Labor & delivery shtuff

[BonBon]

With all the new mommies to be and the good advice that is flowing already, a L&D section would be useful.

- Birth plans are not all that useful. My OB's office had me fill one out, and I swear no one looked at it. DH said that it's one of those things that is done to make the patient feel better and in control of the situation. Just go with the flow and it will be okay. I didn't have any pre-conceived notions of what the experience would/should be like so I ended up not being disappointed.

- It is okay to get an epidural. I ended up getting one and it made the experience much easier to bear. I was able to rest for a while before having to push for two hours. And it still hurts, btw.

- I did not know this: you have uterine contractions brought on by nipple stimulation for the first week post-partum that feel like labor pains. With those pains come a lot of blood.

- It cannot go on forever. It helped me to keep reminding myself that there *IS* an endpoint. And when you get to hold your little baby for the first time, it all fades quickly.

Can't think of anything else right now, but I'm sure everyone else will have some sage advice, especially Wendy.

[SueC]

I didn't know about the "labor pains" brought on by nursing either--and they get worse with each successive baby you have. But the good news is that they are effective in contracting your uterus back down, so while they hurt like the dickens some times, they do serve a purpose.

You might think you will be embarassed about whatever extraneous fluids (or solids) come out of you while giving birth, but once your feet are in those stirrups I promise you will not care about those things. I don't even know if anything other than the baby and the placenta came out of me with any of my babies, but I worried about it incessently before giving birth the first time.

Epidural doesn't necessarily mean a long labor. I had an epidural with each baby and my labor times (from start to finish!) were 2 hours for baby#1, 4 hours for baby#2, and 3 hours for baby#3. I can't comment on the merits of giving birth without an epidural, but I can tell you that if you don't really want to go through all that pain, go for it!

[BonBon]

Wow, Sue, I want your deliveries!

I forgot another thing...have no expectations WHATSOEVER of being allowed to rest while you are in the hospital. I went into labor Friday morning, finally delivered Saturday morning at 4 am, got to my room at around 5, and was "allowed" to sleep until 6. Then the parade came in. For stupid stuff too...like a complementary birth certificate, the photographer came in THREE times, you get the idea. And they wondered why DH and I made a break for it ASAP. Home was 1000x better!

[HeartRN]

--Depending on your situation, staying in the hospital for a little longer might be best for you....I was more than happy to stay an extra day, just because I could really barely move since I had such a prolonged labor.

--Don't be terrified if your doc brings out forceps or a vacuum to try to get baby out. Just make sure you are WELL medicated for the process. On the third day of my induction (yes, third), my doc came in and told me we would try 3 times with the vacuum. If no luck, then C-section. Needless to say, we went to the OR. However, since I was appropriately medicated, I was happy to give the vacuum a shot. My poor baby had a big hematoma on her head from the sucker, though

--If I've said it once, I've said it one thousand times. If your cervix is not ripened and not dilated, run if you see a pitocin drip (if you have a choice). Truly, because of hypertension I didn't have a choice. However, my labor shouldn't have and didn't have to be as long as it was; my doc has since since me and told me my situation is often a subject of their administrative meetings! (Of how L&D should NOT go!)

--Take Ibuprofen when it's offered (post delivery) It helps with the cramping

--Stadol might make you say and do things you normally wouldn't and depending, it may not help with your pain much at all.

--Go in the big hot tub at the hospital while in labor if it's offered to you! Or ask for it!

Ditto on the Ibuprofen! You might have to ask for it, but it helps a ton.

And in the interest of full disclosure....

.....you might experience some bladder incontinence post delivery. Tell your doctor.....but it does go away (I think there are some cases where it doesn't so that's why you should tell your dr).

[HeartRN]

--Depending on your situation, staying in the hospital for a little longer might be best for you....I was more than happy to stay an extra day, just because I could really barely move since I had such a prolonged labor.

--Don't be terrified if your doc brings out forceps or a vacuum to try to get baby out. Just make sure you are WELL medicated for the process. On the third day of my induction (yes, third), my doc came in and told me we would try 3 times with the vacuum. If no luck, then C-section. Needless to say, we went to the OR. However, since I was appropriately medicated, I was happy to give the vacuum a shot. My poor baby had a big hematoma on her head from the sucker, though

--If I've said it once, I've said it one thousand times. If your cervix is not ripened and not dilated, run if you see a pitocin drip (if you have a choice). Truly, because of hypertension I didn't have a choice. However, my labor shouldn't have and didn't have to be as long as it was; my doc has since since me and told me my situation is often a subject of their administrative meetings! (Of how L&D should NOT go!)

--Follows from the last....don't be too alarmed if your labor/delivery situation isn't what you thought it would be...I ran a temp of >102, had a big oxygen mask on, and was told the baby wasn't moving as much as she needed to. First apgars were 5, 6. Everything turned out just fine nonetheless.

--From the last point....if things start going "off course"....don't protest too much if DH pulls out the "doctor card"

--Take Ibuprofen when it's offered (post delivery) It helps with the cramping

--Stadol might make you say and do things you normally wouldn't and depending, it may not help with your pain much at all.

--Go in the big hot tub at the hospital while in labor if it's offered to you! Or ask for it!

I hope this wasn't too longwinded or disturbing to anybody. I just had a very.... ummm...memorable experience. I remember ALL of it, but it was definitely worth it (although I won't be doing it this way again!)

[HeartRN]

Sorry about the double post :c

[fluffhead]

We had vaccuum assisted for our first, also resulting in a huge hematoma. After reviewing the literature, we've found that vaccuum is correlated somewhat with problems later on, and indeed my daughter has some minor neuro issues.
For our second, wife informed the OBs that under NO circumstances were they to use any vaccuum or forceps, but rather take her to the OR immediately if it was needed.
Luckily, we didn't need it. Frankly, I think the OBs from the first delivery were a little quick to take out the vaccuum. I'd be wary.

After reviewing the literature, we've found that vaccuum is correlated somewhat with problems later on, and indeed my daughter has some minor neuro issues.

Wow, I did not know that. The dr used the vacuum for my first but only once. No hematoma but man did she have a conehead. And I distinctly remember saying "she's perfect, and no conehead" and being a bit baffled by the photos.

[mommax3]

"If" you have stitches, just remember......the water bottle is your best friend. You will know what I mean later. And in that same vein, if your bottom hurts, lie down.....don't be a martyr.

You may sweat a lot after delivery, especially if you took in a lot of iv fluids. Drink, drink, drink to help your body flush the extra fluid out.

Have some kind of pump handy, just in case, at home. When my milk came in with my first, I had rock hard boobs almost immediately and there was no way I could even get the baby latched on. I had to pump first, and then nurse......but DH had to run out to a store in the middle of the night to get a pump!

If someone comes to your house to help you, let them help you.....don't be focused on entertaining or playing hostess. The ideal after childbirth would be to have an indentured servant do all cooking, cleaning, and laundry for AT LEAST a couple of weeks, but that practice seems to have died out.

Try to get out of the house at least once a day, if only to walk to the corner and back. It will do wonders for your emotional health.

Cry if you need to, as much as you need to, for the first week or two. It is normal.

Don't EVEN torture yourself by trying on any pre-pregnancy clothes for the first six weeks. If you do, and they fit, keep that information to yourself, please.

Sally

Oh, I almost forgot. After delivery, when they ask you if you are ready to get up and go to the bathroom, TAKE YOUR TIME about it. Or risk fainting while on the commode with a nurse yelling at you to "keep your eyes open" and endure the shame of having to be moved back to your bed via a wheeled swivel chair and cathed for the next 24 hours. Don't ask me how I know this.

Oh my gosh...these insights are funny, scary, and reassuring all at the same time!! And they have brought up a lot of questions that I would not have thought of asking my OB about otherwise. Boy.....will we have a lot to talk about at next week's appt!!

I love all of the tips...keep 'em coming!

[Amiens]

So I have experience on both sides of the epidural issue.

Epidural- Don't be afraid to get it! For my first labor it helped speed up the process and helped me relax. I tried being a "hero" and went unmedicated for 3 hours while on a heavy pit drip to help "augment" my labor, needless to say once it came time to pushing I was tired. (total birth time- 8 hours)

Unmedicated- Don't be afraid if the nurse tells you "Sorry honey the epidural isn't going to happen because it's time to push!" ( What??!! I want my drugs and no ring of fire!") With my 2nd, he came too fast for me to receive the precious and beloved drugs I wanted. Giving birth without the epidural was not as bad as I had imagined and experienced with my first, and there was no ring of fire. For me it was easier, and it may be because it was my 2nd go around. I still had to have pitocin to augment my labor, but it was a small dose. (total birth time- 3 1/2 hours).

Either way you go, you will still have a baby; vaginally, cesarean, epidural, no epidural- the baby will come no matter what.

Birth plan- it helped in both times I gave birth, and people have read them. It's how we didn't have have of Matt's intern class in the L&D room with us (we requested for no students, residents as he was housestaff). The birth plan with my second was partly the reason I gave birth without the epidural the second time- the nurse saw I was interested in trying without an epidural, and when I started transition she helped me through it. I asked for the epidural when I thought I couldn't handle it, and she respected my decision and paged for the anesthesiologist; but I didn't know that I would go from a 4 to complete in 10 minutes. I remember screaming "I can't do this, I want my drugs!"

Stadol- just made me loopy during my first birth; didn't do it the second time around

Take walks when you can- put the baby in a stroller or Baby Bjorn and go around the block; it does wonders!

If you have receive tears/episiotomy- squirt bottle is your best friend.

Don't forget to take Colace after having the baby- it helps keep things "moving."

[twinsmom]

Have any of you done a VBAC before? I have about 6 weeks left in my second pregnancy, and am hoping for a VBAC, but not quite sure what to expect.

With our first, I had them two months early, not even knowing I was in labor (I went to the hopsital to get checked out due to some spotting, told my work I would be back by noon, but was told once they checked me out that I was in full blown labor and already dilated to a 4 ). Needless to say, that day was quite a whirlwind as they tried to stop my labor (magnesium sulfate SUCKS!!), then finally decided at 10:30 that night that these kiddos were coming, and coming NOW. I didn't even have my toothbrush with me, let alone my little 'hospital bag' (I had vowed not to be one of those people always running to the hospital at the first little cramp only to be sent back home, so I didn't want to 'jinx' myself by packing too early... ).

On a slightly different note, how did you make it through the last month?? Right now, I am feeling pretty jipped because I was done with pregnancy by this time with our last ones. While I was at home over the holidays, I BEGGED my dad to start me (c'mon, dad, the twins were born by this time, and they are both fully healthy!!) Needless to say, he didn't go for it . Any 'making the last month bareable' advice??

Jen B.

They didn't even have me try vaginally because one of the twins was transverse, so I have no idea what to expect with this one.

[Rapunzel]

Oh my goodness! This is bringing it all back!!!

All I can do is nod my head in utter agreement on everything but most especially:

- MAJOR contractions with the first few nursing sessions. TAKE THE IBUPROFEN! It's extra-strength and it really helps!

- The water bottle IS your best friend should you have an episiotomy!

- Demerol (or any other narcotic iv injection) is just going to make you drunk - it won't help the pain as much as it's going to make you less aware and in-control.

- Epidurals are beautiful, wonderful things! Try to get patient-controlled pain control. Basically it's a line that they leave in the spine and you get to push a button to add more medication when you feel you can't handle the pain. You actually use less anesthesia that way and it really gives you a sense of incredible control over the situation. I had this with my last labor and it was the best epidural experience I've ever had (actually, the best birth experience I've ever had as well).

- Don't let the nurses put drops in the baby's eyes until AFTER you've had a chance to hold your new baby. It's amazing how alert a freshly born child is. It's a beautiful moment to be able to stare into their eyes immediately after birth. Any drops administered make their vision too blury to even attempt to focus.

- Sally is so right: You need an indentured servant after you get home from the hospital! If anyone offers to help - TAKE THEM UP ON IT!!! And, the best help anyone can give is doing your laundry, cooking, washing dishes, or just straightening up the house.

- Give yourself pleeeeeenty of time to ease back into your "marital relations". Some women are raring to go four weeks after giving birth. Some of us take a bit longer (say 12 weeks?)....

- Also give yourself plenty of time to fit back into your "normal" clothes. I've found that with each birth it's taken longer for that to happen. With the first child it was about 6 weeks. With twins it was about six months. After the third birth (singleton) I needed about nine months. This time around I'm giving myself a full year to get my old body back.... Be kind to yourself in that area. Even after you slim back down your body will never truly be the same again.

That's all I can think of at the moment! And, most of it was redundant for this thread anyway.

Jennifer

[Rapunzel]

Oh, I forgot to add for Jenn B.:

The last month you just feel like a walking incubator.

Seriously, I find it akin to about the fifth month of a twin pregnancy - can't really tie your shoes, shave your legs, etc.

The bright side is that with a twin pregnancy you have to endure a few months of that feeling whereas with a singleton it only really gets that bad the last month or two.

I can't help you with the VBAC, though! I've never had a cesarean!

Jennifer