What kind of delivery will you have?

Nzamorw

?

dolewhipper

I would love to say that I want no drugs, but I know myself too well.

Ken&Anna

I had a C-section with my first because DD was complete breech and I have a unicornuate uterus.  Most likely I'll have another planned C-section again this time around and if I go into labor beforehand, I'll just go in and have it early.

frenchmamma

Hospital and no drugs. I would love a home birth but I live 45 min from the hospital, so too stressful if something goes wrong. I had an epidural for my first but had a terrible experience with that, and a great experience second time around without drugs. Well, gave birth 17 min after arrival, so no time for any!

Taymiller

C-section please

mckcak23

Previous moms: have you gone in with the mentality of ill try it and see what happens in regards to drugs? That's where I am at currently I figure I may as well try to not have the drugs, and if in the end I want them, then I want them. Just wondering if this actually works for people or if people always end up with the drugs and I'm being stupid.  

FiancB

Water birth at hospital if everything is going well. I'll throw in the towel pretty quickly if baby is huge or anterior or something though.

said8me

Two things: I don't want to be induced again - it really sucked... and it would be REALLY GREAT if 1 of the 6 epidural tries works this time. 

PugsandKisses

Also, should the title be "what kind of delivery do you WANT to have". Becuase some of these women may have a desire for X now, but something in their pregnancy may change their current plans.
Such as a breach baby, or a placenta previa.

xc1148

mckcak23 said:

Previous moms: have you gone in with the mentality of ill try it and see what happens in regards to drugs? That's where I am at currently I figure I may as well try to not have the drugs, and if in the end I want them, then I want them. Just wondering if this actually works for people or if people always end up with the drugs and I'm being stupid.  

Yes, that was my plan before and my plan now. Every person and labor is different. I was doing find without meds, but then I hit a wall and didn't progress past 5cm. I was 5cm, then 5 hours later I was still 5cm. I felt so defeated! I thought all that pain had done something haha. So I took the drugs and had a nap My epidural experience was fine, I slept and could feel everything when it came time to push, and I recovered pretty quickly in terms of numbness/walking. You'll be fine, they always check on you and ask if you want some drugs. Don't focus so much on drugs/non drugs, just make sure you are comfortable and feel good...it's a happy day and you forget everything once you hold you're baby

SCMommy1982

I've had 2 c-sections, and my doctors' policy is after 2, all others are also cs.

jolydan

For sure hospital because of high risks. As of the drugs or no drugs, for now I have no idea. I like the idea of having a doula and trying my best to "deal" the contractions, but I'm totally aware that labor and delivery dont always go like an easy breeze and I would refuse to suffer for 18+hours and getting myself exhausted!

quartz02

mckcak23 said:

Previous moms: have you gone in with the mentality of ill try it and see what happens in regards to drugs? That's where I am at currently I figure I may as well try to not have the drugs, and if in the end I want them, then I want them. Just wondering if this actually works for people or if people always end up with the drugs and I'm being stupid.  

I firmly thought I would have a drug-free birth. I was post-dates and during my Biophysical Profile appointment, they told me I was contracting and that I needed to go be admitted to the hospital (across the street). I was induced with Cervadil and progressed a long time without drugs. The back pain was finally excruciating enough that I asked for an epidural. However, the anesthesiologist was working on other folks and he didn't come for about an hour. I was really regretting not getting the drugs when they first asked!

Getting an epidural was HEAVEN. I don't drink a whole lot, but I describe the sensation as that nice, warm feeling that I get when I start getting a nice wine buzz. I could relax, rest a little, and just mentally prepare for the pushing that would later come. My epidural worked perfectly. I was able to feel when I needed to push, but without the pain. I didn't have any complications. I know not everyone shares that experience. My DD is perfect and I don't think she suffered any ill effects from having a medicated birth (one of my concerns and reasons for trying to avoid it in the first place).

For this delivery, I'm still a little nervous because I've never spontaneously gone into labor and don't know what that will feel like. My goal is to try to labor for a while without drugs (to progress more efficiently) but hopefully get an epidural in time before the work of pushing.

I think everyone is different and only time will tell what you'll do. You can "plan" all you want but circumstances change. There are moms out there that have the 'maybe I will/maybe I won't' attitude and still have a drug-free birth though. The nice thing is that you have options!

matryoshkadoll

@mckcak23 tbh, a lot of people with that attitude end up with drugs, but that's ok! If you prepare yourself for natural birth (education, exercises, support system, etc) you will reduce your need for interventions and you can be confident you did everything you could. You will also be prepared in case for some reason you can't get an epidural.

@PugsandKisses totally agree! There is no way any of us knows what birth we WILL have, just what we would prefer.

ETA I will be trying for another drug free birth in hospital

knitmama

I'll be trying for a VBAC, but I'm nervous.

My plan with DD was unmedicated birth and I carefully chose a hospital that great birthing rooms with balls, bar, tub. But my body had other plans. At 41 weeks + 1 day, I was nowhere near going into labor - 0 dilation or effacement, baby was still high, I even stopped having Braxton Hicks contractions. To top it off, DD was 9 1/2 pounds with a head in the 95th percentile.

I saw my OB Monday evening and we discussed the situation and decided a c-section was the safest for both baby and me. She was out 20 hours later!

C-section recovery was miserable and long. Hoping to avoid doing it again if I can.

PleaseSendPicklesNow

LOL, my plan is to not get too attached to any plan! Birth is unpredictable. But as long as there are no unforeseen complications, I'm giving birth at a birthing center that uses nitrous oxide for pain management. They don't do epidurals.

BostonBaby1

The kind where the baby comes out (ideally safely.)

SparkySunshine

@knitmama my midwife didn't believe me when I told them my family has big babies. They were shocked when she came out 9lbs 12oz. My epidural experience was heaven. They did shut it off for pushing though.

FiancB

PleaseSendPicklesNow said:

LOL, my plan is to not get too attached to any plan! Birth is unpredictable. But as long as there are no unforeseen complications, I'm giving birth at a birthing center that uses nitrous oxide for pain management. They don't do epidurals.

Very true, Murphy's law- the more detailed and rigid the birth plan, the more likely it seems that something crazy will happen.

knitmama

SparkySunshine said:

@knitmama my midwife didn't believe me when I told them my family has big babies. They were shocked when she came out 9lbs 12oz. My epidural experience was heaven. They did shut it off for pushing though.

I have no idea why she was so big. My family (or H's) doesn't do big babies. I also had a crazy amount of swelling and fluid retention, but perfect blood pressure and no gestational diabetes.

I lost a record amount weight (28 lbs) the week after delivery though! My OB was convinced I was just eating tons of junk and lectured me every time, but no, just swelling. He was totally shocked to see my weight loss.

trucksntutus

I know how I am... I will try to go as long as possible without drugs but in all reality I will probably ask for them. Whatever's safest at the time for the LO is okay by me.

jenkeale

With my first, I had a hospital birth with no meds. I went in with the mindset that I wanted to go med free, but I could totally take the drugs if I wanted them. I guess I never got to a point where I wanted them bc I mostly labored at home in the tub. I was lucky with a pretty easygoing delivery. I credit yoga and my DH for that. This time, I'd like to try a birthing center bc of the freedom to pretty much do what you want to get the baby out. My Dr was great about letting me be and not pressuring for interventions, but I think I want a water birth this time.

Taymiller

BostonBaby1 said:

The kind where the baby comes out (ideally safely.)

I like your style!

noelietrex

I'm planning the birth center scenario, but they're very rigid with women being in perfect health in order to birth there. If I have twins, breech, gestational diabetes, gain too much weight, don't gain enough weight... I'd have to choose a back-up plan. Trying so hard to be chill about it. Also if I want nitrous oxide at the birthing center, I'm totally going to go for it (does that count as a drug? Maybe I need to change my answer). The shower, tub, and tons of places to hang onto and squat or be active sound awesome though. Plus I just generally don't trust doctors and all those cervical checks sound like hell to me. Fingers crossed we each get our ideal situation!

Nzamorw

@PugsandKissesmatryoshkadoll , I thought about the title before I posted and no title is the right answer because it's in the future. By changing it to want would kind of make it not realistic because there are that "want" a natural birth but have to have a c-section when the time comes. So for those that KNOW what they will have based off what they had before (including past mothers) is better for the poll..

Of course we won't know until the time comes but "want" and "will" really doesn't matter because we can't tell the future either way.

Taymiller

My c-section recovery was not bad at all @knitmama I am sorry yours was. I have had other major surgeries and my c/s by far was the easiest and plus you get a prize out of it.

I just don't want people to ever feel like a c-section is so horrible. No it isn't what most people want but it delivers your baby and that is the end result we all want isn't it?

nopegoat

I have had three hospital births. My first I had an epi immediately. It was wonderful. My second labor happened quickly. I got the epi and as I was scooting back on the bed I felt the baby drop so my anesthesiologist and nurse delivered my second.

Since my second was so quick, I wanted to hold out on the epi with my third. I ended up asking for one but he didn't make it, neither did my Dr. So my nurses delivered my third.

I am going to try to go without again this time around.

anskip

I ended up with a c-section with my first. She was stuck on my cervix and even after hours of labor and assistance there was no way. So, we'll schedule as close to due date as possible with this one. My first was a due date baby and I want to give this one as much cooking time as I can. My DD was little and it took my milk almost 3 full days to come in so hopefully we can push it as close to due date as possible.

kpatrick3

A safe and healthy baby and momma is all we need but I've had two previous c sections so we're preparing for a third with this bean.

born2run911

knitmama said:

SparkySunshine said:

@knitmama my midwife didn't believe me when I told them my family has big babies. They were shocked when she came out 9lbs 12oz. My epidural experience was heaven. They did shut it off for pushing though.

I have no idea why she was so big. My family (or H's) doesn't do big babies. I also had a crazy amount of swelling and fluid retention, but perfect blood pressure and no gestational diabetes.

I lost a record amount weight (28 lbs) the week after delivery though! My OB was convinced I was just eating tons of junk and lectured me every time, but no, just swelling. He was totally shocked to see my weight loss.

I was in the same boat last pregnancy! I lost 36lbs in 4 days post delivery. I peed so much. I looked like a different person when I was pregnant, my hands, face, legs and feet were so incredibly swollen but my BP was fine so my docs weren't worried. I gained 50lbs. I am praying it doesn't happen this time, but j am already noticing hand swelling especially when walking on the treadmill.

As for the delivery, my plan is the same as last time. Our local hospitals don't offer epidurals unless it is an emergency, so my "plan" is no epidural, but i will take all the meds! Barring no complications. (DD was 9lb4oz)

DobbysSock

mckcak23 said:

Previous moms: have you gone in with the mentality of ill try it and see what happens in regards to drugs? That's where I am at currently I figure I may as well try to not have the drugs, and if in the end I want them, then I want them. Just wondering if this actually works for people or if people always end up with the drugs and I'm being stupid.  

@mckcak23 that was my plan with DD. I preferred the idea of minimal medications, and wanted to try without an epidural. I have a friend who says herself that she's a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain, and she did it med-free which made me think I should be able to do it. However, I didn't want to put pressure on myself or feel guilty or like I "failed" if I ended up needing something that went against my plan. I did end up getting the max amount of drugs they'd give me, and got an epidural as soon as they let me (8cm). I found out after my epidural when a doctor examined me that DD was facing the wrong way and I was experiencing back labour, which was missed in earlier assessments (from my understanding back labour can be a lot more painful than when baby is in the right position, although I've only experienced it the one way so I can't really speak to that).

You never know how your body will react to labour. You never know what complications or difficulties will come your way. Every single woman experiences labour differently and you may be one of the lucky ones who has a quick and relatively easy labour, or you may have a difficult labour but be able to successfully use strategies to get through it med free. Or, you may be one who wants or needs meds for various reasons. It is ABSOLUTELY possible to get through labour med-free, and it's a really great thing to work towards that and prepare yourself with some strategies for working through the pain if that's what you want to try to do. However, if the day comes and you decide you want some pain relief or complete pain relief that is absolutely okay as well. And in my experience it was important not to have pressure on myself or feel like asking for meds meant I was weak or a failure.

Just my two cents I do think if your ultimate plan is a med-free or a medicated but epidural-free birth, then you should take classes and/or do your research on techniques and strategies to work through the pain, and make sure you have a strong support person to help you through it. If you go in blind hoping for a med-free/epidural-free birth but with no strategies/techniques I think your odds of deciding to ask for pain management are higher.

DobbysSock

knitmama said:

I'll be trying for a VBAC, but I'm nervous. My plan with DD was unmedicated birth and I carefully chose a hospital that great birthing rooms with balls, bar, tub. But my body had other plans. At 41 weeks + 1 day, I was nowhere near going into labor - 0 dilation or effacement, baby was still high, I even stopped having Braxton Hicks contractions. To top it off, DD was 9 1/2 pounds with a head in the 95th percentile. I saw my OB Monday evening and we discussed the situation and decided a c-section was the safest for both baby and me. She was out 20 hours later! C-section recovery was miserable and long. Hoping to avoid doing it again if I can.

@knitmama Sorry you had a rough recovery! Sounds like we had a similar end of pregnancy - DD was almost 2 weeks overdue with absolutely nothing happening with my body. My doctor couldn't even sweep my membranes my cervix was closed up so tight. I did end up needing a c-section but I was lucky that my recovery was pretty easy. The first few days were a bit rough but by 3 weeks I was having to remind myself to take it easy because I felt so good! I'll be getting a repeat c-section because my induction and labour experience with DD was really horrible. I'm hoping I heal as well this time around.

Good luck with your VBAC! I hope you get the birth you want this time around

MrsBinPA

My Mom had me so fast she didn't have time for drugs.  I'm secretly hoping that this happens to me too.  I'll probably go as long as I can without them, but not allow myself to feel like a failure if I can't take it.  

Whovian10

Fingers crossed for a vbac. I don't want to be induced again and should have fought it harder last time. Although it does depend on the day and when you catch me if I'm super excited about it or want a secluded c section.

BostonBaby1

Taymiller said:

BostonBaby1 said:

The kind where the baby comes out (ideally safely.)

I like your style!

knitmama

DobbysSock said:

knitmama said:

I'll be trying for a VBAC, but I'm nervous.

My plan with DD was unmedicated birth and I carefully chose a hospital that great birthing rooms with balls, bar, tub. But my body had other plans. At 41 weeks + 1 day, I was nowhere near going into labor - 0 dilation or effacement, baby was still high, I even stopped having Braxton Hicks contractions. To top it off, DD was 9 1/2 pounds with a head in the 95th percentile.

I saw my OB Monday evening and we discussed the situation and decided a c-section was the safest for both baby and me. She was out 20 hours later!

C-section recovery was miserable and long. Hoping to avoid doing it again if I can.

@knitmama Sorry you had a rough recovery! Sounds like we had a similar end of pregnancy - DD was almost 2 weeks overdue with absolutely nothing happening with my body. My doctor couldn't even sweep my membranes my cervix was closed up so tight. I did end up needing a c-section but I was lucky that my recovery was pretty easy. The first few days were a bit rough but by 3 weeks I was having to remind myself to take it easy because I felt so good! I'll be getting a repeat c-section because my induction and labour experience with DD was really horrible. I'm hoping I heal as well this time around.

Good luck with your VBAC! I hope you get the birth you want this time around

@DobbysSock thank you! It's nice to hear that it can go well.
I think part of my difficult recovery was due to blood loss and clotting immediately after surgery. Nurses had to manually express the clots (ouch!) which caused anemia. I also can't take acetaminophen, so 72 hours after surgery I only had Motrin. It was not nearly enough pain relief.

megth

First was a csection, then a VBAC, 3rd will be however the baby wants to come out - just like the first two

KASG

I'd like to say that I'd do a natural birth at the hospital, but my pain threshold is very low! Only natural if I'm stuck at home or in traffic or something, like on tv lol

I want 4 kids (I know, I know) and I had said I would have a different kind each time: epidural, no epidural, water birth, and C-section, not necessarily in that order. I was also young and naïve when I said that lol

ESchreinerWrites

I'm trying for a medicated vaginal birth. I think my.odds look pretty good. My first was posterior and he came out. My Dr told me after the fact that I have a cervix you can drive a Mac truck through. Hmmmm, thanks. Lol

BettyRu

With DD, I knew I'd get the epidural, I didn't expect to be two weeks late, a multiple day induction process and two rounds of morphine...

Eh, I'm hoping for a nice natural, full term, labor process with a kick ass epidural.

jlgriff11

I have no idea. I'm totally new to all the options and I guess I just want what's best for my babies since they will likely go early. I have no qualms with a c section or VD. Whatever the doc wants that will get my babies out safe. As for drugs, I guess that depends on how I can tolerate the pain. I have no idea what it's really like.