Med-Free Check-in 8/18

slartybartfast

1 - How far along are you?
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?


BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go?


Last weeks thread

slartybartfast

1 - 23 weeks tomorrow
2 - it's been a rough week. I'm uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. I feel frantically icky if that makes any sense.
3 - Def. I'll make a few playlists and have pandora available.

BTDT - music during early labor got me in a zone that was so helpful. Having it in my headphones helped me block everyone else out which I felt like I needed to do. When I interacted with people, it was slowing things down and I was trying to get labor going without induction (success). I listened to soothing music like enya and stuff. During delivery, DH put it on with pandora again (bless him) and while I was pushing, this song was playing. It was so crazy and perfect!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX__4aHwYzM

Austenista

1 - How far along are you? 22w4d
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Pretty okay. I gained some energy and have been doing a lot more with my time. Eaton is starting to beat me up internally which I think will be less and less cute as we proceed, but for now I'm enjoying the constant reassurance he's okay in there. 
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I am thinking about it. I've never had a baby before so I don't know what to expect in any capacity and that includes what my hospital experience is going to be like. If I do, I will probably make some worship playlists with some artists like Bethel Music or similar. I've also thought maybe some ocean or rain soundtracks might do as well. 

ve304856

1 - How far along are you? 21+3
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Good, no complaints, I went to my appointment this morning and the dr said my A/S looked good
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I would like to listen to some music. I am curious on how others listened to music, do you get a Bluetooth speaker, or headphones?


BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go? I didn't listen to music last time. I did watch a movie in early labor at the hospital. 

tinattt23

1 - How far along are you?
22+1

2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?
Pretty well. Just started getting uncomfortable at night the last week or so. But I guess I can't really complain. I got lucky longer than I though I would. Hunger is kicking in full force. And the stretching. Think bubba's having a serious growth spurt this week.

3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?
FTM, so plan on covering all my bases. I'll probably make some playlists. But keep Spotify handy in case my mood changes. I'll steal my mom's nice wireless speakers in case I get annoyed with headphones. One day in my life where FI can't complain about my music choices

karmba

1 - How far along are you?  
24 weeks
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?  
Good, sleeping is getting tough but that's what I was expecting.
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?
  I'd like to!  DH is excited to put a baby playlist together.

edit: spelling

PensiveCrayon

1 - How far along are you? 21 weeks today!

2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Good, good. I've noticed that I'm really starting to slow down though, which makes me sad. Like, even hopping up on the counter makes me feel like an old lady. I don't want to quit my workout classes, but I might just have to. We'll see how the next six-week session goes.

3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? Hoping to! @tinattt23 I like your style of covering all your bases. We're Eastern Orthodox, and it will be right around Christmas, so I'll probably have a Christmas playlist ready, as well as non-Christmas chants that I know well and can sing along to. But then I'll make another playlist of power pop, because for some reason I can imagine myself wanting to listen to The Edge of Glory when I'm pushing, haha.

In general, I'm trying to arm myself with techniques for dealing. This weekend I'm hoping to make some labor flash cards with reminders like "Relax your jaw!" and "Laugh!" (Well, we'll see how much I can laugh on command when I'm actually in labor. But maybe I'll get together a list of links that always kill me.)

maamawaabangi

- How far along are you? 21 and some odd days
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?
Blah... I feel like a truck hit me. So tired. So moody. I'm not sure if it's post camp coma or low iron or I'm fighting something off. I just feel like a pregnant sloth. 

3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?
No. It's too distracting too me. Silence is good... Says the mother of 7. 
Just saying a meditation to myself will probably be a better course of action. 

BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go?
Ive tried it each time and ask them to turn it off once I start moaning ... I think I'll not worry about it this time. 

tinattt23

@PensiveCrayon I think the laugh card would make me laugh at myself for thinking a laugh card word work. So in the end, I guess it would work  

mommy_af

1 - How far along are you?
22 + 3
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?
Overall, pretty good this week. DH felt baby kick this morning, so that was fun. 
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?
I think so- I figure if music can motivate me during a workout, it will probably be helpful in labor. Can't hurt to have something ready. I'll probably have something upbeat as well as a more relaxing option. Recently, I've been feeling woefully under prepared for this whole med-free labor thing, but I'd really like to do it. We're signed up for some childbirth classes next month, so hoping that will be helpful. 

@PensiveCrayon I totally feel you on the slowing down thing! Every morning when getting out of bed (or even just standing up from my desk chair a work) I feel like a baby deer trying to take it's first steps. At least it's been making me laugh so far- I feel so ridiculous. 

leksiL

1 - How far along are you? 23w today!
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Fine, getting bursts of energy followed by lulls. 
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I've already started my playlist! I have a relaxing playlist and a "pump" playlist. I am very effected by music and it can pull me out of a dark place very easily so I'm glad to have it ready. I also have Apple Music on my phone so I can listen to basically any song I want at any time. (The Hospital has wifi and we will bring our bluetooth speaker). 

My "pump" playlist is hilarious. It has everything from DMX to Bad Religion. It probably won't get played, but it's there in case I need a burst of energy  

JEM525

1 - How far along are you? I am 22 weeks

2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? It's pretty uncomfortable, my pelvis is out of line and I have bad sciatic pain and round ligament pain. I have a message, chiropractor, and physical therapy lined up this week. 
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I know this has been mentioned but my Chiropractor just told me about her hypnobirth experience. I forgot to ask her what method she used. I'm not interested in taking my hospitals class that cost $325. Can anyone stear me in a book/ audio book and meditations I could purchase on Amazon or a good app?


BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go?
 I hope to use calming meditative music during this pregnancy and labor. My first labor experience was very calm and quiet wonderful. I hope to have a similar if not better labor experience this time around. I delivered in a hospital
and I was able to labor in the shower and jet pool before I delivered in bed. My labor and delivery room was more like a luxury hotel sweet than a hospital room. 

gowenc

1 - How far along are you? 25 weeks today!
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Pretty good. I'm tired and have some aches and pains, but overall feeling pretty good. would be better if it wasn't so hot and humid!
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I will load up my iphone with music - most likely I'd want to have headphones in. That said, sometimes when I'm in stressful situations I like quiet, so I may not end up using it.

This is my first time posting on this particular thread - I'm curious to know others' reasons for wanting to go med free? For me, I have arthritis in my lumbar spine, and I don't want to develop further back issues from having a needle stuck in my spine. Also, part of me wants to be able to feel what's happening - I think that my body will know and I should trust it. If I can't feel anything, how will I know if I'm pushing too hard or too fast? Lastly, I really want to be able to get up and walk around while in labor, and shift positions during delivery. Because of my arthritis, it's really not comfortable for me to be lying on my back for a prolonged period of time. That said, I have no idea how labor will go for me so I may end up getting the epidural - I just really want to try to go without.

mysteryship

1 - How far along are you? 24 weeks 2 days

2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Not too badly. Back and forth between being exhausted and being pretty energetic. I saw a chiropractor for the first time and it was awesome - definitely looking forward to seeing her more often as birth approaches.
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? I'm going to be prepared with music - probably all instrumental/chanting stuff because I have trouble concentrating when I listen to anything with lyrics. But I may have DH make me a rockin' inspiration soundtrack just in case. But I also have a feeling I may want it quiet.

SaraRose83

@tinattt23 Great idea to do headphones AND speakers just in case. I was going to just bring headphones but now that you mention it, being all sweaty with buds in my ears while wanting to know what the nurses are up to might not be the best choice. I'm also one of those weirdos that gets embarrassed about my own music choices though, so sometimes I like the privacy. But whatevs, this is my moment, right?

@PensiveCrayon Genius with the laugh links. I also heard laughing is really good for moving the baby, and I remember thinking, what the hell would make me laugh during labor? But videos ready to go could do it. I thought about putting a stand up comedy dvd into the hospital's tv but that might drive me mad if I suddenly want silence. 

 1 - How far along are you? 24 weeks 3 days

2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? Not terrible. Heart burn is starting...noooo!!! And baby keeps waking me up in the middle of the night punching me, so I'm tossing and turning like crazy. But no complaints there, I'm actually really excited to feel her definitely moving - finally! I'm down on myself about exercising. Tried squats my doula prescribed and they hurt. My thighs and calves feel too big to squat on. I feel like I need to do so much more gym time, but I get tired and crampy so...meh. Walking and stretching it is for now. 

3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? Definitely! Already started planning a motivational playlist for pushing and delivery and a calming one for when I'm freaking out... although I might just need silence for that part. I'll also make sure I can set Pandora up in there in case I decide I hate my playlists. 

slartybartfast

@gowenc - It may be sort of difficult to dig up but our first question for this thread was why do you want to go med free if you want to try to find it and see everyone's answers. They were mostly about wanting to move, wanting to avoid unnecessary interventions, wanting to avoid risk from unnecessary procedures...

gowenc

Thanks @slartybartfast! I'll see if I can find the first thread.

dmontgo

1 - How far along are you?: 22+4
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?: Starting to get in that uncomfortable stage...hard to get good sleep because my joints hurt.

3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?:

Pink Floyd has always had a huge emotional significance for me ever since I was a little girl. Right before we found out I was pregnant we were in Chicago for a once-in-a-lifetime concert of David Gilmour, the lead guitarist and for the band's later years, lead singer. It's the only time I've cried at a concert. Anyway, my hospital has a TV and DVD player in the labor/birth room, so I'm going to pop in some of their live concert DVDs and listen to them. Their music really helps me go to a different place in my head, so for me it's perfect. If for some reason I get tired of it, I will ask DH to play the Relaxation Station on Pandora, another personal favorite.

H4aPartyof5

1 - How far along are you?  24 + 4
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?  Fairly well, just a bit tired.
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?  I seriously doubt it.  


BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go?  I didn't have/listen to music during either of my previous labors.  I opted to watch something on TV instead.

zubenescamali

@gowenc don't stress over pushing if you end up with an epidural.  i don't think it's common to be a poor pusher. your body feels the pressure and you just push.  course i don't know how it will go with all the feels this time.
1 - How far along are you?  22 weeks?  i forgot and didn't look it up before i posted. oh that's sad.
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week?  not bad, i overdid the walking and standing on Wednesday so i suffered for it but feel pretty good today. trying to stay off my feet.  i'm nervous about keeping my leg strength up for labor since i need to stay off my pelvis (did a lot of squatting last labor and my legs kept giving out)
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how?  absolutely, see below
BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go?  yes, DH bought a relaxation music cd and it did help, Isabel was born during the song titled "delicacy and strength".  i'm not sure we still have the cd but he will put something together this time as well.  i plan on using it earlier on this time to try to stop the panic from setting in. i think last time i was too focused on everything around me and not enough inward to engage the calm and i think if i have the music to focus on during the earlier parts it will help me get to the end.

jenlynne0624

1 - How far along are you? 25 weeks tomorrow. HOLY CRAP
2 - Overall, how is pregnancy going this week? I felt super nausous and sick over the weekend, but I think it was a bug that ds and dh picked up too. 6 poopy diapers and one was a massive blow out while at a restaurant yesterday, then little man puked when we got home. Ugh.
3 - Are you planning on incorporating music or other audio component into your labor? If so, how? Maybe? I'd like to if I remember.


BTDT bonus: did you have music last time? How'd that go? Nope. There was no time for that because everything happened so freaking fast.

dmontgo

Although I would ideally not use pain interventions, I have been considering IV medication if it comes to that.

However, when I was talking with my doula today, she said that with IV meds, the medication passes through the placenta onto the baby...but an epidural doesn't. She said if everything is normal and smooth, she thinks I'll be fine without intervention, but if I decide to go with intervention (which she will discourage unless necessary) she feels that an epidural is safer for the baby.

So now as I think about birth wishes and any back-up plans,  I feel conflicted. I don't want Ashton to be affected, but I don't want anything in my spine. Maybe they can smack me with a hammer? Sigh.

slartybartfast

dmontgo said:

Although I would ideally not use pain interventions, I have been considering IV medication if it comes to that.

However, when I was talking with my doula today, she said that with IV meds, the medication passes through the placenta onto the baby...but an epidural doesn't. She said if everything is normal and smooth, she thinks I'll be fine without intervention, but if I decide to go with intervention (which she will discourage unless necessary) she feels that an epidural is safer for the baby.

So now as I think about birth wishes and any back-up plans,  I feel conflicted. I don't want Ashton to be affected, but I don't want anything in my spine. Maybe they can smack me with a hammer? Sigh.

That was also my conclusion about pain management meds. Also, every person I know that has tried IV pain meds (narcotics) or laughing gas first, moved on to epidural. As they described it, once you start expecting pain relief and get into that mindset, those other options just don't cut it.

As far as IV, I'll have a buff cap and if I'm group B strep + I'll do antibiotics again after my water breaks if labor goes long. I know others on here didn't go with antibiotics and I'm not recommending either way... I just realized that is one intervention I'll opt for.

dmontgo

@slartybartfast It just seems like a big joke and it's very frustrating. I'm going in with the mindset that I won't need it, but I want to be realistic as well--I've never done this before and you just never know. But then you do your due diligence and then it's as if you HAVE to choose the epidural as your other option--the others aren't what you'd hope they'd be. Discouraging for sure.

I feel at this point that I will 100% go without it (barring medical issues)...the alternative is not something I am comfortable with. 

slartybartfast

@dmontgo - I think one reason it's such a brain spin is that labor can literally go SO MANY different ways. You just want to be able to know what to expect with some aspect and it's frustrating that is just not available. I think the best you can do is design a plan A based on what you read and learn, and stick to it as best you can, and be able to see what cards your are dealt during labor to see if plan A needs adjustment. One thing I didn't have going for me last time is I was unclear on what cards I was actually dealt. I wish I had hired a doula last time and am super glad I've got one this time.

dmontgo

@slartybartfast I think having a doula is going to make everything a lot less scary for me!

jenlynne0624

@dmontgo I had a mini dose of the iv meds, and fwiw, it did JACK for me except make me feel drunk. I had to keep my eyes closed after taking it because the room spun. Took no pain away and baby came out fine.

dmontgo

So I gotta admit...reading the birth stories has me thinking..."Why bother?"

fauxpa-2

@dmontgo You took the words right out of my mouth

PensiveCrayon

@dmontgo If anything, they've got me more determined. No induction! No membrane sweeping! No pitocin! No epidurals! Laboring in the water at home!

Obviously this could all go out the window, and that's the lesson to be had from all the birth stories. But gosh darn it I'll try my hardest if given the opportunity.

slartybartfast

@dmontgo - I'll take a stab though I don't want it to come across as though I am judging a non-med-free plan A at all.
Why bother:
1 - you're stronger than you know and your body can do amazing things.
2 - interventions come with risks and do not come with guarantees. Their benefits/risks should be heavily weighed and the timing can also be extremely important. Wanting to avoid pain during childbirth is not a realistic plan A. Even with interventions. Epidurals too early can prevent labor from progressing and can lead to other interventions. To me it makes sense to start with the simplest path - let your body do what it needs to do, and then choose to interfere with other tools available if the need (as defined by you) arises.
3 - Your body parts and systems use nerves to communicate. Pain is a form of this communication. There's no reliable data-driven conclusions for so much of pregnancy and childbirth but it follows that the sensations associated with labor and delivery are providing information to your body (this is the function of pain) and numbing the areas doing the work may have an effect on recovery.

I did have an epidural at the very end and it was the right call for the labor I was dealt and the situation I was in. I think if I could have gotten my blood pressure down and that darn nurse hadn't been giving me frightening misinformation, I could have finished out med-free.... but everything turned out great and I'm completely satisfied with that. I do think getting an epidural earlier would have been the wrong call. I'm feeling super confident I'll be able to go med-free this time but also super confident that if obstacles come up, I'll make the right choices, like last time. And DH and I will have a baby! And it will be done!

But for me, minimizing risks to myself and baby is plan A. That means minimizing interference with my body's needs during labor (which it knows best).

dmontgo

@slartybartfast You are right, and I still would like to be med-free if possible for the reasons you mentioned and more. Today has been emotionally shitty for me and I felt a visceral response to the stories. It's no one's fault, but the "I don't want to scare anyone, but...." left me discouraged and scared. I want to be realistic, but I want to feel empowered and positive, too. Wasn't getting that vibe. I probably should just stay away from the stories for now (again, no one's fault, just probably best for me).

SarahF8611

@dmontgo  I'm so sorry the post I started is discouraging you  That is absolutely an unintended consequence. 

mysteryship

@dmontgo I've been re-reading the birth stories in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I find it really reassuring to read so many stories of successful med-free birth - they don't sound easy, but they sound possible.

jenlynne0624

slartybartfast said:

@dmontgo - I'll take a stab though I don't want it to come across as though I am judging a non-med-free plan A at all.
Why bother:
1 - you're stronger than you know and your body can do amazing things.
2 - interventions come with risks and do not come with guarantees. Their benefits/risks should be heavily weighed and the timing can also be extremely important. Wanting to avoid pain during childbirth is not a realistic plan A. Even with interventions. Epidurals too early can prevent labor from progressing and can lead to other interventions. To me it makes sense to start with the simplest path - let your body do what it needs to do, and then choose to interfere with other tools available if the need (as defined by you) arises.
3 - Your body parts and systems use nerves to communicate. Pain is a form of this communication. There's no reliable data-driven conclusions for so much of pregnancy and childbirth but it follows that the sensations associated with labor and delivery are providing information to your body (this is the function of pain) and numbing the areas doing the work may have an effect on recovery.

I did have an epidural at the very end and it was the right call for the labor I was dealt and the situation I was in. I think if I could have gotten my blood pressure down and that darn nurse hadn't been giving me frightening misinformation, I could have finished out med-free.... but everything turned out great and I'm completely satisfied with that. I do think getting an epidural earlier would have been the wrong call. I'm feeling super confident I'll be able to go med-free this time but also super confident that if obstacles come up, I'll make the right choices, like last time. And DH and I will have a baby! And it will be done!

But for me, minimizing risks to myself and baby is plan A. That means minimizing interference with my body's needs during labor (which it knows best).

ALL OF THIS

Toller

slartybartfast said:

@dmontgo - I'll take a stab though I don't want it to come across as though I am judging a non-med-free plan A at all.
Why bother:
1 - you're stronger than you know and your body can do amazing things.
2 - interventions come with risks and do not come with guarantees. Their benefits/risks should be heavily weighed and the timing can also be extremely important. Wanting to avoid pain during childbirth is not a realistic plan A. Even with interventions. Epidurals too early can prevent labor from progressing and can lead to other interventions. To me it makes sense to start with the simplest path - let your body do what it needs to do, and then choose to interfere with other tools available if the need (as defined by you) arises.
3 - Your body parts and systems use nerves to communicate. Pain is a form of this communication. There's no reliable data-driven conclusions for so much of pregnancy and childbirth but it follows that the sensations associated with labor and delivery are providing information to your body (this is the function of pain) and numbing the areas doing the work may have an effect on recovery.

  [Stuck in the box!]

These are all perfect. And remember you are in a minority of women who WANT to go med free- this alone gives you a HUGE advantage to getting what you want, along with having a doula (I'm sure you've all seen the numbers regarding med-free success there!)

 Intervention tends to lead to more intervention.

I have a med-free positive birth story but it got eaten so I haven't had a chance to repost it yet

PensiveCrayon

@mysteryship That's my strategy too! When I first read the book, pre-conception, I skipped over the entire section. I was like, "Meh. Birth stories." But now I'm like, "GIVE ME AN EMPOWERING BIRTH STORY PLEEEEASE!" Also: it's really difficult to find successful, positive stories of first babies born at home. Also II: I read a really fearmongering article on homebirth in the Guardian yesterday, and it was just super discouraging. Whyyyyy?

dmontgo

@Toller02 Please let me know when you've posted your story--I would really like to read an encouraging med-free birth story.

@mysteryship +1 To Ina May's books and the birth story sections. Most are so encouraging and peaceful to read. I guess yesterday just caught me off guard.

jenlynne0624

I posted my med free birth story too! It happened very quickly, but it all turned out well in the end. I'm open to answering any questions about the whole process too. I'm very open and honest about the whole thing.

slartybartfast

@dmontgo - I definitely debated posting mine. But in the end I figure, hey I have a story, I had a successful birth, I'm not gonna feel like I need to hide it. I also wrote up my story right when we got home because I wanted a fresh account. If I hadn't and tried to write it up now, it would have been so much softer. But when I was in it, birth was anything but soft. It was ROCKIN. It's truly an incredible, inspirational, and challenging thing to go through. Before my birth I only read positive stories. I think this approach is perfect for many many people. For me, it had me feeling confused and misled when mine started going differently (you know, this is my fault to a large degree. Having hour long braxton hicks is not normal. But I was nervous and blocked it out. Didn't ask my midwife. Didn't google... and thus didn't know it may be a sign baby is situated funny) and then felt behind the 8 ball the entire time really. If there's any take away from my story, I would hope it would be... things can go atypical from what you read in the picture perfect birth stories and they can still be just fine and healthy. Birth can go so many different ways and so many of them are still healthy. And if my body is freaking pushing. It's because it wants to freaking push and that's okay. Darn nurse. Afterward I learned from the midwives that it's super common for people to start (comparatively) gently involuntarily pushing before the real deal pushing begins and out of thousands and thousands of births, none of them had seen it cause a c-section.

dmontgo

@slartybartfast  I don't want anyone to hide their story, and I definitely do NOT blame anyone for their experiences. And I do read stories that are far from perfect--I'm not naive enough to think that my birth will be magical and perfect--that's stupid and short-sighted thinking. Like I said, I want to be realistic but also optimistic.

I guess I was surprised (I have not read the whole thread so I'm sure there are differences now...maybe...hopefully) that so many mentioned they could not go into detail because it was painful emotionally, or that it became life and death, or there were serious problems that arose, etc. Had to stop reading then for my own anxiety and empathy.

Basically, I've tapped myself out on research in this category. I don't  think it's beneficial for me to read birth stories in general at this point because I have read so many and I'm at burnout from the mixed emotions I feel.