Natural Birth
homediva
member
Encouragement Needed!
homediva
member
Hi Ladies,
After having my membranes swept on Thursday I have been in "prodromal Labor" since Thursday night.
Contractions have been around 10 minutes apart and I can't walk or talk through them. Needless to say I am exhausted after 3 nights of this. I wanted a natural birth but self-doubt is setting in. I feel like I can hardly handle this pain - how will I ever cope with "real labor"? I've read tons of books and thought I felt ready but that was before I felt the actual pain of a contraction!
Any advice would be much appreciated! I'm feeling more crampy today so hoping today could turn into the real thing!
Sorry if my paragraphs didn't work - posting from my iPad!
TIA!
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Re: Encouragement Needed!
Just breathe. Seriously, take it one contraction at a time and focus on the end of that particular contraction......not the end of labour. Exhale at the peak of the contracton and inhale on the rise. Breather in through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
This may sound kind of silly, but focusing on how you are breathing may take some focus away from the pain.
You can do this!!!
Try to relax and breath slowly. Even if you can't sleep well, resting is still good for you. If it helps, most of the long prodomial (not sure I got that word right) labor stories I've heard, have it where once labor gets really going, it is really short.
Can you go get a massage, one for relaxing and two to maybe get some pressure points worked on? How favorable are you for induction? If it really comes to it and you're not able to wait any longer, you just have to do what's best for you and feel confident in your decision. I bet you go any day now so keep your chin up
You can do it!
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
When I got caught up in the contraction, I panted for a bit. For my last, I had an hour drive to the hospital while I was in transition and for the last 20 minutes of the ride I was ready to push.......... The things that helped me were counting, panting, and focusing on breathing! I hope this helps you!!! And, CONGRATS!!!
Also, get your butt into a bathtub!
It was my saving grace during labor. It really helped me to relax and just let the contractions happen and it helped so much with the pain. I know some women don't like it but if I were you, I'd soak for a long time and if you need to, I'm pretty sure Tylenol PM is okay for pregnancy. My MW even said a glass of wine to help me relax occasionally was okay.
Or you could just get really agressive with natural labor induction- accupuncture, sex, nipple stimulation, etc... but I'd personally try to rest first because you will need energy for labor. GL!
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
lol, says who? You are on babytime now, honey...the clock has nothing to do with it!
You cannot fight the contractions. Just go with them, let them happen.
Do whatever you can to help you relax: bath, shower, massage.
Once labour starts in earnest, it will probably go relatively quickly. There is always an 'end' to labour. Believe in yourself.
Have you been able to eat & sleep? Take extra naps and keep yourself nurished because your body is working extra hard. Do you have access to a pool / tub? Is your husband around to massage you? Even though you don't feel you can walk through them, can you husband or some one help you get into different positions that might relieve the pain?
I hope things progress before you get completely worn out. 3 nights is a long time but you can do it.