Let's talk labor/delivery plans and prep

[NatashaBromanoff]

I know this stuff has been sort of covered in the birth plan threads to some extent but I was wondering what you ladies are planning to do for your labor and delivery and if there's anything you're doing to prepare. Or if you aren't doing anything and just going with the flow, let's talk about that too.

VBACs, scheduled C-sections, Natural Birth hopefuls, water births, planning on getting that sweet sweet epidural, doing spinning babies, prenatal yoga, chiropractic adjustments, etc etc. Praying eating cookies now will get you through the worst of it (this is about 75% of my strategy ngl.)

STM+ anything you learned from previous deliveries is welcome too.

[racegurl87]

I'm planning on doing med free, mostly because I know that when I have strong pain meds I get nauseated/sick. Other than that I'm not doing much to prepare. As long as she's healthy, then it's been a successful birth.

[ruemorgan]

I currently have no actual plan other than trying to educate myself the best I possibly can. I am not taking any classes, ive purchased one book, and have been using the internet for research. I am currently low risk and my attempted style is to go with the flow.

[wamom]

With my first two I went med free. It was awesome.

This time I will be opting for a late epidural and following drs orders.

[thenetwork]

I had an unmedicated birth last time. DH and I took the hospital birth class and he learned some counter pressure techniques which were helpful. The hospital I delivered at last time had a jetted tub, exercise ball, and squatting bar. My tour of the new hospital is on 2/3 so we'll have to see what I'll have access to this time.

We're not taking a class this time, but my only "birth plan" is to go with the flow and do what feels right. racegurl87 Even though I didn't have any meds last time, I was so nauseated from the pain that I was puking the whole time (although of course not everyone reacts that way). The nausea and puking actually distracted me a lot from the pain of the contractions and made the time seem to go by quicker.

My only hope for a different experience this time is that I'll push for less time. I pushed for 3.5 hours last time. I hope that part can be easier this time around.

[maddisonrose]

I'm a FTM and have no idea what really to expect once the time comes so I am mostly just reading lots of books, taking pre natal classes, and just trying to figure out what's going to work out the best for me. I am a really anxious person and the hospital/labour process really scares me so my main goal is to just try and stay calm and provide as much of a stress-free environment as possible for the baby to be born into. I am not against the epidural and am sure will most likely get it but would like to go as far as I can on my own so I can walk, take a bath, etc. I love reading birth stories and hearing everyone's experiences just to see all of the types of situations that occur

[NatashaBromanoff]

I'm doing what I can to prep for an unmedicated birth but open to meds if I don't think I can handle it. I'm also trying to accept the C-section if it comes to it, but really hoping it doesn't come to that. The end goal is a healthy baby and mom so I am going to try and roll with the punches.

I've been keeping up with kegels and perineal massage the last few weeks and started orally taking evening primrose oil per a midwife's suggestion and will be upping that as the weeks go by. It helps prep the cervix and I guess works best vaginally after 37 weeks but I don't know if I will go that far. I've also been drinking red raspberry leaf tea throughout my pregnancy, which is suppose to tone the uterus and just recently upped that to three cups a day.

Other than that I try and do squats and pelvic rocks when I can.

oh I also have some hypnobirthing tracks I listen to at night that I'm hoping to also listen to during labor. I haven't taken a class, just read a book and using the audio.

ETA: there's a jetted tub in every L&D room at the hospital I'm going to and I really want to do most of my laboring in there.

[gamora24527]

My RCS is scheduled (five weeks from today!). I have a list of things to pack for the hospital and that's pretty much all I've done in terms of concrete birth planning. I've tried to be really diligent about taking my iron supplement and eating iron rich foods because I became severely anemic after surgery last time and that REALLY sucked. I also actually have a list of my medications and allergies ready because it was a huge pain dealing with that when I got admitted to the hospital last time.

For those who are new at the having babies thing, most hospitals will ask you if you have a living will/advanced directive upon admission regardless of whether you are having a vaginal delivery or c-section. If you don't have one, you should really get one. I know no one wants to think about stuff like that at what is supposed to be a happy time, but it doesn't hurt to have a plan in place. The lawyer in me is done posting now

[meowkitten]

I'm aiming for a med-free birth with as little intervention as possible. We are taking several childbirth classes and we have an excellent midwife and hospital that really promotes med-free birth (jetted tubs, birthing balls, squatting bars, etc) so I am just hoping for a great experience! My real plan is to go with the flow and get a healthy baby at the end of it.

[luckystarz]

I know I will be induced at 39 weeks, and I'm at peace with it. I was induced with DS, and DD came on her own at 38 weeks. The only huge difference was the length of time I'm in labor. I also know that I will be getting an immediate epidural due to my pelvic injury, it came strongly recommended b/c of the extra stress birth will put on my pelvis. If the slightest thing goes wrong, I'm in for an immediate c section. I'm scared of the c section possibility only b/c of being awake, and staples I don't do well with having things removed (ie stitches, etc).

I need to finish getting my hospital bag together, hubs needs to do his, and the car situation has to be solved. My mom also needs to know the firm induction date so she can plan accordingly to get here. Back up plan is MIL can help with kids if LO decides to make her own timeline.

[empirerecords24]

Jan 23, 2015 15:02:36 GMT -5 wamom said:

With my first two I went med free. It was awesome.

This time I will be opting for a late epidural and following drs orders.

Just curious why going for the epidural this time? I'm starting to consider it, but am pretty freaked out by epis. With my first I went med free, but after a few nights of easy contractions, I'm starting to think I'm not up for it this time around.

[empirerecords24]

Personally, not a lot of prep/planning for L&D or immediately after. I read a few books with my firsts and generally found them to be.. eh? Not super helpful. I did take a class with my first (basic L&D/pain management/newborn care) and found it to be a lot of common sense, so not repeating any of that.

[wamom]

Jan 23, 2015 15:16:14 GMT -5 empirerecords24 said:

Jan 23, 2015 15:02:36 GMT -5 wamom said:

With my first two I went med free. It was awesome.

This time I will be opting for a late epidural and following drs orders.

Just curious why going for the epidural this time? I'm starting to consider it, but am pretty freaked out by epis. With my first I went med free, but after a few nights of easy contractions, I'm starting to think I'm not up for it this time around.

Because of twins. It's strongly recommended so I am going to get one but wait until it is as close to necessary as possible so I don't have to be put under general anesthesia or something incase of emergency c section for baby b for any reason.

ETA: if I could go med free 100% again I would. But I am more worried about trying to get two babies out than just one or missing the whole thing because they knock you out otherwise.

[Deleted]

I don't have a formal birth plan. I think its important to be educated and make sure your doc and whoever is in the room with you knows your wishes but I think a super detailed plan is just going to set yourself up for disappointment. My short list is hoping to go into labor on my own, getting the epidural, and making sure DH doesn't pass out - he doesn't want to see anything hold anything or cut anything.

[AleWife]

We have two more prenatal meetings with our doula. I need to start movements with Spinning Babies as well. I've read a few books but nowhere near as many as have been given me (I think friends and family dumped close to 15 on us! Ha).

Also, I plan on taking a breastfeeding class next month.

[luvsponies]

I've taken two classes and packed my labor and after bags last weekend. My birth plan is drafted in bullet form (it's pretty short because the hospital already does most of what I prefer), but I'm going to shoot for laboring on my own as much as possible, and then getting the epidural. I just don't think I can handle med-free.

The possibility of a c/s is nothing something I'm looking forward too. Hoping with everything I have that baby is head down at my appointment on Monday (was breech for awhile).

[darbie914]

As of now, my plan is to go for a VBAC and be med-free. With DD, I was pushed into getting an epidural and was so out of it that I have a lot of gaps in memory. I want to be as 'there' as possible.

Other than that, I'm not really doing much prepping aside from believing that I've got this, it will all be okay, and I'll be a happy Mama with a new squish.

[winningcolors]

We took a childbirth class, but it was really more for my H since he didn't know anything. My plan is mostly to go with the flow. I'd like to labor for as long as possible without meds, then probably get an epidural if I can't handle the pain.

[kcbizme]

Taking Birth Boot Camp which is geared toward "natural" (unmedicated) childbirth. I've been doing the pelvic exercises they suggest in class, plus we do relaxation every week too. I'm still trying to decide what I want to pack in my hospital bag (besides the awesome pants I already know I'm taking). I still want us to take the infant CPR class too. I'm pretty go with the flow, as long as they don't try to pressure me into something I don't want or need (epidural, pain meds, c-section when it's unneccessary, etc.). My plan is to labor at home as long as possible and then go to the hospital once I've labored as long as I can stand at home. We live less than 10 minutes from the hospital, so I think it's 100% feasible. Also, just trying to envision bringing home my little boy!

[skrittens]

I will be induced at or prior to 37 weeks because of high blood pressure and other medical issues. It's likely but not a forgone conclusion that I will have a c-section. I will have an epidural. This is not the labor or delivery plan I wanted at all and I am still bitter about it. I really wanted to not be induced and have a vaginal delivery - and was on the fence about an epi. But...my goal now is to be healthy enough to hold my baby after I deliver - and for the two of us to go home together. I would like to say I want to be able to breast feed immediately, have delayed cord clamping, and
not bathe him for at least 24 hours - but I don't want to set myself up for more failure.

[flmama622]

I'm planning vaginal with no epidural but possibly some kind of drug to ease the pain. I hope I progress quickly like last time, that will be the determining factor. Last time when the nurse went to check I said "If its 7 or 8, I'm good to go---if it's less than 7 I'm getting the epi". I was almost 8. :-)

[issytex03]

I have a c sec scheduled for 24th of march, 60 days!!! My only plan so is to try my best to not freak out after the terrible experience last time. Just need to remind myself that baby is completely healthy and happy it will be ok *i hope*

[drudolph11]

ruemorgan that is me to a tee lol except that we bought more than 1 book but have not actually read any of them. Sometimes when i think about it i look at my Week by Week pregnancy book at what ever week I'm currently on but that's about it lol and as far as classes go well that is a no go either and it is because they are so damn expensive and with SO and my schedule we literally can not find any that will work that we could both attend at both our office and the hospital. Although i might try to brush up on my baby cpr skills. Other then that whether we write it down or not is a different story. But as far as what i he been contemplating in my head...

I intend to go med free but will not suffer because I'm a freaking wimp with no pain tolerance lol i have briefly heard about spinning babies but need to look into this more because this little brat doesn't want to turn lol i know that we want the K shot but not the hep b shot and was just recently educated on why not getting the eye ointment is a good idea but need to research this more myself. So besides that I'm going with the premise that the nurses know what they are doing and will help me get through it safely as well as my mom who is also a nurse and will be there as well.

[kcbizme]

Jan 23, 2015 15:43:43 GMT -5 drudolph11 said:

ruemorgan that is me to a tee lol except that we bought more than 1 book but have not actually read any of them. Sometimes when i think about it i look at my Week by Week pregnancy book at what ever week I'm currently on but that's about it lol and as far as classes go well that is a no go either and it is because they are so damn expensive and with SO and my schedule we literally can not find any that will work that we could both attend at both our office and the hospital. Although i might try to brush up on my baby cpr skills. Other then that whether we write it down or not is a different story. But as far as what i he been contemplating in my head...

I intend to go med free but will not suffer because I'm a freaking wimp with no pain tolerance lol i have briefly heard about spinning babies but need to look into this more because this little brat doesn't want to turn lol i know that we want the K shot but not the hep b shot and was just recently educated on why not getting the eye ointment is a good idea but need to research this more myself. So besides that I'm going with the premise that the nurses know what they are doing and will help me get through it safely as well as my mom who is also a nurse and will be there as well.

In some states the eye ointment is required by law. Just be aware of that. I just googled it in my state.

[drudolph11]

Oh i am taking a BFing class that is scheduled 6 freaking days before my due date that is required for me to take through WIC. So i may or may not make it to the one lol although i would Def like to. I know the Mt hospital ha a lactation consultant which we met during our tour so I'm hoping to be able to rely on her for some help as well as the one at WIC who i met and is super awesomely nice.

[pinkpeony]

We just scheduled my third c/s for March 11th, my plan is to get a pedicure before then and pack my bags. We have a hospital tour planned for February since this is a new hospital for us. I will get up and walk as soon as they recommend, getting up is scary but helped the recovery process so much.

[mrsk]

I want so badly to try med free, and I would love to try a water birth but my hospital doesn't do water birth and they highly recommend the epi. I plan to get the epi just because I'm too terrified that something will go wrong and they'll have to know me out. I absolutely don't want to miss seeing my babies for the first time.
I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for many different circumstances because of the issues I've been having. FX that all goes well and i am able to do a natural birth with the epi but I'm trying to stay positive and tell myself that as long as we are all healthy and it goes ok, its not the end of the world if they have to knock me out to save babies.

[mommyofkaylin]

I'm going for a VBAC and want to go med-free as well, like darbie914. Last time, I went into L&D just a little too early into my labor. They gave me ambien, which knocked me the fuck out and I couldn't concentrate on ANYTHING. I couldn't focus or breathe through the contractions, I couldn't time the contractions, I felt so helpless. I got the epidural and slept for probably 10-12 hours, then probably every few hours after that. It was a terrible experience and one I do not want to repeat.

Also, I've read that it's becoming more common for hospitals to offer ambien to help moms relax. I highly recommend NOT TAKING IT.

[gamora24527]

Jan 23, 2015 15:16:17 GMT -5 luckystarz said:

I know I will be induced at 39 weeks, and I'm at peace with it. I was induced with DS, and DD came on her own at 38 weeks. The only huge difference was the length of time I'm in labor. I also know that I will be getting an immediate epidural due to my pelvic injury, it came strongly recommended b/c of the extra stress birth will put on my pelvis. If the slightest thing goes wrong, I'm in for an immediate c section. I'm scared of the c section possibility only b/c of being awake, and staples I don't do well with having things removed (ie stitches, etc).

I need to finish getting my hospital bag together, hubs needs to do his, and the car situation has to be solved. My mom also needs to know the firm induction date so she can plan accordingly to get here. Back up plan is MIL can help with kids if LO decides to make her own timeline.

luckystarz Just wanted to mention that I didn't have external stitches or staples with my C-Section. I had internal dissolvable stitches and glue on the outside. There was nothing to have removed and the glue fell off after a couple of weeks on its own. Hopefully, one less thing for you to worry about! 

[snarkysparklefart]

Jan 23, 2015 15:26:11 GMT -5 darbie914 said:

As of now, my plan is to go for a VBAC and be med-free. With DD, I was pushed into getting an epidural and was so out of it that I have a lot of gaps in memory. I want to be as 'there' as possible.

Other than that, I'm not really doing much prepping aside from believing that I've got this, it will all be okay, and I'll be a happy Mama with a new squish.

I'm also planning for a med free VBAC. We took the labor class last time and I definitely want to pull out the DVD and watch it again beforehand, but that's about all the prep I'm doing.

well, I'm also discussing it at every appointment. My OB Practice has 6 doctors and I want to make sure they've all heard me say VBAC as much as possible. I've only had one be an ass, and it was more because of my weight (and I wrote a formal complaint- he went too far and was inappropriate in my opinion).

the major factor in deciding whether I can VBAC or not is allegedly my growth US in early February. I will not allow myself to be bullied into scheduling because they suspect my baby will be large this time- but I am also aware of the risks and possibilities that I'll have another csection. I'm mostly trying to stay positive and realistic, and remember the bolded.