Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[divergrrl]

BOBO: I have a VERY important post for you.

I''ve been induced twice, both times went well. I got my epidural at 2cm, refreshed at 10cm, didn''t think the pitocin made my contractions bad at all. Having my water broken made my contractions hurt like a mutha...but I got my epidural lickety split after that and then made this noise "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh".

HOWEVER...

Both times I was "ready" to go. With Jake I wasn''t dilated, but I was having contrax 3 mins apart so they couldn''t do the cervical ripening agent. (thank GOD)

With Delaney, I was dilated 2cm & effaced 85%, so I was ripe & had a good Bishops Score. (Dani, our resident L&D nurse can chime in on Bishop''s scores & why a high one is good).

Here''s where I am going to get all up in your grill (for your own safety).

DO NOT LET THEM RIPEN YOUR CERVIX WITH CYTOTEC OR MISOPROSTAL (same thing...drug name/brandname). It is NOT a L&D drug, it is an ulcer drug. It can cause HORRIBLE uterine contractions, raises your risk of uterine rupture & having a bad outcome on your induction. It is banned in many hospitals (including Dani''s for the last 8 years). I almost had it with Jake, but since i was in labor, they couldn''t give it to me. Imagine my shock when I learned about it later.

Just type CYTOTEC or MISOPROSTAL into your search engine. Bad bad stuff.

You have other choices if you need to have your cervix ripened....cervidil or prepadil.

If you do nothing else tonight...print off a sheet of paper (if you don''t have a birth plan) that says in big bold letters "I refuse Cytotec or Misoprostal under ANY circumstance". They have other options, do not let them bully you.

I don''t mean to scare you, and I apologize if I am, but sweetie....I just want you to have a good labor.

REFUSE IT. You have the right. No one can do anything to you that you don''t want. Don''t let your doctor tell you it''s ok...because it is not. I''m normally not a fanatic about stuff, but you need to know this.

If you aren''t overdue, or having other problems, would you consider waiting until you dilate a little before getting induced? I was impatient too, hence my inductions, but after my near miss with the miso in my induction with #1, I didn''t ask for the induction until I knew I was ready enough not to need cervical ripeners.

On the bright side.....the other ones are ok...

 

[sasa]

divergrrl,
thank you so much for the information, I will write it down and also let my husband know to make sure I don''t get those drugs.
according to my OB I''m 1 cm dilated and cervix is soft so I don''t know if that makes a difference. but it''s been like that for past three weeks and I think that is why she decide to induce me. My due date was 2/6/08.

 

[snlee]

bobo, good luck tomorrow. I wish you a speedy and easy birth!

 

[Jas12]

Bobo--best of luck tomorrow!! Everything will go well and you''ll be an amazing mom (i think we all have/had doubts, it''s only human)--just think, soon you will have that little one in your arms!!!! I am so excited for you!


I have read the same thing about those drugs Diver mentioned. I think women and their partners must be their own advocates--many procedures are performed and drugs are administered for reasons that have nothing to do with the best interests of a birthing mother. If in doubt, ask questions--it''s your experience and your health.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Bobo - good luck! Can''t wait to see baby pics!

 

[sasa]

Thank you snlee, Jas12 & LitigatorChick.

off to pack for the hospital and going to my mothers house first to get some hug and kisses and then off to the hospital...

 

[msb700]

bobo, thinking of you today and wishing you a safe and easy L&D....ur gonna be a great mom

 

[TravelingGal]

Good luck Bobo! You''ll do great!

 

[jas]

I''ll be sending lots of positive vibes for an easy delivery and a joyous meeting with your baby today!

 

[Jas12]

Yay, there will be a new babe to welcome to PS today.

Bobo--if you check this site after the birth let us know how it all went and of course a little pic would be nice

.......


How was everyone''s weekend? Nothing much new to report here. I was in bed by 9:30 last night which is the ealiest i''ve gone to bed since, i dunno, I was 12

I didn''t even do much yesterday (stood on a cold ski hill to coach- but wasn''t very active)--I think I am kinda pathetic now. I said to DH, "I guess I am really pregnant now", to which he replied "um, ya, I think 8 months along qualifies as really pregnant" hehe, sinking in a bit late....

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Bobo, I am late (I was out of town) but I was induced and it was fine. I seriously would probably STILL be preggo. I was nothing (cervix was closed when I went in). My labor was only 8.5 hours and my complications had nothing to do with induction. Actually it was good b/c Tessa probably would have gotten sick if we waited much longer. Sometimes you need some medical intervention So good luck. I can''t wait to hear about your new little one!!!

 

[LitigatorChick]

So, Tacori, how was the trip??? The flight???

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Okay we are back!

So tired! Flying with her was tough. We had SO much stuff and it was a pain. She actually got patted down in security (b/c DH beeped when he went through from his belt). Got a smile out of the guard though. But people are very friendly (people even offered to help us with our bags) and the guards will help if you are traveling alone. One the way there she was pretty good. Nursed on take off and only cried a little (maybe 10 mins per flight) until she settled down and fell asleep. Her ears did not seem bothered at all. Then on the first flight on the way home she was PERFECT. Not a peep. She nursed and then passed out. It was an early flight and she is a night owl/late sleeper so I expected her to be pretty tired. The last flight....

HORRIBLE! She wouldn''t nurse (which is strange for her) She was SCREAMING. Not crying, not whining, SCREAMING. Luckily the couple across the aisle had a five month old (16 lber!) so she was VERY nice about it. Told me not to worry about it and even commented on how beautiful she was (and who looks good screaming?!? haha) We were at out wits end. Tried everything, swaddle, paci, feeding, playing, rocking...she was so angry. It was a 2 hour flight and she probably cried on and off for half of it. She would calm down and fall asleep for 15 mins then wake up crying, etc...it was so stressful. Finally she ate some ready made formula I had (she would NOT nurse so I am so glad I had a backup) but it felt like a VERY long flight. DH never wants to fly with her again

So yeah, we had "that baby." She had two poops on the plane so we were thinking maybe she had gas pain. We got a lot of strangers telling us "we''ve been there too. Don''t worry." Oh well, we are home now! She is cooing and smiling next to me and she was a good baby while we were there. It was an important trip b/c my great aunt has cancer and I really wanted her to meet Tessa and see her one last time. She actually had to go to the hospital while we were there. But she loved meeting her and I know Tessa brought a smile to her face. Oh while we were there Tessa had her first babysitter. It was an adult so I trusted her (and she was SO in love with Tessa) But it was strange leaving her with a "stranger" (to me anyways). I missed her but am glad the first time is over.

Hope all the mommies are feeling good. I totally remember how hard it was to pee in a cup when I couldn''t SEE where I was aiming! Don''t worry all the back pain/hip pain/etc will go away. My thigh actually was numb (uterus pinched a nerve) but it is normal again.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 2/11/2008 11:25:15 AM
Author: LitigatorChick
So, Tacori, how was the trip??? The flight???

See above. Still a little shell shocked from the last flight. Your little man is adorable by the way.

 

[jas]

Hi all -- I hope everyone who is in this frigid weather is staying warm. Today is a balmy TWO degrees. At least it''s a dry heat.

I''m very excited for my first prenatal dr. visit today...I hate that it''s at three...such a wait and I''m sure by that time in the day they will be backed up...and I just want to get this rolling already!

I''m eight weeks as of yesterday and I feel my tummy is pooching a little already. Of course that could be due to the steak dinner we had yesterday. We spent most of the weekend celebrating my brother''s engagement and helping the happy couple look for locations and wedding gowns. My FSIL has one of those perfect bodies that pretty much every dress she tried on made her look even more gorgeous. It was so much fun...like playing dress up on a real-life Barbie. Good thing she is just the most lovely person as well or I''d have to hate her.

It was fun thinking about the fact that I will have a 10 month old baby by the time they get married! So weird!

I guess I''ll have more to report later. Wish me luck peeing in the cup!

 

[jas]

Yea Tacori! You survived! Rock on!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Oh, Tacori! You survived!!! Congratulations on the trip - one under the belt!

 

[mrssalvo]

tacori, i'm glad all in all you had a good trip, although traveling with an infant is just hard even if you're driving b/c you've got to take so much stuff it seems. it will get a bit easier the older she gets too.

jas- good luck today. i hope they do the ultrasound for you so you can see your little bean and see the heartbeat. can't wait for the update later today!!

bobo, i know you're already at the hospital but know we're thinking of you today.

I have my 32 week appt. tomorrow...counting down and can't wait for the boy to be here!! lots of hip/leg pain but know that it will all be back to normal soon enough.

 

[TravelingGal]

Tacori, glad you are back! It sounds for the MOST part it went well...and the rest seemed like it went "normal" for babies. Hee hee. Glad people were so understanding. I think the majority of folks, even those without kids, are totally understanding of crying babies on planes.

Jas, 9:30? That's not early! My first trimester I was going to bed at 6 or 7!!!!

Jackie, have fun peeing in the cup. As Tacori says, enjoy it now...at my last appointment, I was shootin' with a blindfold!

Hip pain...yeah...last night I REALLY woke up feeling it. I always sleep on my right (pre pregnancy it was on my back with my right ear down on the pillow) because I am deaf in my left year and want to shut out TGuy's snoring. It's been a lifelong thing and I cannot sleep if my "good" ear is exposed. So my right hip is bearing the brunt of the pain.

And speaking of sleeping on your side, we went to lamaze boot camp this weekend and the only thing that TGuy seemed to take from it is that I should be sleeping on my side (I still end up on my back.) At 4 am this morning, I feel him gently rubbing my arm and when I look over at him, he said, "Honey, roll over." He's all paranoid now of me being on my back! Gee thanks...how about being as concerned about my back pain and giving me a massage!

The class itself was meh. Not much I already haven't researched to death. I was amazed though at how many women were absolutely terrifed of childbirth. A couple of things I found about the hospital....if they give you an epidural, they will 99.9 percent of the time give you pitocin. Also, an IV is given within the first half hour when you check in, and it's pretty much policy. I'm *thinking* about trying it natural and don't like the idea of being tied to an IV. I told TGuy that we'll labor for as long as we can at home and play it by ear. As I've said before, I'm not opposed at all to help and intervention, but also feel like I should be given a chance to try it the way I'd like.

For those of us who are nearing the end...hopefully the babies will start turning the way they need to be. I'd definitely encourage getting on all hands and knees and doing that rocking thing...you want the baby not to be sunny side up!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 2/11/2008 11:55:22 AM
Author: TravelingGal
Tacori, glad you are back! It sounds for the MOST part it went well...and the rest seemed like it went ''normal'' for babies. Hee hee. Glad people were so understanding. I think the majority of folks, even those without kids, are totally understanding of crying babies on planes.

Jas, 9:30? That''s not early! My first trimester I was going to bed at 6 or 7!!!!

Jackie, have fun peeing in the cup. As Tacori says, enjoy it now...at my last appointment, I was shootin'' with a blindfold!

Hip pain...yeah...last night I REALLY woke up feeling it. I always sleep on my right (pre pregnancy it was on my back with my right ear down on the pillow) because I am deaf in my left year and want to shut out TGuy''s snoring. It''s been a lifelong thing and I cannot sleep if my ''good'' ear is exposed. So my right hip is bearing the brunt of the pain.

And speaking of sleeping on your side, we went to lamaze boot camp this weekend and the only thing that TGuy seemed to take from it is that I should be sleeping on my side (I still end up on my back.) At 4 am this morning, I feel him gently rubbing my arm and when I look over at him, he said, ''Honey, roll over.'' He''s all paranoid now of me being on my back! Gee thanks...how about being as concerned about my back pain and giving me a massage!

The class itself was meh. Not much I already haven''t researched to death. I was amazed though at how many women were absolutely terrifed of childbirth. A couple of things I found about the hospital....if they give you an epidural, they will 99.9 percent of the time give you pitocin. Also, an IV is given within the first half hour when you check in, and it''s pretty much policy. I''m *thinking* about trying it natural and don''t like the idea of being tied to an IV. I told TGuy that we''ll labor for as long as we can at home and play it by ear. As I''ve said before, I''m not opposed at all to help and intervention, but also feel like I should be given a chance to try it the way I''d like.

For those of us who are nearing the end...hopefully the babies will start turning the way they need to be. I''d definitely encourage getting on all hands and knees and doing that rocking thing...you want the baby not to be sunny side up!

That is ridiculous! Why would you need an iv in every single case!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/11/2008 12:16:00 PM
Author: LitigatorChick

That is ridiculous! Why would you need an iv in every single case!

That''s what I was thinking. They said in this community (or at least those that give birth at the hospital), 85% get an epidural. Most docs and nurses will push it too. Since 85% is an overwhelming majority, that''s how they figure everyone will do it and give you the IV in prep as epidurals can lower blood pressure.

They don''t even do heplocks at my hospital.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 2/11/2008 12:27:19 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 2/11/2008 12:16:00 PM
Author: LitigatorChick

That is ridiculous! Why would you need an iv in every single case!

That''s what I was thinking. They said in this community (or at least those that give birth at the hospital), 85% get an epidural. Most docs and nurses will push it too. Since 85% is an overwhelming majority, that''s how they figure everyone will do it and give you the IV in prep as epidurals can lower blood pressure.

They don''t even do heplocks at my hospital.

All I can say is wow....

 

[Kaleigh]

Yay Tacori you survived!! Sounds like it was pretty typical flying with a baby. I always try to help those traveling with babies, or at least look over and say I have been there too. Sometimes that''s all they need to hear. Glad you''re back!!

Jas good luck at your appointment today.

Bobo, I hope all is going well. I can''t wait till you check in with us in the next day or so.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I guess I have a different view on things b/c I would NEVER willingly have a natural birth but if that is something that is important to you just stay strong. IVs are not a big deal to me and my hospital does the same thing. If there is not enough time to IV a woman she will be denied an epi (if she changes her mind).

Lisa, yes we did get some dirty looks but for the most part people were very understanding.

Thanks for all the nice comments about Tessa. DH and I always have that conversation where we wonder if our baby is beautiful or only beautiful b/c she is ours. She does get a lot of attention when we are out.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 2/11/2008 1:02:33 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I guess I have a different view on things b/c I would NEVER willingly have a natural birth but if that is something that is important to you just stay strong. IVs are not a big deal to me and my hospital does the same thing. If there is not enough time to IV a woman she will be denied an epi (if she changes her mind).

Lisa, yes we did get some dirty looks but for the most part people were very understanding.

Thanks for all the nice comments about Tessa. DH and I always have that conversation where we wonder if our baby is beautiful or only beautiful b/c she is ours. She does get a lot of attention when we are out.

I know everyone says that their baby is beautiful, but mine REALLY is!! He is such a heartbreaker. Yesterday at the mall, he was trying on Rayban shades, and flirting so much with everyone in the store. My nanny always talks about how people fuss over how cute he is - she loves it too!!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Tacori, I think most women would agree with you, and I can understand why. After all, why give birth on a bed of nails vs on a downy comforter? Personally for me, I am always amazed at the power of the body and the mind. I mean, why run 26.2 miles...why not just drive it? Yet every year, 100''s of 1000''s of people train for marathons to see how far they can go. I was one of those nutters. And even moreso, after I swore I would not do it again (my first marathon was in 92 degree heat, unbeknownst to me), I forgot about the pain and did it again two years later...that time to much more enjoyable results.

I''m not granola, as I''ve said before. I''m just really curious...and have no problem if that curiosity gets satisified early and I am no longer curious. But I do take some kind of weird perverse pleasure in seeing what my body can bear...because I assure you, running 26 miles is NOT natural. Childbirth is.

 

[Jas12]

Tacori--way to go for surviving 2 big ''firsts'': Tavel and babysitter all in one event!!


Tgal--85% epidural rate---that is crazy high--esp. since they are not without risks and complications. My hospital doesn''t even offer them partly for that reason--same with the IV. The thing I don''t like about the IV is that it really inhibits your movement and seems so unnecessary if everything is normal--women can drink water for goodness sake!! Like you I want to try it on my own...if it''s not happening, well then, cross that bridge when I come to it.

I spoke to the midwife who delivered me this weekend (she is my mom''s 2nd cousin and she works as a regular family Dr., midwife and a homeopathic Dr.! A brilliant woman) She was so reassuring to talk to--very positive. It was really neat to hear the woman who brought me into the world--offer advice about how to have my child.
She mentioned the ''fear factor'' to me as well--stated that we don''t get many positive birth messages in our culture (mostly hear how hard and terrible it is etc.) so most women are terrified of it, she tries to get her moms to re-frame the experience as spiritual and beautiful and told me that thinking that way before hand makes for a much more pleasant birth. Doesn''t hurt to try....I''ll try anything hehe

Jas--good luck with the pee. Glad you had fun with your SIL--Dress shopping for others is a great time, no major decision making on your part.

MrsS. Another week to cross off the list! Good luck with the appoint. We (3rd tris) all have the crappy hip pain it seems--yick. Glad to hear that it does go away after.....

 

[TravelingGal]

I agree that most women do not hear positive birth stories (natural or epidural). Things I''ve heard are "stabbed with knives" and other such descriptions. I have no doubt it CAN feel like that, but it certainly doesn''t help the fear factor. But honestly, I think if you fear it, it''s going to hurt more. It''s like tensing up before you get into a car accident. There''s a reason why the relaxed, out of it drunk driver seems to manage to walk away from the accident.

Well, this was an retired RN that was teaching the class. I am not sure anyone can make you get an IV if you don''t want it. I don''t care to be a "difficult" patient, but come on...within the first 30 minutes? And the irony is all the 70''s/80''s videos she showed us demonstrating positive birth experiences did not show epidural births, and the women were NOT tied to an IV. I did ask her, how are we supposed to have a birth like that (laboring in the shower, etc) when the hospital is insistent on tying us to an IV? The only epidural they showed was for a woman was having a planned c-section. I thought it was a very poor choice in videos. If they wanted to be realistic, especially since 85% of their patients have the epi, they should have updated their videos and shown what that might be like. Strange.

 

[curlygirl]

Bobo, GOOD LUCK!!!!! I hope everything goes smoothly today!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Tacori, so glad that everything went fairly well, except for the last leg. Hey, nobody's perfect!! I found that most people on our flights were very sympathetic and willing to help if we needed it. It's nice that people realize that a baby has a mind of its own and sometimes no matter what you do, a child is going to cry or scream. At least you got it over with and also she stayed with a babysitter. Two big milestones at once!!

TGal, I love that TGuy is only concerned about you sleeping on your side!!! The things that men focus on are just amazing. I find it interesting that they told you that 99.9% of people who get epidurals at your hospital are also given pitocin. That doesn't make sense to me. My fast and furious contractions were brought on naturally and the epidural just relieved the pain, it didn't decrease their speed or intensity so I can't imagine why they would automatically give people pitocin. I was scared to death of the actual childbirth experience but I labored at home for about 4 hours, until the pain became unbearable. We hightailed it to the hospital and it was probably another hour before I got the epidural. By that point, my water had broken and I was already at 5cm. So I think it's definitely possible to labor on your own for as long as you can physically and mentally handle it. I knew my breaking point and had no qualms about getting the epidural--I was proud of myself for going as long as I did and never planned to do the whole thing unmedicated. So my only advice to you is to listen to your body. You'll know when enough is enough or if you can "power through" the pain.

jackiejas, hope your first appointment goes well! You'll get sick of the routine soon!! Pee in a cup, get weighed, blood pressure, listen to baby's heartbeat, any questions, see you next month! The best part of course is hearing the heartbeat. It may be too soon now but probably by your next appointment you'll get that pleasure and fall in love with that sound!!

I'm still hanging in there. Lily has rotavirus which SUCKS. I don't understand how she got it since she had 3 doses of the vaccine but I guess it doesn't prevent them from getting it, just lessens the severity. She probably would have been hospitalized if not for the vaccine. So we've been dealing with LOTS of diarrhea but I think she's finally getting past it. I know she picked it up at daycare because all of the kids in her class have it too. It hasn't helped my early pangs of m/s to keep changing her nasty diapers!!! I'm 7 weeks now and it's crazy that I feel completely different than the first time around but according to everything I've read, it's normal to not feel as many of the early symptoms the 2nd time. I just have severe dry mouth all the time, some minor cramping and light nausea. Mostly I feel hungry and then after I eat, I feel horrible. So I can't win. Plus I've been traveling so much for work and I don't have time to feel sick so I'm trying to just suck it up and stay tough! My first appointment and ultrasound are on the 27th. Until then, I'm kind of in a haze. It's still very surreal to me...

 

[mrssalvo]

you gals think 85% epi rate is high...here in TN it''s 99%

almost eveyone does the drugs.