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December 2016 Moms
slartybartfast
member
Med-free Check-in 9/15
slartybartfast
member
1- how many weeks?
2- how did pregnancy go this week?
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
2- how did pregnancy go this week?
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
Mother of an April '15 baby
Due December 16
Re: Med-free Check-in 9/15
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Pretty good. I was on the struggle bus during yoga class this morning though. And I think I've been experiencing BH. They're fairly low down, and mostly occur after I've peed, which is sort of weird. And they only last for 10 seconds or so. So I dunno! But I've been trying to focus on relaxing and breathing through them just in case
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) I attended a birth with my mom back in college. It was an old-order Mennonite woman, her 5th or so child. Everything was very peaceful and I really don't remember much TBH. Just eating delicious homemade grape nuts with milk afterward, and meeting her husband, who was really sweet with the baby. I found out he died in a traffic accident several years later.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? I think my mom is sort of going to be my doula? So...yeah.
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
2- how did pregnancy go this week?: Overall pretty good except for my tummy strain. I feel a lot better with more support, though I hate having movement restrictions--I would go crazy if I had bed rest. ABSOLUTELY MAD, I tell you!
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s):
I haven't seen birth in person, but earlier in pregnancy I watched a lot of videos of different types of birth. I learned a great deal, and it helped me have at least some idea of what to expect, which eased my mind. I also thought the ladies were so strong and beautiful, no matter what kind of birth they had.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?:
I only see my doula twice in person, once at the interview, then at 38 weeks before the birth. But I can text or call her at any time of the day with questions. I wish I could see her more, but considering that I'm paying $500 and not $1,000+ (the latter is more typical here), I don't feel too bad. She's very responsive and supportive.
Oh, I wanted to add that I did get more information about how my induction will go, and it gave me a lot more confidence that I can still have a somewhat med-free birth.
I would be admitted on Monday night the week before my EDD. They said to relax and have a nice dinner beforehand. I wouldn't be started on Pitocin right away--I would get 2 doses of Cervidil to soften my cervix in hopes I'd go into labor on my own--it would also let me sleep that night. Since I'll be close to my EDD they are confident that it will work. If the doses of Cervidil don't work, then they will start Pitocin, but it wouldn't be a continuous drip of it. I'd get a break. If that doesn't work I will get a C-section but they don't think it will get that far unless my BP destabilizes.
If I don't get an epidural, I will be encouraged to eat a snack to keep my energy going, which was nice to hear. Overall it sounds like it will be an encouraging experience and not too crazy. I feel better knowing what to expect in that regard.
2- how did pregnancy go this week?
ok... I've been busy, slightly grumpy and I think I broke two of my toes and am hobbling around. That's what's made me grumpy to be honest!
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
No, but I have played midwife for my goat 3 times, which might be nearly as emotional and stressful! I'm really fond of her. I go check her and help with the whole process. Its still amazing and sweet. She struggled a lot with her last birth probably because it was a singleton, and he was bigger. It was all I could do to not intervene. I also watch birth videos and such.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
No doula, my husband is my main helper and since I'm at home I don't need an advocate. My midwife would become that if we were transferred to the hospital.
Due December 27th with baby #7
2- how did pregnancy go this week? No complaints!
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) Never seen a birth in person. I need to watch some videos so I'm more prepared with generally what to expect.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
Luckily my doula is also the receptionist at my midwife's office. I technically "see" her every appointment but it's not like I've had an actual appointment with HER. She is super sweet and I am making note to ask her when I can talk to her further on what will actually happen for my delivery.
2- how did pregnancy go this week? OK. Starting to have difficulty sleeping and feeling more achy.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) I haven't seen one in person but every week in our Bradley class we typically watch one or two all natural. They are all vastly different which is why we watch them. Most of them have made me feel better about the process except one where the woman was going through transition and was wholly unreasonable and crude. I don't want to be that lady.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? We met our doula for the interview, and we will have appointments at 30 and 36 weeks. My 30 week appt is 10/3 and we will go over preliminary birth planning, and exercises to do, and go over questions. The 36 we iron out the final details (I know they are not final details as anything could change but you know what I mean.) My doula also does a post-natal visit to make sure we are doing OK with breastfeeding and life. (she is also a certified lactation consultant).
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Well my stomach feels better... and I am actually not sure that gap I thought was forming in my abs is actually there... and I'm recalling I had a freakout last pregnancy at this same time about my abs splitting and they didn't. I'll ask next Friday. In other news, the heartburn is so annoying. I'm having oatmeal heartburn as we speak.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
Never in person other than my own. The first time I watched a birth video I was like "AAAACKKKK WTF DID I JUST SEE" and so I knew I needed to watch a bunch more to desensitize myself. So at this point I've seen dozens. Further along I'll start watching more. I cry every time the baby comes out. Every single time.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
We did the interview and then, like @leksiL we have two prior to birth meetings. I was sort of wondering when makes sense to schedule them which is why I stuck in the question. I'm thinking around like 34 and 36 weeks. We have one meeting with her after the birth too. I can text/email her whenever and check in with her every so often to update her that everything is going healthy. She's also a massage therapist so I may schedule a post natal massage with her too. I'm over paying for prenatal ones where I'm uncomfortable again the moment it stops and it's limited anyways.
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Going okay. I've got back and hip pain and some swelling, which is annoying. I'm seeing a prenatal chiropractor on Monday - hopefully she can help with my back issues. I have arthritis in my lumbar spine, and I had to stop taking my anti-inflammatories, so there's not much else I can do to control the pain for it. Luckily it hasn't been nearly as bad as I had expected - I thought for sure pregnancy would be horribly uncomfortable the whole way through, but it's only becoming an issue as I get bigger.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) I haven't, at least not since sex ed in 6th grade, but we will be seeing some at our child birth class this weekend. I think DH is dreading it.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? We get two prenatal appointments, but we haven't scheduled them yet. I'm thinking we'll do around 30-32 weeks and one a bit later.
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Pretty good, I have only had mild heartburn so far, but I expect that to change soon. Also the other day as I was walking up the stairs I had a pinching feeling on my cervix. I remember that from before but I didn't expect it this early.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
I have only seen myself give birth. With DS I didn't watch but with DD I had mirror. I plan on having the mirror again this time, it gave me modulation to get the baby out and I could see how far she was out.
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Not the worst, but I think MS is coming back and my pelvis is complaining every time I stand up. I got a support belt yesterday and I think it's going to make a difference.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) Only videos, mostly the birth scenes in The Business of Being Born. I think I get more from reading birth stories than from watching videos, because I get to learn what was going through the birthing mamas' heads during the different stages.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? Probably going to do without a doula, just can't afford it. I'm going to try to get DH to get more committed to being my support (he's worried he won't be able to handle me being in pain).
2- how did pregnancy go this week? This week has been okay- definitely slowing down.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) I've not seen a birth in person before. I've seen some videos, and @mysteryship I totally agree about reading birth stories. They give a great perspective and I can't seem to get enough of them right now.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? I'm feeling in the minority here- we haven't hired a doula. DH is kind of uncomfortable with the idea of too many people in the room, and we are using a midwife, so I'm hoping we'll be okay. I'm trying to encourage him to learn as much as he can to be a good coach/support during labor.
2- how did pregnancy go this week? It's going...no real complaints per se.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) I've only seen the birthing videos in our childbirth class several years ago. This will be my third child, so I'm pretty comfortable with the process by now, but even then, I had little (really no) desire to watch any childbirth videos. I'd rather read about it any day.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? I don't have a doula and have never had one for either of my previous births. Just not an option that I'm personally interested in.
ETA: correct typos
DH: 36⎹ Me: 36
2- how did pregnancy go this week? its been ok. I'm on modified bed rest now instead of strict bed rest, so I can get up and move around, but still have to really limit what I do. My vagina hurts when I'm standing up, so even though I'm trying to move around the house more, its hard.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s) Not in real life, but we've watched a few in our weekly birthing class now. (Well I have. I think DH watched the first one and has turned his head every time after that.) I will watch the videos to learn what's going to happen, but I don't really enjoy watching them and definitely do not want to watch that happen to me. And I've already told DH I don't want him to look down there. It's cool that our bodies can do that, but also kinda freaks me out.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? Our hospital has a volunteer doula program, which is awesome. The only down side is that we do not get to meet our doula beforehand. When I show up in labor, they call one of their doulas to come in and she will be there with us the rest of the time (or until we dont want her there anymore). Our birthing class teacher is also the doula coordinator and said in the four months of this program, they have never had a couple unsatisfied with their doula. She also told me last night that the hospital I would be sent to if I go into labor before 37 weeks is starting up the same program next month, so if I can hang in there, we will get a volunteer doula at that hospital too.
DD- 11/2016
26+2
I know I've been busy because I had to look it up...
2- how did pregnancy go this week?
Good. Worked too hard unloading/unpacking yesterday and didn't drink enough (any) water. Woke up in the middle of the night with cramps in both calves. Now they've been sore all day. Guess I need to take it easier tonight.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video?
Seen lots of videos. Never seen a birth, but heard one last weekend. Our birth class is in a birth center lobby. A mom came in shortly after class started. We could hear her down the hall. She delivered while we were there. We did she her placenta though.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth?
We had our interview. And we get two meetings pre birth. I asked when they were recommended during the interview but now I forget. I need to talk to her again now that's we're in the same state
2- how did pregnancy go this week? pretty painful. I spent too much time standing and walking and my back and hips paid for it. but I finally got into the chiropractor after work today and although the adjustment was super painful, I felt much better afterward. even able to walk up the stairs without too much pain! now that i'm aligned i'll be buckling on the support belt and hopefully that will keep me from slipping back too soon.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s). does watching myself push a baby out in a mirror count? last pregnancy we watched several birth videos in our Bradley class. most of them were hog wash compared to what I remember of the birthing experience. an orgasmic birth, um I don't think so! or the videos that make birthing look downright pleasant. c'mon. birth can be brutal and animalistic, not like i'm going to have a forceful sneeze and baby will just come sliding out.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? well this reminds me, I have to find a doula...I guess I better get on this. December is probably a tough month to book.
My Wedding Bio!
2- how did pregnancy go this week? Pretty good. I found today that I passed my glucose test, so that's a relief. I'm super tired this week and I have a feeling my flu shot is making me sick.
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s). I've watched several videos, but no live births. The videos have given me confidence, mainly because the ones I've seen have been unmediated.
bonus - I'm interested in a doula but DH is against the expense. We'll see how he does and maybe the second time around he'll be on board
2- how did pregnancy go this week? I am tired. And having BH kind of often, and my bump muscles are sore. I have, however, had the BEST SLEEP EVER since mid second tri this week-about 4.5 hours a night according to fit bit! I keep waking at 4:30 and wish i could sleep til 5 when my alarm goes off, but this is better than last weeks 3 hours of sleep average!
3- have you ever seen someone give birth in person? Or watched a birth video? If so, what was your reaction(s)
I saw my friend give birth for 3 of her 5 children and like, half participated in the first. It was pretty freakin awesome, I am always surprised at how big the head is after the initial crowning. When you see the top of the head, I feel as though it doesn't seem like the thing coming out will be that big. Then the next push you are like, SHIT THAT IS HUGE.
bonus- if you've got a doula, how often/when will you meet with her prior to birth/after birth? I also do not have a doula, but have thought about someone who is also an LC for post partum, because I don't really know how I am going to navigate DS being home for that first week before I feel like leaving the house with the new babe to take him to daycare. I'm waffling, but should probably get on it.
If you are planning to birth in a hospital (particularly your 1st time)... totally get a doula! They lower risk just by being a present set of eye (I think docs and nurses realize that they can "do" things if they mistreat or misuse their position... Doulas are trained ot be your advocate and that's a good thing to have in that setting!)
If your mate isn't the best advocate, helper or caregiver for you... totally get a doula.
If you are at home and have caring midwives who take that role ... I'd probably skip it.
If you fear a doula might "take over" for your mate or step on their toes, or be "too much" (as in too many people present)... consider not having one.
If money is an issue consider asking someone you trust (Mom, sister, best friend or mate) to invest in learning how to be your advocate and helper (but only if it's a good fit).
Due December 27th with baby #7