I'm actually now almost 23 weeks, but I am trying to document every other week, so here I am at 22 weeks.
I can't believe that I am going to be a mommy in about 3 1/2 months! It seems so crazy and awesome to me. We are so excited, but I have to admit that I am getting nervous...for Labor and Delivery!!! There are many options and I have always had my mind set on a "regular" delivery with an epidural. But reading about all the options makes me wonder what is the best? I know that I am the one who will ultimately make the "birth plan" along with Connel and the doc. But I still like to hear about others labor and delivery stories. As long as they are not scary and they leave out un-needed details! So, I have a question for you "experienced" women out there. What type of delivery did you have? What did you like about it? What about it did you wish was different?
And for those ladies who are pregnant with me right now...what are your plans for labor and delivery?
I know that I cannot ultimately plan for what will happen at in LandD...trust me I've heard some stories that can really freak a pregnant lady out, but it doesn't hurt to weigh the options. So, if you don't mind sharing...share away. Just please leave out the un-needed "details" if you know what I mean. :)
P.S. My feet are starting to swell!
8 comments:
I always wanted to try a water birth but didn't get to since I ended up with an emergency c-section with Xandy. If I could do Katy over again, I would've tried a waterbirth and probably tried to go without an epidural, but I had one with all of mine!! I was induced for some but Bella came on her own. It was the best experience of the 4. I would recommend not be induced with Pitocin unless absolutely necessary.
I had an epidural and loved it. I mean… getting the epidural sucked (I’m terrified of needles) but after words it was wonderful! I didn’t have any labor pains really so I think next time I might want to try without just to see what it’s like…or maybe I'll try laboring in a tub... that sounds good.. but then again I’m a wuss so I might change my mind and get the drugs again. Everyone is different and only you know what you would handle best. Yet no matter how you do it- it’s amazing.
I am all for the epidural! I had to have Andrew c-section but with Nic I was able to have a VBAC and I hope to do that again :) of course with an epidural! My anestesiologist actually said that it is good to have an epidural so that you don't hyperventilate and cause the baby to have lack of oxygen but that was also because I was having a vaginal birth after having a c-section. I don't know...some women don't feel comfortable with the epidural but really I feel like it's a lifesaver and you get to enjoy the birth more because you're not as exhausted and can sleep while you wait to dilate to a 10. There is still lots of pressure even with an epidural but that's a lot more bearable than the contractions. My labor was also harder and longer with Nic so I think I would have ran out of energy to push when it came time without the epidural. But you will be fine! It is such an amazing spiritual experience seeing your baby for the first time with your hubby there! It is the greatest and I feel like you just understand what LOVE really is...I'm so excited for you!
With Briana, I decided to try to have her naturally, but said from the beginning that if I decided it was too much pain, I'd get the epidural. I got the epidural when I was dialated to a 6 I think. I was a wuss! The anesthesiologist forgot to hook up my drip, so all I had was the original dose, which as I look back, I liked because when it was time to push it was starting to wear off a little so I could feel her there and knew when to push. The epidural was heaven though! This time, I was going to try to do naturally again, but I'll be delivering in downtown Boise so my OB already told me that if everything looks good at 39 weeks, he'll induce me so that we don't chance me going into labor in Nyssa and still having to drive an hour to the hospital (in December!) so I'll more than likely get an epidural again because I've heard when they induce that the contractions are much worse. Hopefully I didn't scare you at all! Believe me though, all the pain you go through is completely worth the end result!
Epidural all the way! I didn't feel one contraction. However, when I got the epidural, the doc hit a nerve that shot down my leg and it was numb for a few months. I will totally get one again without a doubt!
I had an epidural with all 3 and thought it was great because I couldn't feel the pain. I know some of my friends preferred to labor without an epidural because they felt they could control their body better and push better because they could feel everything. I still felt like I could push fine. *shrugs shoulders* The other benefit of not having an epidural is that you aren't restricted to a bed and can move around better but for me, I preferred laying in bed without pain vs. wandering and laboring around my room. It all stems from me being very lazy and a sissy.
I think it's sad to hear most of these women call themselves wusses and sissy's because they got the epidural. I don't think they are! You don't just get an epidural for the fun of it, you get it when you have labored for who knows how many hours and just can't take it anymore! Good for them!! Now that I'm done ranting, I'm planning on getting the epidural.
In our birthing class we learned about getting narcotics through your IV, I don't suggest it. There are more side effects to the baby (like respiratory distress) than natural or epidural. Have you been taking a birthing class at all? We LOVE ours! We have learned a ton! Good luck deciding. There are a ton of options.
I would definatly recommend not being induced unless ABSOLUTELY needed. 2 of mine were induced, I really enjoyed not being induced much better.
I actually recommend not going with an epidural. I had my first 3 with an epidural - and I will admit, it was heavenly, it took the pain away, but going natural (in my oppinion) was much better. They say that your recovery is better, you can feel to push, and you can get up right afterwards - none of which are the reason I recommend going natural. When you go natural, you are working, but not alone, you are working with your husband. He is activly helping you and you are activly asking for his help. You are a team. It is such a bonding experience and the love that you feel towards eachother is incredible - he witnessed you go through incredible pain to bring your baby into this world & you feel the support from him and are incredibly grateful to him. I have gone with an epidural, and though I was grateful for the relief, the birth experience just isn't the same. I do understand the fear of going natural, especially with your first. If you are to go natural though, you need to be solid on your decision. If you decide that you'll "try" going natural, you'll get your epidural when the first hard contractions come. If the pain isn't enough to push you over, the medical team will.
Anyway, this is just my oppinion. Whatever you decide, will be good. It is YOUR baby, YOU make the calls. And no matter what you decide, the day you meet your baby is AMAZING!!
If you didn't read mine, here it is:
http://oneilies.blogspot.com/2008/06/unassisted-home-waterbirth.html
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