, you made me crave for a fat torta. There's a delicious torta place here in the SFV, a superb hole in the wall type of place to eat, which is why I also love it so much. You can taste their family love put into it. Yummy!

For dinner, I went simple. Just made a small pot of chicken noodle soup and cabbage salad + Japanese ginger dressing. First time making that dressing and it's just like restaurant way, yum.

Does anyone know what I can do with ground chicken?! I've had it in my freezer for a month. Been wanting to cook it but dunno what exactly :/

 

[berniegroves]

Every woman will have a different labour and each of us need to do what's right for us.
But I think it's good to research the birthing process and the drug options available.

I was so freaked out about labour to start with and thought there was no way I could handle it. Then I started reading and tried to change my mindset. I kept telling myself that I wasn't in pain because something bad was happening and so I didn't need to be scared. That the pain was just a muscle working and that each pain was one step closer to my baby being here. And when each contraction hit I focused on breathing and relaxing each muscle in my body as if other parts of your body are tense it takes away energy from your uterus contracting. That's what I was told anyway and it made sense to me. Lol! And thinking all of those things during each contraction really helped me focus. My contractions were really close together for the whole labour which was a shock and DD was back to back which was unpleasant.
I never ruled out having drug intervention, and I don't think anyone ever should as you never know what will happen.
I waited to make a decision until they did an internal so I knew how far along in the labour I was. I was 6cm when they checked me and so that convinced me I could go without an epidural as I only had another 4cm to go.
Overall it was a great and empowering experience.

But if when they had checked me I'd only been 3cm I would have had an epidural without a doubt!! At that point I'd had contractions for 9 hours. So I never ruled out drugs I just knew I'd prefer a natural labour and luckily it worked for me.


One thing I'd really recommend trying is drinking Raspberry leaf tea in the weeks before your due date. I drank loads of it and my labour progressed more quickly than they expected. It is supposed to help tone your uterus.
I figured it couldn't hurt!

It's understandable to be nervous as its the unknown, but do your research and have belief in your body to do what it needs to do.
As for family being unsupportive that can be tricky, but this is your labour, delivery and baby and do you need to decide what's best for you. If you want to try for a natural labour then go for it. If you want a epidural then go for it.
It's all about you and your babies ladies
Xx