Thanks for answering my newb question guys! Looks like it can be a mix of different approaches. I googled the "degrees" of tears. Shouldn't have done that haha
I actually had to go back and read DS's to remember some details... some things I've already forgotten! Definitely write your birth story down right away. It really helped me to read birth stories, so will throw in mine.
Having GD, I wasn't allowed to go past 41 weeks. They stripped my membranes at 40 weeks (with my consent, YES veggiemo they should have asked you!) as I really wanted to avoid induction, but it didn't do much. I was hardly dilated and 50% effaced. Induction was scheduled for the next week at 40w6d, I had some contractions in the days leading up but nothing major.
My induction plan was a foley bulb the evening prior followed by coming in to L&D for pitocin the next morning (so 41w). I didn't make it that long, the foley bulb was around 4pm and we went back in at 11:30 with contractions 3 min. apart. They took out the foley, it helped get me to 5-6cm dilated. I took a bath; my water broke as I was stepping in and was tinged, so I had to get back in bed, they broke it a bit more to confirm the meconium (I had my water broken 4 times, actually; it was more pockets of fluid for me than one big gush) and then I was allowed to do the tub. That helped a lot with pain management, I'm glad I did it. I got out, thinking maybe I'd be able to rest, but the contractions started coming like crazy. Like veggiemo, it was not what I expected: there was no break in between, like you read about. DH was watching the monitor and they just kept peaking. I had been trying lamaze breathing, etc. I dealt with it as long as I could until 5 a.m. and then asked to be checked, thinking maybe this was transition so I could bear it for an hour more, but I was only at 6-7cm. Not transition and so I had no clue how much longer it would go like that. I had wanted med-free but requested IV drugs at that point to take the edge off. That helped and I was able to get 1-2 minutes in between to breathe for a short while, though the meds did make me vomit.
DS's heart rate started dropping a little while later. I was able to correct it initially by switching positions but eventually it dropped significantly again and tons of people came in. I was put on oxygen, was told I'd need a c-section if it happened again and they took blood to prep me for a potential transfusion etc. The contractions were back to constant peaking again so I could barely cooperate to let them draw blood, I was just riding the waves. Thankfully transition happened quickly and I started feeling the urge to push. Dr. told me I had 10 minutes to get the baby out because of the heart rate issue, he had the vacuum and forceps ready, and it still might end up in a c-section. I distinctly remember a nurse telling another nurse "thank heaven she got the meds!" Ha. He numbed me up down there and it weirdly didn't really hurt. It was a relief to push and work with it. He did do an episiotomy, second-degree, which I didn't feel due to the numbing. (and yes, @mathism, I was numbed for the stitches) Next push head was out; DS's cord was around his neck, hence the heart rate issue, so they cut it as soon as his head was out, he wasn't even fully delivered. One more easy push and he was out and taken immediately to the NICU team. No skin-to-skin or delayed cord cutting as I'd wanted but at that point things were clearly well out of my control. I had to yell over "is he okay?!" as DH went over to the NICU table with him. He was fine. It was scarier than I expected because of the heart rate issue, but ended up fine. Apparently cords around necks are rather common.
I bf him, they stamped his feet etc., gave him a bath. I was up and walking an hour after and felt great, though exhausted from being up all night. And, ya know, labor.
One thing to think about if you wear contacts/glasses: Overnight I had my contacts out and I had my glasses off because of the oxygen mask. I couldn't see a DAMN thing while laboring, nor immediately after. That honestly pissed me off, I couldn't even SEE my baby after I delivered! I'm figuring out that shit ahead of time this time and DH will know to give me my glasses if my contacts are out when I start pushing.
Okay maybe a dumb question-but if you have tears that they need to stitch up and you don't have meds for birth-do they numb the area before stitching?!
I had an epidural that sucked balls and didn't really work. My OB numbed with Lidocaine before stitching and never asked, just did. I was very happy to have the lidocaine! If you want to be numbed, just ask!
veggiemo, did you deliver in the big university hospital in town or the small private hospital with the fancier maternity wing?
DS1 was born at the former, before they opened the new women's and children's hospital.
The smaller hospital. Overall I would say it was a good experience and I'm happy to be going back there for this one. Both my SILs delivered a few months after me at the university hospital. It seemed pretty similar in room set-ups and what not, I didn't notice any huge differences except they seemed much more hands-off at my hospital. At least from what I could tell post delivery. I prefer it that way, though. I wanted to be discharged ASAP and they made that happen for me, so no complaints there! I think both hospitals are good choices though, you can't really go wrong with either.
Post by bendherova on Feb 24, 2015 17:11:14 GMT -5
I haven't heard of anyone who has had a bad experience in either.
We're not there anymore, instead I have another big university hospital to deliver in! But we knew more ppl in the old one!
H has done a 2mo rotation at the Women's hospital here, but it definitely will be a different experience. And no friends streaming in/out to occupy my time while we wait!
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