loorin
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Post by loorin on Jan 30, 2019 11:31:38 GMT -6
I was induced at 38 weeks due to high BP. I wasn't dilated at all and they told me to expect it to take 2-3 days. They put in cervadil and she was out in 14 hours. I had contractions for 10 hrs and was having major back labor (sunny side up baby) and really wanted that epidural, but they wouldn't give it to me because I still wasn't dilated. So they gave me stadol (iv meds) and I hated it - made me super loopy and my mouth was so dry. It was supposed to help me sleep for a couple of hours, but within minutes of them giving it to me, my body kicked into high gear, I went from not dilated to fully dilated in 2.5 hours. I ended up needing to be more conscious than planned, so I was fighting these meds which were trying to make me sleep.
They gave me the epidural in the middle of that mess and actually I could move my legs/toes the whole time. It just felt tingly. I am going to try to not get one this time because I had a bad cath job and the nurse hit something going in, I was peeing blood, the pain from that was the worst part of my recovery, and I ended up with a raging UTI once I was discharged from the hospital.
Overall, I liked laboring in the shower. I can't advise on any positions because I literally don't remember the majority of my active labor. Also, for some reason I thought a regular bikini top would be suitable for the shower but I had expanded so much that I literally couldn't get it on. I just went naked, but will plan better this time. I forgot my exercise ball, but think that I would've used it if it was there.
The only part I will not do again is the IV pain meds. I'm missing a lot of memories from my daughter's birth and I'm still not fully at peace with that.
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 30, 2019 11:41:11 GMT -6
Knowing my luck and the fact that I bothered asking this question, this will probably be my experience. lol. Don't feel too bad if it is! There's a lot of advantages to scheduling a c-section, I found. MH and I were able to plan accordingly with work and our parents, and we knew we'd be able to go out for the "last supper" the weekend before. I just couldn't sleep the night before because I was nervous, lol. I do keep thinking it'd be nice to know when the dogs have to go to daycare/ the kennel. Because #priorities. (we have no family/ good friends nearby) |
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 30, 2019 11:48:22 GMT -6
They gave me the epidural in the middle of that mess and actually I could move my legs/toes the whole time. It just felt tingly. The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories  |
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Wicket
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Post by Wicket on Jan 30, 2019 12:02:48 GMT -6
Your wishes and not wants sound like mine. I wanted little intervention and what to try first if I asked(ex. Air/gas then walking epidural). In labour I was able to keep myself distracted early on. At night, it was more intense, called my doula and I was in the tub on hands and knee, sleeping on and off. In the morning I went in at 10 cm but had my labour stalled and it took another several hours of me trying many positions, needing pitocin, and breaking my waters. I liked swaying with my husband's support but the best things for me were being in the water and breathing in a pattern (breathing in for 5 and out my mouth for 10). One thing I wish I had done with my first was to just listen to my body. I feel all the things done to "help", may have hindered my progress.
My second was born at home in the water. A few minutes after my water broke the pain was so intense and my body naturally went to all fours which took away my discomfort. Using breathing again and repeating affirmations to myself helped stay focused.
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loorin
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Post by loorin on Jan 30, 2019 12:05:37 GMT -6
They gave me the epidural in the middle of that mess and actually I could move my legs/toes the whole time. It just felt tingly. The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories Interesting about the epidural and I was able to move side to side. When they were getting me ready to move to the postpartum room they even asked if I wanted to walk over and I was like "....wtf no, push me in a wheelchair like everyone else" but I guess I probably could've walked at that point... Like I said I was sooo doped up when I was signing the paperwork/getting the epidural that I have absolutely no clue what I got, but my experience was contrary to everything I had seen/heard about epidurals before. It was surprising in a good way. I don't remember a ton, but I do remember yelling to my nurse asking her to bring the anesthesiologist back in so I could tell him it was "the best epidural ever!"  Wish I had gotten the same heads up on the IV meds, but lesson learned for this time around. It makes sense though, I am pretty sensitive to those kinds of meds. |
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 30, 2019 12:14:30 GMT -6
Wicket, that sounds pretty much like what I'd like if I could pick and choose how I labored 
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 30, 2019 12:15:23 GMT -6
The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories I don't remember a ton, but I do remember yelling to my nurse asking her to bring the anesthesiologist back in so I could tell him it was "the best epidural ever!" LOL!! I love this  |
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Tlex
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Post by Tlex on Jan 30, 2019 20:47:25 GMT -6
lemondrop I don’t think you should feel bad, I was hesitant about posting my experience because it isn’t perfect or even a successful labour story, but then I’m like but is it fair to only tell someone the best parts? Idk, I was torn because I do believe birth can be wonderful, it can go as you wish for, it can be all those things like free of intervention or meds. I want that for anyone who wants it. I just have so many friends who have found themselves elsewhere and I want them to know it’s normal too. If I had any advice I could give my FTM self about labour it would be to really focus on learning the mechanics of birth, research peoples anecdotes about what pushing feels like when it is working, stuff like that. I knew about effacement and dilation and the stages of labour but I didn’t know a lot about positions baby could be in, how they make their way down, etc. Sounds like you’re on that track already!
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grover
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Post by grover on Jan 30, 2019 21:26:54 GMT -6
The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories Interesting about the epidural and I was able to move side to side. When they were getting me ready to move to the postpartum room they even asked if I wanted to walk over and I was like "....wtf no, push me in a wheelchair like everyone else" but I guess I probably could've walked at that point... Like I said I was sooo doped up when I was signing the paperwork/getting the epidural that I have absolutely no clue what I got, but my experience was contrary to everything I had seen/heard about epidurals before. It was surprising in a good way. I don't remember a ton, but I do remember yelling to my nurse asking her to bring the anesthesiologist back in so I could tell him it was "the best epidural ever!" Wish I had gotten the same heads up on the IV meds, but lesson learned for this time around. It makes sense though, I am pretty sensitive to those kinds of meds. When the anesthesiologist made rounds the next morning, I told him he's my best friend for life. LOL. He looked like a grown up version of my teenage cousin. I wonder if i can ask my OB to see if he's on the call schedule when I go in for my induction this time hahaha. |
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Yogurt
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Post by Yogurt on Jan 31, 2019 7:48:01 GMT -6
They gave me the epidural in the middle of that mess and actually I could move my legs/toes the whole time. It just felt tingly. The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories Oh, you know what, they gave me fentanyl at the hospital when I was begging for the anesthesiologist and I would never do that again. It did not bring me one second of pain relief or reduce it in any way. (I'm not sure how much I got because she was so close to being born.) All it made me feel was bugged out of my skin in a DONT TOUCH ME way. That feeling was the fentanyl I am sure. I can't do any pill type pain relief like norco either. Any of the dopey type drugs makes me feel totally bugged out. |
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 31, 2019 10:13:00 GMT -6
If I had any advice I could give my FTM self about labour it would be to really focus on learning the mechanics of birth, r esearch peoples anecdotes about what pushing feels like when it is working, stuff like that. I knew about effacement and dilation and the stages of labour but I didn’t know a lot about positions baby could be in, how they make their way down, etc. Sounds like you’re on that track already! This is a good point - I've researched a ton, but what actual pushing feels like when it's working is a new one! Also, (IMO) I think more stories is helpful, especially if they weren't the TV show worthy perfect experiences. Realistically, that's just not going to happen and I'd rather be prepared for many options/issues. |
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Post by lemondrop on Jan 31, 2019 10:14:58 GMT -6
The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories All it made me feel was bugged out of my skin in a DONT TOUCH ME way. That feeling was the fentanyl I am sure. I can't do any pill type pain relief like norco either. Any of the dopey type drugs makes me feel totally bugged out. Same. Even non-drowsy versions of drugs like Benedryl make me drowsy and slightly crazy. |
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Tlex
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Post by Tlex on Jan 31, 2019 14:49:04 GMT -6
The last midwife I saw called this a "walking epidural", where you can feel your legs and you're allowed to move side to side but not get up and walk around. She also cautioned against the IV meds if I ever got drowsy with meds like oxycodone/ hydrocodone - which I have previously. That's my primary reasoning behind wanting to go med-free. I'm sorry you're missing so many memories Oh, you know what, they gave me fentanyl at the hospital when I was begging for the anesthesiologist and I would never do that again. It did not bring me one second of pain relief or reduce it in any way. (I'm not sure how much I got because she was so close to being born.) All it made me feel was bugged out of my skin in a DONT TOUCH ME way. That feeling was the fentanyl I am sure. I can't do any pill type pain relief like norco either. Any of the dopey type drugs makes me feel totally bugged out. Any other drug I’m fine with but that one made me the same way, I did NOT like it |
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Tlex
Ruby
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Post by Tlex on Jan 31, 2019 14:49:47 GMT -6
lemondrop there’s a video of how pushing works I will see if I could find you. It was such a lightbulb moment for me.
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Eames
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Post by Eames on Jan 31, 2019 15:39:10 GMT -6
grover, my anesthesiologist was my bff too. 😂😂😂
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remi
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Post by remi on Feb 1, 2019 9:47:06 GMT -6
I labored at home for 9 1/2 hours and went in when the contractions were 5 minutes apart, just like a good by the book girl I am. When I got to triage they checked me and I was only at a 1, and the nurse was like “that’s a generous 1”. So I was there for another hour or so and she checked again and I hadn’t changed. So they told me I wasn’t experiencing real labor and that they were going to give me a sleeping pill and I was to go home because I could be at this for days. So I took the pill before I left the hospital. We got home and I had just fallen asleep when I woke up with the biggest contraction yet, struggled to get out of bed and went to the bathroom. Was sitting on the toilet when my water broke. Que me freaking out and hobbling back to the room to wake H up. We made it back to the hospital about an hour after we were discharged the first time. I was at an 8. They told me I had to decide right then if I wanted the epidural (which I didn’t really know that I wanted because I have a hard time with needles even though I give injections every single day at work) and so I got my epidural. That seemed to slow the progress down a bunch and they let me labor down for about 3 hours of which I was mostly sleeping and don’t remember a lot of. I do remember waking up and the nurse was in my room and I’m like yo I need to poop, like please help me I need to go now” and she just laughed and was like I’m gonna check you instead. When she did the babies head was right there and from then on everything is super hazy because of the sleeping pills. But I only pushed for an hour and DDs heart rate kept dropping so they had me on my sides and holding pushing for every other contraction. They did get me a mirror and that helped me to be really efficient with my contractions because I could literally see the progress she was making coming out. Without that I was getting super tired and discouraged because I ran out of steam and energy halfway through the contraction. But when I could visually see her and see what my pushing was doing it really helped me. So when DD finally was shoulders out the doctor let me pull her up onto my chest right away which was a beautiful experience and the one that I remember most clearly. And when I was pushing I really hated having my H and my mom hold my legs because they didn’t give enough push back. I liked when the nurse used a blanket and let me pull that way, and also holding my own legs helped more.
They found when DD was born she had the cord wrapped around her neck and a tru knot in her cord. If my labor wasn’t slowed down by the epidural thing would not have gone well at all. So I think it happened just how it should have. I just will never let them give me a sleeping pill because I don’t react well to them and I hate that I don’t have a lot of clear memories of my first child’s birth. I loved my epidural and could still feel my legs, I didn’t really feel the epidural because I was super focused on the pain I was having with contractions and I hated being in any positions that would hunch me over, which is exactly how you have to be while they give it to you. So I was just pleading with the nurse to let me sit up and then it was done!
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