L&D Thread

[PennyCandy]

Stolen from Sept/Oct....


What questions, fears, hopes, or plans do you have regarding labor and delivery? 

[vvvvvfee]

worries/concerns:
-getting to the hospital before i have the baby. or going into labor and work and not being able to make it home in time (can be a bit of a drive during rush hour)
-on the flipside i also worry that this birth will randomly be long in comparison and i'll have trouble coping because the first two were so quick
-postpartum bleeding. i got both oxytocin and methergine last time to stop the bleeding and i don't know how normal that is? i think they're giving oxytocin as a matter of course now? i know there tends to be more bleeding with faster births

other stuff:
-i would like to try to get DH to take more photos of the baby immediately after birth
-do i want DH to try to record the actual birth if possible? is that something that i would ever want to look at again? lol

[westiemom]

My biggest concern is making it to the hospital. DD1 was induced and I went from a 4 to 10 in less than 45 mins. I pushed for 5 mins. Now, I live about 1.5 hours from the hospital with no traffic but the hospital is in a major metropolitan area so with traffic, it would be closer to 3 hours before I can get there. Plus, I have to drop DD1 at my parents which is about 20 mins out of the way.


I had an epidural with DD1 and plan to again. I don’t really have any other fears or plans. Goal is to get the baby out safely and not exhaust myself!

[PennyCandy]

We don't really have any family close by that can stay with DS1 and the hospital is an hour away without traffic so I'm thinking I want to be induced again this time, but I'm not 100% decided. I do know that I want an epidural and that I want to go home as soon as I can after the birth provided I feel well. I would have been fine to go home within 24hrs last time had there not been 3 feet of snow on the ground.

My biggest worry is DS1, which is no secret. I've never been away from him and he's such a Mama's boy that I think he will struggle a bit. I would rather DH be at home with him at night than with me in the hospital, which means a lot of driving for DH, but oh well. DH is diabetic and struggled with meals and his blood sugar was all over the place the last time so I think it would be better for him to be able to eat breakfast and dinner at home anyway.

[kaeguri]

I'm terrified of my epidural not working lol. My first one was perfect, completely numb, but still felt pressure so I knew when to push and I just hear stories about how others only had it work on one side, or didn't work at all, and ack. I also had pretty intense back labor though, so hopefully, if my epidural doesn't work, I won't have that this time?

My birth plan is pretty simple, just because I know things can go haywire, so I try not to expect too much. I want immediate skin to skin, I want to delay cord clamping, and I want H to cut the cord. We got 2 out of 3 last time, mainly because I was so out of it by the end I forgot to remind the nurses to wait to clamp the cord and by the time I remembered, it was too late.

Also afraid of giving birth in the car or at home or something. Last labor took forever to get into active labor, so my chances are low, but still. And scared of re-breaking my tailbone. It still hurts 3 years after DD. DNW to go through that again.

[pickles]

PennyCandy I have the same fears about DD. She bedshares with my husband, so as long as LO doesn’t take too long getting out (aka being birthed), I’m sending him home to sleep with DD.
I’m also getting induced for medical reasons, I was admitted into the hospital at 6amish and popped DD out by 8pmish, I think. Hopefully this one does the same!

[vvvvvfee]

May 31, 2018 11:38:23 GMT -6 pickles said:

PennyCandy I have the same fears about DD. She bedshares with my husband, so as long as LO doesn’t take too long getting out (aka being birthed), I’m sending him home to sleep with DD.

DS1 was still sleeping in our bedroom on his own mattress (and DH was usually in there with him) when DS2 was born. we tried to convince DS1 to have a test-run sleeping over grandma's house before the baby was born and he absolutely refused. i contemplated sending DH home to sleep with him the first night i was in the hospital, but we ended up having him stay with my mom both nights.  my point being that i appreciated having DH with me and i would have been bummed if he wasn't there. it's nice for bonding time with the new baby and it's nice to have someone else to help with the baby overnight because you are tired. and your LOs will survive, i promise.

[pickles]

vvvvvfee my husband was so sleep deprived by the time I was released, that he was useless for a few days after just trying to catch up on sleep and wrap his head around a takehome baby. Honestly with DD, I can’t even remember him being there after she was born. It was pretty much just me staring at our little girl every waking moment We have talked about DD practicing sleeping with grandma, but if she actually follows through with that offer, I might die from shock.

[catspajamas2]

I just don’t want this baby to be two weeks overdue. I would really prefer not to be induced but I assume the baby will be late and I will require induction. My first two labors were fine I just hate the lengthy monitoring.

[potatocakes]

I'm very most concerned that this baby will hang out transverse forever and force a c section. Me, surgery, and pain meds are not good friends. But he's seriously on the move today, so maybe he's making the turn!

After that, I'm very much hoping for an induction again. I had a great experience, and it would be nice to be able to get DD all set up (parents in town from 7 hours away, or at least dropped off at school) before heading to the hospital. DD has stayed with my parents at their house, our house (maybe?), and my aunt's house (most recent), so I'm not super worried about that - I'm sure she'll be a huge pain in their asses, but they love her and it also gets them to the hospital first (I promised DD she can be the first to hold brother after me and H). My doctor is probably all in on inducing when my childcare lines up nicely, as long as she thinks I'm otherwise ready. My induced labor (once contractions really happened) was only about 6-7 hours total, so I'm a bit terrified of going in to labor on my own/having to decide when to go to the hospital.

[catladymeow]

I'm worried about:

Getting to the hospital on time. We live close but my first was almost a taxi baby.

Leaving DD overnight. We've never been apart that long!

Needing a C section. I know that it happens often and everything usually goes fine.

[ohreally]

My biggest fear is a C-section. DS2 was transverse until a successful version at 38 weeks. I have an anterior placenta this time so I don't think a version is an option. I really hope this baby cooperates. I keep telling myself a C-section isn't the end of the world but it's just not what I envision for myself. Painful back labor, cord issues, and a failed epidural plagued my first L&D, but the other two were textbook so I feel unprepared for anything else.

I just hope my water doesn't break outside the hospital so there's no drama getting to the hospital. I'm still too far out from labor to worry about logistics but I know I'll worry about that more the closer I get. I went into labor over the weekend with my first two so that really was ideal. No kids at daycare to worry about and no sitting at my desk wondering if the contractions really are labor and deciding when to go home. While my third happened on a Thursday, I was fairly certain I was in the labor the night before so I didn't go to work. We did, however, have kids at daycare so we needed to make sure we had enough time to get them home with the grandparents before heading to the hospital. We may have cut it a little close. We left the house after 6 PM and baby was born at 8:30 PM. I was more worried about getting the kids dinner and making things seem routine that I lost track of the intensifying contractions.

As much comfort as I find in my three fairly uneventful labors, I do have more anxiety this time about something catastrophic happening. Everything has even been so routine with this pregnancy that I'm just waiting for something bad to happen.

[vvvvvfee]

May 31, 2018 13:24:11 GMT -6 ohreally said:

As much comfort as I find in my three fairly uneventful labors, I do have more anxiety this time about something catastrophic happening. Everything has even been so routine with this pregnancy that I'm just waiting for something bad to happen.

i have this fear, too-- knock on all the wood, but 3 complication-free pregnancies and 2 complication-free, super-fast births... i'm just afraid i've been too lucky so far and something is bound to go wrong. i hate to even verbalize it. i was pretty nonchalant about my pregnancy with DS2, i don't know why the stakes feel higher this time... maybe it's bc with each kid you get more nervous about something happening to you? i dunno. **deep breaths**

[potatocakes]

May 31, 2018 13:44:23 GMT -6 vvvvvfee said:

May 31, 2018 13:24:11 GMT -6 ohreally said:

As much comfort as I find in my three fairly uneventful labors, I do have more anxiety this time about something catastrophic happening. Everything has even been so routine with this pregnancy that I'm just waiting for something bad to happen.

i have this fear, too-- knock on all the wood, but 3 complication-free pregnancies and 2 complication-free, super-fast births... i'm just afraid i've been too lucky so far and something is bound to go wrong. i hate to even verbalize it. i was pretty nonchalant about my pregnancy with DS2, i don't know why the stakes feel higher this time... maybe it's bc with each kid you get more nervous about something happening to you? i dunno. **deep breaths**

I feel this too, even with #2 - I think I was uneducated and unaware of all the potential complications, and as I've become more immersed in the "mom world" I hear all the stories, and it does not help ease my anxiety. I'm hoping that since my body did everything great once, it will happen again, but one data point does not exactly make a trend (3 do, though!!)

[westiemom]

May 31, 2018 13:24:11 GMT -6 ohreally said:

My biggest fear is a C-section. DS2 was transverse until a successful version at 38 weeks. I have an anterior placenta this time so I don't think a version is an option. I really hope this baby cooperates. I keep telling myself a C-section isn't the end of the world but it's just not what I envision for myself. Painful back labor, cord issues, and a failed epidural plagued my first L&D, but the other two were textbook so I feel unprepared for anything else.

I just hope my water doesn't break outside the hospital so there's no drama getting to the hospital. I'm still too far out from labor to worry about logistics but I know I'll worry about that more the closer I get. I went into labor over the weekend with my first two so that really was ideal. No kids at daycare to worry about and no sitting at my desk wondering if the contractions really are labor and deciding when to go home. While my third happened on a Thursday, I was fairly certain I was in the labor the night before so I didn't go to work. We did, however, have kids at daycare so we needed to make sure we had enough time to get them home with the grandparents before heading to the hospital. We may have cut it a little close. We left the house after 6 PM and baby was born at 8:30 PM. I was more worried about getting the kids dinner and making things seem routine that I lost track of the intensifying contractions.

As much comfort as I find in my three fairly uneventful labors, I do have more anxiety this time about something catastrophic happening. Everything has even been so routine with this pregnancy that I'm just waiting for something bad to happen.

I worry about a breech baby and csection too. I know it would be ok but my last l&d was so smooth and I’d just like to do it again!

[notmoose]

Plans:
•To stay upright and out of bed as long as possible.
•Delayed cord clamping

Worries:
•I'll have GBS again and will need to go to the hospital right away to ensure I get the antibiotics (I'd prefer to stay home as long as possible to avoid being strapped to the bed)

•I'm scared to get the epidural. It worked perfectly with DD. With DS it was placed wrong, I knew as soon as she placed it it was wrong (it hurt bad), and gave me absolutely no relief. I was up and walking 10 minutes after birth. I had v v bad back pain for a month after birth.


•I worry this baby will be sunny side up and cause back labor like I had with DD and also prolong my labor

[kam3100]

My only worry is with the timing and trusting my family to take care of DD1 while I’m in labor.

Other than that I have decided to put zero expectations on delivery. I had put so many expectations on my first delivery that I ended up disappointed and cried a lot. I just don’t want to put so much pressure on myself this time.

I do hope to leave the hospital ASAP.

[goldenbird]

What questions, fears, hopes, or plans do you have regarding labor and delivery?

Questions- I can't think of anything right now.
Fears- I'm worried about getting a spinal headache after the epidural or spinal block if I need a C-section. I got one after a lumbar puncture and it sucked. I had to have a blood patch. So I hope if I'm going to get one, it will start before I leave the hospital so I can get the patch done asap.
Also ofc worried about my vag/baby's head size. And of him getting stuck. I know they can get him out really fast via C-section if they realize he's not going to get through the birth canal, but I still worry about it.
Plans- give me alllll the meds. Healthy baby and healthy me. Whatever needs to happen for that to happen, I'm all in.
Hopes- a not destroyed vag and healthy baby!

Eta I'm terrified of my water breaking at work. That would be the most embarrassing thing ever.

[frecklesnbrains]

Fears:
#1 by far is not getting to the hospital on time (thanks rapid first labor)
And #2 is not being able to stash DS1 somewhere safe when I go into labor. Right now my only childcare option is my best friend but I worry that she may not be available in the middle of the night, for example.
It would be super convenient if I went into labor during the day AND when I’m at work (I work at the hospital where I’ll be delivering so I can get to L&D in 10 min). An induction doesn’t seem like the end of the world either.

Hopes: just a healthy baby. I am also putting no expectations on how I want my “birth experience”. I know too much about how dramatically variable births can be and feel like this can only lead to disappointment.

Things I’m not too scared of and why:
GBS. I was positive with my first and did not have enough antibiotics because of aforementioned rapid labor. But it turned out that be no big deal.

Anesthesia. I had last-minute spinal anesthesia with my first but I also sort of feel like it would have been fine if there had not been time for that. My preference will be an epidural this time if it’s an option but at the end of the day what happens will happen.

Water breaking outside the hospital. Yeah, this one already happened to me too and it wasn’t that bad. I plan on carrying a clean set of clothes and some super-thick pads in my bag.

[sugarkissed]

This baby will be born via repeat C-section. It is so nice to have a plan and date already. I’m slightly concerned about going into labour before my scheduled date, but both of my girls were born at nearly 42 weeks so I’m pretty confident that I’ll make it to 39.

Most of my fears are about afterwards.

Taking care of 3 kids during recovery is going to be a challenge.

Knowing exactly what’s in store for recovery is bittersweet. I know what to expect... but I also know that it’s going to suck.

This is the least stressed I’ve been about labour and delivery of all of my pregnancies, but I’m sure that will change soon.

[cornflakegirl]

May 31, 2018 14:52:37 GMT -6 kam3100 said:

My only worry is with the timing and trusting my family to take care of DD1 while I’m in labor.

Other than that I have decided to put zero expectations on delivery. I had put so many expectations on my first delivery that I ended up disappointed and cried a lot. I just don’t want to put so much pressure on myself this time.

I do hope to leave the hospital ASAP.

I'm with you on this. I put a lot of expectations on my delivery and it went nothing like I had hoped. It took me a long time to feel ok with it even though I still get sad when I think about it now.

[kam3100]

May 31, 2018 20:43:37 GMT -6 cornflakegirl said:

May 31, 2018 14:52:37 GMT -6 kam3100 said:

My only worry is with the timing and trusting my family to take care of DD1 while I’m in labor.

Other than that I have decided to put zero expectations on delivery. I had put so many expectations on my first delivery that I ended up disappointed and cried a lot. I just don’t want to put so much pressure on myself this time.

I do hope to leave the hospital ASAP.

I'm with you on this. I put a lot of expectations on my delivery and it went nothing like I had hoped. It took me a long time to feel ok with it even though I still get sad when I think about it now.

Yeah, I thought I was super prepared. I thought I read everything that could happen. Turns out I was clueless. At the same time, my husband was pretty much useless to me. So I just want to be more relaxed this time so that hopefully I’m less stressed.

[cornflakegirl]

My fears and concerns are:

Also not getting to the hospital in time. It's about 45 without traffic.

Going into labor while DH is at work. He works a lot so it's a big possibility. If that happens MIL will take DS and FIL will drive me to the hospital and DH will meet me there. His work is even further away from the hospital.

The epidural not working. It didn't the first time and they gave me several doses, I mostly felt everything. DS was sunny side up and it was very painful since the nurses were trying to turn him. I pushed for 4 hours until it was decided that he wouldn't fit through the birth canal. I'm worried that I'll need another c/s and won't ever get my chance at a VBAC.

How DS will handle all of this and how our relationship will change.

My hopes are:

That I won't be as nervous the second time around. I realize now that I can't break her but with DS I was so worried that I would hurt him by accident.

Being able to nurse in public. I didn't with DS and stayed in a lot more because of it.

To enjoy the newborn stage. It's so short lived and goes by way to fast. With DS I was always thinking about the next milestone.

To ask for help. I never do and try to do it all myself.

[cornflakegirl]

May 31, 2018 20:54:10 GMT -6 kam3100 said:

May 31, 2018 20:43:37 GMT -6 cornflakegirl said:

I'm with you on this. I put a lot of expectations on my delivery and it went nothing like I had hoped. It took me a long time to feel ok with it even though I still get sad when I think about it now.

Yeah, I thought I was super prepared. I thought I read everything that could happen. Turns out I was clueless. At the same time, my husband was pretty much useless to me. So I just want to be more relaxed this time so that hopefully I’m less stressed.

I wasn't prepared for a c/s and therefore didn't think about the pain meds that I would take after. The first week of his life is such a blur to me and I blame the medication for it. I had so much guilt about not remembering those first few days. If I do end up with another c/s I plan on asking the doctor for a milder form of pain medication after.

[catladymeow]

I started reading medical journals about anterior placenta outcomes (whyyyyyy?) and now I'm super bummed. Anterior placenta is associated with increased risk of things like hypertension and gestational diabetes, but also increased need for induction, c-sections, and more painful labour. Yay! I don't know why I read these things.

Also there is a medical journal called "Placenta" and I find that amusing. Like I can imagine someone saying "score! My new issue of Placenta just showed up!"

Also for anyone that is up on statistics, the article had p values but not effect sizes so I mean, they are probably still small and it's certainly not saying that you will definitely experience these things. So I know I'm being ridiculous.

[catspajamas2]

catladymeow,just an anecdote but I had an anterior placenta last time and if anything my L&D was muuuuuch easier than my first when I did not have an AP.

[potatocakes]

cornflakegirl, I really like your hopes for after delivery!

DD was such a unicorn - good sleeper/eater/baby from the beginning. I'm nervous that this one won't be and I'll also have to deal with a 4 year old. I know I'll get through it, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about it.

[westiemom]

Jun 1, 2018 7:45:19 GMT -6 catladymeow said:

I started reading medical journals about anterior placenta outcomes (whyyyyyy?) and now I'm super bummed. Anterior placenta is associated with increased risk of things like hypertension and gestational diabetes, but also increased need for induction, c-sections, and more painful labour. Yay! I don't know why I read these things.

Also there is a medical journal called "Placenta" and I find that amusing. Like I can imagine someone saying "score! My new issue of Placenta just showed up!"

Also for anyone that is up on statistics, the article had p values but not effect sizes so I mean, they are probably still small and it's certainly not saying that you will definitely experience these things. So I know I'm being ridiculous.

I had an anterior placenta with DD and did have GD but had a super easy, smooth induction! 😀

[westiemom]

Jun 1, 2018 8:17:17 GMT -6 potatocakes said:

cornflakegirl, I really like your hopes for after delivery!

DD was such a unicorn - good sleeper/eater/baby from the beginning. I'm nervous that this one won't be and I'll also have to deal with a 4 year old. I know I'll get through it, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about it.

I worry about this too!

[catladymeow]

My first was an absolute monster about sleep and needed to be touching me AT ALL TIMES. So this means that #2 will be a unicorn. Right? Don't answer that.