Looking for encouragement!!

meg1147

Hi all!! I will try not to make this too long, but I want to give all the info so hopefully I can get some encouragement because at this point I am needing it!!

I am almost 38 weeks. Will be getting induced on the 22nd at 39 weeks if baby doesn't decide to show up on his own. I am a high risk pregnancy which is why they are inducing early. I am on blood thinners for a clotting disorder. I am also medically unable to have an epidural for an entirely different issue, but after my research this past 9 months I know natural is the way I would want to go regardless.

I started seeing a chiropractor for some hip pain and she works with 90% pregnant women! I have felt great since seeing her, but she is also pro natural birth! She was asking about my birth plan and suggested I look into a Doula. My husband and I briefly discussed this but didn't think it was within our budget. However, this comment made me feel very unprepared!! My husband and I took a private birth class with the hospital and they tailored it directly to us and having a natural birth. The hospital seems to be very accomadating with a tub in every room as well as other provisions such as birthing ball, chairs, etc. All of their monitors (which I have to consider with the induction) are easy to move and waterproof!! I have also read Ina May's book, Marie Mongan's book, practiced with the relaxation and breathing techniques. My doctor is supportive of me going natural especially considering my other doctor's orders for no epidural. I was feeling pretty confident about this delivery until the comment made by one person!! Ugh!!!

I know I face a tougher time with the induction, but it is for the safety and well being of my baby. I have emailed a couple doula's and will talk to one this afternoon. I still don't know that its something I'm sold on especially with the cost. And I don't know that I can find one on such short notice!!

Can anyone give me any encouragement!! Did any of you have a natural birth without the help of a doula in a hospital?

Thanks all!!

meg1147

The induction isn't so much around blood loss as it is for the safety of the baby. The further along I get the higher my risk becomes of having a clot that can harm the baby. I guess my risk for a still born greatly increases! We haven't determined yet how we will induce. She is waiting to see how far I have progressed on my appointment a few days before. I will be discussing with her going easy and slower on the pitocin if at all possible!!

 When did you get your shot of Stadol and how long did that last? What did it do for you?

AmyRI

meg1147:

The induction isn't so much around blood loss as it is for the safety of the baby. The further along I get the higher my risk becomes of having a clot that can harm the baby. I guess my risk for a still born greatly increases! We haven't determined yet how we will induce. She is waiting to see how far I have progressed on my appointment a few days before. I will be discussing with her going easy and slower on the pitocin if at all possible!!

Honestly, it sounds like your provider and your hospital are NB friendly, despite needing to talk induction for medical reasons. I like that they're waiting to talk options with you instead of forcing a 1-size-fits-all induction technique. I would read up on your options so you know the pros/cons of each and can have an educated discussion about cervadil vs cytotec vs foley bulb, and pitocin dosages, etc. I could see how a doula would be beneficial for helping with these discussions, but if you and your DH are educated and proactive about it with your doc, I think it's possible to go without a doula. Especially given the natural pain management options you have at your disposal at the hospital!

I did have a successful NB at a hospital without a doula. It was a spontaneous labor, though, so I can't comment on any part of an induction. Just listen to your body and do what feels best in the moment (and this can change from moment to moment). It's what got me through.

robyn2201

AmyRI:

Honestly, it sounds like your provider and your hospital are NB friendly, despite needing to talk induction for medical reasons. I like that they're waiting to talk options with you instead of forcing a 1-size-fits-all induction technique. I would read up on your options so you know the pros/cons of each and can have an educated discussion about cervadil vs cytotec vs foley bulb, and pitocin dosages, etc. I could see how a doula would be beneficial for helping with these discussions, but if you and your DH are educated and proactive about it with your doc, I think it's possible to go without a doula. Especially given the natural pain management options you have at your disposal at the hospital!

I agree with the bolded part, especially dosages of pitocin. Will they also be willing to turn the pitocin down or even off once you are in active labor?

In your situation, I would most definitely consider having a doula. I am biased though as I had one for DD's birth and I loved her. Could I have done it without her there, most likely yes. I did have a complication free delivery. I would at least interview one or two. If you decide you can't afford it or you don't want one, at least they may be able to give you some advice.

aliena

My doula actually had a med free birth being induced with pit and that was a comfort to me even though I wasn't induced, kind of a just in case thing.  It can be done, arm yourself with information and support!  If a doula isn't possible, get your partner educated and involved.

amandaleigh1

I had an induced "natural" hospital birth. I did have a doula, though. My husband was also a very excellent hypnobirthing prompt giver.

My induction was pretty unusual: I had discussed how it might go down in advance with my dr., so my requests in the moment did not come out of left field. It went something like this:

My cervix was very unfavorable for induction, so it was ripened with cytotec. I had two doses each 4 hours apart and the second one was my last because I was getting mini contractions once a minute. I got to enjoy this situation for several more hours till things calmed down.

Then in the morning I agreed to start pitocin. However, I insisted that it be the very lowest dose possible and I also had the medical team agree to try turning it off once things got going. So after 2 hours of low dose pitocin, it was turned off and my body continued to contract on its own. I spend much of this stage of labor in a warm tub, which was awesome. I was fully dilated after 5 hours in the tub so I got out to push.

My baby was posterior so pushing did not go so well. I basically had him almost out but could not get him past my public bone. So I did ask for and receive help at that point. My dr gave me a pudental nerve block, turned the baby around and together me pushing and the dr pulling got my baby out rather quickly. I only had 1 second degree tear, and my baby did not experience any pain killing medication. He was born awake and alert.

I would really reconsider getting a doula if you want to try to go natural especially in the hospital. I really think that their services are worth every penny.

Nomer

I am kind of in the same boat as you, though without the induction part. With my first my water broke as the first sign of labor and several hours later my contractions started. My husband and I did not and do not (now, with our second) have the money for a doula either. We even tried interviewing one who was much less experienced and would charge very little, but all we were able to get from her was a yoga-type class on birthing positions and massage. I just didn't feel comfortable with her- she is very weird- and that is a HUGE factor. I wasn't about to let just anyone into my birthing room especially since we didn't have the money for it.

As it turned out, I had a completely natural hospital birth without a doula. I did have my mom there and a friend of the family (who is also a midwife, so I guess she kind of served as my doula) and my husband. My hospital was NB friendly too and it really was helpful to move around as I pleased. My sister-in-law has a blood-clotting disorder like you and has had low fluid with both her pregnancies so she had to be induced with both. She didn't have a doula with either of her pitocin-induced births (at 36 and 37 weeks respectively) and she managed just fine. Yeah, it will be hard and it is natural to at some point feel that you can't make it but you only need ONE person there to tell you that you are making it, that you are doing it. If you didn't have your husband I would suggest finding someone but I think you can do it. Just write out a list for him of things to tell you when it gets hard: "you are doing it", "just take it one contraction at a time", "your body is meant to do this and it knows what it is doing", and other things like you read in Ina May's book (which I read too. I didn't have any classes, just reading, btw). And talk to the nurses in Labor and Delivery and see if they really are NB friendly... Take the tour and get a feel for how they react to NB. Mine turned out to be great and were very supportive.

Good luck!

meg1147

Thank you all so much!! Feeling much better!