GTT & U/S results. And RN rant.

Blackrose1918 · June 2012

I finally got it out of the way! I have been so nervous about this appointment, and it was making me insane. At my 20wk. a/s, I was told I would have to come back for another u/s around 28wks. because DS had his cord positioned over my cervix. Well, yesterday I had that u/s along with my GTT. During the u/s the tech took measurements (we're looking, might as well) and DS is perfectly normal, at right around 2lbs, 6oz., and the cord was no longer by my cervix. YAY! Also, to make it better, I passed my GTT.

Now for a rant. I chose the practice I'm with because they follow a midwifrey model of holistic care, encourage alternative therapies, and are NB friendly. Up until yesterday, everyone I met with had been at the least, acceptable, if not exceptional (it's a group practice). Well, my monthly appointment was scheduled with an RN instead of CNM. No big deal. I asked her what the risks of an epi were, and she said, almost verbatim, "Well, when you decide you want the epidural, the anesthesiologist will come in and tell you 'blah blah blah death or severe injury'. Honestly, it's about as safe as taking Tylenol." First of all, I asked because I wanted you to state those "blah blah blah" risks in detail. Second of all, even though it's safe overall, it's nowhere near as safe as taking Tylenol (assuming you take it as directed and not the whole bottle). When I followed that question with "Well, what are the risks associated with an unmedicated natural birth?" She told me, in a nutshell, that because I'm a FTM going without the epi means I probably won't be able to control my pushing and will end up tearing badly. I was very disappointed in hearing these responses. I already know what the risks/advantages are of both situations, I just wanted my NB-skeptical DH to hear them from a medical professional. That definitely didn't go as planned. Now he's even more gung-ho for the epi.

Jcrab · June 2012

The RN you are talking about couldnt have given worse advice and honestly makes me embarrassed to be an RN. Definitely report her misinformation to a MW you trust and ask the same questions at your next visit. So sorry you are dealing with this. Has your DH seen TBBB? GL!

iris427 · June 2012

The nurse sounds like an idiot. FTMs can't control their pushing? I controlled pushing just fine with my first vaginal delivery and didn't even need stitches afterward.

Why does your husband want you to get an epi?

pepomntpat · June 2012

She has that so backward! I am sorry she gave you such bad advice and in front of your husband. My husband was also pretty unsure about NB until we took a Bradley class. Now he recommends it to everybody. Can you take a NB class with your DH?

Blackrose1918 · June 2012

iris427:
Why does your husband want you to get an epi?

He doesn't want to see me in pain, mostly. He had 2 massive kidney stones (over6mm) that required several surgeries, and he was told that's similar to birth pain. He's also afraid that if I really need one, I won't be able to sit still long enough for the anesthesiologist to place the catheter, and I'll get hurt. Basically he's worried about me and our son being ok.

celiabwatson · June 2012

Blackrose1918:
iris427:
Why does your husband want you to get an epi?
He doesn't want to see me in pain, mostly. He had 2 massive kidney stones (over6mm) that required several surgeries, and he was told that's similar to birth pain. He's also afraid that if I really need one, I won't be able to sit still long enough for the anesthesiologist to place the catheter, and I'll get hurt. Basically he's worried about me and our son being ok.

You can tell him that I've had gall stones and two natural births. The gall stones were so much worse than either birth. I know kidney stones are different, but maybe it'll help.

Kim2884 · June 2012

See my response on Sept 2012 board. Big Smile

julyjennifer · June 2012

"FTM's can't control their pushing without an epi and will tear badly" is not one I've heard before. Seems to me you are going to be way more able to tell what you're doing and have more control without the epi, since you can feel what's going on. Too bad your RN was so lame!

Blackrose1918 · June 2012

Thank you so much for the ideas ladies, and for letting me rant. I was (well AM) so irritated with that woman. I will be talking to my midwife about it the next chance I get.

BakerMommy · June 2012

Hmm... so being numbed with an epi makes it easier to control your pushing? Yup, that makes sense. Huh?

And I think I'll go check my Tylenol bottle to see if severe itching and spinal headache are possible side effects...

Twirple · June 2012

Blackrose1918:

Now for a rant. I chose the practice I'm with because they follow a midwifrey model of holistic care, encourage alternative therapies, and are NB friendly. Up until yesterday, everyone I met with had been at the least, acceptable, if not exceptional (it's a group practice). Well, my monthly appointment was scheduled with an RN instead of CNM. No big deal. I asked her what the risks of an epi were, and she said, almost verbatim, "Well, when you decide you want the epidural, the anesthesiologist will come in and tell you 'blah blah blah death or severe injury'. Honestly, it's about as safe as taking Tylenol." First of all, I asked because I wanted you to state those "blah blah blah" risks in detail. Second of all, even though it's safe overall, it's nowhere near as safe as taking Tylenol (assuming you take it as directed and not the whole bottle). When I followed that question with "Well, what are the risks associated with an unmedicated natural birth?" She told me, in a nutshell, that because I'm a FTM going without the epi means I probably won't be able to control my pushing and will end up tearing badly. I was very disappointed in hearing these responses. I already know what the risks/advantages are of both situations, I just wanted my NB-skeptical DH to hear them from a medical professional. That definitely didn't go as planned. Now he's even more gung-ho for the epi.

I read this to my husband He watched me give birth naturally and med free to DS (I was a FTM as well). He is totally pro natural birth. His words were "Have her husband give me a call."

DeniseRN · June 2012

Honestly, as a RN, it is the anesthesiologists responsibility to tell you all the risks and benefits of a procedure that you are consenting to. We are legally only required to ensure that you signed a consent and you are mentally capable of doing so. That being said, it would be wise of you to do as much research now on the epidural, maybe even write them down so you don't forget, and ask the doctor as soon as you get to the hospital when you are in a good state mentally and not writhing in pain. I had IV pain meds with my first and I hated it. The RN overmedicated me and I was so loopy, to the point where they had to give me smelling salts. I was induced at 10pm on a Tues, labored with pit until 7pm on Wed, the doctor broke my water then, and after that, I couldn't handle the pain. That's when I asked for the epidural, but the anesthesiologist was an hour away. There is no way I could've discussed risks and benefits at that time because of the pain and overmedicated state (the RN gave me IV pain meds while waiting for the doctor). I am going to deliver at a different hospital this time around and I have already talked with the anesthesiologist and he said that he would choose an epidural over IV need for his wife because the need do not go to the baby with an epidural, they stay in the epidural space. Hopefully though, I won't have to be induced and on pit this time, but it is best to research beforehand, just in case. A

nosoup4u · June 2012

Oof, that is annoying! There's always a few duds in larger practices.

I had a MW give me a really hard time about refusing the GTT, even though my regular MW and I had already talked about why I was refusing it. I also had a different MW during my second pg cheerily tell me that VBAC moms had to have another c-section if they went over 41 weeks, just because. She wouldn't tell me any medical reasons why or anything...and again, my regular MW at that practice was nothing but supportive of my plan to VBAC, even if I went over 41 weeks.

It sucks, but try to ignore her!

CurbsideProphet · June 2012

DeniseRN:
I have already talked with the anesthesiologist and he said that he would choose an epidural over IV need for his wife because the need do not go to the baby with an epidural, they stay in the epidural space. Hopefully though, I won't have to be induced and on pit this time, but it is best to research beforehand, just in case. A

Are you saying the drugs from the epidural never make it to the baby? I have not heard that claim before. Do you have a link to anything to back this up?

OP - Sorry the RN was not more helpful. From my experience, a first time mom can labor and push without pain meds and not have any tearing.

DeniseRN · June 2012

As per the anesthesia dept at my hospital, the pain need used for an epidural stay in the epidural space of the spinal cord. The meds numb the nerves and relieve the pain. The IV narcotics and narcotic-like meds like demerol or Nubain go into the blood stream and cross the placenta, causing potential effects on the baby. I am fortunate to work along side of these docs and have the opportunity to ask now, when I'm coherent lol. IV meds really affected me and I don't want to ever do that again. I don't remember hours worth of my labor. My epidural was done well, and I had pain relief but could still move and felt the urge to push and the ring of fire and felt him coming out. I sat up and transfered myself to my post partum room, and peed immediately. The doctor I spoke with said he would absolutely choose an epidural over iv meds for his wife and baby. That being said, I realllly hope to go natural with no pitocin or cervadil or meds or epidural this time. I am fairly certain that pitocin was made by the devil. I don't have a documented, cited source, give me some time

tokenhoser · June 2012

Effects of an epidural on the baby are definitely lower than IV narcotics. There are still some effects on the baby, though There tends to be more problems breastfeeding in the first 2 days with an epidural baby than a med-free baby, for example. The risks are small, but still under study.

nicholssquared · June 2012

I'd like to point out that is tearing this the worst thing she could think of happening as a result of a natural birth, that should be reason enough to try it. I tore with my first natural delivery and it only required a few stitches. That's hardly a complication compared to some things that could happen.

pdilly2b · June 2012

Blackrose1918:
iris427:
Why does your husband want you to get an epi?
He doesn't want to see me in pain, mostly. He had 2 massive kidney stones (over6mm) that required several surgeries, and he was told that's similar to birth pain. He's also afraid that if I really need one, I won't be able to sit still long enough for the anesthesiologist to place the catheter, and I'll get hurt. Basically he's worried about me and our son being ok.

You might point out to him that he really can't compare to kidney stones because women's bodies were designed to have babies come out of them. No one was designed to handle kidney stones.

For his second concern about sitting still - between contractions you basically feel perfectly normal. So you only wouldn't be able to be still long enough if your contractions were one on top of the other so there was no break. And really, if you're at that point, you'd be so close anyway that it wouldn't make sense to get an epidural.

FWIW, for DS (my first), I pushed for only 20 min, squatting and then on all 4s, and had only minor labia tears on each side that needed 1 stitch each. I've always heard tearing is much worse with the epidural because you can't feel anything to know to pace yourself. Not to mention you generally have to lie on your back which doesn't take advantage of gravity and pushes your tail bone up into your pelvis, making pushing last longer and the baby not able to navigate its way out as easily.

HomelessParrot · June 2012

I've had kidney stones AND an NB. I loved my NB and will do it again without reservation. If I ever have to go through a kidney stone again, I might kill myself.