May 2012 Moms

Any tips for getting through contractions?

I'm going to the hospital this evening to get my cervix thinned out the rest of the way & pictoin (sp?) started tomorrow morning. Whenever the contractions start, either before or after the pictoin, will be the first time I've ever felt any.

Any tips on getting through them? Plus I have a feeling I'll have back labor since she was sunny side up yesterday during the u/s. Any tips on that? Or what NOT to do? Oh, and any tips on pushing? Thanks!!

Re: Any tips for getting through contractions?

  • I had pit contractions with my first and natural contractions with my second. Pit contractions are not fun. My second was also sunny side up and I had major back labor also. Whatever you do, do not lay on your back or sit in bed long. That position was the worst for me. It helped to walk and stand by the bed and lean on it, I tried to squat for one of my contractions, it was horrible. I brought my yoga ball because I heard that helps with back labor a lot and I was planning to do the tub/shower also but I ended up progressing and delivering too fast to do those :(
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  • The early contractions on pit weren't bad. They felt like mild to moderate period cramps. Don't look at the monitor. It'll just cause you to tense up and feel the pain more. Once they broke my water, they got really intense. I could still handle the period like cramping, but I was forced to lie on my side (blood pressure), and I began having back labor I couldn't do anything about.  I noticed if I could sit or walk it was manageable, almost to the point of being mildly uncomfortable. 
  • I don't know how mobile you'll be with an induction, but I LOVED my yoga ball - I sat on that thing through most of my labour.  I also 'slow danced' with DH pretty much until transition (when nothing was comfortable, to be honest).

    The key is to move as much as possible to try to get your LO to turn around naturally!

    GL!

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  • My doula sent this to me because my baby is slightly sunny side up and it's supposed to help position her better.   You could try it a couple of times today to see if it helps her to move into a better position.   https://www.milescircuit.com/the-circuit.html

    Otherwise last time I felt best when I was upright for contractions.   Leaning back or laying down made things much more uncomfortable.   Also my hospital would let me off the monitors for bathroom breaks, while I was on pitocin.   I suddenly had to go to the bathroom a lot more while I was on the pitocin.

  • Thanks everyone! During our childbirth classes, the instructor mentioned that the hospital has a birthing ball if we want to use it. I'll have to keep that in mind. 
  • I had pit contractions too.  They got intense pretty quickly, especially after my water broke.  I ordered an epidural, but it took over 2 hours to finally get it!  I found that sitting on the bed sideways, with my feet up on another chair was helpful.  I didn't really talk, just took deep breaths and focused on my breathing when the contraction would hit.  I also had to go to the bathroom a few times too, and sitting on the toilet felt better than laying in bed.  Good luck tomorrow, I'm sure you'll do great!
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