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3rd Trimester
What I learned from labor and delivery
there are a few things that i learned from my stay at the hospital that i hope will help some other mom's out there:
- things may not go as planned, even an induction. - i went to the
hospital where they were supposed start me on cervadil, but i was
further along than anticipated so they started me with pitocin.
- you don't need as much as you think for the hospital. - i don't
think i used half of the things i brought with me except for my pillow
and couple of PJs and underwear. i overpacked cause i thought i'd be in
the hospital longer plus i thought i could give birth in my own PJs.
not so.
- Epidurals can be painful when administered (especially if you are
having contractions while getting it) but are worth it. i was lucky
enough to not feel pain during contractions until my water broke (when
i was 8cm), but once the pain started i was shaking from it. maybe it
was because of the pitocin, but i really appreciated the relief. it
allowed me to concentrate on pushing.
- If you are playing music, choose music that will motivate you. I
had been playing some soft, relaxing music. but after pushing for an
hour, i was getting tired. i changed it to my gum playlist and baby
came out 30 minutes later.
- if the baby comes out sunny side up, you may get cut up. I was
cut from one end to the other and then sewn up. i didn't feel a thing
though cause of the epidural.
- i cried and cried uncontrollably when my baby was born.
- either you or the hospital have to keep count of diapers. we were
supposed to leave diapers on the crib/bassinet shelf so the nursery
could count them, but no one told us so we threw them out. nurses
thought that since they weren't seeing diapers, that the baby wasn't
getting enough breast milk. i believed them that the baby wasn't
getting enough so i et them givve him formula until i found out why
they thought that.
- make sure they tell you what medication they are giving you and
what it is used for. Because of my episiotomy and my ginormous
hemorrhoids from pushing, they gave me a sitz bath, lidocain and tucks.
I assumed that the lidocaine was like preparation H. so i used it on my
hemorrhoids and stitches as well. lidocaine is a topical anesthetic so
it was not helping my hemorrhoids. one week later and i can still
barely sit.
- make sure you tell the nurses and/or doctor whether you've pooped
or not before you leave the hospital, even if they don't ask. I was
given colace twice a day during my stay but never went. i went from
Monday - Saturday without pooping and, needless to say, my hemorrhoids
got much worse and painful.
- if you do have a situation where you have an episiotomy and
hemorrhoids, be sure to ask for a donut. i wasn't offered one until the
day i was leaving the hospital.
- if you are having issues having the baby latch on to your breast,
ask for a pump until you can figure out what to do either by working
with the hospital or seeing a lactation consultant on your own. i had
issues cause of a flat nipple and the consultant didn't have much time
for me, she suggested i use a pump but i wasn't offered one until the
day i left.
- don't be afraid to complan or praise the nurses that help you.
- lactation consultants are sometimes covered by your health insurance.
- expect to be in awe of having a child and being a mom. oh i forgot one more
- MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LEAVE THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT YOUR BABY'S
DISCHARGE WEIGHT. you need it for the first pediatrician visit. i left
without mine and now i have to write a letter requesting the records
from the hospital.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: What I learned from labor and delivery
Big brother Luke
Little brother Zachary