Poll : how much do you know

flycka

About birthing?
I watched Baby Story and honestly both c-section and vaginal births are scary.
I'm in complete denial and won't think about it until it is time.
Now if you watch the episode with a 21 year old giving birth vaginal it seems to be a piece of cake, ha!
So, how much do you know? Or even thought about it?

coloradoalyssa

I never really thought about it much because my OB already told me I'm going to have to have a C-Section because of the position of my uterus.  I work in a hospital though and spend some time down in Delivery and Postpartum and I'm always amazed by how well everyone seems to be handling everything....I guess the education will come because right now just thinking about it makes me a nervous wreck!  I really don't know that much about either type of delivery but I'm sure I'll be a wealth of knowledge by the time I get there!!

wordslikeswords

I just delude myself into thinking it'll be totally OK lol. And I pretend it's just like bad menstrual cramps.

flycka

wordslikeswords:

I just delude myself into thinking it'll be totally OK lol. And I pretend it's just like bad menstrual cramps.

Ha! That's a good way to look at it.

Sel Gris

I think I know more than average considering I'm not even pregnant. I have a over planning problem though, so I'm going to blame that. C-sections scare me. I don't like the idea of being awake while having my insides exposed.

rebelina1

I had 32 hours of labor with my DD and then ended up with an emergency c-section.  I was not at all prepared for how horrible labor was.  I knew it would be painful but the level of pain was beyond my comprehension. 

I think one of the worst parts is that once you are admitted to the hospital they don't let you eat just in case you need emergency surgery.  32 hrs. without food and being in extreme pain was not fun.  By the time I had the emergency c-section I was so grateful to get it all over with that it didn't freak me out at all.  That was actually easy compared to the previous 32 hrs.

But, it is definitely worth any amount of pain to hold your sweet baby in your arms.  Once you see your beautiful baby all of the pain goes away.  

punkymama

I don't know much at all, I guess I am so busy trying to get pregnant; I haven't put much thought into anything else that happens. I guess I will be playing catch up on figuring all of that stuff out once I need to know

 

ondjima

I was told about episiotimies, but it was not really explained to me. So I walked around for days thinking that they cut on the top side of the vaginal opening (as in right through the clit) and not the bottom side. I was horrified. Still the thought of it is scary.

90% of the births here in Namibia are scheduled C-sections. So we may just go that route. I have too many drug allergies and bad interactions, and I have bad asthma so I guess I am not holding on for a natural birth or anything like that. (Or breastfeeding for that matter, with all the meds I am on)

flycka

rebelina1:

I had 32 hours of labor with my DD and then ended up with an emergency c-section.

I'm covering my eyes and ears to that.

rebelina1:

But, it is definitely worth any amount of pain to hold your sweet baby in your arms.  Once you see your beautiful baby all of the pain goes away.  

And so looking forward to that.

KaliChick

I was in L&D with my sister all the way up to when she delivered (we left for delivery at her request .... wonder if she regrets that now ... hmm).  Anyway, I think I know too much! LOL

rebelina1

kdodge423:

rebelina1:

I think one of the worst parts is that once you are admitted to the hospital they don't let you eat just in case you need emergency surgery.  32 hrs. without food and being in extreme pain was not fun.  By the time I had the emergency c-section I was so grateful to get it all over with that it didn't freak me out at all.  That was actually easy compared to the previous 32 hrs.

That's not true everywhere. I ate twice during my induction (from the hospital cafeteria at my nurses' insistence).

I wish I had been at your hospital!  They wouldn't let me eat for hours after my c-section so I went close to 2 days on apple juice and chicken broth.  Yuck!  The same (no food thing) happened to my friend at a different hospital when she had her first baby.  For her second baby she labored at home and went to the hospital at the very last minute so she could have food.  LOL.

Cheetara2

punkymama:

I don't know much at all, I guess I am so busy trying to get pregnant; I haven't put much thought into anything else that happens. 

This! If and when I do get pregnant, I'll do all the reading then and watch birthing videos. Until then I'll remain in my ignorant bliss

Mitzi Bishi

I read an incredible book called Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born.  I'd highly recommend it. 

The sad part is what women have had to go through - and in some cases still have to go through. Today I just read that the US has one of the worst instances of maternal death rate in the industrialized world. Only 3 were worse: Moldova, Russia, and Albania. 

It's a pity that there is so little progress for mothers in the US.

CluckyEV

DH & I were talking about this the other day.  I told him that I didn't wanted to think about anything that had to do with getting a baby out of my body.  It freaks me out.  But I do watch Deliver Me. 

STL34

I was in the room when my older sister had baby number one.  It's pretty disgusting, but I'm sure it could have been worse.  And I have heard enough to know more than someone TTCing probably should know!  That said, I'm still trying to do all I can to get PG.  I know the end result would be worth everything I have to go through to get there.  I just hope I get that opportunity.

kdodge, my little sister said that contractions on pitocin are way worse than normal contractions.  She has three kids and they used pitocin for two of them.  The pitocin free birth was, in her opinion, the easiest. 

genmalone

I've thought about it alot.  A few years ago I was very pro c-section because I was so terrified.  Now, after having so much of the amazing TTC experience taken away from me I now look forward to having a baby vaginally.  I've done a complete 180.  I'm going to try to have to have my phantom baby 100% natural.  I may even have my acupuncterist assist with the birth (he is also an MD).  He is amazing and swears he can help with the pain.  I don't want the whole water birth experience but want to try to keep it as natural as possible.  Especially since my getting KU is not happening naturally.

My DH thinks I've lost my mind but will back whatever I decide.  We'll see how it plays out.  I also won't beat myself up if I end up with an epidural.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines

I'm a researcher by nature. I've read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, Your Best Birth, Birth the Bradley Way, & From the Hips, among others. I've also watched The Business of Being Born, & read several pregnancy/birth blogs. If I'm granted a healthy pregnancy, I hope to possibly have a home birth. At the very least, I want a natural birth with as few medical interventions as possible.

I might be a wee bit obsessive about researching everything (not just childbirth - dog food, appliances, news stories, etc.). It's a blessing & a curse, I tell you. 

magnolia_femme

DH and I watched The Business of Being Born last night and there were several accounts of natural births.  I had never watched a live birth before and it really is an amazing thing -- and I'm sure video doesn't even compare to seeing it live, much less doing it yourself!  Watching the movie made me a lot less scared to give birth to our twins.

Part of what they talk about in the movie (and from what I've read) is how our culture scares women about birth, treating it like a sickness or an emergency when it's something your body was made to do.  Of course there are situations where emergency c-sections are necessary, and thank goodness we have doctors and hospitals that can provide that service.  But it should be the exception, not the rule.

Even before watching the movie, we had signed up for Bradley class and have appointments with midwives.  I have always wanted to give birth naturally, and the "unnatural" conception of our twins makes me want to go natural even more.  Of course this is a totally personal decision that everyone has to make, and no matter what you decide your plan can certainly change without your permission!   The important thing is to educate yourself and YH and make a decision about how you want your birth to be, and find a doctor/midwife/etc who will support it.

:::steps off soapbox and goes back to dirty lurking:::::

maybebride

I was a teenager when my mother had my little brothers and my mother and I talk about a lot, so I had a lot of information from her.

I was also in the room when my SIL gave birth to her first (I was in the room up until delivery with the 2nd, but we were kicked out because she had some complications). I was terrified to even be in the room not knowing what all to expect from the actual experience. My SIL was a pro. I swear she made it look easy. And I was holding a leg, so I had a firsthand view of it all.

Let's just say I know as much as can about what will come, but that the means to an end that I want, so I don't dwell.

inlovewithB

I feel like I know a ton! I read the entire "what to expect when you are expecting" while I was pregnant, and I was with a friend from the time her mucus plug passed until after her little one was born. I am actually thinking about becoming a Birth doula, because watching her go through labor and delivery was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.

brookelynpaisley

I know enough to know that I'd honestly rather have a C-section. I know that that is a very unpopular opinion, but I have no desire to give birth vaginally. And yes, I do realize that most OBs aren't going to allow a C-section without it being medically necessary and I know in reality I won't have one, but it's still what I'd prefer if given the choice.

Realistically, I know I want an epidrual and I've thought about the basics of my birth plan. I know who I want in the room, that I don't want forceps used, and that I'd rather have an episiotome than tear naturally. I also know that I refuse to be induced - after seeing three friends go through inductions followed by 40+ hour labors ending in C-sections, I'd prefer to cut to the chase and save myself and the baby the stress.

AKB090609

As long as I am not forced to have the boy-girl seating chart we had during our eighth grade viewing of a live birth I am willing to pretend it will all be sunshine and daisies... or at least well worth the effort!

LindzK

I love to watch the show "One Born Every Minute" it's on Saturdays (I think on Lifetime)  They show alot about what women go through once they arrive at the hospital. It has taught me a lot. 

I have also seen a live C-Section on "The Doctors" show.  They showed a lot of it, and now, I already dread the thought of a c-section.  I would prefer to go natural w/meds of course. I'm no myrtyr like my mom. She had 5 100% natural births.

Trish11278

It freaks me out because I was an Early Childhood major and we had a class on pregnancy and delivery.  I wish I didn't know all the ins and  outs and what can go wrong.  I try not to really think about it until I finally get that BFP.  Then it will completely freak me out!

b2b999

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines:

I'm a researcher by nature. I've read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, Your Best Birth, Birth the Bradley Way, & From the Hips, among others. I've also watched The Business of Being Born, & read several pregnancy/birth blogs. If I'm granted a healthy pregnancy, I hope to possibly have a home birth. At the very least, I want a natural birth with as few medical interventions as possible.

I might be a wee bit obsessive about researching everything (not just childbirth - dog food, appliances, news stories, etc.). It's a blessing & a curse, I tell you. 

This -except that my DH would NEVER go along with a home birth and we are almost an hour from a hospital with any type of nicu so I would be to nervous. But i definitely want to labor and deliver in water. I want to go completely med-free but will not be a martyr....If I need drugs I will get them. I intend to try hypno-babies because I have heard good things about its effects on pain tolerance, andi will definitely have a doula. I adore all the doctors in my ob/gyn practice and so will stick with them as compared to getting a midwife.

I have thought about this a lot... 

brideonjuly8

LOL, well I guess I'm really not at liberty to comment, but if it will put some of your minds at ease, I had a very easy pregnancy, with an even easier delivery with my son.  I was induced, and it was cake.  Seriously.  I only pushed for 40 minutes.

magnolia_femme

point of clarification...i think you mean vaginal with meds.  Natural birth means without meds.

LindzK:

I love to watch the show "One Born Every Minute" it's on Saturdays (I think on Lifetime)  They show alot about what women go through once they arrive at the hospital. It has taught me a lot. 

I have also seen a live C-Section on "The Doctors" show.  They showed a lot of it, and now, I already dread the thought of a c-section.  I would prefer to go natural w/meds of course. I'm no myrtyr like my mom. She had 5 100% natural births.