As a FTM I'm trying to get my ducks in a row for the big day, and I was wondering if other moms could offer some good advice as to what did or didn't work for you during labor and delivery, things you wish you had done differently, etc. I know each labor and delivery is different, but I'm trying to get a good arsenal of things to try and to talk to my husband about before we're actually there. I guess specifically, I'm wondering if there were particular methods you used to help get through contractions, different positions to labor in, what should my husband expect to do, good tips for afterwards, etc.? Thanks in advance for the advice
Re: Labor and Delivery Advice
It depends, what kind of birth are you hoping to have? Are you getting an epi? Trying to go unmedicated?
Thanks for the recommendation!
I'm going to go into it with the right mindset that I can do it, but I won't feel like I let myself down if it gets too much for me to handle...I just want a healthy baby, however he ends up coming I'm wondering if anyone has any specific pain management techniques that worked well. I was considering music, ball, showers, walking, etc. Like I said, I know different things work for different people, but it would be nice to have a wide range of things for me to try to get through labor. And, if any of you ladies went natural, what did your husband do for you that was particularly helpful. I want to prep him for how to best help me, but that's hard to do because I don't even know at this point what he should do either
Granted I've never done this before, but I can't imagine focusing enough to play cards while in labor. Interesting.
I had a med free vaginal birth.
Did I mention a lot of cursing?
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
My thoughts exactly! I could maybe throw the cards across the room, but play them? I somehow doubt it... lol
Is there anything else anyone would suggest for after you get back home? I've heard frozen Tucks pads are amazing, a squirt bottle, anything else?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions as far as "encouraging words" from DH during labor? I have a feeling that if my husband started telling me, "You're fine, blah, blah, blah," I might deck him lol. I also have a feeling that when the time comes he'll probably not know what to do with himself, which is why I kind of wanted to give him "jobs" so he'll feel like he has some sort of direction.
And again, thanks for all of your suggestions. It's appreciated
It's definitely a hard thing to plan for since each experience is so different. But I also had a med free birth and I second Ina May Gaskin's book. We also took a relaxation class that taught us different ways to get through the contractions (massages, music, scents, focusing on something relaxing, etc).
I had planned on moving around as much as I could, but when I arrived I was put in triage for an hour and a half while they were monitoring my contractions until they could get me to a room. DH would massage my head and I would just focus on something pleasant when a contraction hit (I imagined laying in the sun on a beach) and that really helped me get through the contraction. By the time they moved me to my room and checked me I was ready to push, so all the other techniques I was ready to use were pretty much thrown out at that point.
So while for me massaging my head felt best, some people do not want to be touched. Also some people get soothed by certain smells, but to me they would've just been nauseating. I've heard a lot of good things about showers/baths helping, but I progressed so quickly that by the time they drew the bath I was ready to push. I also brought a ball to help try to get things moving but didn't have the chance to use that either.
D 2.20.2011 & Z 7.16.2013
My second was my DH and SIL and no epi plus 4 hours of labor.
I definitely know I want just DH this time as I felt very annoyed and inhibited having SIL there. I know I want this epi if possible this time and indefinitely don't want people at the hospital until well after baby is born. With my first, people were practically waiting at the door and the whole extended family came in before I was ready really. I enjoyed last time having time to relax and bond with DH and I and I didn't feel uncomfortable and rushed. We will let family know when we're radh to have them visit.
Everyone is different but it's good you're thinking about these things in advance!
I lost my angels 07/2010, 04/2017, 10/2017
Meimsx no more