Those are all the quick tags that it would let me pull from last week's check in, I'll see if I can compile a list of everyone that participated so I can tag everyone each week.
If it is your first time-intro yourself How many weeks are you? How are you feeling? What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered?
Post by grapefruits on Feb 16, 2015 0:58:39 GMT -5
I'm 26 weeks. Feeling great so far.
This week is a big one for us! This morning (Monday) we are interviewing the first of three potential doulas. Then in the afternoon we have our first hypnobirthing class. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are meeting with the midwives to see if we're good candidates for their practice and the birthing center (FX!). On Wednesday we're interviewing the remaining two doulas, and then we'll decide which one we want to go with. On Friday we have the tour of the birthing center and hospital. Assuming we're good candidates for the midwives and birthing center, we'll decide at the end of this week whether want to switch from our current OB and hospital to them. Wish us luck!
Post by Starbuck128 on Feb 16, 2015 1:55:45 GMT -5
30 weeks
I can't breathe without coughing, but pregnancy wise I'm great.
Not much. I did rewatch TBoBB last week. I'm disappointed it's not on Hulu or Netflix anymore, but I found it on YouTube. Seeing those births really inspired me last time, and they did again this time. But holy cow, that movie is more offensive than I remembered.
I'm curious if other STM+ moms realized what stage of labor they were in when they were in labor. I'm familiar with the stages and the signs, but I had no clue where I was in labor. Looking back I still have no idea when transition started.
Post by queenrichie on Feb 16, 2015 3:25:59 GMT -5
I'm 27 weeks and 3 days. Other than the heartburn and the sore ribs, I'm doing good. I'm very excited to go the med free route. Physically, I have been doing prenatal yoga and I recently started doing squats/lunges. Mentally, I have been watching birthing videos, med free videos, and I watched all of the "business of being born" on my Apple TV. I have been doing some reading online and I want to get some books to read as well. My doula has been meeting with me and going over tips and prepping me for labour.
I am interested in understanding the topic: Orgasmic Birth. This sounds SO crazy to me and I would like to understand it better.
Feeling frustrated that in the huge city I live in I cant find a Bradley Method course that is confirmed to start in time for me to complete all 12 weeks prior to my EDD.
Otherwise I'm great. Some unexplained insomnia, nothing hurts or aches, LO isn't kicking or going nuts so I cant blame him......grrr. I fell asleep 3 houra ago and now I'm wide awake!!!
Thankful for this thread. Had never thought about AROM. I need to read up on that, but I think I would prefer to let nature take its course. Curious to know why Dr's do intervene to rupture the membrane if it seems there are so many benefits to NOT intervening.
Post by fikmama1986 on Feb 16, 2015 6:50:11 GMT -5
How many weeks are you? 26 weeks 3 days
How are you feeling? I feel good for most of the time. I don't really sleep worth a darn and kiddo's kicks keep getting stronger and placed in more interesting areas!
What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? Still a bit overwhelmed but I've checked out Natural Hospital Birth from the library and got started. I got the birth partner book for my husband and miracle of miracles...he's cracked the book open!
QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? I'm interested in learning a bit more about pros and cons of different natural birth methods like Bradley vs Lamaaze, etc. What were the most effective components from each?
Post by copilot2012 on Feb 16, 2015 8:01:31 GMT -5
Intro:
Ftm, 28 weeks, baby girl.
We've hired a doula that we bonded with right away. My outlook on med free is, why not my mom did, my sister did, why wouldn't I? Of course I know it's more difficult than that but, that where we began. DH is very on board.
I'm feeling great, no complaints.
I read the recommended Bradley books and breast feeding book but they were torture to get through for me, and I love to read. We will meet with our doula in March for some prenatal lessons. When I get a BH I try to practice my relaxation one muscle at a time but it usually ends fairly quickly, so not a lot of help.
I'm interested in exercises others were recommended to prepare ie: squats, lunges, hip swirls on a birth ball
How are you feeling? Generally ok. My ribs are starting to hurt like they are being pulled out wards. Can't get comfy to sleep as both hips hurt and it takes forever rolling over and getting pillows positioned just right again.
What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? I've been reading my way through the book recommendations that were on last weeks check in. Also watched TBOBB too. It has sent me off watching lots of other birth stories, currently working my way through episodes of One born every minute. Pointing out to DH things that happen that I want to avoid or things that are making me more determined to go med free. He is still refusing to watch any though!
QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? STM+ Was there a point during labour that you really thought you couldn't go med free and wanted to give up? How did you get through it?
I can't breathe without coughing, but pregnancy wise I'm great.
Not much. I did rewatch TBoBB last week. I'm disappointed it's not on Hulu or Netflix anymore, but I found it on YouTube. Seeing those births really inspired me last time, and they did again this time. But holy cow, that movie is more offensive than I remembered.
I'm curious if other STM+ moms realized what stage of labor they were in when they were in labor. I'm familiar with the stages and the signs, but I had no clue where I was in labor. Looking back I still have no idea when transition started.
with DD1 I'd say that transition was less pronounced, but I was in my zone.
With DD2 I definitely had a transition phase and was thinking , if this keeps up I'm going to have to go to the hospital this baby is NEVER coming out. lol
Post by hotcoconuts82 on Feb 16, 2015 9:50:22 GMT -5
How many weeks are you? 27 weeks How are you feeling? like my pelvis has been shattered What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? Going to a doula meet and greet on Friday QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? Good tips for laboring in bed if you end up getting stuck in the hospital bed for whatever reason.
QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? STM+ Was there a point during labour that you really thought you couldn't go med free and wanted to give up? How did you get through it?
It was about the half way point, where the I started to psych myself out and the contractions were over powering me. I ended up getting the epi. I wish I had a crystal ball and new I only had 3 more hours! This time, I am preparing my dh and hopefully with have a doula to talk me off the ledge and get me back on track this time.
How are you feeling? Good! The normal sleeping, heartburn, etc issues but nothing major. Emotional over the dumbest things.
What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? I just ordered the Bradley book. I finished the Birth Partner and found it really interesting/helpful. Now DH gets to read the stuff I marked, though I might wait a little while. He's super forgetful so I think closer to the birth might be better.
Question: One thing that my doula mentioned and now I read about in the Birth Partner is perineal massage. I'm interested because the thought of an episiotomy freaks me out. Has anyone tried it/plans to try/read about it? Thoughts? I think the Birth Partner recommends doing it 4-6 weeks before your due date.
QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? STM+ Was there a point during labour that you really thought you couldn't go med free and wanted to give up? How did you get through it?
I hit "the wall," as I believe it was viola mentioned, immediately before I started pushing. I had a very, very long labor that kept stalling for various reasons. At this point I had been stuck at 9.5 cm for almost a couple of hours waiting for swelling to do down so my MW could continue to manually slip the last bit of cervix out of the way. I was exhausted an mentally drained.
I was at home, so my big question was whether or not to give up and go to the hospital. I figured once I hit 10 cm, I was stuck at home unless something out of my control made us call 911. I mentally went through all of my options and came up with a plan, with the goal of stopping the contractions and having a healthy baby. I won't go into details, because it was a crazy plan even though it seemed logical at the time. I was at over 40 hours of no sleep and single digit hours of sleep the 2 days before that. I was a little crazy. Once I made my decision, my body started pushing seconds later, like it had gotten the message and was going to get this baby out now!
Basically my decision meant I completely surrendered to the labor process, that I accepted it was all out of my control. I had to be willing to die, and it wasn't a point I could have artificially made myself reach. I had to really, truly mean it. If I could have, I sure as heck would have reached it before 80 hours of labor.
We interviewed 3 doulas last week and picked one over the weekend! I have started reading all the stories on birth without fear. And really started mentally preparing for DD to not be the "baby" anymore. It's been emotional, which is hard for me. I am not a cryer, so letting myself get emotional is tough. I think it will be good practice for vocalizing during labor though.
We are also going to sign up for a one day clasd with the doula. It's in 2 weeks!
As far as topics, I just want it all. So I will take in whatever everyone wants to talk about.
Hey everyone! 26 weeks today and only four more until I get my placenta rechecked to confirm if I can have a birth center delivery or not. I'm very excited realizing this.
This week is a big one for us! This morning (Monday) we are interviewing the first of three potential doulas. Then in the afternoon we have our first hypnobirthing class. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are meeting with the midwives to see if we're good candidates for their practice and the birthing center (FX!). On Wednesday we're interviewing the remaining two doulas, and then we'll decide which one we want to go with. On Friday we have the tour of the birthing center and hospital. Assuming we're good candidates for the midwives and birthing center, we'll decide at the end of this week whether want to switch from our current OB and hospital to them. Wish us luck!
Good luck with all of that! Big week. Keep me posted
I can't breathe without coughing, but pregnancy wise I'm great.
Not much. I did rewatch TBoBB last week. I'm disappointed it's not on Hulu or Netflix anymore, but I found it on YouTube. Seeing those births really inspired me last time, and they did again this time. But holy cow, that movie is more offensive than I remembered.
I'm curious if other STM+ moms realized what stage of labor they were in when they were in labor. I'm familiar with the stages and the signs, but I had no clue where I was in labor. Looking back I still have no idea when transition started.
I'm rewatching it bit by bit over the past week (on you tube as well). I forget a lot of it.
I recognized transition more in my first birth than my 2nd. There was a definite shift where it got super intense and i was like "WTH is happening?!". With my 2nd, it sort of all blended and the next recognizable feeling was that "Pushy" sensation where my body started to bear down/push on its own and I knew I must be pretty close to 10.
I'm 27 weeks and 3 days. Other than the heartburn and the sore ribs, I'm doing good. I'm very excited to go the med free route. Physically, I have been doing prenatal yoga and I recently started doing squats/lunges. Mentally, I have been watching birthing videos, med free videos, and I watched all of the "business of being born" on my Apple TV. I have been doing some reading online and I want to get some books to read as well. My doula has been meeting with me and going over tips and prepping me for labour.
I am interested in understanding the topic: Orgasmic Birth. This sounds SO crazy to me and I would like to understand it better.
I keep waiting to have a big O in labor- yeah that hasn't happened for me yet
I believe there are actually some you tube videos discussing it.
26 weeks, feeling pretty good, the kid's rocking and rolling all day long and I'm like super hungry all the time, but other than that good. DD is sick right now with a fever so DH is hanging out upstairs with her while DS and I are downstairs. The last time she was really sick DS was only 2 weeks old and I had to stay away then too. I hate being away from her while she's sick. Especially since chances are she already infected me before her symptoms showed.
Topics I'd like to discuss: Hypnobirthing - anyone tried it? Thoughts??
robotpcr FWIW with the perineal massage, I did it with DD and got a 2nd degree tear. Didn't do it with DS and no tearing at all. I think spontaneous pushing and baby position have more to do with tearing than anything else. I'm skipping it this time around again. Episiotomy shouldn't have anything to do with peri massage, it's more OB preference/practice (in which case I would run from the OB), or getting the baby out quickly in an emergency situation.
ETA and to piggy back off the spontaneous pushing thing, with DS I was pushing on my side (unbeknownst to the hospital team) for about an hour before they saw I was pushing and flipped me on my back to finish up. Lying on your side takes pressure off your perineum. I only pushed on my back for about 10 mins.
Feeling frustrated that in the huge city I live in I cant find a Bradley Method course that is confirmed to start in time for me to complete all 12 weeks prior to my EDD.
Otherwise I'm great. Some unexplained insomnia, nothing hurts or aches, LO isn't kicking or going nuts so I cant blame him......grrr. I fell asleep 3 houra ago and now I'm wide awake!!!
Thankful for this thread. Had never thought about AROM. I need to read up on that, but I think I would prefer to let nature take its course. Curious to know why Dr's do intervene to rupture the membrane if it seems there are so many benefits to NOT intervening.
I'm sure this will come up in our group discussion but I think dr's do it to try to get things moving along- it can intensify contractions.
How are you feeling? I feel good for most of the time. I don't really sleep worth a darn and kiddo's kicks keep getting stronger and placed in more interesting areas!
What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? Still a bit overwhelmed but I've checked out Natural Hospital Birth from the library and got started. I got the birth partner book for my husband and miracle of miracles...he's cracked the book open!
QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? I'm interested in learning a bit more about pros and cons of different natural birth methods like Bradley vs Lamaaze, etc. What were the most effective components from each?
I didn't do a specific method like Hypnobirth or Bradley etc. It was sort of a combination of focused breathing, visualization, one contraction at a time mentality. I tried to rest as much as I could between contractions even if I only had a couple minutes. Physical things that helped were position- I always wanted to be leaning forward (like resting against a wall or my husband/doula). The contractions laying in bed were the hardest for me. Someone squeezing my hips was ah-mazing!
We've hired a doula that we bonded with right away. My outlook on med free is, why not my mom did, my sister did, why wouldn't I? Of course I know it's more difficult than that but, that where we began. DH is very on board.
I'm feeling great, no complaints.
I read the recommended Bradley books and breast feeding book but they were torture to get through for me, and I love to read. We will meet with our doula in March for some prenatal lessons. When I get a BH I try to practice my relaxation one muscle at a time but it usually ends fairly quickly, so not a lot of help.
I'm interested in exercises others were recommended to prepare ie: squats, lunges, hip swirls on a birth ball
I can't remember doing anything really specific to prepare for labor exercise wise except for walking (a couple miles maybe 4 times a week) and sitting on the exercise ball a lot towards my due date. I did pre-natal pilates a handful of times with my 1st 2 pregnancies.
This time around I am more active- doing Zumba 2-3 times a week and on my "off days" I try to do a video workout (cardio, yoga etc)
How many weeks are you? 28 weeks tomorrow, holy cow 3rd tri! How are you feeling?pretty good, my hips have been a little more sore, some heartburn, lots of movement and with that RLP What are you currently working on for your prep towards going Med-free? I am reading Ina May Gaskin's guide to childbirth and am about to start Natural Childbirth the bradley way QOTW: what is one topic you would like to see covered? Waterbirth, pros/cons
Also if you have never checked out Crowned Photography do it! She has some beautiful beautiful birth videos on there, my girls love to watch them as well because they are totally modest and it allows them to see birth and labor without ALL of the details
This week is a big one for us! This morning (Monday) we are interviewing the first of three potential doulas. Then in the afternoon we have our first hypnobirthing class. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are meeting with the midwives to see if we're good candidates for their practice and the birthing center (FX!). On Wednesday we're interviewing the remaining two doulas, and then we'll decide which one we want to go with. On Friday we have the tour of the birthing center and hospital. Assuming we're good candidates for the midwives and birthing center, we'll decide at the end of this week whether want to switch from our current OB and hospital to them. Wish us luck!
you have a full week of birth related things! So exciting! Keep us updated
HI! I missed last weeks check in because I was on a road trip, I always thought that I would take the meds if I ever had a child but after watching The Buisness of Being Born my entire outlook changed. I also learned my mother had gone without meds and so decided, if she could do it then I certainly can!
How many Weeks: 27
How are you Feeling: Really good, it's getting a little more uncomfortable to do things (and fit in pants) but with the exception of some scary neurological symptoms in the first trimester I feel great. I have struggled with a little constipation and remembering to take my prenatal vitamins along the way however.
Prep for going med-free: Mostly just mentally, I try and strech when I can and am planning on reading The BIrth Partner once DH finishes it, I haven't taken any classes yet, I don't know if I'm going to. Money is definitely an issue for us, I am a student and we are both servers, we have very little family in the area to help us. I am strangely confident and believe in myself and have always been very good at trusting myself so I am not too worried.
QOTW What would you like to see covered: Favorite at home remedies for various problems, today I blended some cucumber with honey to see if it helps my constipation. I went to a pediatric massage workshop yesterday to learn how to help children with various ailments.
FWIW, I think really mentally committing to wanting to go med free is a huge first step. I Personally, i think you have to really want it and have a great support system (especially partner)- sounds like you have both!!
I can't breathe without coughing, but pregnancy wise I'm great.
Not much. I did rewatch TBoBB last week. I'm disappointed it's not on Hulu or Netflix anymore, but I found it on YouTube. Seeing those births really inspired me last time, and they did again this time. But holy cow, that movie is more offensive than I remembered.
I'm curious if other STM+ moms realized what stage of labor they were in when they were in labor. I'm familiar with the stages and the signs, but I had no clue where I was in labor. Looking back I still have no idea when transition started.
ugh I hope you and DS are feeling better soon.
I've only watched TBoBB once and while it is biased what did you find more offensive than you remembered?
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