bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 13:52:07 GMT -6
So with DD, I was induced and never went into labor beforehand. With all the placenta issues, I'd just been assuming I'd be getting a CS this time around, but now I'm realizing I'm (hopefully) going to go into labor on my own!
For those in the same boat - have you thought about how you will labor at home? Are you using any specific strategies for pain management at the hospital?
For the record - I have nothing against pain medication...my induction was 40 hours and I probably wouldn't have made it to the three hours of pushing without the epidural to give me a break. But I hated being strapped down with all the monitors because I couldn't move around, so my goal is to make it as far as I can before I get the epidural.
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pootsen
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Post by pootsen on Oct 8, 2017 15:04:29 GMT -6
As long as baby isn’t breech or any other issues come up I will be trying for a VBAC. I’ll need to go to the hospital as soon as I go into labor because they require the OB to be present and I will need extra monitoring. I will try my best to avoid any other interventions or medications. I did Bradley Method classes with my first pregnancy and I plan to follow those concepts. I have no idea what being in labor feels like, but when I imagine it- I feel like I’m going to want to move around, change positions, maybe get in the shower, etc. all while trying to do breathing exercises and stay relaxed to let my body do its thing. I have absolutely nothing against medication though and if for some reason I “need” an epidural, then I’ll get one.
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Post by grumpycat on Oct 8, 2017 15:23:22 GMT -6
With DS, my water broke and contractions didn't start. So I got induced with pitocin and labored without pain meds until I was 7cm (only about 4 hours). My biggest issue with the epidural was that I wasn't allowed to walk around after getting it (and getting the urinary catheter). I labored on the toilet for most of that 4 hours and being able to move helped. Being stuck in the bed was awful.
My plan this time is the same as that ... labor as long as I can without an epidural but remain open to it. I'm also going to ask for the gas. It's an immediate pain relief and doesn't get into your blood stream. All heavy duty pain meds routinely make me puke. Not fun.
If for some reason I'm induced and in labor for more than I was with ds, all bets are off. Give me all of the drugs. I'm hoping to avoid pitocin all together, but we shall see.
If I go into labor at home, I plan to labor at home as long as possible before going in (we live about 15 minutes away). I'll distract myself and clean lol. Patterned breathing helped a lot and I tend to stay in my own head when I'm in pain.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 15:40:56 GMT -6
grumpycat did your doc say if you need any fetal monitors with the gas? I need to ask if my hospital offers that. Sounds like our experience with pitocin was very similar. AnnPerkins if memory serves you are very pro-gas. Do you know? Pro gas is a great phrase
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quinn
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Post by quinn on Oct 8, 2017 15:43:05 GMT -6
I got the epidural with all 3 live births. I loved it. But I went into it with the plan to go as far as I can without it. I will do the same this time.
I keep my expectations low and my mind open cause if something doesn't go as planned I want to go with the flow and not feel forced or unprepared.
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Post by grumpycat on Oct 8, 2017 15:48:57 GMT -6
grumpycat did your doc say if you need any fetal monitors with the gas? I need to ask if my hospital offers that. Sounds like our experience with pitocin was very similar. AnnPerkins if memory serves you are very pro-gas. Do you know? Pro gas is a great phrase Hmm I have no idea. My ob didn't mention it when we talked about it. I had a fetal monitor on with ds so I just assumed that goes with the territory of hospital birth. I didn't mind the monitors though. I can ask on Tuesday at my appointment. Pitocin sucked. My MIL had it with one of her three kids and is a "rub some dirt in it" kind of person with pain. She was gonna get an epi with the next kid if she had to get pitocin lol.
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Post by cdnfarmgirl on Oct 8, 2017 16:01:17 GMT -6
I was induced with both. I made it about 10 hours before needing/getting an epidural with my first. And still had 9 hours until he was born. I got an epidural about 6 hours in after starting the drip with my second. Except the problem was my nurse had just checked me and I was 4 cm. by the time the anthetist came and got ready I was already 10 cm and ready to Push so it wasn't working. So they did it but then they just turned it off. So that sucked
I'll go as long as I can this time without getting one.
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Post by misskilljoy on Oct 8, 2017 16:04:23 GMT -6
Last time, I had plans and never got to implement them. My epidural failed, my labour was fast so I didn't get to use the big tub at all, I didn't get to gas as a back up because there was no time.
This time, I won't be able to labour at home at all because of how fast everything went last time. I'd like to ideally use the tub, though, to take some of the edge off. I'd like to avoid pitocin if possible. I'd like an epidural again to see if they can get it to work. If not, gas.
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cnf
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Post by cnf on Oct 8, 2017 16:19:11 GMT -6
I'm attempting to VBAC and hired a doula. She went over some comfort stuff with us at our last meeting plus she'll come over when I go into labor if I need her to.
My water broke last time and we rushed in but I required being induced because my contractions were consistent but weak and weren't picking up. If it breaks again I don't plan to go in for a few hours unless I'm actively contracting.
I have to be on a monitor the whole time for a VBAC so I'm hoping to labor at home as much as possible. I'm also going to push to get a coveted walking monitor this time. No one offered me one last time so I was stuck in bed for 33 hours and it made me crazy.
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Post by AnnPerkins on Oct 8, 2017 16:25:51 GMT -6
grumpycat did your doc say if you need any fetal monitors with the gas? I need to ask if my hospital offers that. Sounds like our experience with pitocin was very similar. AnnPerkins if memory serves you are very pro-gas. Do you know? Pro gas is a great phrase I am pro all the drugs. I would be pro twilight sleep if that was still an option. I'm not sure if they require fetal monitoring, but as grumpycat said, it doesn't linger in your system. It only works while you have the gas mask on your face and wears off almost immediately after you remove it. The gas is more for pain management than eliminating it completely. I was told I could use the gas before my epidural, but it wouldn't be necessary after since the epi numbs everything.
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Oct 8, 2017 16:34:12 GMT -6
As for meds, I'm hoping to go as long as possible without, then I will fight someone for an epidural. I begged for one last time and was never given one. Every time I asked I was given a dose of morphine through my heplock instead. It did zero for my pain but made me puke all three times. I'm hard and fast on no narcotics this time. Eff that noise.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 17:02:59 GMT -6
I'm attempting to VBAC and hired a doula. She went over some comfort stuff with us at our last meeting plus she'll come over when I go into labor if I need her to. My water broke last time and we rushed in but I required being induced because my contractions were consistent but weak and weren't picking up. If it breaks again I don't plan to go in for a few hours unless I'm actively contracting. I have to be on a monitor the whole time for a VBAC so I'm hoping to labor at home as much as possible. I'm also going to push to get a coveted walking monitor this time. No one offered me one last time so I was stuck in bed for 33 hours and it made me crazy. I'm really hoping the fetal monitors have improved at my hospital in the last three years. I was technically allowed to move around a little (basically just on or next to the bed) during my induction but those things were so clunky and looked like they were from the mid 90s. The nurses were getting so annoyed with me because every time I moved AT ALL, the monitors shifted and had to be readjusted.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 17:05:09 GMT -6
grumpycat did your doc say if you need any fetal monitors with the gas? I need to ask if my hospital offers that. Sounds like our experience with pitocin was very similar. AnnPerkins if memory serves you are very pro-gas. Do you know? Pro gas is a great phrase I am pro all the drugs. I would be pro twilight sleep if that was still an option. I'm not sure if they require fetal monitoring, but as grumpycat said, it doesn't linger in your system. It only works while you have the gas mask on your face and wears off almost immediately after you remove it. The gas is more for pain management than eliminating it completely. I was told I could use the gas before my epidural, but it wouldn't be necessary after since the epi numbs everything. Side note - I never understood how the twilight thing worked. Every woman I know who has kids that way (in the 50s or 60s) said they were totally out of it and barely remember labor. So then how did they push? I'm sure there are weird YouTube videos I can watch on this subject.
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Post by snuff9861 on Oct 8, 2017 17:10:39 GMT -6
With DS my contractions started in the middle of the night. I went to the hospital around 8am when they became timeable. They sent me home after a shot of morphine as everything stopped. Supper time rolled around and things started again. Back to the hospital around 10 and admitted. My epidural went in and I basically slept til it was time to push (hooked up to the monitors the whole time). With DD, I was induced at 9am by having them break my water. Walked around the hospital and did my own thing. After lunch contractions started around 1pm and I laboured on the table beside the bed. Wanted an epidural but I went from 3-10 in 20 minutes. Pushed for 20. No meds.
This time around I'd love to do the tub but likely won't have time because of how fast I went last time. Likely will do med free again and hoping not to need another induction.
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Post by AnnPerkins on Oct 8, 2017 17:28:47 GMT -6
bazi, in my head, the baby just sort of slips out because the mom is just so chill and relaxed. I'm sure it definitely didn't involve any strange instruments or giant doctor hands shoved up the vag to pull the kid out.
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cnf
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Post by cnf on Oct 8, 2017 17:36:00 GMT -6
I'm attempting to VBAC and hired a doula. She went over some comfort stuff with us at our last meeting plus she'll come over when I go into labor if I need her to. My water broke last time and we rushed in but I required being induced because my contractions were consistent but weak and weren't picking up. If it breaks again I don't plan to go in for a few hours unless I'm actively contracting. I have to be on a monitor the whole time for a VBAC so I'm hoping to labor at home as much as possible. I'm also going to push to get a coveted walking monitor this time. No one offered me one last time so I was stuck in bed for 33 hours and it made me crazy. I'm really hoping the fetal monitors have improved at my hospital in the last three years. I was technically allowed to move around a little (basically just on or next to the bed) during my induction but those things were so clunky and looked like they were from the mid 90s. The nurses were getting so annoyed with me because every time I moved AT ALL, the monitors shifted and had to be readjusted. I was able to stand next to my bed and pace around the six inch radius of the wires. No one told me we had walking monitors because you need an escort using them, which my doula is allowed to do. Apparently nurses don't want to do it so they don't offer them up. I'd really like to avoid a freaking six day stay in the hospital this time so I plan to put off going in as long as possible then immediately demand a walking monitor. I will fuck shit up if I'm stuck in a bed for a day and half again.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 17:44:03 GMT -6
bazi, in my head, the baby just sort of slips out because the mom is just so chill and relaxed. I'm sure it definitely didn't involve any strange instruments or giant doctor hands shoved up the vag to pull the kid out. I made the mistake of Googling...stick with what's in your head.
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bethkate
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Post by bethkate on Oct 8, 2017 17:46:24 GMT -6
cnf, that’s my biggest worry about being induced early. The three days I spent in the hospital over th summer with the dvt taught me that the less time in the hospital, the better!
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Oct 8, 2017 18:05:42 GMT -6
grumpycat I almost could have written your post. My water broke and when I got to the hospital i was 4 cm, which was enough for them to admit me. I went without pitocin for a few hours, without much progress. After the pit, it started getting painful so I asked for the epidural. And then labor slowed, but then started back up again. I am in the minority in that I didn't actually mind being in bed. I was so nauseous during my entire labor that I needed to be in bed anyway. It was not great. Anyway, since I don't have extra fluid this time, I guess i need to be thinking of this as well. I will try to labor at home for a while, but I am not going to be shy about going in and asking for the epidural because I had a good experience with it last time. This is all if baby isn't still breech, but honestly all signs point to it still being breech. I will be pleasantly surprised if it isn't! If it is breech, I assume that I will have to go in as soon as I am in labor, if I don't make it to the C section date.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Oct 8, 2017 18:07:59 GMT -6
bazi, in my head, the baby just sort of slips out because the mom is just so chill and relaxed. I'm sure it definitely didn't involve any strange instruments or giant doctor hands shoved up the vag to pull the kid out. ::shudder::
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Oct 8, 2017 18:09:35 GMT -6
cnf they gave me fentanyl to put in the epidural last time. I was feeling super amazing for 5 minutes and then I threw up on the nurse. Oops. I was nauseous the whole time but that was the worst of it for sure.
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cnf
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Post by cnf on Oct 8, 2017 18:17:17 GMT -6
cnf they gave me fentanyl to put in the epidural last time. I was feeling super amazing for 5 minutes and then I threw up on the nurse. Oops. I was nauseous the whole time but that was the worst of it for sure. I got fentanyl in recovery during the lovely uterine massages, because getting those post csection is basically a form of torture.
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Post by AnnPerkins on Oct 8, 2017 18:19:34 GMT -6
bazi, in my head, the baby just sort of slips out because the mom is just so chill and relaxed. I'm sure it definitely didn't involve any strange instruments or giant doctor hands shoved up the vag to pull the kid out. I made the mistake of Googling...stick with what's in your head. Well...shit.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 18:26:39 GMT -6
Now I'm getting weird twinges in my ute...did I just jinx myself with this thread?
Chill out baby, not time yet.
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roloma
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Post by roloma on Oct 8, 2017 18:34:12 GMT -6
I really have zero clue what will happen. With DS my water broke and we got to the hospital about an hour later. I wasn't in "active" labor but since my water broke and I was past 34w they admitted me and induced. Pitocin started at about 6:30am and baby was born at 7:57am. I spent 99% of time on the toilet which was much more comfortable than being in the bed. I did not want and did not have any pain meds or an epidural. I didn't rule it out completely but I wanted to try to do it without.
I've been instructed by all of my doctors to get my ass to the hospital asap if I go into labor or my water breaks based on my fast labor last time. Despite the horrendous contractions with the pitocin, I wouldn't mind being induced again because I know what to expect. I don't intend on having pain meds or an epidural this time either, but I guess we'll see.
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Post by grumpycat on Oct 8, 2017 18:45:05 GMT -6
I just talked to dh about my labor "plan" ... he told me that almost as soon as they placed the epidural, I went super pale and they put the O2 mask on me. So I'm really going to try to avoid it this time lol.
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quinn
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Post by quinn on Oct 8, 2017 18:56:42 GMT -6
I just talked to dh about my labor "plan" ... he told me that almost as soon as they placed the epidural, I went super pale and they put the O2 mask on me. So I'm really going to try to avoid it this time lol. Happens to me every time. My blood pressure drops hard and fast. Supposedly it's very common and they just give you some drug to counteract it. Eta at least the anesthesiologist told me it was very common. He may have told me that to make me feel better lol
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Post by grumpycat on Oct 8, 2017 19:00:37 GMT -6
I just talked to dh about my labor "plan" ... he told me that almost as soon as they placed the epidural, I went super pale and they put the O2 mask on me. So I'm really going to try to avoid it this time lol. Happens to me every time. My blood pressure drops hard and fast. Supposedly it's very common and they just give you some drug to counteract it. Eta at least the anesthesiologist told me it was very common. He may have told me that to make me feel better lol Ah ok ... I didn't get anything else as far I know. I was a bit out of it lol.
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bazi
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Post by bazi on Oct 8, 2017 19:16:01 GMT -6
I just talked to dh about my labor "plan" ... he told me that almost as soon as they placed the epidural, I went super pale and they put the O2 mask on me. So I'm really going to try to avoid it this time lol. The O2 mask was my nemesis during labor, right behind the blood pressure cuff. It had an extremely short cord and went off automatically with the most annoying sound. After it was all over, H was like "it was pretty weird that a baby was tearing through you and all you cared about takin off the cuff"
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Post by grumpycat on Oct 8, 2017 19:21:18 GMT -6
I just talked to dh about my labor "plan" ... he told me that almost as soon as they placed the epidural, I went super pale and they put the O2 mask on me. So I'm really going to try to avoid it this time lol. The O2 mask was my nemesis during labor, right behind the blood pressure cuff. It had an extremely short cord and went off automatically with the most annoying sound. After it was all over, H was like "it was pretty weird that a baby was tearing through you and all you cared about takin off the cuff" Ughhhhh that blood pressure cuff. Omg. I somehow forgot. I had bruises from that thing. I hated that so so much.
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