Communication during labor

aetg · May 2012

Did you feel like you were able to communicate your needs during labor to your SO/birth partner? I'm just wondering because once I went into labor my contractions were one on top of the other and I maybe said three words between first contraction to baby.

Anyone else in the same boat? I think I would have felt better if I had been at least able to ask for the nurse to stop yelling at me, to ask the dr if everrything was ok, that sort of thing.

annabelle.27 · May 2012

I had a similar problem. Between contractions I desperately needed to rest and even talking seemed like waaaaay too much work. With DS2 I had to work up all my strength to whisper a request for water during pushing.

PansyPants · May 2012

I remember saying a LOT but when my husband and I discussed labor/birth he informed me that I didn't say any of those things and that most of them were things he said on my behalf. We actually talked about how fortunate it is that we've been together for so many years and how it gave him confidence in knowing what I needed even though I couldn't ask for it.

It was like magic. He knew exactly when I was thirsty, when I was hungry, when I was so tired that he needed to fill me with juice, and when to ask the nurse to leave because she was stressing me out.

It's very lucky since afterward he informed me that I only said about three things and they were all to scream at people.

To the pediatrician who tried to introduce herself to my while I was stark naked in the tub at around 9cm: "GO AWAY! YOU'RE USELESS AND I HATE YOU!"

To my doctor when she was manually stretching me to help the baby fit out: "I'M NOT ALLOWED TO KICK YOU!"

To my doula during pushing when she told me to not be afraid of pushing: "I'M NOT AFRAID, I'M IN PAIN!"

That was apparently the sum of my ability to talk past 6cm.

dosafyre · May 2012

I don't think that I had very many needs...I had a long slow early labor, where I could take care of myself. And active labor was relatively short...and I was pretty focused.

I remember shaking my head "no" when the nurse asked if I was getting a break between contractions. And asking the nurses if they wanted to take my temp now(because I knew the next one was coming fast and I didn't want to temp during a contraction). DH teased me that I was super polite even when in transition (when I just said "OW! OW! OW! and jumped off the bed...because back labor on your back is horrible and I needed to get down on all fours again).

theladyjess · May 2012

I was able to communicate my needs/wants, however, I had no desire to hold a conversation. I had no problem asking for water or honey sticks, telling the nurse that it's normal for me to run an low grade fever for no reason, and ask my dr what I could do to avoid a vaccum delivery when she said it might be needed if I didn't progress soon.

I also remember aruging with the nurse when she said I needed IV fluids because I was getting dehydrated. I was sipping water after almost every contrax but she insisted. I blame her for needing to be cathed after 3.5 hours of pushing because LO couldn't fit past my full bladder.

LaurelBee · May 2012

I was talking and laughing during breaks up until my water broke at 8cm. After that, I totally checked out and ignored everyone.

katiewhompus · May 2012

I was good until I hit 9cm, then I was done. My nurse was actually teasing that I must not be in real labor because I was so smiley and joking with everyone. Then she did a cervix check and I was 7cm. At 9cm I was still able to communicate the basics, yes water, yes episiotomy, yes cold wash cloth, but long sentences/thoughts were not going to happen.

kaeti_su · May 2012

I talked when I needed to. I had no problem talking at first when we were at home, got much quieter on the ride to the hospital, but still talked when I needed to, and didn't have trouble talking when needed at the hospital (going through paperwork with the nurse, asking if I could move my belly during the initial monitoring, saying when I felt like pushing). DH never had to talk for me. (But then, I am kind of a control freak, so that's not too surprising.)

Alliebooberz · May 2012

I clammed up around the doctors and nurses. I was so afraid of them wanting to stray from my NB plans that I ended up locking my husband and I in the bathroom and my mom declined all of the unnecessary interventions they kept trying to push on me. I wish I hadnt been so afraid to fight for what I wanted to their faces. Next time, if there is a next time, I am going to be an assertive B.

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