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February 2012 Moms
what i learned from experiencing labor... poll
For the ftm's who just now got to experience labor, and for the 2x mommies looking to share their experience, what is one thing you learned from actually undergoing labor that you didn't anticipate? For me it was how you can get the shakes during transition. I shook the whole time practically!
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Re: what i learned from experiencing labor... poll
This was me, too!! I kept getting the shakes!
Also, I didn't realize 1) that labor and birth would involve so much blood--I "knew" it would, but I didn't anticipate the reality of it!--2) that pushing would feel like I was pooping a giant rock. Now I know!
Yes!!! The shakes...I had them, and my husband started to get worried...they said it was just from the epidural and the shock my body went through. No biggie though...
I also learned to listen to my gut. I wasn't expecting to go into labor when I did (4 days early from my due date with absolutely NO progress just the day before). I woke up with just a teeny tiny trickle which I thought at first was discharge or a little bit of pee. However, it was tinted pink. I almost just went back to bed thinking it was nothing, but I continued to feel it, just one or 2 drops at a time. Like I said, it felt like it could have been discharge or a little bit of pee. What convinced me to call the doctor though was the color. My gut told me to get on the phone. When I described the pink tint to him, he said it sounded like I was, in fact, leaking amniotic fluid and I better get to the hospital. Within just a few hours, I went from being 1 cm dialated to a full 10. So...my lesson was to trust my gut! I was right!
I learned a lot...
First that when you wake up feeling cramps coming consitintly it doesn't mean you have to poop it means you're in labor.
I also didn't expect to itch the first hour that I had my epidural and man was I itchy. Also the epidural really works my nurse came in and asked if my water had broke yet and I said no. She checked me to see if they should break it and goes "are you sure you didn't feel it because I feel hair and theres alot of liquid down here"
Also I agree with the pushing part and how it feels. I know I always heard that you push like you're going to poop, I just didn't think it actually felt like I really was.
and the most important thing I learned was that I was not like my mom and her 3 sisters. They all couldn't go into labor or dialate. All 4 had c sections with all of their kids and my mom and I were worried that maybe it meant I would have to too. But I went into labor on my own and my water even broke during labor on its own and it was all fast and easy unlike all theirs and that made me happy.
DH said it was like a grenade went off in my vagina.
Having never used anything more powerful than apap, ibu, or excedrin, I now realize why crackheads like narcotic pain killers. And I agree about the itching from the epidural--I was under the impression that the more synthetic the narcotic, the less likely the mast cell activation.
Oh and that I did care, even during labor, about butt hair (should have gotten waxed--I apologized about it to the anesthesiologist) and pooping while pushing.
The itching from the epidural was horrible. I felt like my skin was crawling the whole time. I learned that labor was the easy part (after the epidural). Recovery was a whole other story. I also learned that if you have a headache after an epidural to tell the doctors you need a blood patch.
This. Exactly. I'm prepared this time around for all the blood, but man oh man, did it really take me by surprise with our first! I remember getting into the shower after delivery and the blood would just not stop gushing out. I was super prepared, mentally and physically, for labor and delivery, but nothing prepared me for all the blood. Thank God I'm not a squeemish person or that first shower post partum would've knocked me out. LOL!
I was shaking uncontrollably for a few hours, and I didn't get an epi. I think it's just the way of things during transition.
I didn't think that the tub would help. Boy, was I wrong.
Also, I didn't realize that all the stuff they do to you after you've given birth would be so painful. I hated that woman who kept mashing on my tummy to get my ute to contract. The OB kept poking around down there, too.
I also didn't expect to tear on top, instead of on bottom. It means no stitches, but I pretty much hate the toilet right now.
I learned that...
..I really do have the strength to do a natural birth and wouldn't change it for a second.
...my doctor is awesome, a drill sergeant, a comedian, and really took such great care of me and my baby, all while trying to honor my wishes but keeping us safe and healthy.
...that everything they say about transition is absolutely true
...that hearing the fetal heart monitor when your LO starts having decelerations is one of the most stressful things to go through as you are trying to get through a contraction while in transition
...that my DH is amazing, so supportive, and really did everything I needed during labor. He had a couple tough moments seeing me in pain, but I only saw a glimpse of that in his face before he made sure he was there for me and that I was okay.
....that it is absolutely amazing to watch and hear your DH as you are giving birth. There was so much pride, happiness, and anticipation in his voice as he was cheering me on to push out our child. He almost made me cry.
...that my decision to not taking a birthing class or learn a particular method was just fine for me. I just used slow, focused, calm breath to labor through the contractions. It worked for me and I never felt lost, confused, or like I didn't know enough to give birth.
...the ring of fire feels like a ring of fire.
...you lose all modesty in a room full of people. I remember just laying spread eagle while my doc was delivering the placenta and then stitching me up. There were all sorts of doctors and nurses moving all around. I just remember meeting my baby, seeing DH see our child, and just chatting with people all with my parts out for show with a spotlight on them so the doc could see to stitch! craziness.
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I learned ..
- That pushing was the best part of labor. After the horrible contractions, pushing felt amazing.
- Sitting up to get an epi can take you from 4cm to 10cm dilated. Which also means that trying to get one was pointless since I couldn't get the benefits of it anyway.
- The 1 stitch I got hurt worse than my 5lb son coming out.
- How quickly you forget how bad labor hurt.
l learned...
That being open minded during labor can make it a much easier process. Being induced and eventually have a c-section was NOT part of my plan, but I tried to remain open minded and in the end I had a great birth experience.
That having my water broken was way more painful than I ever expected.
The shakes were horrible after I got my epidural and even worse during my c-section. I couldn't hold my son for a while afterward because I couldn't stop shaking
That vomiting right after a c-section was one of the most painful experiences of my life.
That all modesty really does go out the window during labor.
That I am have a higher pain tolerance than I ever thought I had. I delivered med free in 4hrs start to finish, and then required a manual extraction of the placenta and did that med free as well....definetly as painful as transition.
That DH is everything I thought he would be as a coach and support. A total rockstar.
Transition in the car was excruciating as was any time I was required to lay on my back. Next time I will head in a little earlier instead of arriving at 9cm.
I listened to by body and labored and delivered on hands and knees. Following what feels right and avoid what doesn't. Your body knows what it's doing.
I would do it all over again medfree in a heart rate to have the recovery I've had.