My contractions were like menstrual cramps but eventually added rectal pain/pressure as well - as if I really needed to poop. I made it to 7cm with nothing (except misoprostal since I was an induction), took a bath and it helped a bit but I think also they were slowing down. At 7cm though they got so bad I threw up from the pain. Demanded IV painkillers (and to be checked at that point since they hadn't checked me all day). Took my 7-8 pain down to a 4 but the rectal pressure was still there for each contraction and cramps still there. Pain back to a 7 within an hour and I was only up to 8cm. I decided on an epi at that point. Thank god I did. Completely stopped feeling the cramps. Still felt the rectal pressure but a little less intense. Was able to doze a bit while they gave me pitocin to speed the contractions back up. After 1.5 hours I really felt like I needed to push out a bowel movement. They checked and I was fully dilated but baby still at +1 - amniotic sac was still in the way and hadn't broken yet. They had me try to push it out while we waited for OB. After 15 mins pushing the sac halfway out (basically like trying to poop) the OB arrived and popped it - baby's head was right behind and another 15 minutes of pushing later, she arrived. 2nd degree tears along the perineum. Ah well.
@bombmom3 nerves surrounding pelvis supply lower body not upper. Everything moves down the kinetic chain. She might have just strained a muscle while pushing, especially if it was a pre-existing condition.
@kimia222 Fair enough. I had neck pain when my LO dropped into my pelvis along with low back and pelvis pain and my OB said it was all from the baby's head compressing nerves. I thought it might be similar to if LO was sunny side up. Maybe my neck pain was due to how I had to move/walk based off my pelvic pain at that time and my OB meant it was all related because of that.
@bombmom3 ya, baby down in the pelvis can cause all that lower body pain for sure. Your neck pain could have been body mechanics changing while pregnant, especially during sleep. So many things could factor in... I'm a physical therapist so couldn't help but put my 2 cents in. I even had some neck pain while i was in labor with my first. I always had neck pain issues though since i was little. Anyway, pain sucks.
Did anyone feel nauseous before going in to labor? I feel "off" and pretty nauseous. I thought my blood sugar dropped too much, but still feeling the same way after eating. LO is moving like crazy, so I'm not worried he isn't doing well.
My baby has arrived and as a STM I will say no births are alike. My contractions started at 3 am Tuesday after eating pineapples. They were everywhere 5 mins apart 1 hr apart 37 mins apart etc. I literally slept 12 mins the entire night, they were like 2nd day menstrual cramps, not painful but uncomfortable. Got DD ready for school and the nausea kicked in on overload, then bloody show. I called and told my doc because she likes to know when things happen to plan forward. Mid conversation with her I was in tears, she said come in because it's sound more miserable than I was explaining and seeing that I was already 4cm 70% Friday with no notice of contractions I could very well be in active labor. Arrived at L&D at 12 no changes but contractions were becoming consistent. The nurse that was there I absolutely hated and I hope I get a survey so I can word for word relay her conversation with me about how I made her good day not so good anymore. Got hooked to monitors and checked because my clothes were wet but couldn't say for sure my water was broken. The swab came back positive but on the scope didn't show the same. I was then having contractions like 3 mins apart. She said she wasn't seeing them that close, so she left the room. I called down because I was at the point that I couldn't take it anymore and needed to move. I needed motion! Made it to a chair that sat down to go through a contraction and water completely broke. Contractions 2 mins apart 7-8 cm no meds and I was like I can't take it anymore. 4 nurses and anesthesiologist to give me a IV which I had to have in order to her epi. Doc came in talked to me by this time I had completely stripped down to socks NOTHING ELSE. Signed forms for epi and while she was sticking I had a contraction told them it was too late the baby head in about to come out NURSE FROM HELL didn't believe me. She told email to stay still so they could finish the epi. Wires were placed blah blah next contraction I screamed stop this baby is coming out laid on my side and she said the baby isn't even crowning. So I lifted my leg so she could see what I was feeling. My doc literally came through the door didn't get a chance to get both gloves on before DD head was out. I delivered at 412 no tears.
Did anyone feel nauseous before going in to labor? I feel "off" and pretty nauseous. I thought my blood sugar dropped too much, but still feeling the same way after eating. LO is moving like crazy, so I'm not worried he isn't doing well.
I had a horrible pukey feeling and diarrhea the morning I woke up with contractions. It was the morning I got induced, so I'm not sure if the symptoms I had would have decreased/increased any on their own.
@nickimonroe holy hell! What an experience! Even if you don't get a survey you should email the hospital & tell them what happened. Good thing you kept speaking up! Glad you & lo are ok. Congratulations
I was told to wait for the contractions to be 5 min apart before heading hospital bound. I've been having those pre-labor contractions for over 24 hours at this point (roughly between 10-20 min intervals) its not excruciating but its also not progressing or getting closer together.
Should I go to the hospital in the am anyway? Or just chill out at home and hope for the best?
I was told to wait for the contractions to be 5 min apart before heading hospital bound. I've been having those pre-labor contractions for over 24 hours at this point (roughly between 10-20 min intervals) its not excruciating but its also not progressing or getting closer together.
Should I go to the hospital in the am anyway? Or just chill out at home and hope for the best?
Wait at home as long as you can. Especially if you don't want interventions. Even if you don't mind interventions, it's just nice to be at home vs in a hospital. When you're in active labor, you'll know.
I was told to wait for the contractions to be 5 min apart before heading hospital bound. I've been having those pre-labor contractions for over 24 hours at this point (roughly between 10-20 min intervals) its not excruciating but its also not progressing or getting closer together.
Should I go to the hospital in the am anyway? Or just chill out at home and hope for the best?
As pp said, you should wait at home during ore labor unless you're unable to get sleep and are exhausted (you will need your strength for the real deal). Walking can help speed things along as well as sex with your SO, assuming your water hasn't broken yet (since you're having timable pre labor contractions those two things can actually tip the scales into active labor vs pre labor).
I like this thread. As a FTM I'm so nervous about not knowing if I'm in labour yet! I've been having a lot of BH's tonight (like one an hourish). They are def. BH's as they stop when I change positions and they are not painful. I know that people say I will know when I'm in real labour, but man am I still nervous about that. It's nice to read other people's stories!
I have been having pre labor contractions since Tuesday, and it's now early Sunday morning. When I walk around I can get them to be 5 minutes apart or less, but I have to keep walking, otherwise they go to about 20-30 minutes apart. This has been non-stop 24 hours a day since Tuesday. Even though they aren't painful It's hard being in a state of limbo. I. Am. Miserable. My midwife said I am a ticking time bomb and I literally could go at any time, and that was Friday. Even though I can get my contractions 5 minutes apart I have avoided going to the hospital for the same reasons others said above. I don't really want intervention and I want to go naturally when I am ready. Lord knows I want it to be right now though!!!
I have been having pre labor contractions since Tuesday, and it's now early Sunday morning. When I walk around I can get them to be 5 minutes apart or less, but I have to keep walking, otherwise they go to about 20-30 minutes apart. This has been non-stop 24 hours a day since Tuesday. Even though they aren't painful It's hard being in a state of limbo. I. Am. Miserable. My midwife said I am a ticking time bomb and I literally could go at any time, and that was Friday. Even though I can get my contractions 5 minutes apart I have avoided going to the hospital for the same reasons others said above. I don't really want intervention and I want to go naturally when I am ready. Lord knows I want it to be right now though!!!
I'm in the exact same boat. During the day they pick up and then at night when I'm sleeping they go away. It's so frustrating!
Last week Saturday I started having regular contractions early evening. By 11 they were 5 minutes apart so we made our way to the hospital. Turns out I am not dilated at all but they kept me over night for observation anyway. Docs discharged me Sunday morning telling me to come back Monday for Induction as I was a week overdue.
Monday back at hospital... the ward was really busy so could only start my induction on Tuesday but stayed at hospital so as not to loose space in queue.
Started Induction Tuesday at 10:30. Regular labour pains. No dilation. No change until Wednesday. Still had regular pains but they didnt get more painful or any closer together. Docs put me on a CTG machine and found that my little creature was having cardiac tachichardia and was rushed into OT for an emergency C-section.
And even though I wanted to go completely natural, and the induction not really working like it supposed to everything wasnt that bad. C section hurts. But having my little angel made it all worth it.
i think things may be starting up again - getting a lot of discharge again. My stomach is feeling all over tight with pressure. Mild ebb and flow of pressure but it's hard to tell when it stops. Are the contractions really all that distinct early on? I'm going to wait until water breaks or I call tell them apart I guess. If need be I'll call Dr, but curious if anyone else had constant pressure first?
i think things may be starting up again - getting a lot of discharge again. My stomach is feeling all over tight with pressure. Mild ebb and flow of pressure but it's hard to tell when it stops. Are the contractions really all that distinct early on? I'm going to wait until water breaks or I call tell them apart I guess. If need be I'll call Dr, but curious if anyone else had constant pressure first?
My contractions were pretty distinct. Also cramping pain not just tightness and pressure.
Just wanted to say not to wait for your water to break -- doesn't happen to a lot of women. I know a lot of women who were pretty far along and had to have theirs broken for them. I was fully dilated and pushing and my water hadn't broken -- sac was pushing out as if I was delivering it. OB had to pop it and baby was right behind, delivered 15 minutes later.
i think things may be starting up again - getting a lot of discharge again. My stomach is feeling all over tight with pressure. Mild ebb and flow of pressure but it's hard to tell when it stops. Are the contractions really all that distinct early on? I'm going to wait until water breaks or I call tell them apart I guess. If need be I'll call Dr, but curious if anyone else had constant pressure first?
My abdomen has been rock hard for weeks. I just think it is Braxton hicks, in my case. I get cramps that feel like period cramps, but I think that is my cervix dilating.
I'm told over and over again that contractions are distinct waves. Since my pressure has been lasting for 4-5 minutes, and cramps last 5-10 minutes, I don't think it is labour in my case.
Of course I don't really know exactly what you are feeling and each person is different.
Some very lucky women feel no pain with contractions. Most feel pain/cramping when true contractions hit and most of the time those contractions require your full attention to work through them. 5-1-1 is the golden standard for timing - you're care team may have a different set of guidelines, however.
Thanks everyone! They slowed down again just as I was starting to feel a pattern. grrrr! Sometimes the pressure takes my breath away. I had a pretty good bloody show too. Still hoping it's close.
So I'm like 99% sure this was not a contraction (an it only happened once) but I woke up to pee last night and when I got out of bed I had this intense pain in my side. Now I often have pain when I have to pee badly (which blows my mind at how badly I have to pee at 2:30 in the morning). This usually goes away as soon as I'm done. But it did not this time, it may have even gotten worse. I hobbled back to bed and was moaning, which woke up my hubby, who is on high alert! It finally went away after about 5 min. And i had to lie on my left side (which was th sore side.)
I can't really describe the pain other then it felt like a pulled muscle/I got hit by a car! I'm pretty sure it wasn't a contraction because my belly was actually very soft and I only felt the pain on one side. It wrapped around a little to my belly and my back, but it was worse at my side.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it wasn't one.
The pain never returned and I don't even have any residual pain. It was so strange!! It hurt so bad, but I suspect that labor will be worse and that scares me!
I second the ligament pain. I have to get out of bed very slowly (not that one can get out of bed fast at 39 weeks) or else I have this pain and it can last all day if I really move faster than I should have.
I second the ligament pain. I have to get out of bed very slowly (not that one can get out of bed fast at 39 weeks) or else I have this pain and it can last all day if I really move faster than I should have.
That's what I figure it was but normally I feel it more in my belly then my side, and it's never lasted that long. But I knew it couldn't be a contraction it just sucked. I'm still worried I won't know when I'm in real labour.
I would get crippling round ligament pain just like this off on my right side of I got up or out of bed wrong. It was horrible. Sounds like what you may have had, @stephaniearthurs
So I'm like 99% sure this was not a contraction (an it only happened once) but I woke up to pee last night and when I got out of bed I had this intense pain in my side. Now I often have pain when I have to pee badly (which blows my mind at how badly I have to pee at 2:30 in the morning). This usually goes away as soon as I'm done. But it did not this time, it may have even gotten worse. I hobbled back to bed and was moaning, which woke up my hubby, who is on high alert! It finally went away after about 5 min. And i had to lie on my left side (which was th sore side.)
I can't really describe the pain other then it felt like a pulled muscle/I got hit by a car! I'm pretty sure it wasn't a contraction because my belly was actually very soft and I only felt the pain on one side. It wrapped around a little to my belly and my back, but it was worse at my side.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it wasn't one.
The pain never returned and I don't even have any residual pain. It was so strange!! It hurt so bad, but I suspect that labor will be worse and that scares me!
I had that last Sunday!! I got up from a chair and all the sudden my right side, wrapping to the front of my abdomen was screaming in pain. Mine lasted about 45 minutes because I was walking and doing everything I could to stop it. As soon as I relaxed in a chair, 5 minutes later it was gone. Oh but it was soooo painful I cried!
Finally getting around to posting a better version of my birth story. Sorry it's long, I remembered much more about things that happened.
Got induced at 37 weeks due to IUGR baby, excessive swelling and BP that kept creeping a little higher every visit. Woke up the morning of induction at 1:30 with irregular contractions, which ranged from 8-13 minutes apart. Contractions started in my middle back and felt like pressure/cramping and then wrapping around to my pelvic area. I also felt cervical cramping and stinging. It wasn't too bad but definitely uncomfortable. Couldn't go back to sleep and felt nauseated and had the worst diarrhea since the time I had food poisoning. Arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am as scheduled, got registered which only took a few minutes. Got stuck 7 times in my hands before it was decided to do my IV in my arm, which isn't a good place but my hands were too puffy and the veins would not cooperate. Had my first cervidil placed around 7 and had to stay in bed until 9, was already having cramping but did feel slight discomfort while it was being placed. Nothing after it was in. I was checked after two hours and went from 3 cm, 80% effaced to 4 cm, 90% effaced. Contractions became pretty regular to 5 minutes apart by that time and a little more intense. Walked around and bounced on the ball for four hours until it was time to be checked again at 1:00 pm. I had progressed to 5 cm and contractions were 3 minutes apart with sharp back pain that radiated to my lower abdomin, pressure in my pelvis and a slight burning sensation in my cervix with each contraction. Another dose of cervidil was placed. Labor was getting pretty intense but bearable and I was trying to wait out an epidural because of adverse effects I've had in the past with anesthesia. However, after my second dose of cervidil started to kick things up I requested one for when my water were to break. By 3:00 pm when I could get out of bed again I was still a stretchy 5 cm but 100% effaced. I walked and moved constantly and bounced on my ball until 5:30ish when my water broke on its own. My nurse was in the room about to check me, so she went ahead and paged anesthesia for the epidural. My OB had planned on breaking my water to speed things up so she came in as soon as it happened. Thankful anesthesia and my OB were in the room because baby's heart rate dropped to the 70's within a couple minutes after water breaking so my OB immediately tried to place an internal fetal monitor as she thought it was picking up my pulse and baby was in a bad position. The internal monitor was placed and it was indeed little mans heart rate, which was now lower and he kept having pauses. I was rolled side to side on the bed and had four nurses massaging baby from the outside trying to bring up his heart rate while my OB was holding the fetal monitor in place. I really wished I had an epidural for this part because it was horrible. Baby kept dropping off the monitor and coming back with a lower HR each time and my O2 level was in the 80's. I was givin epi through my IV to try to bring baby's heart back after he had dropped off again and didn't come back and a shot to relax my uterus as my contractions were now on top of each other. I had a Foley catheter placed in preparation for a c section. By this time I was more than ready for a c section but unfortunately they didn't have time to administer a spinal block, so it was a general anesthesic and SO couldn't go back with me. In the OR I was asked for consent and briefly questioned about health history while I was being prepped and strapped down. The last thing I remember was a respiratory therapist standing at my head and opening the intubation kit and I told him not to do it until I was out (which wouldn't have happened), then feeling a weird warm rush. I woke up in recovery 30-45 minutes later and felt absolutely everything, plus my uterus still contracting, because the pain control I was given didn't take. I was maxed out on it and all it did was make me nauseous. I was given a pain control pump and started to settle down. I was being watched for signs of hemorrhaging so had to have my belly massaged and bleeding checked twice an hour for 4 hours. It sucked majorly. Baby's O2 dropped to 50% a few minuets after birth and he had to be worked on for a minute before stabilizing (I didn't know about this until later). He spent a day and a half in the NICU with low blood sugar and trouble regulating temp, but was otherwise great. After my pain medicine kicked in and I wasn't being checked for hemorrhaging anymore I felt a lot better, but still pretty rough. I had to wear a heart monitor to watch for rhythm changes because I converted to afib after having Novocain during a dental visit, which was a nuisance. I was finally allowed to walk around the next morning and felt a million times better. We were in the hospital for 4 days total before coming home. Besides the rough delivery, recovery has been incredibly easy and very minimal pain wise after the first few hours. It was not at all a desirable birth and I hate that I don't remember the first time I held my baby and that I was too sick to attempt nursing for the first few hours. But my baby had to come out ASAP and he made it safe and healthy. For that I am incredibly thankful.
@stephaniearthurs Yes, my belly got hard with every contraction. In active labor I felt no movements during contractions but in the first stage of labor I felt all of my kiddos roll or shift during a few contractions. All of them would move in between contractions. Generally they are getting squeezed too hard to move much during one.
@stephaniearthurs Yes, my belly got hard with every contraction. In active labor I felt no movements during contractions but in the first stage of labor I felt all of my kiddos roll or shift during a few contractions. All of them would move in between contractions. Generally they are getting squeezed too hard to move much during one.
Thanks I have been having the weirdest feeling in my belly I guess I could compare it to cramping. But the baby is moving through it and my belly has been pretty soft for the most part. I'm so terrified of going into labor and not knowing it!
My doctor wanted to induce me bc I was positive for step b and had been 4 cm for 2 weeks. She didn't want me to miss the antibiotic time if I had a fast labor. Plus my DS was a successful induction (GD) and my body was more ready this time. I was hesitant bc group b is not usually a sole reason to induce but it really gave me piece of mind. This turned out to be a good decision because when I got to the hospital, I was 6/7 cm and did not feel any contractions at all.
When I arrived (39 w 4 days) they gave me the penicillin. After 4 hours, they gave me Epi and broke my water. No pitocin needed!
Started pushing about 2.5 hours later, and he was out in a half hour. No tearing.
Overall it was a great experience. I am so lucky!!
Contractions made my belly really hard though I never really felt it at the top of my uterus - it was mostly at the bottom. The stronger they got the mor I felt them in my back. The strongest pain/pressure though was in my cervix area. Usually baby was still during the contraction but would start moving around right before it started.
We went in for our 41 week appointment and still no progress. Scheduled induction for the following morning beginning at 6am. By some act of God, I had actually dilated to 1cm during the night so they were able to skip one induction step (the pill placed next to the cervix to open it).
Started pitocin and inserted the foley ball (that was a lot of pressure and pretty uncomfortable but it does work and you do get through it!). At 4pm I was dilated to 5cm and decided for an epidural as they were getting quite strong. What a relief it was - insertion was uncomfortable. My husband said it looked like he put it in and then had to make adjustments. And on that sensitive part of your back... it just gives you the chills. I'm still a little tender a day later from where it went in. But, man am I glad I opted for it!!!! Also, my legs were HUGE and swollen during after from all the fluids, epidural, and pitocin. That was one of the other things that was so uncomfortable and I hadn't expected. It goes down immediately after birth though.
From then on, it seemed like a really slow process. They had to stop labor a couple times because the contractions were too strong and making Luke's heart rate drop too low. That was terrifying!
At 1am I had an absolute meltdown and just felt like giving up (sign I was heading for transition, according to our nurse and doula). I was mentally and physically exhausted! I finally calmed down and fell asleep for the first time... around 4am I woke up and they checked me again. I was 10cm and completely ready to push!!! They had me wait just one more hour before practicing so he could drop a little further. I started crying and thanking God at that point.
After one practice push, they called my doctor because his head was already crowning and he was coming fast. We had to wait for her to arrive (about 25 minutes). It only took about 5 pushes to get him out! By far the fastest part of the entire experience and that was what I had been dreading/fearing the most.
Luke Nicholas was born at 5:30am (11 days past his due date and almost 24 hours after starting induction) and weighed 6lbs 7oz, 20 inches long. We're having a pretty easy time with breastfeeding, just a bit sore but working through it. He's such a happy baby and his daddy and I are so blessed to call him ours.
Best of luck to all the December mommas and daddies out there. What an amazing experience!
Re: What My Contractions Felt Like/Our Birth Stories (LOOK HERE BEFORE ASKING ABOUT CONTRACTIONS)
Was your LO sunny side up? Could have been the baby pressing on some nerves as they passed through your pelvis.
Fair enough. I had neck pain when my LO dropped into my pelvis along with low back and pelvis pain and my OB said it was all from the baby's head compressing nerves. I thought it might be similar to if LO was sunny side up. Maybe my neck pain was due to how I had to move/walk based off my pelvic pain at that time and my OB meant it was all related because of that.
The cramping, plus the nausea and diarrhea are what tipped me off to the fact I was in labor.
I was told to wait for the contractions to be 5 min apart before heading hospital bound. I've been having those pre-labor contractions for over 24 hours at this point (roughly between 10-20 min intervals) its not excruciating but its also not progressing or getting closer together.
Should I go to the hospital in the am anyway? Or just chill out at home and hope for the best?
Good luck to you!
Monday back at hospital... the ward was really busy so could only start my induction on Tuesday but stayed at hospital so as not to loose space in queue.
Started Induction Tuesday at 10:30. Regular labour pains. No dilation. No change until Wednesday. Still had regular pains but they didnt get more painful or any closer together. Docs put me on a CTG machine and found that my little creature was having cardiac tachichardia and was rushed into OT for an emergency C-section.
And even though I wanted to go completely natural, and the induction not really working like it supposed to everything wasnt that bad. C section hurts. But having my little angel made it all worth it.
Just wanted to say not to wait for your water to break -- doesn't happen to a lot of women. I know a lot of women who were pretty far along and had to have theirs broken for them. I was fully dilated and pushing and my water hadn't broken -- sac was pushing out as if I was delivering it. OB had to pop it and baby was right behind, delivered 15 minutes later.
I'm told over and over again that contractions are distinct waves. Since my pressure has been lasting for 4-5 minutes, and cramps last 5-10 minutes, I don't think it is labour in my case.
Of course I don't really know exactly what you are feeling and each person is different.
I can't really describe the pain other then it felt like a pulled muscle/I got hit by a car! I'm pretty sure it wasn't a contraction because my belly was actually very soft and I only felt the pain on one side. It wrapped around a little to my belly and my back, but it was worse at my side.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it wasn't one.
The pain never returned and I don't even have any residual pain. It was so strange!! It hurt so bad, but I suspect that labor will be worse and that scares me!
Got induced at 37 weeks due to IUGR baby, excessive swelling and BP that kept creeping a little higher every visit. Woke up the morning of induction at 1:30 with irregular contractions, which ranged from 8-13 minutes apart. Contractions started in my middle back and felt like pressure/cramping and then wrapping around to my pelvic area. I also felt cervical cramping and stinging. It wasn't too bad but definitely uncomfortable. Couldn't go back to sleep and felt nauseated and had the worst diarrhea since the time I had food poisoning. Arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am as scheduled, got registered which only took a few minutes. Got stuck 7 times in my hands before it was decided to do my IV in my arm, which isn't a good place but my hands were too puffy and the veins would not cooperate. Had my first cervidil placed around 7 and had to stay in bed until 9, was already having cramping but did feel slight discomfort while it was being placed. Nothing after it was in. I was checked after two hours and went from 3 cm, 80% effaced to 4 cm, 90% effaced. Contractions became pretty regular to 5 minutes apart by that time and a little more intense. Walked around and bounced on the ball for four hours until it was time to be checked again at 1:00 pm. I had progressed to 5 cm and contractions were 3 minutes apart with sharp back pain that radiated to my lower abdomin, pressure in my pelvis and a slight burning sensation in my cervix with each contraction. Another dose of cervidil was placed. Labor was getting pretty intense but bearable and I was trying to wait out an epidural because of adverse effects I've had in the past with anesthesia. However, after my second dose of cervidil started to kick things up I requested one for when my water were to break. By 3:00 pm when I could get out of bed again I was still a stretchy 5 cm but 100% effaced. I walked and moved constantly and bounced on my ball until 5:30ish when my water broke on its own. My nurse was in the room about to check me, so she went ahead and paged anesthesia for the epidural. My OB had planned on breaking my water to speed things up so she came in as soon as it happened. Thankful anesthesia and my OB were in the room because baby's heart rate dropped to the 70's within a couple minutes after water breaking so my OB immediately tried to place an internal fetal monitor as she thought it was picking up my pulse and baby was in a bad position. The internal monitor was placed and it was indeed little mans heart rate, which was now lower and he kept having pauses. I was rolled side to side on the bed and had four nurses massaging baby from the outside trying to bring up his heart rate while my OB was holding the fetal monitor in place. I really wished I had an epidural for this part because it was horrible. Baby kept dropping off the monitor and coming back with a lower HR each time and my O2 level was in the 80's. I was givin epi through my IV to try to bring baby's heart back after he had dropped off again and didn't come back and a shot to relax my uterus as my contractions were now on top of each other. I had a Foley catheter placed in preparation for a c section. By this time I was more than ready for a c section but unfortunately they didn't have time to administer a spinal block, so it was a general anesthesic and SO couldn't go back with me. In the OR I was asked for consent and briefly questioned about health history while I was being prepped and strapped down. The last thing I remember was a respiratory therapist standing at my head and opening the intubation kit and I told him not to do it until I was out (which wouldn't have happened), then feeling a weird warm rush. I woke up in recovery 30-45 minutes later and felt absolutely everything, plus my uterus still contracting, because the pain control I was given didn't take. I was maxed out on it and all it did was make me nauseous. I was given a pain control pump and started to settle down. I was being watched for signs of hemorrhaging so had to have my belly massaged and bleeding checked twice an hour for 4 hours. It sucked majorly. Baby's O2 dropped to 50% a few minuets after birth and he had to be worked on for a minute before stabilizing (I didn't know about this until later). He spent a day and a half in the NICU with low blood sugar and trouble regulating temp, but was otherwise great. After my pain medicine kicked in and I wasn't being checked for hemorrhaging anymore I felt a lot better, but still pretty rough. I had to wear a heart monitor to watch for rhythm changes because I converted to afib after having Novocain during a dental visit, which was a nuisance. I was finally allowed to walk around the next morning and felt a million times better. We were in the hospital for 4 days total before coming home. Besides the rough delivery, recovery has been incredibly easy and very minimal pain wise after the first few hours. It was not at all a desirable birth and I hate that I don't remember the first time I held my baby and that I was too sick to attempt nursing for the first few hours. But my baby had to come out ASAP and he made it safe and healthy. For that I am incredibly thankful.
Yes, my belly got hard with every contraction. In active labor I felt no movements during contractions but in the first stage of labor I felt all of my kiddos roll or shift during a few contractions. All of them would move in between contractions. Generally they are getting squeezed too hard to move much during one.
When I arrived (39 w 4 days) they gave me the penicillin. After 4 hours, they gave me Epi and broke my water. No pitocin needed!
Started pushing about 2.5 hours later, and he was out in a half hour. No tearing.
Overall it was a great experience. I am so lucky!!
Started pitocin and inserted the foley ball (that was a lot of pressure and pretty uncomfortable but it does work and you do get through it!). At 4pm I was dilated to 5cm and decided for an epidural as they were getting quite strong. What a relief it was - insertion was uncomfortable. My husband said it looked like he put it in and then had to make adjustments. And on that sensitive part of your back... it just gives you the chills. I'm still a little tender a day later from where it went in. But, man am I glad I opted for it!!!! Also, my legs were HUGE and swollen during after from all the fluids, epidural, and pitocin. That was one of the other things that was so uncomfortable and I hadn't expected. It goes down immediately after birth though.
From then on, it seemed like a really slow process. They had to stop labor a couple times because the contractions were too strong and making Luke's heart rate drop too low. That was terrifying!
At 1am I had an absolute meltdown and just felt like giving up (sign I was heading for transition, according to our nurse and doula). I was mentally and physically exhausted! I finally calmed down and fell asleep for the first time... around 4am I woke up and they checked me again. I was 10cm and completely ready to push!!! They had me wait just one more hour before practicing so he could drop a little further. I started crying and thanking God at that point.
After one practice push, they called my doctor because his head was already crowning and he was coming fast. We had to wait for her to arrive (about 25 minutes). It only took about 5 pushes to get him out! By far the fastest part of the entire experience and that was what I had been dreading/fearing the most.
Luke Nicholas was born at 5:30am (11 days past his due date and almost 24 hours after starting induction) and weighed 6lbs 7oz, 20 inches long. We're having a pretty easy time with breastfeeding, just a bit sore but working through it. He's such a happy baby and his daddy and I are so blessed to call him ours.
Best of luck to all the December mommas and daddies out there. What an amazing experience!