June '14 L&D Questions Thread

tbmadeamistake

jldcjs said:

For anyone who has been induced, did your doctor use cervidil or cytotec? My doctor uses cytotec and I'm curious why they might choose one or the other (I'll ask her when I see her on Friday too). 

I'm getting super nervous about my induction at 37 weeks and starting to obsess about it all

I didn't get either, just straight up pitocin, but that may be because my water had already broken.

ElTrain5

jldcjs said:

For anyone who has been induced, did your doctor use cervidil or cytotec? My doctor uses cytotec and I'm curious why they might choose one or the other (I'll ask her when I see her on Friday too). 

I'm getting super nervous about my induction at 37 weeks and starting to obsess about it all

I am refusing cytotec if an induction is needed since it is not approved by the FDA for use to induce labor due to some crazy dangerous side effects.  Even the original manufacturer of it wrote a letter to the ACOG warning them not to use it on pregnant women.  It's a pretty scary thing that's becoming more and more common these days.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/

 

MommaAshley12

ElTrain5 said:

jldcjs said:

For anyone who has been induced, did your doctor use cervidil or cytotec? My doctor uses cytotec and I'm curious why they might choose one or the other (I'll ask her when I see her on Friday too). 

I'm getting super nervous about my induction at 37 weeks and starting to obsess about it all

I am refusing cytotec if an induction is needed since it is not approved by the FDA for use to induce labor due to some crazy dangerous side effects.  Even the original manufacturer of it wrote a letter to the ACOG warning them not to use it on pregnant women.  It's a pretty scary thing that's becoming more and more common these days.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/

 

This article is terrifying! I will be talking to my doc to ensure that cytotec will not be used if I am induced. Thanks for sharing!

jshrop

ElTrain5 said:

jldcjs said:

For anyone who has been induced, did your doctor use cervidil or cytotec? My doctor uses cytotec and I'm curious why they might choose one or the other (I'll ask her when I see her on Friday too). 

I'm getting super nervous about my induction at 37 weeks and starting to obsess about it all

I am refusing cytotec if an induction is needed since it is not approved by the FDA for use to induce labor due to some crazy dangerous side effects.  Even the original manufacturer of it wrote a letter to the ACOG warning them not to use it on pregnant women.  It's a pretty scary thing that's becoming more and more common these days.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/

 

I got two rounds of Cytotec during my induction. Before I got it I asked them to wait. I knew there was a reason I didn't want it but I was hurting and confused and remember why I didn't want it. I'm so happy it turned out okay for us. Super scary!

JulieSmiles

I'm not sure where to ask this so I will put it here... For those of you who have used EPO, how did you do it? Did you take the pills orally or insert vaginally? How much did you use? I know it helps ripen the cervix. Does that mean it will help you efface faster or does it help with dilation too?

hollygb22

wareagle1220 said:

I've heard of several people being induced due to low fluid levels evident on an u/s.  What triggers this u/s to check fluid levels?  

with my first my fundal height measured behind. I think it never got above 36cm which prompted an u/s at 41 weeks to check fluid.

temursgirl

@wareagle1220‌ my fluid measured low during an US at 32 weeks. It was a follow up US to check the position of the placenta and the fluid showed on the low side. In my case, everything else measures normal. If your doctor has not mentioned this, you have no reason to think you're leaking fluid, and you feel movement regularly, this isn't a concern.

aleher15

Had my membranes swept at my appointment this afternoon wondering for anyone who's had this done and worked did you have severe cramping in your pelvic and lower back that came frequently?

Megan_e_rice

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

ElTrain5

Megan_e_rice said:

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

I'm thinking about swinging by dunkin donuts and grabbing a mixed dozen and some muffins.

Megan_e_rice

I had DW run out to get the bagels once my epidural was in for DD (she also forgot the camera at home so I sent her back out to go get that mostly). 

Megan_e_rice

ElTrain5 said:

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

I'm thinking about swinging by dunkin donuts and grabbing a mixed dozen and some muffins.

I wish I had a dunkin donuts near me! so jealous! or a Krispy Kreme...... mmmmmm... *drool*

ElTrain5

ugabamafans said:

ElTrain5 said:

Megan_e_rice said:

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

I'm thinking about swinging by dunkin donuts and grabbing a mixed dozen and some muffins.

@ElTrain5‌ while you're in labor on the way to the hospital?!

Lol well, when you put it that way....maybe not? Maybe I'll have DH run out and grab them while I'm laboring at home? I definitely haven't thought this through

ElTrain5

Megan_e_rice said:

ElTrain5 said:

Megan_e_rice said:

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

I'm thinking about swinging by dunkin donuts and grabbing a mixed dozen and some muffins.

I wish I had a dunkin donuts near me! so jealous! or a Krispy Kreme...... mmmmmm... *drool*

Krispy Kreme is my kryptonite. Fresh off the icing machine? Heaven in my mouth.

diagonalley

BrightEyes112 said:

ElTrain5 said:

ugabamafans said:

ElTrain5 said:

Megan_e_rice said:

Is anyone bringing a gift/treat for the L&D nurses? We did bagels and coffee last time but it was early in the AM. I want to do something similar but was wondering what other people may be doing.

I'm thinking about swinging by dunkin donuts and grabbing a mixed dozen and some muffins.

@ElTrain5‌ while you're in labor on the way to the hospital?!

Lol well, when you put it that way....maybe not? Maybe I'll have DH run out and grab them while I'm laboring at home? I definitely haven't thought this through

Does it need to be before labour? There'll be lots of time after.

Also you might spend way more time in maternity than labor and delivery. I was in labor and delivery maybe 6 hours including recovery but was in maternity for 2 days.

ElTrain5

FFFC (L&D style) the plan is to deliver in a birth center that's attached to an L&D unit, and one of my biggest fears is that something will happen necessitating the nurses to come in and help and that they'll be mean. So the donuts are purely to butter them up, just in case I need them. Thinking about leaving the muffins in the birth center for the midwife. Purely strategic? Yep. However in my experience strategic donuts are just as delicious.

Mia081081

ElTrain5 said:

FFFC (L&D style) the plan is to deliver in a birth center that's attached to an L&D unit, and one of my biggest fears is that something will happen necessitating the nurses to come in and help and that they'll be mean. So the donuts are purely to butter them up, just in case I need them. Thinking about leaving the muffins in the birth center for the midwife. Purely strategic? Yep. However in my experience strategic donuts are just as delicious.

Me too! I want a med-free birth at a hospital with an astronomical c-section rate and lots of inductions. I want to butter the nurses up, even though the only thing I'm asking for that is out of the ordinary is the ability to move around and to place my IV higher on my forearm so that I can get on my hands and knees if I want to. 

Making a goody bag of trail mix, cookies, chocolate-covered yummy things and anything else that looks good at Whole Foods this weekend.

PressLove

Now I want some Krispy Kreme! (  [FWP indeed]

MrsRahl

Can effacement go backwards? At my last exam doc was telling me he wouldn't be surprised if I went by 39 weeks and was 60-70% effaced. Today he had trouble finding my cervix and really had to dig up there and said there was no change and how he was surprised. I guess I was dumb for getting my hopes up Can someone be not dilated at all and not effaced and go into labor quickly? I know you can walk around effaced and dilated the same for weeks.

k318

Has anyone requested a membrane sweep? Does it work?
I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and have been having prodromal labor for over a week, dilated 2-3 cm and 50% effaced last Monday. Just looking to speed things along

kbellizio3

@MrsRahl‌ my mom said that when she was pregnant with me she wasn't dilated or effaced until she went into labor, literally a matter of hours.

jshrop

Can we talk hemorrhoids after delivery? How can I get rid of them? I finally had to stop taking my iron pill (my hemoglobin was great at my last appt). It seriously is worse than delivery some times. I'm terrified to go and terrified of holding it.

Megan_e_rice

lpetrillo said:

Has anyone requested a membrane sweep? Does it work? I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and have been having prodromal labor for over a week, dilated 2-3 cm and 50% effaced last Monday. Just looking to speed things along

With DD I was 40 weeks 3 days when my OB finally agreed to do a membrane sweep, (she wouldn't do it until I was overdue). I went in to labor 11 hours later so it could have been from the sweep but it also could have just been time for me to have a baby. I will definitely do it again as soon as they let me. I also messed with my nipples for like an hour 3 hours before going in to labor as well. 

MrsRahl

So tonight I swore my water broke. I was sitting on the couch having what I thought may be a contraction, then all of a sudden a small gush of fluid, about 2 tablespoons worth to soak through my undies and yoga pants. I changed, then a few minutes later, more wetness and leaking. I called the doctor on call (whom I've never met) and she told me to come down to the hospital and get it checked out. If it was amniotic fluid they'd admit me. Well turns out it wasn't but I am super stumped as to what it was. I haven't had any incontinence up to this point, and it felt like how period blood comes out so I was sure it was amniotic. I feel like an idiot and now I'm worried about the bill for the visit but if I would have stayed home I would have worried it did break and I was risking infection if waiting too long...Has anyone else had any false alarms?

temursgirl

@MrsRahl I would have gone in too.  Sure it's extra trouble and expense to go in, but that's not something I would mess around with, especially since it sounds like a noticeable amount came out.  Why didn't they tell you what it was?  I would think they would let you know in case it happens again.

MrsRahl

Temurlang1 said:

@MrsRahl I would have gone in too.  Sure it's extra trouble and expense to go in, but that's not something I would mess around with, especially since it sounds like a noticeable amount came out.  Why didn't they tell you what it was?  I would think they would let you know in case it happens again.

I honestly think they don't know what it was. They said maybe urine or just regular vaginal discharge, but I definitely didn't feel it was urine, it had no smell and was very clear and not warm at all too. It was so weird. They just told me when they tested what the scraped that it was too acidic to be amniotic fluid. They said vaginal discharge can get very watery toward the end just weird because I've had ZERO discharge this whole pregnancy. Like I'm dry as a bone down there and before I was pregnant I had lots of normal discharge. I have been shocked I have less after being pregnant and not more. Anyway the whole thing was just a little frustrating I guess not having any real answers but "you're not ready yet."

BMaidPlanner

katburdette said:

jshrop said:

Can we talk hemorrhoids after delivery? How can I get rid of them? I finally had to stop taking my iron pill (my hemoglobin was great at my last appt). It seriously is worse than delivery some times. I'm terrified to go and terrified of holding it.

I still have an inside baby but I got hemorrhoids a few months ago. I talked to my doctor about it and she gave me cream that worked wonders!

What is the cream?

meritsamomma

@MrsRahl I went in last Tuesday for the same thing.  Was told partially watery discharge and partially urine. My discharge has become more of a normal consistency since then but I'm still having some leaking. It does not smell like urine but I figure they're the experts so I'm going with their experience! Now that I'm aware of the issue I find I have more control over the leakage, except for when I'm getting up in the middle of the night... 

cMichelle0423

@MrsRahl‌ I had something similar happen around 30 week. Couple of big gushes that soaked through my underwear and shorts. I went in to get checked out and it wasn't fluid. They told me I had a lot of "normal watery mucus and discharge".

@lpetrillo‌ I had my membranes stripped at 39 and 40 weeks with my first pregnancy. It didn't work either time.

MrsRahl

@meritmacalpine‌ and @cmichelle aren't you a little concerned then you don't know when your water is breaking? I'm just so paranoid now that if it does and I don't start contractions then I'll get an infection but don't want to go in every time this happens now.

meritsamomma

@MrsRahl‌ it was definitely a concern which is why I went in in the first place, but they tested the fluid and said false alarm. They encouraged me to continue checking in if there is anything else that comes up and that's what I plan on doing.
Keep in mind that they say only 25% of women's waters break on their own before labor and trust in the professionals. They would not send you home if you or your LO were at risk
It's hard as FTMs to know what's going on but just keep an open line of communication with your midwife/ob. GL!

cMichelle0423

@MrsRahl‌ I've been told that if you think your water broke but aren't sure, you can put on a pad and if you end up soaking it within a couple hours to go get checked. Or you can empty your bladder, put on a pad, and go lay down for about 45 min. Then stand up and see if you get a big gush. Using the pad can also most likely help determine whether or not it's pee or fluid and obviously discharge.

MrsRahl

OK one more question... doc says baby's head is very low buy cervix is still high and far back. She said she had to reach around the head to find the cervix opening. I just don't get how this can be? She basically said the head is farther forward than the opening. Anyone else have this and how can baby back up to line up with the opening? Or does the cervix drop more on its own? I thought the baby's head is what made the cervix drop and thin, so if their head is too far forward, how can that all realign?

ElTrain5

MrsRahl said:

OK one more question... doc says baby's head is very low buy cervix is still high and far back. She said she had to reach around the head to find the cervix opening. I just don't get how this can be? She basically said the head is farther forward than the opening. Anyone else have this and how can baby back up to line up with the opening? Or does the cervix drop more on its own? I thought the baby's head is what made the cervix drop and thin, so if their head is too far forward, how can that all realign?

So this was something that I totally didn't get until I felt it myself (I'm the weirdo that occasionally checks herself).  I wen to check and where I normally feel my cervix instead was just stretched tissue with what felt like bone behind it.  Crazy weird (and kinda cool).  Basically my cervix is kind of pushed up to the side (or front or back, I don't know I couldn't actually reach it), and LO's head is pushed down front.  Picture it kind of like holding a water balloon by the knot.  You would imagine that you cervix would be exactly in the center of the bottom, with LO's head on top of it.  But right now (for me at least), LO's head is at the center/bottom and my actual cervix is kind of to the side.  I'm assuming once I go into labor the cervix will dilate and the opening will just spread to encompass that whole area.  I just hope this doesn't put me at risk for a cervical lip late in the game.  We shall see!

MrsRahl

ElTrain5 said:

So this was something that I totally didn't get until I felt it myself (I'm the weirdo that occasionally checks herself).  I wen to check and where I normally feel my cervix instead was just stretched tissue with what felt like bone behind it.  Crazy weird (and kinda cool).  Basically my cervix is kind of pushed up to the side (or front or back, I don't know I couldn't actually reach it), and LO's head is pushed down front.  Picture it kind of like holding a water balloon by the knot.  You would imagine that you cervix would be exactly in the center of the bottom, with LO's head on top of it.  But right now (for me at least), LO's head is at the center/bottom and my actual cervix is kind of to the side.  I'm assuming once I go into labor the cervix will dilate and the opening will just spread to encompass that whole area.  I just hope this doesn't put me at risk for a cervical lip late in the game.  We shall see!

What is cervical lip??

ElTrain5

MrsRahl said:

ElTrain5 said:

So this was something that I totally didn't get until I felt it myself (I'm the weirdo that occasionally checks herself).  I wen to check and where I normally feel my cervix instead was just stretched tissue with what felt like bone behind it.  Crazy weird (and kinda cool).  Basically my cervix is kind of pushed up to the side (or front or back, I don't know I couldn't actually reach it), and LO's head is pushed down front.  Picture it kind of like holding a water balloon by the knot.  You would imagine that you cervix would be exactly in the center of the bottom, with LO's head on top of it.  But right now (for me at least), LO's head is at the center/bottom and my actual cervix is kind of to the side.  I'm assuming once I go into labor the cervix will dilate and the opening will just spread to encompass that whole area.  I just hope this doesn't put me at risk for a cervical lip late in the game.  We shall see!

What is cervical lip??

Sometimes when your fully dilated a little lip of your cervix can hold back baby from descending. There's certain positions they can have you push in and they can sometimes manually push it out of the way for you, but they typically have you wait to push until it's out of the way, otherwise the cervix can start to swell.

I have zero idea if my cervix being up high and to the front/side actually makes that more likely so don't let my comment worry you at all. I'm probably just letting my anxiety get the best of me.

kahorstman

I haven't had too many questions on these threads because most people have asked the questions that I had and I've enjoyed reading them. But here's my question (maybe dumb) but while I know closer to the end baby won't move as much due to lack of space etc, but can that also be an indication of labor soon? I've noticed in the last 24 hours that her movement's are different, more rolling instead of punches or kicks and she's always been very very active, but there's been a dramatic drop in movement. She will move around if I poke or try to do kick counts, but it makes me nervous. I do have a doc apt in about an hour so I fully plan on talking to them about it but I figured I would see what other may have experienced or not experienced. Or else I'm just freaking out about every little thing with it being 9 days till my due date lol

temursgirl

@kahorstman I can't really answer your question, but I'm going through a similar thing.  LO used to kick me all the time.  Now she can't because she's really squished (the doc's opinion).  She still moves a lot, but it's more stretching and pushing and it's almost on a schedule.  It also hurts less of the time because she's dropped and doesn't get me in the ribs anymore, just head butts me in the pelvis.  I'm having very frequent NSTs, which makes me very conscious of the movement and then I dwell on whether it's frequent enough, active enough, etc.  I would definitely mention any change to your doc, but it's so easy to freak out over this!