@kns1988 I had back pain for about a month after my epidural, it was manageable though. My understanding is that the epidural does not cross the blood brain barrier and reach baby, IV pain meds do. Many risks and benefits of each option that you should discuss with your doc obviously.
so totally random...sitting here at work and Peanut keeps kicking me...I am a FTM at 22 weeks and I absolutely LOVE feeling those little kicks and punches. Oh and although it has been said before I feel it deserves to be said again, I totally love how awesome our group is. It is making my pregnancy experience so MUCH better. That is all...back to work I go.
I think the risks of an epidural are greatly exaggerated on the internet. My biggest concern would be mentally preparing to get one and then having it partially or completely fail. The epidural was one of the greatest things I experienced during labor, aside from getting a new baby. I had a small spot of pain near where it had been for awhile. But I never knew if that was from the epidural or regular back pain from carrying around a baby, picking her up, putting her down, etc.
@notaplaya-justcrushalot that's a good point. I have mentally prepared myself that I will get another epidural but I need to prepare myself just incase it doesn't happen again this time.
@kns1988 Another successful epidural here both times. I did have back pain/tailbone pain for a few days after, but I always assumed it was more from pushing a baby out and sleeping in the hospital bed. It never lasted longer than a few days! The only complication I know from real life is my best friend, but she has a rod in her back from scoliosis so her epidural during her first delivery didn't take on both sides completely (something to do with nerve damage from her rod surgery).
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
May be a stupid question but here goes. Do the BMB still do the month badges? The 2 from my last board are in my siggy and would love to put a may one in it.
People keep asking me if I'm going to do an epidural. I really don't know. I'd love to do natural, but I also would love to not feel the pain. I think I am going to decide in the moment and accept whatever decision I make. H is insistent I should just get the epidural, but...we will see.
@emilyalso I loved that video! Although, in general I find her videos to be a bit.. negative? Something about her tends to rub me the wrong way if I watch a couple in a row haha. But that's SO what its like in my house sometimes. Theres always an ailment/ache/pain going on.
Has anyone had a tightness feeling down both sides? like kind of closer to the back? I'm guessing maybe obliques stretching? when I take a deep breath or kind of stretch i feel like my sides are going to rip in two.... I don't remember feeling this kind of stretching with DD...
car naps are the WORST! I couldn't get home quick enough to get DD in her bed for nap, so she slept for 15 minutes in the car and thinks she doesn't need to nap now... She normally sleeps for 3 hours. UGHHHHHHHHHH I NEED A NAP
car naps are the WORST! I couldn't get home quick enough to get DD in her bed for nap, so she slept for 15 minutes in the car and thinks she doesn't need to nap now... She normally sleeps for 3 hours. UGHHHHHHHHHH I NEED A NAP
OHH that sounds awful. I'm so sorry!! Maybe some quiet time will make her fall asleep? Obviously I'm clueless as I'm a FTM, but I know when I refused to nap, I still had to sit in my room for quiet time and I always fell asleep. My sneaky mom hahah
Epidural thoughts: I really want to try without one this time. Last time I couldn't even feel all of my contractions and if it wasn't for the monitor I definitely wouldn't have known how far apart they were. I dont know if not if not having one is an option though since hopefully I will be attempting a VBAC. I did have mild back pain after my epidural, but my biggest issue was I had an anxiety attack right after it that led to me being sedated.
@kmd1106, I agree, men are awful at being sick. My husband reminded me this morning he was on day 8 of feeling bad. I've been sick and had to take care of a sick kid at the same time without any extra help. So frustrating!
As far as epidurals go, I had no negative side effects with DS. I was 8 cm by the time I got it and in hindsight, I maybe wish I have tried to go a little longer or without (but it was welcomed instant relief). I think it's a game time decision depending on how your labor progresses.
Regarding back pain and epidurals: I can't speak to having an epidural as I didn't qualify last time and at this point do not qualify this time. But I can say that I had a good deal of back pain and aches for a few weeks after delivery. The deflation of my midsection and the change in how I held myself minus a bump along with all the new twisting and lifting did me in. The only thing that helped was a strong post partum girdle.
car naps are the WORST! I couldn't get home quick enough to get DD in her bed for nap, so she slept for 15 minutes in the car and thinks she doesn't need to nap now... She normally sleeps for 3 hours. UGHHHHHHHHHH I NEED A NAP
Car naps are the bane of my existence. DS is the same way as your DD. If he falls asleep for even 5 minutes in the car, my hope at a 3 hour nap is gone. I have been known to roll the windows down, yell, and poke him to keep him awake. No shame.
@Jkp7749 in two years I have only once ever converted a car nap to a crib nap. Solidarity. Those things are the devil.
@ShadeofGreen816 you have been warned, car naps have like a 99.99% failure rate at continuing inside the house. Odds are slightly better when they are tiny and you can just take the bucket inside but heads up, they are sleep ruiners.
You guys are really making me hope this kid sleeps like I did....Loud noise? NAP TIME! Time to get out of the car? I'M NAPPING, CARRY ME! I am still kind of like that. When I nap, I nap!
Those that had normal A/S results, did you find the appointment with your doctor afterwards a complete waste of time? We spent maybe 5 minutes with him and feel like it could've been done over the phone. Now if there had been something note worthy, I would've been fine with an in office visit.
@RainyDays86@jkp7749 DD just turned 3 and has just recently gotten to the point where we can move her from the car to her bed and she will go back to sleep if she still needs a nap (most days) so there is hope. However, we are also getting to the point where some weekends she just doesnt nap at all anymore, so there's that struggle too....
We are the opposite with the car nap situation, about 95% of the time I can keep him asleep when I transfer into bed. Thank god, because there are some days where a drive is the only thing that'll knock my wild child out.
FFFC? I probably utilize the car nap way more than I should. I'm totally striving to be one of the moms with good consistency around sleep habits with this next one because we blew it with DS1.
Car naps are seriously the worst...when DS was younger and would fall asleep in the car, DH and I would frequently grab a beer and have happy hour in the drive way vs. risking taking him inside and waking him up. Now that he's down to one nap a day, we avoid car naps at all costs--screen time usually saves the day.
still going strong! she's got to be exhausted...we went to fun gym for two hours and played hard this morning.
anyway, as for epidurals, I loved mine. I got to 8 pretty easily (I mean, it wasn't horrible and I could bear it until 8) and then finally asked for it. I waited another hour before I could get it so I don't know how far I was at that point but I'd suggest not waiting until you can't take it anymore because by the time they did it I was in so much pain. Once it was administered, I got to ten very quickly. I couldn't tell anything negative from the epidural afterward because I was in pain anyway from needing a csection. However, I will say I had this horrible pain in my butt when I was pushing (I pushed for three hours) and the epidural did not touch it. I even had them do another one so be aware that you may still feel stuff very strongly.
Car naps are the worst!! Although, with younger daughter I now have something that actually works! (I'm sharing, because it's magical with her so it might work with other little ones too?). When we go inside from the car, instead of immediately trying to get her to go back to sleep, I give her a snack. And then after the snack, I put her down just like a usual naptime, and she sleeps! For her whole naptime!! (I found this out totally by chance one day when she car napped on a day that she hadn't had a great breakfast, and I wanted her to have some lunch before she slept.)
Car naps were the worst. DD stopped napping at 2yo. NOTHING will get that kid to nap, not even the car. She even stopped napping at daycare and lays on her cot in silence for 2 hours. However, sometimes she falls asleep at night in the car and we just started successfully transferring her to bed from the car, including a PJ change. Also, as much as I miss weekend nap time, we are no longer a slave to the nap schedule on a Saturday afternoon.
DD will usually still go to sleep after a car nap. If it has been a particularly long car nap, I will rarely stay in the car for a bit longer to keep her asleep. Maybe run through a drive-thru Starbucks and get myself a great! But that is rare, she is a good sleeper.
@Squirtgun: That actually makes a lot of sense. Food in belly means she won't wake up super hungry and cranky (we can hope!) and it helps to reinforce your pattern/routine of lunch then nap. Great idea!
Re: epidurals. I second the opinion to have a chat with your provider about the pros and cons, in order to make an informed decision. I had had that talk with mine early on, and went to the childbirthing class, but forgot the details once it came down to it. Things like "I won't be able to walk during labor," I totally blanked on. So I was pretty surprised. For me, and this is strictly anecdotal, the epidural seems to have slowed down my progression. I was dilating 1 cm every 1 to 2 hours but then things kind of halted, for like a half day. I have a sneaking suspicion it was because I didn't feel the "need" so strongly to keep things moving, because things were numbed up, if that makes sense. I could be wrong. Hindsight and all. I'd def do it again this time, if I'm able to.
And no, I had no specific lingering back pain afterward. I had to deal with itchy red hives on my arms and legs (probably from the hospital sheets?) for about 2 weeks post-birth. Maybe I should buy some cheap-o sleeping pants to bring with me that I don't mind getting trashed and leaving behind... or I could raid their stash of scrubs! just kidding. sort of.
@SKZW I actually talked to my doctor before labor because I heard from an L & D nurse that epidurals slow your labor down. He said that can definitely happen because when you get an epidural they give you a ton of fluids along with it and the fluids flood your body and dilute the hormone that is causing labor. However, he also said that epidurals can also speed labor up because they relax you and prevent you from tensing up with each contraction, thereby preventing your body from doing what it is supposed to. He said in his opinion/experience it was about 50/50 labor speeding up versus slowing down with an epidural.
In my case I was one of the lucky ones whose labor sped way up when I got the epidural. Beforehand I had been trying very hard to relax during each contraction and breathe and even visualize my cervix opening. I got to the hospital after my water breaking and being in labor for seven hours with contractions lasting 45 seconds to a minute every three minutes and I was a three. I got the epidural and within four hours I went from a three to a ten and pushed out my son.
Edited to fix gramatical errors caused by smart phone posting (to avoid the wrath of @ShadeofGreen816).
I also think the epidural sped up my labor. The day before my induction, they gave me meds in my cervix because I hadn't progressed at all. I had some contractions that night but they went away and didn't lead to any progression at all. I checked in to the hospital that morning, got some more cervix meds and got to maybe a 2. They finally started pitocin and nothing happened forever. I spent the day watching Netflix and playing cards. Finally, some contractions started but nothing painful. Then, boom, I went from very little pain to unbearable pain w/ tears streaming down my face. I asked for an epidural. At this point, they hadn't checked me since I was at a 2. I delivered within a few hours of getting the epidural. I have no idea if that's what did it since I don't know where I was when they gave it to me. But I can tell you that I was finally able to relax once I got the epidural and things progressed very fast.
The 50/50 thing is really interesting! I hadn't heard that before. (And reading both of your posts, my brain just flashed on "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," where the mail carrier says "speedy delivery!" LOL, my brain is a dork sometimes)
@absbubbs My doc didn't even schedule an appt to discuss the a/s. I have the scan right after my 20w appt and I won't see him again until 24w. Usually he just calls me with a quick "all looks good".
I could never transfer DS. DD every single time up until she turned 2. Now something as short as a 5 minute nap is enough for her. Ugh. I was so used to being able to be out and about all the time but now I try to be home by noon no matter what to avoid having her fall asleep in the car.
Me: 38 DH: 36 Married 8/27/2011 BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012 BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014 BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017 BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
New topic: Does anyone own a Roomba? Do you love it, hate it, forget to clean it? Anyone thinking of getting one? I'm thinking bigger family + more of a mess + less time, means I deserve one, right?
Honestly, vacuuming my wee house takes no time at all and it's not some huge hassle, but sometimes I wished a magic little robot would engage itself daily and do a nice sweep up, just so I don't have to ... and this dream can be a reality! Any experience with this?
New topic: Does anyone own a Roomba? Do you love it, hate it, forget to clean it? Anyone thinking of getting one? I'm thinking bigger family + more of a mess + less time, means I deserve one, right?
Honestly, vacuuming my wee house takes no time at all and it's not some huge hassle, but sometimes I wished a magic little robot would engage itself daily and do a nice sweep up, just so I don't have to ... and this dream can be a reality! Any experience with this?
Me, me! I got one for Christmas and I LOVE it! Our entire downstairs is tile and everything just scatters. I hate using the vacuum because the dog likes to bark and bite the vacuum the entire time. Very frustrating.
He's unsure of the roomba still...he goes from watching it with tail wagging to growling at it. I think he thinks it's a toy. Either way, SO much easier for me. We can go upstairs and let "Jetson" do his thing downstairs and he does a great job! Got all the pine needles from Christmas and you know how those can be.
I have the 615 (or something) model. It does not have a programmable schedule, but that's fine with me as I'd be unlikely to use it anyway. It had been on Amazon super sale right before Christmas and I've heard they do go on sale like that every now and again.
Lol, I've seen the pooptastrophe's. Thank goodness Quincy is a good boy and doesn't have accidents. However, accidents are just that which is part of the reason I'm okay with mine not having a schedule. It also gives me a chance to pick up anything I'm afraid it'll grab.
Re: Randoms and Questions 01.02 - 01.08
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
The only complication I know from real life is my best friend, but she has a rod in her back from scoliosis so her epidural during her first delivery didn't take on both sides completely (something to do with nerve damage from her rod surgery).
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@arels483 oh LOL!
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Funnny stuff right there.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
As far as epidurals go, I had no negative side effects with DS. I was 8 cm by the time I got it and in hindsight, I maybe wish I have tried to go a little longer or without (but it was welcomed instant relief). I think it's a game time decision depending on how your labor progresses.
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
@ShadeofGreen816 you have been warned, car naps have like a 99.99% failure rate at continuing inside the house. Odds are slightly better when they are tiny and you can just take the bucket inside but heads up, they are sleep ruiners.
May '17 labor memes
Those that had normal A/S results, did you find the appointment with your doctor afterwards a complete waste of time? We spent maybe 5 minutes with him and feel like it could've been done over the phone. Now if there had been something note worthy, I would've been fine with an in office visit.
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
out.
FFFC? I probably utilize the car nap way more than I should. I'm totally striving to be one of the moms with good consistency around sleep habits with this next one because we blew it with DS1.
anyway, as for epidurals, I loved mine. I got to 8 pretty easily (I mean, it wasn't horrible and I could bear it until 8) and then finally asked for it. I waited another hour before I could get it so I don't know how far I was at that point but I'd suggest not waiting until you can't take it anymore because by the time they did it I was in so much pain. Once it was administered, I got to ten very quickly. I couldn't tell anything negative from the epidural afterward because I was in pain anyway from needing a csection. However, I will say I had this horrible pain in my butt when I was pushing (I pushed for three hours) and the epidural did not touch it. I even had them do another one so be aware that you may still feel stuff very strongly.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
Re: epidurals. I second the opinion to have a chat with your provider about the pros and cons, in order to make an informed decision. I had had that talk with mine early on, and went to the childbirthing class, but forgot the details once it came down to it. Things like "I won't be able to walk during labor," I totally blanked on. So I was pretty surprised. For me, and this is strictly anecdotal, the epidural seems to have slowed down my progression. I was dilating 1 cm every 1 to 2 hours but then things kind of halted, for like a half day. I have a sneaking suspicion it was because I didn't feel the "need" so strongly to keep things moving, because things were numbed up, if that makes sense. I could be wrong. Hindsight and all. I'd def do it again this time, if I'm able to.
And no, I had no specific lingering back pain afterward. I had to deal with itchy red hives on my arms and legs (probably from the hospital sheets?) for about 2 weeks post-birth. Maybe I should buy some cheap-o sleeping pants to bring with me that I don't mind getting trashed and leaving behind... or I could raid their stash of scrubs! just kidding. sort of.
In my case I was one of the lucky ones whose labor sped way up when I got the epidural. Beforehand I had been trying very hard to relax during each contraction and breathe and even visualize my cervix opening. I got to the hospital after my water breaking and being in labor for seven hours with contractions lasting 45 seconds to a minute every three minutes and I was a three. I got the epidural and within four hours I went from a three to a ten and pushed out my son.
Edited to fix gramatical errors caused by smart phone posting (to avoid the wrath of @ShadeofGreen816
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
May '17 labor memes
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Honestly, vacuuming my wee house takes no time at all and it's not some huge hassle, but sometimes I wished a magic little robot would engage itself daily and do a nice sweep up, just so I don't have to ... and this dream can be a reality! Any experience with this?
Also this is all I can think of when I think of people getting them:
He's unsure of the roomba still...he goes from watching it with tail wagging to growling at it. I think he thinks it's a toy. Either way, SO much easier for me. We can go upstairs and let "Jetson" do his thing downstairs and he does a great job! Got all the pine needles from Christmas and you know how those can be.
I have the 615 (or something) model. It does not have a programmable schedule, but that's fine with me as I'd be unlikely to use it anyway. It had been on Amazon super sale right before Christmas and I've heard they do go on sale like that every now and again.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
https://www.google.com/amp/www.today.com/amp/home/when-roomba-met-dog-poop-man-s-poopocalypse-goes-viral-t101883?client=safari
Ps. This would not influence my decision to buy one but it's too funny!
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry