Hey ladies. It's that time!!! I'm being induced "Sunday night @ midnight" (read: Monday morning...) and I'm nervous that I'll cave for the drugs. Any BTDT moms out there with advice on how I can stay focused?
I'm not too headstrong either. I know my body, and my pain tolerance level. I am *open* to the meds, but I would rather not have any other interventions.
Re: Being induced on Monday - need encouragement
I was induced at a week and a half overdue. They did a very slow, staged induction, so it took 2.5 days. First night, they gave me cytotec/cervidil. That helped some, but by morning my contractions had slowed. So they broke my water. Again, that started things rolling but by the next morning, contractions slowed down again. On the third day, they started me with a very very small pitocin drip that ramped up throughout the day. Started at 10 a.m., gave birth at 5:15ish.
I did not get an epidural or any other painkillers. I was allowed and encouraged to keep moving (on rolling iv drip, wireless monitors) , do squat, get on all fours, have my husband massage my back, etc. When I went into transition they put me in a warm tub to help.
Yes, it sucked. Yes, it was painful. Yes, Transition was HORRIBLE. But. It's all temporary pain. Keep in your mind first and foremost that it will stop on its own. That it has an end and at the end is that beautiful baby in your arms.
Also, be aware that as soon as it's over, the pain will start to fade from your memory. I realize that it is not actually true (as my husband frequently reminds me) but I often catch myself thinking "oh, really, that wasn't that bad at all. I would totally do that again in a heartbeat." because my brain has erased all memory of the pain.
DS, May 2011
I would take lots of walks between now and Sunday...and try to get good sleep!
Comfort yourself in the knowledge that all your ancestors did this, and with the exception of perhaps the last 2 generations, they did it medication free - you were born to do this, it's in your genes :-)
For me it was much more helpful to not think of contractions as pain...they are an intense rush of energy to squeeze the baby out. Get your head into surrendering to that process (as opposed to pain and our emotional resistance to pain...you don't want to fight against it).
Remember to breathe...I caught myself holding my breath during contractions, which doesn't work when they get long!
And smile! Smiling helps you relax your pelvic floor muscles - my doula taught me that :-)
SO to recap, when things get intense focus on: breathing, smiling, surrendering to the squeeze.
You'll be holding your baby this time next week!!!! Good luck.