Being Pregnant and Thoughts on Delivery
I decided to take a little bit of a break from the flashback posts. Some are fun but some I’ve decided to just save for my journal! No sense looking back now.. Only forward right?
So, what everyone’s asking… How I’m FEELING.
I’m feeling good. ALWAYS tired, and almost always nauseous. I haven’t thrown up… Sometimes I wish I would, but I’m told that doesn’t relieve any nausea, so I guess I’ll take what I’ve got. Let me stress how tired I am… So tired I’m not going to proof-read this post. So please excuse any typos.
I have crazy cravings already. Cravings for Ramen, Mac and Cheese (we’re happy the baby is a cheap eater) then brownies, carrots, peaches and jalapeno poppers. Not all at the same time.. But many of them, yes. Did I mention I have the best husband? He makes me/ goes to get me whatever I want. He even brings me grapes in the morning when I’m too nauseous to get up! Ok, I’ll stop bragging about him now (by the way today is his birthday!).
So lately… I’ve been more obsessed than ever with watching baby shows. It’s all I have set on my DVR. I know my poor husband is sad it’s taking up sports time, but it’s quite entertaining for me.
I must admit, they are NOT as fun to watch now that I’m pregnant. I mean, they kind of are, cause they’ve always been intriguing to me, but it’s not as fun thinking about getting this baby out one day… When it’s like 10,000Xs bigger.
As far as progress, I found a doctor I LOVE and a hospital I want to deliver at. I checked out a couple of hospitals and a birth center. I chose the hospital I did because of all of the reviews I’ve read, because I liked the feel of it, because of my doctor and some friends.
I also have a close friend who recently had a baby at another hospital I was considering and she was not impressed at all.
As far as the birth center… I’d have to come out of pocket a lot for it. I wasn’t totally sold on it from the beginning, and from the start I thought I’d feel more comfortable in a hospital, so the money was an additional minus for me. Maybe next time… But this time I’m excited to have an OB I love… At a hospital I liked and possibly hire a doula to help along the way.
My OB was referred to me by my family doctor who I love. He gave me her name and one other. I did research on them as well as a few others I was considering, and a couple of midwife groups and I ended up choosing an OB I thought would be perfect for me. When I went to her practice for the first time I felt at home. She and her staff made no only me, but my husband feel comfortable, and she took the time to talk to us, and joke with us… I can’t stress enough how much I love her and how excited I am to have her.
I later found out she delivered the baby of a friend I work with… She wasn’t her OB but was the on call doctor the day she delivered and my friend told me she liked her more than her own doctor!
One thing that DEFINITELY tells me I’m pregnant is the CONSTANT outpouring of advice!! To my TTC friends here’s a fact.. And to my preggo friends and moms… You know this is the truth… People LOVE to tell pregnant people advice. Whether it’s some secret remedy for morning sickness, what books to read, how to deliver your baby, what to wear, EVERYONE has something to say.
Luckily for me, I don’t mind. I like advice, the more the merrier… But I remember to take it all with a grain of salt, and so far… It’s not getting annoying.
I was tweeting about watching a Baby Story which of course took us to the topic of labor. I don’t know what it is but it seems like most of my followers are natural birthers/ home birthers etc. I think that’s awesome because I get to hear from a side you don’t often get to hear from, but the constant pounding about natural labor is making me nervous.
I’m TOTALLY open to things like birthing balls, hypnobirthing, and trying things the natural way but I am NOT against getting an epidural either. I don’t see anything wrong with either.
I’ve had so many friends go into labor with an idea of how they’d do it but things changed. I know people who wanted an epidural right away but were too far along to get one, then ended up doing it naturally. I’ve known people who wanted no medication, and to try hypnobirthing and dancing through labor but ended up needing an emergency c-section while unconscious.
To be honest I’m not one to stress over how I’m getting my baby out. I just want to get it out when the time is right, and safely. I don’t think an epidural is going to hurt my baby any more than delivering it at home unassisted… And I don’t care which way others decide to go. I just know that I want to do what’s comfortable and right for me. I actually don’t get all of the hype/ obsession over Hospitals= Evil or Home births= Reckless.
Since when did people care so much about what other people do? As long as you’re not pushing me into one or the other I’m not going to tell you my opinion on your birthing decisions. One solution isn’t going to work for everyone. We all have different conditions and different things that make us feel more comfortable.
I feel so bad when women tell me they regret getting an epidural, or regret not going natural the whole way. I don’t know why that is exactly but I hope I don’t have regrets. My friend who ended up being put out for labor after dreams of a natural birth… Does she have regrets? No! She’s happy to have her healthy little girl.
I think it’s safe to say I’ve done my fair share of research. And I’ll continue to do it as I go along. But don’t hate me if I get drugs ok? We’ve all gotta do what works for us, and I’d hate to have my good moment ruined my people telling me I drugged my baby.
I hope if I don’t put that pressure on myself to have a “perfect labor” I’ll just be happy to have my baby in my arms once and for all… Regardless of how it gets its big self out of my womb. Sure, I won’t go in begging for an epidural… (Or maybe I will). Either way, I just need to get from point A to point B. (A being enormously pregnant and B being a mom with a healthy new baby in my arms.)
Isn’t that what’s most important?
That being said, I LOVE reading labor stories! I hear all of the stuff on A Baby Story is overly dramatic… If that’s the case, show me what you’ve got! Write a post about your labor story, or link up to one you’ve already posted! I’ve read some crazy ones already… From emergency operations to delivering at home on the stairs! Bring it!
PS: YES… I’ve seen “The Business of Being Born” I think I’ll get that question as much as the question I got when TTC “Have you read ‘Taking Charge of Your Fertility’?”
Okay, so my post doesn’t give you ALL of the gory details, but it does convey the emotions behind giving birth for the first time. I’ll never forget the moment my baby gave me one of the most challenging/rewarding/beautiful jobs on the planet: Being a mom.
I’ve given birth with and without an epidural. You just have to be fully prepared with all the knowledge you can before hand so that you can make those on the spot decisions as they need to be made. Education is about the one factor that you can control when it comes to giving birth. You can’t control if you’re tired or well, if your hospital is slow or even if your doctor is there. (The only two people guaranteed to show up are you and your baby!) Not having to freak out about what you know and what you don’t or even what you didn’t and wished you did is the blessing I wished I’d had the first go around. Sounds like you’er on the ball and that will serve you well.
Ok- really there are 3 different posts ( didn’t let me change the 2 that last time).. Not that I’m nuts- but there is a condensed version of both kids and then a birth story for each child I wrote on their birthdays last year. I’m not crazy, just tired! Lol- and you’ve got one thing right- there us no use in making a plan. Nothing will go as planned!
So I’m a first time commentor/visitor, but I posted my birth stories for you to read under Mountain Mama! I hope you enjoy them and find them useful!
Ohh that’s me!! I’m the one with the emergency operation! But I wish I had been the one delivering on the stairs at home. Oh well, maybe next time. 😉
I love “the business of being born” ricki lake is my shero!
I loved ready birth stories before I had Baby Belle. I added my story but it is more about the run up to labour then the actual labour…hope that’s ok 🙂
I’ve been wanting to write up my birth story for ages… gonna do it for sure… right after I feed, change and play with baby number 2.
I like your open attitude! Babies will take all your plans and throw them out the window anyway! 🙂
When I first got pregnant, I really wanted to try a medically-supervised water birth, but had no idea i was going to end up with preeclampsia and bed rest in both my pregnancies. Then it just became a matter of getting the babies cooked long enough and then here safely (for them and for me).
My epidural with baby one was a godsend. with baby 2 it was a godsend as far as pain management (another thing, i learned i am a total wimp when it comes to labor, thanks to my good friend Pitocin! i had to be induced both times) but getting the epidural was a bad experience (it took four pokes and a lot of bleeding before it went in right!) and I still have a sore back in that location and the baby’s 9 months old!
anyway, take all the advice with a grain of salt and do what you feel is right for you and through this whole process, including the nausea, just remember that even though it might not feel like it now, you will totally forget all the pains when you hold your child.
I won’t hate you if you use drugs during labor…but I wouldn’t recommend it. You have already seen Business of Being Born, so the only other thing I can tell you would be some books to read…but I think I’ll spare you the advice! 😀
My birth story is pretty unexciting… planned c-section due to breech presentation. Two hours from the time I checked in to the time my son was pulled out butt first 🙂 My pregnancy was the dramatic part! I went into preterm labor at 30 weeks. I had to be medicated for the remainder of the pregnancy to stop contractions. I was on bed rest for the last 8 weeks, and was toxemic at the end where I swelled so bad my skin just about tore on my ankles and I couldn’t walk. It really made me question my want for more than one child, something I had planned my whole life with the fact I didn’t like being an only child.
The only advice I ever have to give anymore is that pregnancy never goes how you think it will. Oh, and buy bigger or maternity underwear! It was my only regret! And you will be surprised how much stuff shifts after birth. I know I was!
Once you have given birth those shows are just way too dramatic and silly to watch anymore. I watched them since I was 12 and all through my pregnancy, but as soon as I had done it and realised it wasnt as hard as it looked I didnt care for them anymore!
Here’s mine! http://dou-la-la.blogspot.com/2009/07/lilys-home-water-birth-or-timely-ups.html
And of course I wouldn’t “hate you” if you decided to go for an epidural! It sounds like you’re really willing, even enthusiastic, about investigating all your options, which is the most important thing. As long as it’s truly an informed choice, that’s what matters to me.
Just in the interest of information, since you’ve seen “The Business of Being Born”, you might want to check out the book “Your Best Birth”. It really breaks everything down so efficiently and readably.
Cheers!
My sisters all say the drugs are better in Utah! They’ve had babies in multiple states, and apparently we like to drug mama’s good here! Ha! (note to self: have baby in Utah)
Mine’s not a happy story, unless you only count that she is happy and healthy now. Breech turned Version turned ‘Emergency’ Cesarean at 37 weeks turned NICU stay for prematurity.
Enjoy your pregnancy, and make sure to educate yourself on ALL your options. You have the right to so NO to any and all treatment. Just because they are a doctor or midwife does not mean you do not have options. It is YOUR pregnancy and birth, not anyone else’s. It took my horrible birth to realize this, but now I can help other women learn it too.
I would DEFINITELY get a doula. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. They can educate you in everything before and during labor, that way you have control over the situation and don’t feel like everything is out of your reach.
Good luck with it! And I am praying for fantastic pregnancy for you!!
Have you heard of this “walking Epidural”? Sounds perfect to me. I won’t give advice because I am not a mother yet AND I WILL be one of those annoyed by advice pregnant women. I plan on waiting as long as possible until I tell people because I am not going to do well with the unsolicited advice.
You’ve already read mine 🙂 but I thought I’d share it anyway! Labor is crazy, and I didn’t even know if I really was IN labor… I took a class with a lamaze instructor and they told me to wait to go to the hospital until my contractions were “4-1-1” Four minutes apart, lasting for one minute, for at least one hour.. And that saturday the contractions weren’t really going that way! I would have some that were eight minutes apart, then twenty, then four mins etc. So I thought I was just having braxton hicks! So I had been laboring at home all day and then I finally told Sky to take me down to provo from Salem to spend some time at my friends house just in case it was the real deal (I was delivering in provo so I wanted to be close to the hospital). I hung out there until about eight thirty or so and then I was like “what the heck, I’ll just go in and have them check me just in case, but I’ll be embarrassed if they send me home!” And when I got there I was already at a 6 and my water broke! So after a long story and a longer post then I intended, even though labor is still far in the future, —-don’t feel silly going in and having them check you! It could be the real thing, and you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you can’t get help!
Yeah, I totally didn’t mean to write so much! Whoops!
So, my blog (with my birth story) is private now, so I’m not exactly sure what to tell ya, except that I am the exception to the rule with anything medical, so my labor experience was nothing short of frustrating at times and interesting at others.
Definitely agree that having an open mind about all options is good – epidural, no epidural – I think the breathing/coping techniques are good for anyone!
Also, good choice with the hospital on the first one. I was contemplating the midwife way, but ended up at the hospital and it was a good thing, since my baby girl (born full-term and “healthy” for all we knew) ended up in Neonatal Intensive Care on a ventilator for days because her lungs hadn’t fully developed – freak thing! Anyway, better safe than sorry!
I totally agree that you should not have any regrets, but I do think you may end up with “things I’d like to do a little different next time.”
Best of luck with all this.
I have been away on holiday and then caught up on your posts and realised YOUR PREGNANT!!!
BIG AUSSIE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I really am sincerley happy for you!
I had an epidural with my first and then an emergency C Section and then a planned C Section for my second. No matter how they come into the world the hope is that they come in healthy and happy and to parents that will love them.
Good luck on your pregnancy journey, I can’t wait to read your future posts!!!
First time on your blog and pregnancy/baby posts are irresistible to me- I just can’t help but comment!
I’m six months pregnant with my 5th and plan to have this one at home with the assistance of my husband and midwives, as I did with the others (well, three of the others- the midwives didn’t make it in time for one of them!). I’ll just say this- labor without drugs or other interventions is hard enough but it’s just what your body does naturally to get that kiddo out of there. Drugs and such tend to lead to more complications- there’s a reason a quarter of hospital births end in a c-section! I agree that what’s important is having a healthy baby, but mom avoiding major surgery is a nice thing to consider, too. Anyway, if I were to offer any unsolicited advice, I’d just say make sure you’ve done all the research you need to do to feel confident to making decisions for yourself, not have them made for you by someone else because you’re uninformed.
Sorry, a little heavy-handed for the first time I’ve “met” you, I just hate the thought of anyone going into such an important process without being fully prepared! : )
On a lighter note, my pregnancy cravings have included popcorn, artichokes, and lobster (*not* a cheap craving! lol).
*Best* wishes on the rest of your pregnancy and your labor- and the rest of your life of parenting on the other side! : )
http://excerpts-kristin.blogspot.com/
When I was pregnant, I was obsessed with all of the baby shows. I watched every single one. I even looked to see if I could be on one. I thought my chances were good because of it being a second set of twins. Now that I am done being pregnant, I can’t turn the channel fast enough.
all I can say is go with the flow….I totally thought i wanted a natural labor….went into the delivery room…all psyched…hey if my mom and sister can both do it…so can I….Yeah not so much…about 3 hours into it..>I was all about the epidural…and so glad I did it…I would have been one of those screamers I’m sure…so I guess my advice…don’t feel guilty if you change your mind on things….
oh…and I have 2 awards for you over at my place…I would love to have you come by and grab them
Just watched my little niece being born last night… she was my sister’s fourth, but you know what, it’s never not amazing. She did great… one really scary moment, the baby’s heart rate dropped really low and they prepped her for a c-section so that if the heart rate didn’t come back up, they could get her out quick. Thankfully, it did, but as I watched and prayed in the corner, listening to that stalling heartbeat, I was so grateful we were in a hospital, with doctors and nurses that knew exactly what to do to take care of that baby… they turned my sister, did an amnio-infusion to put fluid back around the baby’s head, then turned her again over and over until they found a position that didn’t compress the cord and cause the baby’s heartrate to drop. I can’t imagine what would have happened had my sister not been at a hospital… how long could the baby’s heart rate have stayed down without her knowing? Long enough for brain damage? When she was born, her cord was wrapped around her neck, which explains the dropping heart rate… every time she contracted, and the baby pushed farther into the birth canal, the cord was compressed. But they did have monitors, they watched closely, and the baby was delivered healthy and happy.
I’m all about people going natural if that’s what they want to do. But for me, it’s super scary to not be in a hospital where doctors can intervene if need be.
As for my birth stories, I delivered my first vaginally… a 9 pounder who was two weeks late. After four failed inductions two weeks post partum, I thought I might cry, or die. I’d been on pitocin for 12 hours, and still nothing. So my doctor broke my water, and my little linebacker was born four hours later. My second pregnancy was with twins… I carried them to 38 weeks, then had a scheduled c-section. They were both breech, sitting forehead to forehead, and at over 7lbs. a piece, were much too cramped for any attempts at turning. With my next pregnancy, my doctor informed me that because my uterus was so stretched and so full of scar tissue from my last pregnancy with the twins,I was at high risk for uterine rupture. He siad if I wanted to try a VBAC, I would have to find a different doctor. For him, it was too risky. I absolutely trust this man, so I’ve been a c-section Mamma ever since. My last baby was born at 39 weeks by scheduled c-section, and this baby that is currently gestating will be born by scheduled c-section as well. And I’m okay with that. Do I think people should have c-sections that don’t need them? Absolutely not. But it’s what I have to do, so I do it and am grateful for the doctors that take such good care of me.
(Holy long comment. SO sorry!)
This sounds TOO FUN! And I love that you have such a great hubby… Having an amazing husband makes life 1,000,000x better!
I am happy to report that I had a spinal block and my kid was just fine! I think your open attitude is the best way to go b/c in reality you never know what will happen. Thinking back on it, of course I would of liked some things to go differently when I had my son but he came way faster than anyone predicted and labor for me was so painful I couldn’t even speak. It was just kind of a blur. So I guess what I am saying is go into it with an open attitude and do what’s best for you not what others think is best.
It’s been awhile since I checked your blog, so I’m excited to hear that you are pregnant and doing well.
I too had narcoleptic tendencies and felt sickly all the time without throwing up. For me, that feeling passed, so I hope it passes for you.
I hate to tell you this, but the amount of unsolicited advice you get is only going to get worse. People just have no filter when it comes to telling you how to birth and raise your child.
Take care, I look forward to fallowing your journey!
Seriously, do I live under a rock? How did I miss your big announcement? I’ve been following you more on Twitter and read the tweet about the crib, but I swear I thought is was about you getting a pet..WTH??? How did I get that?? I guess it was late at night and didn’t read it right!! CONGRATULATIONS to you both!! You are on your way to the most amazing adventures of your life. Two kids later, life has never been the same for me, only better every day! Can’t wait to follow your journey and best of luck and health throughout your endeavor!
Congratulations on being pregnant! Woohoo!
I got an epidural and enjoyed labor. I felt the first 25 contractions or so, and the drugs were very welcome by the time they kicked in. My baby at 7 months is incredibly healthy and developing normally. Most of my friends who went natural changed their minds about it in the middle of labor and didn’t have time to get the drugs. Their stories are painful to read. Recovery was the hardest part of the whole thing. No regrets here. At all. I’m grateful and looking forward to the next time!
I used the Bradley method. I didn’t end up using a lot of their birthing techniques, there simply wasn’t time for it :), but I do believe that their nutritional suggestions (a lot of eggs, good fats like avocado…) and their daily exercises made my drug-free labor possible.
Are you going to breastfeed? Attending La Leche League meetings BEFORE you have the baby will give you a wealth of information and the phone numbers of the ladies you are going to call in the middle of the night:) I hope you get to experience how wonderful breastfeeding your baby is (get past the first hard week and it’s amazing after that, I promise 🙂
Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy,
Dagmar
Dagmar’s momsense
I just found out your news! I am SOoooo happy for you. So happy. You have so much to look forward to!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!!!! I totally agree with you, no single birth plan is right for everyone, do what makes you feel comfortable! Good luck and I hope the morning sickness passed quickly…if not, ask for Zofran–it was my best friend during my 2nd pregnancy.
Congratulations to you! I LOVE your blog–love it!
Mine is broken down in two parts so it wouldn’t be crazy long. I’m excited to read everyone else’s and in a few months, yours!!
I just wanted to jump in and clarify this comment: “I can’t imagine what would have happened had my sister not been at a hospital… how long could the baby’s heart rate have stayed down without her knowing?”
It sounds like it was a scary experience for you and your sister, and I am happy everything turned out well! But I wanted to say that midwives at home births do monitor the heart regularly to check for problems, and treat (or transfer to the hospital) accordingly. While home birth midwives tend to check the heart intermittently, this is because they are using the best scientific evidence which is that intermittent monitoring is as good as continuous monitoring (and decreases risk of unnecessary interventions). Hospitals should be doing the same for low-risk women, and the good ones do (although if you are on Pitocin or have an epidural, which pose greater risks to the baby, you will be monitored continuously – but as those are not used at home births, they are not considerations here).
I step in to clarify only because I think there’s a perception that if you choose a home birth, you are choosing no medical intervention or monitoring at all, and never go to the hospital for any reason – when in fact, home birth midwives bring lots of equipment for monitoring and treatment to the home, and transfer if there are signs of problems. It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition.
Good for you!!! All that really matter is having a healthy mom and baby. I completely agree. I was one who ended up having an emergency C-section while I was put unconscious. I got sick of hearing, “Oh- you must be so disappointed.” or “Oh- it must be hard to have those regrets.” One person even told me, “Oh- you had a C-section? That doesn’t count- you cheated.” Excuse me?! I’m a mommy and I have a healthy baby and I LOVE it! I think you have a very healthy perspective on it!
I’ve written up all my birthing stories and put links in one post for them all. Put that post into your linky thing.
I have collected over 200 Hypnobabies Birth Stories at http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com There are also some good videos there too.
I agree The Baby Story show is a bit too dramatic!
It sounds like you have an open attitude towards your birth, which is great! Birth is unpredictable, it is important to prepare and know what you want. But it is just as important to stay flexible during the birth and go with what you feel best at the moment!
Great idea.
Heres to reading some amazing stories. Have left my URL so feel free to check mine out : )
I have collected over 200 Hypnobabies Birth Stories at http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com There are also some good videos there too.
I agree The Baby Story show is a bit too dramatic!
It sounds like you have an open attitude towards your birth, which is great! Birth is unpredictable, it is important to prepare and know what you want. But it is just as important to stay flexible during the birth and go with what you feel best at the moment!
Congratulations to you! I LOVE your blog–love it!
Mine is broken down in two parts so it wouldn’t be crazy long. I’m excited to read everyone else’s and in a few months, yours!!
It’s been awhile since I checked your blog, so I’m excited to hear that you are pregnant and doing well.
I too had narcoleptic tendencies and felt sickly all the time without throwing up. For me, that feeling passed, so I hope it passes for you.
I hate to tell you this, but the amount of unsolicited advice you get is only going to get worse. People just have no filter when it comes to telling you how to birth and raise your child.
Take care, I look forward to fallowing your journey!
You’ve already read mine 🙂 but I thought I’d share it anyway! Labor is crazy, and I didn’t even know if I really was IN labor… I took a class with a lamaze instructor and they told me to wait to go to the hospital until my contractions were “4-1-1” Four minutes apart, lasting for one minute, for at least one hour.. And that saturday the contractions weren’t really going that way! I would have some that were eight minutes apart, then twenty, then four mins etc. So I thought I was just having braxton hicks! So I had been laboring at home all day and then I finally told Sky to take me down to provo from Salem to spend some time at my friends house just in case it was the real deal (I was delivering in provo so I wanted to be close to the hospital). I hung out there until about eight thirty or so and then I was like “what the heck, I’ll just go in and have them check me just in case, but I’ll be embarrassed if they send me home!” And when I got there I was already at a 6 and my water broke! So after a long story and a longer post then I intended, even though labor is still far in the future, —-don’t feel silly going in and having them check you! It could be the real thing, and you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you can’t get help!
Yeah, I totally didn’t mean to write so much! Whoops!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!!!! I totally agree with you, no single birth plan is right for everyone, do what makes you feel comfortable! Good luck and I hope the morning sickness passed quickly…if not, ask for Zofran–it was my best friend during my 2nd pregnancy.
I loved ready birth stories before I had Baby Belle. I added my story but it is more about the run up to labour then the actual labour…hope that’s ok 🙂