With my first, I did a birth plan, but ended up being bullied into a lot of unnecessary interventions, and the birth plan basically went out the window. This time I have a doula, and we have gone over the birth plan together, so she can advocate for me. Basically everything on my plan is not negotiable unless medically necessary (natural birth, delayed bathing and cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, no paci or bottle). Just for the advocacy with th e birth plan and the help putting it together, the investment in a doula is worth it to me. And that doesn't even factor in the support in laboring, breast feeding, etc. That she will provide.
The reason I'm saying no to an IV is that I don't plan on having an epidural or any medicine. I also think (completely personal opinion) that having an IV allows doctors etc to tell you what they're doing as they're doing it and act like they're consulting you on an intervention. If I don't have an IV, they have more steps (and more opportunities for me to ask questions, say no thanks, discuss with my husband).
Another reason not to is it can cause bloating and water weight for both you and the baby. This can lead to inflated baby birth weight, which means they lose more, and then the doctor freaks out because the baby isn't "gaining weight" when really the baby was just bloated from the IV fluids.
This is why I intend to avoid it unless necessary. I think as long as you are drinking water and keeping down fluids, they aren't necessary. Stuck in a quote box! I don't know if you're delivering at a hospital or not, but I wasn't allowed to drink anything at all once I was admitted to labor and delivery. I think this is fairly standard practice at hospitals. The reason for this is because if you need a cs, they don't want to take the chance of you getting sick in the OR.
The reason I'm saying no to an IV is that I don't plan on having an epidural or any medicine. I also think (completely personal opinion) that having an IV allows doctors etc to tell you what they're doing as they're doing it and act like they're consulting you on an intervention. If I don't have an IV, they have more steps (and more opportunities for me to ask questions, say no thanks, discuss with my husband).
Another reason not to is it can cause bloating and water weight for both you and the baby. This can lead to inflated baby birth weight, which means they lose more, and then the doctor freaks out because the baby isn't "gaining weight" when really the baby was just bloated from the IV fluids.
This is why I intend to avoid it unless necessary. I think as long as you are drinking water and keeping down fluids, they aren't necessary. Stuck in a quote box! I don't know if you're delivering at a hospital or not, but I wasn't allowed to drink anything at all once I was admitted to labor and delivery. I think this is fairly standard practice at hospitals. The reason for this is because if you need a cs, they don't want to take the chance of you getting sick in the OR.
I was allowed water during labor.
Do IV fluids really cause baby to bloat? I had A LOT of fluids during labor for various reasons and there was absolutely no bloat on DD. I'm curious how IV fluids can affect baby when they're living in amniotic fluid anyway, and some people have more or less amniotic fluid. Genuinely curious as I've never heard this before.
No supplementation, no bottles, no sugar/glucose water, no formula, no paci's, breastfed on demand only (I bring signs too, nurses said this was helpful last time as they have so many they do forget and one even went so far to tell me she sees all sorts of things against what the mom's want, not on purpose, but just because things aren't really laid out straight sometimes) If a boy no cosmetic procedures DH or I present with baby at all times No HepB shot, but vitamin K and eye goop are fine skin to skin as soon as possible
New rules this time: No visitors until after baby has had the first skin to skin and first nursing session We are hiring a doula in case DH goes off with baby (baby is planned to be healthy like last time but just in case) for any reason I won't be alone.
There are some other things, but I just don't feel they are worth the "fight". I have to have a C-section and if I didn't I would have gone to a birth center or done a home birth so the whole experience is really the total opposite of what I envisioned. But I am still looking forward to the day, and am very happy about all of it overall. I am just so glad that in the face of medical conditions I do have the hospital route available to me and my baby so we can be healthy which is the priority.
@avidkeo It's IV access without the tubing, essentially. So yeah, you have an IV catheter in there, but you're not attached to anything.
Ok, sorry I'm still confused. so whats the difference? I had an IV in my hand (OMG never experienced pain like that going in before lol). nothing was attached until I was taken to theater. and they only put it in when it was decided we were having the c-section. I feel like I should know about this because I work in a hospital! granted not a nurse but am surprised I haven't come across it before.
I think also you can ask for the hep lock to be in your forearm rather than hand. I plan to ask for that. IVs in the hand suck so much.
If you get it in the forearm and the vein blows, then the hand is no longer an option either and they'll need to switch arms, unlike if they were done the other way around. Plus, the hand is more convenient once you're holding your baby. Just something to consider.
This is true, too, that a blown vein up higher means everything below it is generally considered a no go. My hand veins suck, though, they always blow. And they hurt so bad (mine do)! I'm more inclined for forearm as well, but I hadn't thought of the impact of an IV up higher on holding the baby. Hm, something to consider.
I really didn't think the IV hurt that much. It wasn't painful while being put in and it was only slightly annoying having it in all day long. It was nice when they finally took it off....felt free!
I prefer the forearm IV. I feel like it lasts longer and doesn't get in the way while wiping on the toilet or washing hands. I am a repeat c-s, so my IV will stay in 24hrs. I will also ask for the IV to be in left forearm, unless they won't let me have the ID and baby bands on my left writ too. Then, right arm it is!
Mama to Three Girls: Twins born March 2014 at 26 weeks due to preterm labor and our 37weeker born May 9th, 2016!
Oooo, another thing to consider is if you want to labor in different positions. Again, I have never/will never be in labor, but when I was planning for my first delivery and thought it was going to be vaginal, I made it clear I wanted to labor in multiple positions and not just on my back, legs up. I had actually envisioned giving birth on all fours (hey, that's how we got into the mess in the first place! Ba-zing!) or squatting. MW and birthing centers are usually more open to these kinds of suggestions, but you can have it in the hospital as long as you get a hep lock for easy IV access in case things take a turn.
I'm just curious...how can you tell a doctor "no episiotomy."? I mean, I get it that no one voluntarily *wants* one, lol, but what is the alternative? Ripping? Or am I missing something? Which may be the case; I didn't even know what one was until recently when my friend had one.
I'm just curious...how can you tell a doctor "no episiotomy."? I mean, I get it that no one voluntarily *wants* one, lol, but if you rip, you rip. Gotta sew that up, no? Or am I missing something? Which may be the case; I didn't even know what one was until recently when my friend had one.
An episiotomy is when the doc tears you to make more room.
Getting a tear naturally and being stitched up for it is not considered an episiotomy.
I'm just curious...how can you tell a doctor "no episiotomy."? I mean, I get it that no one voluntarily *wants* one, lol, but if you rip, you rip. Gotta sew that up, no? Or am I missing something? Which may be the case; I didn't even know what one was until recently when my friend had one.
An episiotomy is when the doc tears you to make more room.
Getting a tear naturally and being stitched up for it is not considered an episiotomy.
Does that make sense?
This. The birthing center I'm at doesn't do them unless absolutely necessary bc often times they really aren't necessary and the cut can actually sometimes lead to more 'damage' than what would have occurred naturally.
You'd say, "I don't want an episiotomy, I'd like to tear naturally."
Is there a risk that would be a worse outcome than a careful incision? I guess I'm just trying to give doctors the benefit of the doubt. But I know there are many that think docs are too quick to take action like this.
You'd say, "I don't want an episiotomy, I'd like to tear naturally."
Is there a risk that would be a worse outcome than a careful incision? I guess I'm just trying to give doctors the benefit of the doubt. But I know there are many that think docs are too quick to take action like this.
I think there are pros and cons to an episiotomy, just like, say, an epidural. Some doc's like to jump the gun and intervene any chance they get...but that doesn't mean there have been times were an episiotomy was absolutely necessary.
Okay so I went through hell with my doctor and labor...and I was pushing for like 20 minutes when she offered an episiotomy. At that point, I was just done AND I didn't want her more pissed at me, so i said yes. Lady cut me past my butthole. Sorry tmi. But it was a long recovery.
This time around (@ a different practice), they don't do them unless absolutely necessary. I'm convinced I wouldn't have torn that much, but I guess I'll never know.
Also- they say tearing naturally is an easier recovery.
Okay so I went through hell with my doctor and labor...and I was pushing for like 20 minutes when she offered an episiotomy. At that point, I was just done AND I didn't want her more pissed at me, so i said yes. Lady cut me past my butthole. Sorry tmi. But it was a long recovery.
This time around (@ a different practice), they don't do them unless absolutely necessary. I'm convinced I wouldn't have torn that much, but I guess I'll never know.
Also- they say tearing naturally is an easier recovery.
Ouch! I'm sorry that happened to you after just 20min! I hope you tear much less or not at all this time!
Mama to Three Girls: Twins born March 2014 at 26 weeks due to preterm labor and our 37weeker born May 9th, 2016!
You'd say, "I don't want an episiotomy, I'd like to tear naturally."
Is there a risk that would be a worse outcome than a careful incision? I guess I'm just trying to give doctors the benefit of the doubt. But I know there are many that think docs are too quick to take action like this.
While it is falling out of favor in most up to date OB practices, some still routinely do this, and some are shady about getting real consent and being honest about what they are doing.
Reasons not to: You may not tear at all, and an episiotomy is an automatic 2nd degree tear. Some women don't tear, or may have only had one degree. It can also cause you to tear more. It's the difference between pulling on a whole piece of paper and pulling on one that has a slit cut in it. Which is going to tear more?
Most doctors will only do them if they can see you are about to have a worse tear, or if they have to use forceps to get the baby out. So more emergency situations. It's routine episiotomies most people are against.
@kami09 she was mad at only 20 minutes of pushing? Jeez!
Like you, I was told I was getting an episiotomy right before she came out even though it was on my birth plan not to, but at that point I was not thinking rationally. I didn't think my recovery was all that bad, but I didn't have anything to compare it to.
You'd say, "I don't want an episiotomy, I'd like to tear naturally."
Is there a risk that would be a worse outcome than a careful incision? I guess I'm just trying to give doctors the benefit of the doubt. But I know there are many that think docs are too quick to take action like this.
Usually (according to my birth teacher) your natural year will be superficial, while a cut made by a doctor will be longer and deeper. Plus you can tear more after the doctor cuts you (more than if you'd just torn a little naturally).
@hellogoodbye2 she was pissed that I didn't go along with the normal induction process lol- I refused pitocin the next morning which caused me to go home and she was pissed I was back on a Saturday with a "skeletal staff". She actually threatened to send me back home until the next Monday. Which would've been...like 5 days in labor? So I was kind of scared to go against her at that point.
@hellogoodbye2 she was pissed that I didn't go along with the normal induction process lol- I refused pitocin the next morning which caused me to go home and she was pissed I was back on a Saturday with a "skeletal staff". She actually threatened to send me back home until the next Monday. Which would've been...like 5 days in labor? So I was kind of scared to go against her at that point.
Wow. I'm so sorry you went through that, there is absolutely no reason for medical professionals to act that way. Some seem to forget their Hippocratic oath. And working weekends is part of being a doctor, especially an OB; if you don't like it, don't become one. It's pretty common knowledge that babies are born all seven days of the week.
Mine was super simple, I was induced with my first.
#1: show up #3: ask for epidural #2: do what nurses/doctors instruct.
Easy peasey!
This is me exactly. A detailed birth plan would stress me out but I admire those who put the work into the planning. I'm just not that adamant about anything other than only having my DH in the delivery room when it's time to push but I feel like I can tell my family that myself.
Yes this! This will be my 3rd baby and These 3 things are all I've ever done and will do. Just go with the flow. The only other thing for me is that it will only be me and DH during delivery. After baby is born we are going to bring our older daughters in before anyone else to have some family time.
@hellogoodbye2 she was pissed that I didn't go along with the normal induction process lol- I refused pitocin the next morning which caused me to go home and she was pissed I was back on a Saturday with a "skeletal staff". She actually threatened to send me back home until the next Monday. Which would've been...like 5 days in labor? So I was kind of scared to go against her at that point.
Oh please write a thorough and negative review for this person online. That's horrible. I am so sorry you had to go through that.
Ok, after I got over the hibbly-gibblies from thinking about tearing/cutting the perineum (my butt is actually tingling as I type this...yowch!) I remembered something my birth instructor showed us. She took a piece of tissue paper and pulled on the ends. It tore in a jagged line about 1/4 down the paper. Then she took another piece and cut the top with scissors, just a small notch, and pulled on the ends. It tore in a straight line almost all the way down the paper. Every woman in that room screeched and cowered, while the men were very confused. When I explained to MH what the tissue paper represented, he still didn't get it.
Long story short, the advantages of tearing naturally are that it could be a smaller tear and more superficial. The disadvantages are that it may be a more jagged or off-center tear and is more unpredictable. An episiotomy is more controlled, however could be deeper and may lead to more tearing depending on how labor goes. Every OB has different ideas about it so it can be hard to get a straight answer (clearly my childbirth educator was anti-episiotomy, but others may recommend it). Either way, you should never feel forced one way or another. Your body will stretch and, yes, tear if it needs to to get that baby out, but it may take longer than the staff would like. You should have a voice though if you want to give yourself more time to naturally make space for the baby. If all else fails, medical intervention is an option, but doesn't necessarily have to be the go-to solution.
Re: What's On Your Birth Plan?
Do IV fluids really cause baby to bloat? I had A LOT of fluids during labor for various reasons and there was absolutely no bloat on DD. I'm curious how IV fluids can affect baby when they're living in amniotic fluid anyway, and some people have more or less amniotic fluid. Genuinely curious as I've never heard this before.
No supplementation, no bottles, no sugar/glucose water, no formula, no paci's, breastfed on demand only
(I bring signs too, nurses said this was helpful last time as they have so many they do forget and one even went so far to tell me she sees all sorts of things against what the mom's want, not on purpose, but just because things aren't really laid out straight sometimes)
If a boy no cosmetic procedures
DH or I present with baby at all times
No HepB shot, but vitamin K and eye goop are fine
skin to skin as soon as possible
New rules this time:
No visitors until after baby has had the first skin to skin and first nursing session
We are hiring a doula in case DH goes off with baby (baby is planned to be healthy like last time but just in case) for any reason I won't be alone.
There are some other things, but I just don't feel they are worth the "fight". I have to have a C-section and if I didn't I would have gone to a birth center or done a home birth so the whole experience is really the total opposite of what I envisioned. But I am still looking forward to the day, and am very happy about all of it overall. I am just so glad that in the face of medical conditions I do have the hospital route available to me and my baby so we can be healthy which is the priority.
Mama to Three Girls:
Twins born March 2014 at 26 weeks due to preterm labor
and our 37weeker born May 9th, 2016!
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/jamie-and-jeffs-birth-plan
@jessicab0627 From what I've heard it *can* cause bloating, but not always. Probably just if you ended up with more fluid than normal.
DS: Born 5-17-16
Getting a tear naturally and being stitched up for it is not considered an episiotomy.
Does that make sense?
DS: Born 5-17-16
This time around (@ a different practice), they don't do them unless absolutely necessary. I'm convinced I wouldn't have torn that much, but I guess I'll never know.
Also- they say tearing naturally is an easier recovery.
Ouch! I'm sorry that happened to you after just 20min! I hope you tear much less or not at all this time!
Mama to Three Girls:
Twins born March 2014 at 26 weeks due to preterm labor
and our 37weeker born May 9th, 2016!
Reasons not to: You may not tear at all, and an episiotomy is an automatic 2nd degree tear. Some women don't tear, or may have only had one degree. It can also cause you to tear more. It's the difference between pulling on a whole piece of paper and pulling on one that has a slit cut in it. Which is going to tear more?
Most doctors will only do them if they can see you are about to have a worse tear, or if they have to use forceps to get the baby out. So more emergency situations. It's routine episiotomies most people are against.
Like you, I was told I was getting an episiotomy right before she came out even though it was on my birth plan not to, but at that point I was not thinking rationally. I didn't think my recovery was all that bad, but I didn't have anything to compare it to.
Long story short, the advantages of tearing naturally are that it could be a smaller tear and more superficial. The disadvantages are that it may be a more jagged or off-center tear and is more unpredictable. An episiotomy is more controlled, however could be deeper and may lead to more tearing depending on how labor goes. Every OB has different ideas about it so it can be hard to get a straight answer (clearly my childbirth educator was anti-episiotomy, but others may recommend it). Either way, you should never feel forced one way or another. Your body will stretch and, yes, tear if it needs to to get that baby out, but it may take longer than the staff would like. You should have a voice though if you want to give yourself more time to naturally make space for the baby. If all else fails, medical intervention is an option, but doesn't necessarily have to be the go-to solution.