[wannabmommy]

Have any of the other first time mommies gone in to the December or January DDC to read the birth stories? I think I've scared myself half to death!!

[Brittanie]

I think it's natural to be scared of something you haven't done before sweets. But you know what? People have been having babies since the beginning of time. You'll be okay, I promise.


Was there anything in particular that scared you that us BTDT mommies can help you out with? ((I wish I had a group like this when I was headed into L&D last time!))

[MDS0307]

Im not a first timer but i have read some of thier birth stories just for fun.
Yeah a few of them did have some rough stories...but that doesnt mean youll have a rough time.
Itll b ok.

[ojosmom]

Some women can squeeze 'em right out, some of us can't. One way or another, we were all born and yours will be too. I met a gal whose baby fell out in the car in the hospital parking lot, no pain, no labor. Plop! I wish that was me, but it wasn't. In the end all will be fine.

No big deal, in the end, you will want to do it all over again!

You'll be fine! Honestly, you are going to get into that last trimester and count the SECONDS until your baby comes on out! You'll be wishing her out! The end of pregnancy is so uncomfortable, and you just pray for the end... LOL.

My L&D wasn't bad at all, I will copy and paste my birth story so you can read a pleasant birthing process... Okay? I hope it makes you feel a little better. Don't worry!

This is from my MySpace blog... I posted a week after I gave birth.

---------------------------------------
It started last Wednesday evening, after watching our usual shows, Nathan passed out asleep and I lay in bed just channel surfing. I felt an odd sensation, almost like I was about to lose control of my bladder, and I decided to head into the bathroom to see what was going on. I did not think much of it at first, due to having the on-going labor symptoms for two weeks already, and I was tired of getting my hopes up and then being let down when L&D sent me home... Anyhow, once in the bathroom, I sat down on the toilet and some clear liquid came out... At first it trickled, and if I shifted on the seat, it would come out a little faster. I stood up to grab a mirror, and it gushed out! I realized what was happening, but since I was not contracting at the time, I jumped in the shower real quick to clean up and then cleaned up the floor as well. I got out and wrapped some towels around myself, and went to get some clean clothes... Nathan stirred and asked me if I was alright, and I told him "I'm fine, my water broke." I have never seen that man move that fast! He flew off the bed and grabbed my arms and said "OH MY GOD, are you okay?!" I smiled and laughed and told him I was fine, and I was going to get dressed, and I told him to call L&D. They told him to bring me in... My water had broke at 9:45 Wednesday night.

Once we were at the hospital, they admitted me, and ironically, my obgyn was the on-call delivery doctor that night. He came in to check me and talk to me, and he found I was only at a 4 cm, 80% effaced still and he wanted to see if I would progress more on my own... So Nathan and I sat back, watched tv, and it was a very long night. I finally asked for some medication to help me sleep, and I only got about four hours off of it...

The next morning at 6:00, I was checked again, and had not progressed so they started me on Pitocin. They hoped it would jump start me. A couple hours later when they came to check on me, they asked about my epidural. Although my contractions were strong, they were tolerable, but my back pain was getting to me, so I requested it then. Nathan sat in front of me and held my legs while the anesthesiologist administered the epi. He did a good job, and soon I felt pretty good, but was numb from the waist down. My mom showed up and she and Nathan were there to entertain me all morning... I kept getting checked, but was not making progress at all, and they kept upping the Pitocin dosage... I wondered how long before they would take Connor cesarean. As the afternoon progressed, I became feverish, delirious, and began vomiting uncontrollably...

Finally, sometime mid afternoon, I progressed very quickly from a 4 to a 7, and then from there I went a cm an hour. My RN came in at 5:00 and checked me again and felt for his head. She said I was at a 10, baby was there but she could give me more time if I wanted. I said I wanted to start pushing, so she grabbed some KY jelly and she took apart my bed, put up the stirrups, and sat down. She coached me through a few contractions, and the whole time massaged me with the jelly... Little did I know it would help me tremendously, and I did not tear or have to have an episiotomy! Another nurse joined her, and she came up at my right side and held my right leg... She asked Nathan to help hold my left, and my mom stood at my head and held my head up for me when I pushed... I pushed for an over and hour, and let me tell you - I felt no pain, just pressure, but pushing out a baby is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It is also the most rewarding! Right as I was nearing the end of my pushing, Dr. Benham came in in his scrubs, he sat down and coached me through my last push, and out came Connor! His umbilical cord was around his neck, so first he removed that, and then he was placed on my belly so Nathan could cut the cord... I looked up at my son and noticed how blue and floppy he was... But I was so out of it, my reactions were slowed, and he was whisked away from me before I could say anything... Dr. Benham stayed with me and cleaned me up and checked me for tears and abrasions (nothing), and the nurses made a call and suddenly a flood of people came into the room and crowded around Connor and started working on him. Suddenly it dawned on me he had not cried, and Nathan asked about that, and right then we heard one gurgley cry, and then silence again.

Connor had to be taken away to the NICU right away, I barely got a minute with my baby, and the doctor explained to me that I had a uterine infection and because Connor had remained inside for so long after my water broke, I developed a fever of 101.5, and Connor had possibly developed something from it. They needed to help him breathe and check him over for pneumonia and such... Tears poured from my eyes, and I told Nathan to go with them - he bent down and kissed me and told me how much he loved me and how wonderful I had done - and then he followed the team down to the NICU, and my mom stayed at my side until the doctors were done with me, and I was stable enough to be on my own...

After an hour of resting, my RN came in with her wheelchair and helped me into it, and took me to my room in the mother and well baby unit upstairs. I was so determined to see my son, I was up WALKING ON MY OWN an hour after my epi had been taken out... The nurses were mind boggled. I wanted to see my baby, and nothing was stopping me!

I stayed in the hospital until Saturday - they released me after I passed my check and weighed in at 122 lbs (ten lbs down pregnancy weight already!), and Connor was in NICU until today (Sunday), and then discharged. He is doing fabulous now, he is slightly jaundiced, but other than that, very healthy and has some great lungs on him and a very healthy appetite.

Connor Michael Robinson was born May 18th, 2006... Entered the world at 6:19 p.m.
He weighed in at 7 lbs 3 oz, 20 3/4 inches long.

He is the light of our lives.

[Brittanie]

I think my mother is the champion of laborers! lol. With me, she was dialated to a 6 without a single contraction. Her Dr. blamed it on the fact that I was 9lb. However, she didn't do that with my younger brother, who was 9lb7oz.

With my youngest sister, she was from 3-10 cm in a matter of minutes. She said she felt a "pop" told my dad to go get the nurse, and the nurse at first refused because she had just checked. When he finally got her to come in, they could see my sister's head from the door.

((My mother was in the hospital for half an hour before Nyssa arrived))

So sometimes it's easy. Sometimes it's not so easy. You'll be okay.

[*Angel*]

Just remember for every scarry or sad story there is atleast one positive one. All 3 of my labor and deliveries were easy. My first was actually the easiest, I went in for my reg doc appointment and he told me I was dialated to 4 and I was 25% ephased, so I needed to go to the hospital. Mom and I went home made some calls, picked up the overnight bag, stopped by kmart and got everthing off of layaway, then casually proceeded to the hospital. when we got there at about 3 I remember because I watched Days of our Lives in my room. They came in and checked me and I was at like 6 and 40 so they broke my water and I had him 45 min later. My labors got progressivly longer but starting so low, my last labor still only lasted 4 hours. But even still, its natural to be scared or nervous, even though I have been thru it 3 times already I am still scared. Everything will be fine though, just think positive thoughts, its not the worst thing you will ever experience in your life. I think it is motherof5, sorry if im wrong, but the one who had the back surgery, I think that she would attest to the fact that she would rather have a baby any day of the week then to go thru back surgery again.

[calleo]

I love reading those stories! Some of them freak me out, sure, but I feel as if by reading them I am mentally mapping out the usual sequence of events. No birth is the same, of course, but at least I'll have a few different scenarios in my head beforehand.

Annie, it's funny that you say your labor was easy. I'm terrified of vomiting (pretty much the only phobia I have) so my immediate reaction was one of pure horror. I'm sure I'll puke and not even think about it, but I haven't thrown up in over 20 years, except once when I got a bacterial infection in Senegal. Even then, I just puked and got it over with to get out the bacteria -- and was traumatised for days and days afterwards! I swear I'm not a wimp, that's just the one thing that gets to me!!! It really makes me feel for you ladies with serious m/s... I don't know how you can make it through that.

[Brittanie]

Calleo: From a lady who threw up for 8 1/2 months last time, and am still throwing up with this one: you make it through on meal at a time! lol!

I can honestly say, though, if I don't get to take this one home I'm not going to get pregnant ever again. I never throw up...unless I'm pregnant. And I used to be like you with throwing up. I kind of view myself as a professional now!

[mrsroseblack]

[I met a gal whose baby fell out in the car in the hospital parking lot, no pain, no labor. Plop! I wish that was me, but it wasn't. In the end all will be fine.

No big deal, in the end, you will want to do it all over again!
[/quote]

LOL!! She was REALLY lucky!!

[Kelllilee]

Later on we definately need to form a BTDT group for L&D questions for all you who haven't been through it before!!

Yes it was hard, but I'm still alive!

[wannabmommy]

The stories of the epi wearing off and those who weren't able to get it in time freak me out. All of my family and friends have had the type that is like an IV and doesn't wear off. What is with this wearing off business? Is it just a one time injection these women are getting?

I could barely take the finger prick at my last appointment! I've just never been in the hospital or had any type of surgery or broken bone. The worst thing I've ever had to endure was braces!

[calleo]

Brittanie - I see you as a pro, too! LOL.

Annie, it's funny that you say your labor was easy. I'm terrified of vomiting (pretty much the only phobia I have) so my immediate reaction was one of pure horror. I'm sure I'll puke and not even think about it, but I haven't thrown up in over 20 years, except once when I got a bacterial infection in Senegal. Even then, I just puked and got it over with to get out the bacteria -- and was traumatised for days and days afterwards! I swear I'm not a wimp, that's just the one thing that gets to me!!! It really makes me feel for you ladies with serious m/s... I don't know how you can make it through that. [/b]

LOL... Well, I am sure I would have skipped the vomiting all together if my nurse hadn't of been such an airhead... I had a raging headache, and I asked if there was anything I could take. She gave me Ibuprofen, on an empty stomach. HELLO! It barely got down my throat, and it was right back up again! LOL

[littleangel]

you know I have given birth 2 times now and stills cared to go do it again...it is natural to feel that way. But you will be fine and trust me anything you do have to go through when you hold your baby, it is all worth it. i will not say you forget, because I had bad births with both really bad with Rebekah they gave me a spinal that wore off then an epi that was 1 cm off and numbed my upper 1/2 and had to rush me to the OR then I had to give birth without pain meds of any kind and that is the short sweet side nott o scare you more or anything, but even though I do remember, I remember holding her and seeing her much more, and that is what I think about none of the rest matters.

Annie-- your birth story was really nice. Thanks for posting that.

The things that scare me about labor are tearing, cathedars, and not getting pain meds!

[MDS0307]

Sharing a bit of my experience:
I hated having my catheder in but im glad i had it cuz i probably would have peed all over my poor doctor. lol.
I was supposed to be induced on the 26th of sept(2003). My due date was the 23rd.
The night before i was to be induced i started getting irregular contractions on and off.
I wasnt sure if they were braxton hicks or what. i lived alone and wasnt sure what to do. So i went to bed...
I could hardly sleep at all cuz they kept coming more and more. I had layed down around 10p and finally got back up at about 3am and started getting ready, getting dressed and all. I was supposed to be at the hospital at 6am but wasnt sure if i should wait that long. so i called and my uncle who lived close by and he came and got me and i got to the hospital about 4:30a. by now my contractions were becoming regular and were about 10 min apart or so. The nurses were thrilled i got there early and even more thrilled to see i was in labor and may not need induction! They checked me and i was about 2.5 cent. dialated. So they went ahead and set me up and told me they would see how my labor progessed before giving me the induction.
My doctor walked in almost right before 7am and i was a little over 4 cent dialated. So she decided to break my water and speed things up. And it did. i got my epidural right after that. He was a god, the man with those drugs. lol. The contactions were just starting to hurt pretty bad when he came in. i was so glad to see him!!! I didnt even feel my epidural, all i knew is he said 'ok im done' and i was already so numb from waist down i could get my legs back on the bed. haha. RELIEF.
Well by 12 noon i was fully dialated and ready to push. That was the hardest part for me. Even though i didnt feel any pain, i had a TON of pressure on my back...and the further down my baby came the more pressure i had. Well i pushed and pushed....About 1 pm i was still pushing and starting to feel pain, so i got my 2nd epidural....since i was having trouble gettin her out, my doc gave me a 2 degree episiotimy and she was finally born at 1:28 pm that day! Scared me...cuz at first she came out and my doctor said "oh my god!" i was like "WHAT? whats wrong???" my doc was just sooo suprised that she was so big. She said she had no indication she would be that big. They announced her at 9 lbs 9 ounces and 22 inches long.
I was shocked, i couldnt believe it either, but she was beautiful and healthy and i was proud,
Continuing....my 2nd epidural started to wear off while my doctor was stitching me back up...yeah...ouch....but she got it done and i beared it for that 2 minutes and i was fine. Overall i think i had a great labor with that size baby. i was so thankful i was cut, not torn, and that i was able to have her
vaginally and not csection. i hope this one goes well too....

[Kelllilee]

The stories of the epi wearing off and those who weren't able to get it in time freak me out. All of my family and friends have had the type that is like an IV and doesn't wear off. What is with this wearing off business? Is it just a one time injection these women are getting?[/b]

see now this is one of the reasons I dont' even bother with drugs! They can mess up a lot of stuff, so I say, why bother!? I actually read an article just yesterday about a woman who died because of her epidural (of course the hospital denied it, but reading the story it makes perfect sense).

bleh... drugs

[Brittanie]

I don't know about an epidural "wearing off" but I know if the anesthesiologist doesn't place it right, you can get uneven numbness, as in it only working on one side.

Kelli: My anesthesiologist told me that if they get the epi into a vein than it can kill you. He had vials of a saline solution that he injected into the tube to check and see if it spiked my blood pressure. If the blood pressure spikes, then it's in the vein. He got a vein twice first with me. Ugh.


The only problem I had as far as it killing the pain, was that he turned it up as far as it could go to "make up" for missing twice, and I COULD NOT feel anything. So when it came time to push, they had to turn it down so I could. I think he turned it down too much, because I could feel everything by the end. Or maybe they turned it off. Maybe that's how it "wears off" If they keep it from dripping the medication, it only lasts for so long. Well, it took longer than they expected for me to push Cora out because her cord wasn't long enough and I couldn't do it. Dr. Barton had to use the vacuum thing to pulled her head out, and he pulled hard.

But, really, I only knew I was having contractions as hard as I was because I watched the monitor and it told me. Didn't feel a thing...

[Kelllilee]

Kelli: My anesthesiologist told me that if they get the epi into a vein than it can kill you. He had vials of a saline solution that he injected into the tube to check and see if it spiked my blood pressure. If the blood pressure spikes, then it's in the vein. He got a vein twice first with me. Ugh.[/b]

Yeah I've heard that too. This one was different... she had an infection introduced directly into her spinal fluid through the epi because the anestigiologist wasn't very careful.