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Natural Birth
MamaMcCleary
member
Natural Birth = slower progression for FTM? ENCOURAGEMENT NEEDED.
MamaMcCleary
member
so here is the background: On may 21st at 11pm contractions every 5min apart. Lost part of my plug. Called the birthing center and they agreed with letting me labor at home until MW that afternoon (yesterday).
Got an ultrasound to check fluid level and baby weight (perfect & possible 8lb 13oz). Did a NST showed baby active and sleeping during the contractions. MW asked if I was ok a cervical check. I am completely thinned and she was excited to tell me I was at 2cm. She did a membrane sweep and moreof my plug came out. She wanted me to go home and sleep as much as I could.
When we got home my contractions slowed. I tried napping but they are excruciating back contractions when I am on the ball more tolerable. Continually all through the night they were 7 min apart until 3am then they just stopped with constitency. Now I am losing even more of my mucus plug thought I was done with that and have had tolerable contractions since. No real consistency this morning. Just off and on contractions.
It seems that because I am going natural and a FTM that things progress so slowly. All my friends went the other route so all of you have been a great support system. It is frustrating though that they wait at most 24hrs and have their babies I am waiting days. I am fully expecting to be going to my Friday morning appt for another NST and possible membrane sweep.
Mainly just looking for words of encouragement. It is so hard to wait and I know my body is doing what it is suppose to but this process seems forever. Any BTDT Moms that have had a similar experience would love the reassurance.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Natural Birth = slower progression for FTM? ENCOURAGEMENT NEEDED.
Well, if you weren't going natural, you would have been put in the hospital, got an epidural, had pitocin to crank up your labour, and you'd have a baby by now - one way or another, but your odds of c-section would be quite a lot higher. Natural doesn't slow you down, it respects the natural pace of labour.
Back labour and intermittent contractions sounds like your baby is posterior - I'd be looking a ways to help him/her turn. Lunges and "puppy pose" are good for that (check you tube if you don't know what I'm talking about). If you can get a better alignment, you'll progress much faster.
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Aw, hang in there! I had a full day and a half of mild contractions (well, not that mild bc it was hard to sleep the night they were happening) with DS1.
Try to relax and conserve energy as much as you can, things will pick up, I promise.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
While my labor wasn't as long as yours, it was days of contractions as well. I also had periods of slowing. 90 minutes of contractions every 5 minutes and just when I though it was time to go to the hospital, my contractions started going all over the place- 12-15-10 minutes.
Just keep trying different things and definately look into getting the baby to turn if that's an issue. Did they mention that during the ultrasound? Otherwise, get into positions to allow the pelvis to open. The ball, squatting, etc. How does counter pressure feel for you? It is work for another person but it was what got me through my labor.
I know it seems like so much more work than the drug/intervention birth. I was saying that my lo would be an only child and I was not even 4cm at that point. I agree with PP and think you would have ended up with a csection if you went straight to the hospital and got an epidural.
Also, what about getting outside to a park? I walked and then sqautted through the contractions for hours and it gave me a second wind when I was otherwise ready to give up.
Good luck!
You ladies are a God sent!
Baby is actually in the perfect position. Thank goodness. The back contractions only seem to happen when I am laying down. They start in the back and then the whole stomach contracts. I am grateful for the chiropractic suggestion. I have been going weekly and would pay him anything he asked for because he got me through so much of my sciatic pregnancy issues.
All these good wishes and thoughts are a blessing. It helps me ignore the friends and family asking a thousand different times and ways why it is going so slow and I should just go to L&D already.
I trust my body and was ecstatic that I am in labor before a 42 week induction. It helps so much to reconfirm my body knows what to do...I just need patience.
And FWIW, I got an epi during my first labor and it stalled me. I was then put on pit, which caused distress to both DD and I, and I ended up with a c/s. Drugs don't always mean an easier, faster labor. I'm going med free this time.
Hang in there and good luck.
Hang in there! You can do this!
PPs are right, non-natural childbirth may seem faster because it often ends on cs when it goes slowly--which is precisely what meds like epidurals often do (then pitocin stresses baby). Theres a good chance when you get to really serious labor it will go very quickly. Your body is working hard to help you get to hold LO very soon!
Good luck! LO will be here before you know it!