November 2019 Moms
Kurtni
member
Birth: Plans, Goals and Questions
Kurtni
member
We are cruising right along through this pregnancy, and this topic has been coming up more and more.
Feel free to post anything birth related, here are just a few questions to get us started:
Do you know where you will be giving birth?
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
Feel free to post anything birth related, here are just a few questions to get us started:
Do you know where you will be giving birth?
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
Re: Birth: Plans, Goals and Questions
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? Eh not really. We took a birthing class time since we were first time parents, but I think were good there now. I'll pack my bag a little better this time, now that I know what I used and didnt last time.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? I'm terrified of a CS (I had a vaginal birth last time), mostly because of my anxiety and I'm worried about having a panic attack on the table. But if it comes to that, I'll just deal with it as it comes. I'm mostly excited though.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? I'm aiming for med free/no epidural again. But I have no problem asking for pain meds or an epidural if it comes to it though.
Do you know where you will be giving birth? Well, I have an idea but I still haven't nailed down an OB in AK. So it will all depend on that.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? I don't usually start preparing for birth until 3rd tri. I will read through my Bradley Method book and my Breastfeeding book. Mostly just hitting the most relevant portions. Last time I literally read through the pushing phase of my labor book the night before I went into labor. 😂 I was glad I did because my husband ended up delivering that baby.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? No, I'm excited. I don't have long or difficult labors. I just need to prepare mentally to cope with another med free delivery.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? My main goal is to have a med free vaginal birth. Although, a healthy baby is most important and I don't take unnecessary risks. While my 3rd was being born I started screaming for a c-section when they lost his HB and couldn't get it back. I just want us both to get to the end healthy and alive.
I’ve had one vaginal birth and one csection, so I’m not doing much to prepare this time. I find reading birth blogs/following birth Instagram pages encouraging so I do that.
My only worry is that the one OB I dislike will be on call if I go into labor spontaneously. I think I would like to attempt a VBAC, but the benefit to a repeat csection would be knowing it will be with my preferred OB.
My only goal is to just feel at peace with whatever happens. I would love to have a VBAC but if that doesn’t happen, I hope I feel the same acceptance towards a csection as I did with Patrick.
Yes, probably one of the most popular and busy hospitals in our city, but it has a great reputation. My first was born in a different, decidedly more prestigious hospital and it was also very busy so I guess we'll just see when we see.
ETA: I didn't feel like we received the kind of treatment we would from such a great hospital, but maybe my expectations were unrealistic. We were in triage in active labor for 14+ hours. 😳
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
Reading everything I can get my hands on to read!
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
I'm definitely nervous about the plethora of complications with baby or me but that's why I'm reading everything I can to stay informed of all possibilities. I am also pretty excited, my first labor was pretty textbook and, luckily, uneventful. Hoping for the same or even better!!
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
I'm hoping for a healthy uncomplicated labor and delivery. I'm not committing my mind for things to go any way because things can change in an instant. I don't think I have what it takes to go med-free unless it is fast and furious and I have no choice. I'm comfortable with that. 😊
Ordering some comfy clothes and going to order some random baby stuff I didn’t have before to make the third time easier (nice bassinet, double stroller, etc.).
Not really nervous. It’ll be my third c-section so I anticipate a worse recovery than before, but I’ll get through it. Lots of meds and ice packs. Definitely excited!!
Just to get through it. I always feel nervous during the process because so much can go wrong, but ultimately it’s not that bad. I just feel better once I’m being wheeled out of the OR.
I'll be at the same hospital where I did last time, it's about 30 minutes away.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
Well, not right now, but I do plan to read a lot about VBAC attempts and try to do basic research into some pain/labor coping techniques. I'll start this later in second tri and then really try to get serious about the coping techniques in third tri.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
I'm very nervous since (assuming no other complications present themselves) I will be attempting a VBAC. I'm terrified I will go through the whole labor again and then will still need a CS due to failure to descend or something like that. I'm also nervous to have to be away from my son for that long if I do have a CS and am in the hospital three nights. I'm also a little nervous that the MFM I hate will be on call when I'm in labor. He was on call for part of my labor with DS, and I saw him consistently throughout that pregnancy for DS' kidneys. He's really unfeeling and just a terrible person.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
Mainly, I'd like to stay calmer this time. I was not very calm last time. I hope I can hold out on the epidural for as long as possible. I hope I get my VBAC, but if not, I hope like @Kurtni that I feel feelings of acceptance and happiness that the procedure kept me safe and brought my daughter safely into the world.
@creamcheeseplease good luck on your VBAC! And definitely stay open minded about other possibilities. I think it makes a big difference with post partem and recovery.
Same hospital I had my son at. They have a NICU and good l&d. My mil works in l&d and maternity (both of our moms are labor and delivery nurses!) there so we know a lot of the nurses through her, it makes it much more comfortable! She helped us make decisions regarding induction last time around and could be with us freely which was very reassuring. Our hospital is also close to Boston so if need be, it’s a quick ride in to the city hospitals.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
I’d like to look into hypnobirthing this time around. I’ll reread a book or two, but other than that I’d like to focus on preparing physically with some yoga and stretching.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
I’m excited to do it again, but nervous that it’ll be traumatic again. I honestly liked labor, but things went downhill fast and got a bit scary for a while, so I’m really hoping all goes smoothly this time around.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
A healthy baby and a smooth delivery, however that may be. I’d like to go med free, maybe use nitrous oxide. I had a lengthy induction due to hypertension last time and made it to 10cm when they had to give me an epidural for the emergency c section we never had, so I know I can do it, and I would prefer not to have labor slowed down again due to the epidural. But, I’m easy going and will make a game time decision! I just want to enjoy it!
Do you know where you will be giving birth? Yes. 3rd kid, 3rd hospital. Yay insurance changes and moves. Nothing is ever the same.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? Pack a bag & take the hospital tour
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? Excited for it to happen. I have been body sharing between nursing and pregnancy for the past 6 years so I am ready to have my body back.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? Happy and healthy.
Do you know where you will be giving birth? We are planning for a home birth. We know a very good team of midwives who live / practice just up the street from us. We already met with them and had a very positive impression, and I know someone else who delivered at home with them and said "I would have a 3rd child just to work with them again."
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? We will be taking classes, not sure which ones yet, and reading up as well. Of course, also prepping the birthing area when the time draws near.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? I just want it all to be healthy for me and the baby! Don't want to write about fears too much, but yes the process does scare me a bit. I'm excited to experience it, though, and to meet our new addition when he arrives.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? For everything to turn out OK :-). Of course the hope is that we can have it at home, but of course we will do whatever the midwives say. They have been doing this for decades and will know best!
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? Not for the birth, but for bringing home baby. Once we find out the sex I will sort through or get rid of the boy clothes I have. We also need to turn the spare room (which is essential a clutter holding tank right now) into a nursery.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
I am a bit nervous. My twins delivery couldn't have gone better...after a crazy pregnancy with over 2 months of hospital bedrest I was lucky to have a relatively non-eventful vaginal birth with an amazing epidural! They were born early but only needed 2 weeks in the NICU.
I am worried because this time I know I won't be having weekly ultrasounds, so my pregnancy won't be monitored quite as closely. I'm also worried because my last delivery went so surprisingly smoothly, that this one will not. My final worry is that I won't know when I'm in labour. With the twins I had the classic movie "water breaking" scenario so it was extremely obvious it was go-time lol.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
I am going in with no firm plans, just like last time. I will probably choose to have an epidural again if I can, but that's not set in stone. Like others have said, I just want a happy and healthy delivery for baby and me!
I will be giving birth at the same hospital used for the first two. It’s super close to my house and has an excellent reputation. It’s more of a birthing spa or retreat than a hospital setting. Love it! They are very pro-VBAC, which made my last experience so wonderful.
My first (boy) was a c-section. He was born 10lbs and I think I had an undetected case of GD. My second (girl) was a VBAC. Found out this baby is a boy, and I’m honestly trying to watch my weight gain and make healthy food choices. I want another vaginal birth, and don’t want to do anything to prevent that. I also found out I have a uterine fibroid the size of a peach, so I’ve been reading up on foods to eat to help prevent the fibroid from growing rapidly during pregnancy. I’ve also been researching strategies to bring on labor that will come in handy 3rd trimester. Will definitely be following some of those tips! I’m going to try and labor as much at home as possible before heading to the hospital – I always stall when I get there. I’ve also got a spreadsheet of everything baby related to stay on top of things (baby needs, hospital bag packing, labor playlist, freezer meals, lactation boosters, etc)
I’m nervous about having another big boy. My first was 10lbs.
My main goals are to have another vaginal birth safely with a healthy baby and mom.
I’m kind of on the fence right now. I gave birth to both my sons at a hospital 45 minutes away (the one closer to me has a bad reputation). I had amazing midwives who let me do my thing naturally, with no IV because I’m bad with needles and I knew that would upset me. The problem is I’ve always wanted an at home water birth (I labored pretty much the whole time in the tub). There are midwives who do home births around me but my husband is just scared. I trust my body and Labor and pushing was identical for both pregnancies. Right now I haven’t been receiving the best care from the midwives and they seem extremely busy and there is one who I cannot stand and if she is there when I’m in labor I will refuse her. At this point I’m in limbo and don’t know what to do. If I do an at home birth the nearest hospital is 15 minutes away....thoughts?
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth?
I will start reading my natural child birth books around 2nd/3rd trimester to prepare mentally.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited?
Im excited! I loved giving birth to my boys and it seemed so easy. The only hard part was the pushing for me. The burning the sensation I don’t care for so much but it comes and goes so fast.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth?
All natural . All though, if I plan to give birth at the hospital they have just started using Nitrous Oxide and I think I might give that a whirl when the contractions start getting more painful. My sister had an epidural her first and her second she used this and didn’t need one. She said it didn’t really work at the end though lol.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? I doing a lot more reading this time to prepare and so is my partner.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? I am scared shitless to be honest... My first birth was tough. I had a partial 3rd degree tear and they aren't forcing, just highly suggesting I consider a CS this time. Only because of the unpredictability of it happening again and tearing further into my sphincter muscle, to which I could lose control of my bowels. She said all could go well or not. Even more confusing is dealing with a multi doctor practice where I am getting different information each time I go. Yesterdays appt was draining and I left feeling really defeated that this could be my outcome.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? My goal was to have a med free vaginal delivery. my partner and I have been planning and researching for this. I am a STM with a traumatic first birth to which I think had a lot to do with too quick medical interventions. I was too unprepared to question anything.
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category/signature-articles/
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? I am doing Kegels. I took all the classes last time, and they were great for peace of mind, but I didn't use much from them during labor.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? Nervous about complications, but excited to meet this baby!
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? I had an epidural last time, and I'm going to try for a med-free birth this time, but that may well not happen. I'm really just hoping for a safe and healthy delivery!
Oh and she only used it during contractions and then set it aside. She didn’t like the noise it made either.
Are you doing anything to prepare for birth? I'm actually writing a birth plan this time around. I was trying to be more go with the flow last time, but this time around, I want to be much more explicit in my preferences.
Are you nervous about any aspect of birth? Excited? I'm so nervous about having a faulty epidural again. During my last labor, the anesthesiologist had a very difficult time inserting the needle and it took him almost 30 minutes to do so. When he was finished, he said "You were that hardest one that I've done in months." I just knew it wasn't going to go well after that and of course I was right. I remember looking at the monitor and seeing the contractions. For small contractions, I barely felt anything. However, for all of the strong ones, I felt everything. I ended up just dealing with the pain because I knew I wouldn't be able to sit still for another 30 minutes to have him reinsert the needle again. I talked to my midwife about this at my 6 week pp visit with DD and she recommended that I schedule a consult with anesthesia prior to delivery next time. I plan to bring this up again once we get through all of the genetic screening and anatomy scan.
What are your main plans/goals/wishes for birth? Ideally, an epidural that actually works. Also, I can't stress this enough. There will be absolutely no interns/students assisting during my labor and delivery! I allowed a midwife intern to help last time and it was my biggest mistake. She tried to check me once and couldn't figure out how much I was dilated. After that, I requested that only a midwife or doctor check me. While that was bad enough, I just couldn't get over the dumb things that she would say. And yes this actually came out of her mouth. I was in the worst pain that I have ever experienced in my life and was visibly shaking. She asked me "Are you shaking because your nervous about becoming a mom?"
eta: typo
Together since 2007 | Married June 2013
TTC #1: June 2015
TTC #2: December 2018
BFP: 2/26/19 | EDD: 11/7/19
TTC #3: January 2024
Mirena out 1/23/24
@ABabyMarshall I got an epidural when I delivered my Angel baby. It was just taking too long and I was sick of feeling the discomfort. The anesthesiologist started stabbing me with the needle before the numbing stuff took effect. I kept telling her I felt pain but she kept telling me it was only pressure. I was so upset by the time she got done. I will never get another one after that experience. If something happens and I need an emergency C, they can just knock me out.
@perfectoops See that's exactly why I didn't bother with getting it fixed. The contractions were much more frequent and intense than when I had first requested the epidural and I knew there was no way that I could sit still for that long again. And yes, keep the interns away! lol
@ABabyMarshall Because my anesthesiologist had such a hard time placing the epidural, I was unfortunately stuck with the needle multiple times. I felt a slight stinging for a few seconds each time, but it wasn't painful at all. I'm sorry they made you feel like that. You know your body and if you were feeling pain, you were!
Together since 2007 | Married June 2013
TTC #1: June 2015
TTC #2: December 2018
BFP: 2/26/19 | EDD: 11/7/19
TTC #3: January 2024
Mirena out 1/23/24
While in labor, most of the medical staff can stay away from me. 😂 DH pretty much does all my monitoring so there isn't a need for anyone else. Plus I don't allow cervical checks after my initial one upon arrival unless I am pretty positive I'm hitting transition. My water usually breaks and I don't like being threatened with the 12 hour time limit. DH always tells me I can be a difficult patient.
My midwife is a nursing professor at a local college, so she had several students with her when I was in recovery. The day after I gave birth she asked if they could do the exam with her. This poor girls, all of 19 years old getting a tour of my tears and hemmoroids 😂. I apologized to them and told to not let that deter them from having their own kids, I know it would have scared me! They were awesome though, so sweet and great when they did all of the vital checks on my son for two days. I’m a teacher myself, so I didn’t mind it at all, but I can see where a student anesthesiologist might be a bit scary.