Newbie Play date part 2

hollygb22 · April 2014

babygabe614 said:

nutmegs8 said:

Apparently, they do at our hospital. They also said that if they did use them, you can expect an episiotomy.

Also, next question...

I believe I heard that recovery for a natural tear is easier than that of an episiotomy? Is there a choice in the matter? Can you say no?
Ugh, this is the question I've been scared to ask.

You can..I started to tear naturally and ended with an episiotomy due to the severeness of the tear and the jagged nature of it. So, I consented to it because I thought a severe unnatural tear might be worse!

abastian00 · April 2014

hollygb22 said:

babygabe614 said:

nutmegs8 said:

Apparently, they do at our hospital. They also said that if they did use them, you can expect an episiotomy.

Also, next question...

I believe I heard that recovery for a natural tear is easier than that of an episiotomy? Is there a choice in the matter? Can you say no?
Ugh, this is the question I've been scared to ask.

You can..I started to tear naturally and ended with an episiotomy due to the severeness of the tear and the jagged nature of it. So, I consented to it because I thought a severe unnatural tear might be worse!

Reading this my body actually just released the weirdest reflexive shudder.

Cherylwang · April 2014

Pepper6 said:
What time of day and where were you when you went into labor and decided to go to the hospital? How were your early contractions? Still light enough to drive? Or did you have the zero to water break/labor experience? Since I'm planning to work pretty much up until I go into labor, I'm trying to strategize how I'll make my way to the hospital just in case I'm not at home.

I went into labor both times at 38 weeks. My contractions started out at Braxton hicks. Slightly cramping. They started to get more and more painful and closer and closer together. With my first they started at about 2am I called the doctor at 5am and he said to give it another hour or two and to come in. I was having contractions every couple minutes when I arrived at the hospital around 8am. I was dialated to 5 already! My son was born at 3pm. I received a epidural around 10. So it was several hours of labor. With my DD contractions started at 5pm. Same thing happened where they started out light and got more painful and closer together over time. I called the doctor around 10pm and went to the hospital around midnight. I was only dialated to 3 that time. She was born at 1pm. So she took more time than my son. My water never broke on its own the doctor broke it both times at the hospital. They also gave me pitocin with my DD to try to speed things up.

rastrau · April 2014

Does anyone have any experience with perineal massage or suggestions on oils to use? Several things that I've read have suggested that this will help minimize the risk of tearing and also help make the actual delivery quicker.

temursgirl · April 2014

nutmegs8 said:

Temurlang1 said:

nutmegs8 said:

lest12 said:

Thank you both! That makes me feel a lot better! I was wondering if I could tell them I didn't want to see the needle, lol,

I was lucky {sarcasm} enough to see the epidural catheter in my Childbirth 101 class. They passed around all the gadgets that might be used during labor/delivery. Vacuum, huge BBQ tongs, I mean... forceps, internal fetal monitor, intrauterine pressure catheter, etc. It was quite interesting.

No. And forceps? I thought they don't use those anymore?

Apparently, they do at our hospital. They also said that if they did use them, you can expect an episiotomy.

Also, next question...

I believe I heard that recovery for a natural tear is easier than that of an episiotomy? Is there a choice in the matter? Can you say no?

Before coming on TB I also thought they rarely did episiotomies anymore :-/

Cherylwang · April 2014

I never had a episiotomy. I did tear both times and had to have stitches. With my DD my tear was right next to where you pee so it burned every time I would use the bathroom. Not fun.

MrsKipper · April 2014

I forgot about the frozen pads. Those things are amazing!!!

flojo973 · April 2014

When people talk about the Rock n' Play and how awesome it is, are they referring to this one:

or this one:

MrsKipper · April 2014

@flojo973‌ the top one. Although the second one looks like a better option for nighttime since it's flat! I like babies to sleep flat at night.

flojo973 · April 2014

MrsKipper said:

@flojo973‌ the top one. Although the second one looks like a better option for nighttime since it's flat! I like babies to sleep flat at night.

Thanks. I was confusing myself because they're both named Rock n' Plays!

Brittnic531 · April 2014

Thanks for all the replies on catheters! I haven't taken any classes yet, so they might go over what my hospital does.

rainbowdashh · April 2014

rastrau said:
Does anyone have any experience with perineal massage or suggestions on oils to use? Several things that I've read have suggested that this will help minimize the risk of tearing and also help make the actual delivery quicker.

The midwife that delivered my daughter at the hospital actually did this while I was pushing. I pushed for about an hour and only had a small tear that required what she called "3 just in case" stitches. I guess she just wanted to make sure it healed nicely? Either way, I would guess that her doing that between contractions helped. My daughters head was pretty big haha.

wtfisup · April 2014

Dumb question: we just got our jogging stroller in the mail. I'm excited and want to assemble it, but the tires will probably need to be filled with air first, right? We don't ride bikes or know anything about this kind of tire.

whoberry · April 2014

What are the best apps for timing contractions and keeping track of feedings? I have an android. Thanks!

katekat8721 · April 2014

@wtfisup our tires were already good to go. What kind of stroller did you get?

wtfisup · April 2014

Why the need for mattress covers when the mattress is waterproof?

katekat8721 · April 2014

wtfisup said:

Why the need for mattress covers when the mattress is waterproof?

My hubby said the same thing. I figured it'd be easier to throw the cover in the wash then have to wash the mattress. But I wonder if you can just wipe up the mess on the mattress, because that seems easiest!

katekat8721 · April 2014

Mesh bumpers, do I really need them? And if so, when do you need them, when baby(ies) start rolling around and stuff?

katekat8721 · April 2014

@joules235 I feel like the people in commercials who are happy that they just saved 15% on their car insurance. No mesh bumpers? No crib covers for waterproof mattresses? YAY!

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

I bought a waterproof mattress, so no need for an extra cover. Pull off the sheet, wipe down any gross residue with a lysol wipe, resheet. Takes all of 30 seconds.

I swore up and down that I didn't want an episiotomy. During pushing, my midwife said she was thinking about it. I said great. DH made EVERYONE in the room stop and asked me if I was sure (he was listening the whole time, who knew!!?). I said yes, because oh my goodness the pressure. A small episiotomy and she came out in two more pushes. Turns out she didn't tuck her head in like was supposed to, so it was a bigger circumference. I had an epidural, so it didn't hurt to get and didn't hurt to be stitched. I was so nervous about healing, but I didn't even need advil more than once a day. No burning while peeing, no tightness, no discomfort or itching. It was super easy, and I don't generally heal easily so it was a nice surprise.

I had a catheter during my epidural because I peed myself. My water had already broken when I got the epi, and they didn't automatically put one in. I woke up 1.5 hours later with a huge gush of liquid and called the nurse, thinking it had either re-broken, which I'm not sure is possible, or I had peed myself. Because with the pitocin and the epidural, they also had me on a ton of fluids, they chose to just do a catheter and leave it up there until I was done. Again, didn't feel it going in or being taken out.

The epidural was awesome. A bee sting when they put in the numbing agent, then a kind of odd feeling as they place the needle, and then all that's left is a tiny little plastic catheter in your back that's connected to the tube with the meds. I couldn't feel anything other than pressure, but could still move my legs and feel to push. Once again, I'll try going without, but I'm not afraid of it anymore, and I didn't notice when they took that one out, either!

catsinawindow · April 2014

CharSamm said:
Anyone have experience or input about drinking loose leaf red raspberry tea from around 30 weeks?

With DS I drank it most of third trimester, about 1 cup/day. Once labor got started I dilated pretty quickly and easily, so maybe it helped? This time, I've been drinking it since the beginning of second tri. I figure it can't hurt, might help, and I like the taste.

catsinawindow · April 2014

joules235 said:

katekat8721 said:

Mesh bumpers, do I really need them? And if so, when do you need them, when baby(ies) start rolling around and stuff?

I never used any kind of bumper with DD and we never had a problem. Maybe if your kid was constantly sticking limbs through the slats and such they might be a bit more necessary.

-- end quote --

Yeah, we only used mesh bumpers once DS started rolling around, getting his legs and arms stuck between the slats, and it was really disrupting his sleep. If he wasn't such an active sleeper, we wouldn't have used them at all.

b48kate · April 2014

Anybody ever pump and drive at the same time? I have heard this is doable with a good hands free pumping bra, AC adapter, and feeding cover.

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

@CharSamm, RRL tea gave me contractions from the day I started drinking it last time, even if I brewed it weak. I stopped drinking it. Apparently, it worked really well on me! I won't be trying it again this time, but I might get some to keep around in case labor stalls at some point.

@InternationalKate, I was driven around while pumping...and based on that alone I don't recommend actual driving while pumping. It's a PITA and there are multiple tubes involved (well, two), plus the cord. Unless you have long tubes, you'd have to have the pump on your lap, which would put it in the way of the steering wheel. Also, what happens if you have to slam on your brakes? That seems like a bad plan. At least when you're the passenger, if the driver slams on the brakes, you can use your hands for added support.
That said, as the passenger, I had success pumping in the car on multiple occasions. Depending on the car, no one will ever see what you are doing anyway, so I barely even used the cover.

MrsRahl · April 2014

Any other takers on my tdap question?

lest12 · April 2014

@flerlgirl - its ok, you didn't scare me anymore than I was

I appreciate the honesty!

Where is the option for childbirth via magical, I dream of genie style, wink and the baby is here, transport?

katekat8721 · April 2014

MrsRahl said:
Any other takers on my tdap question?

<--- newbie, dunno. But interested to see responses

robbinrl · April 2014

danielle4348 said:

Internationalkate said:

Anybody ever pump and drive at the same time? I have heard this is doable with a good hands free pumping bra, AC adapter, and feeding cover.

Yes, I have a long commute to work so used that time to pump. I used a hands free bra and nursing cover. I would get everything "hooked up" in the parking lot of daycare after dropping the boys off and turn on the pump once I hit the interstate. I just left everything connected until I was safely parked at work. It was no big deal.

I was similar. DD stayed home with DH and almost never was awake when I left for work (although I did normally feed her a couple times during the night). I pumped on the way to work and the way home - never had an issue. Used the same method as PP.

JESNYC · April 2014

A lot of my friends have taken a taxi to the hospital. I don't think any of them had an issue with being picked up.

babygabe614 · April 2014

@MrsRahl I am getting the TDap at my next appointment, and the people who will be around LO the most will need to get it as well (in our case, that's DH, my mom, and my stepson who already has it because he's required to for school). I had posted in a thread a while back about worrying about my ILs not getting it but since we don't see them often, I just plan to be super vigilant about them washing up thoroughly before touching her. Same goes for any friends who come to visit.

ETA: I just checked the PA state laws and apparently the T&D are required for school age kids, but not pertussis - so I am checking with my stepson's mom to see if he has had a shot specifically for pertussis and if he hasn't, he will be getting one.

wtfisup · April 2014

Did the hospital teach you infant CPR or how to handle choking before you left? My friend seems to think they'll require that. I've never heard of that. We were planning to review it beforehand.

babygabe614 · April 2014

wtfisup said:

Did the hospital teach you infant CPR or how to handle choking before you left? My friend seems to think they'll require that. I've never heard of that. We were planning to review it beforehand.

@wtfisup Our hospital offers an Infant CPR class and a Newborn Care class you can elect to take (at a cost) but they don't just show you that stuff when you're there or anything, as far as I know.

babygabe614 · April 2014

Thanks, @babywear! I'll check that out!

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

Babywear said:
Whew, great read - awesome questions and answers! I have a new question. I plan to BF, but I know the world isn't perfect - so should I have formula on hand incase? My hospital is a BF hospital, they won't send me home without a lactation consultant seeing me, there's a clinic I can contact and I'm starting meetings with the Australian breast feeding association this month - so I have my BF resources in place... But I don't want to be caught out unprepared for an important decision like what formula is the best.

My hospital, also pro BF, sent me home with a sample can so I had something on hand if we needed it. I would buy a small can of soemthing and a simple bottle to get you through in a pinch.

flerlgirl · April 2014

lest12 said:

@flerlgirl - its ok, you didn't scare me anymore than I was I appreciate the honesty! Where is the option for childbirth via magical, I dream of genie style, wink and the baby is here, transport?

@lest12, I was just telling DH last night that I was nervous about the c-section. He asked if I wanted to try for a VBAC. I said that scared me, too. So then we were just silent for a long time and he said, "Maybe the baby will just appear."

If only, DH. If only.

flerlgirl · April 2014

katekat8721 said:

wtfisup said:

Why the need for mattress covers when the mattress is waterproof?

My hubby said the same thing. I figured it'd be easier to throw the cover in the wash then have to wash the mattress. But I wonder if you can just wipe up the mess on the mattress, because that seems easiest!

I still prefer having the cover. I know I can wipe off the mattress and everything will hunky dory, but I like being able to put the dirty stuff in the wash and then watch mercilessly as the soap destroys the stains. It just feels cleaner. But joules is right that if the mattress is waterproof, technically you do not need a cover.

flerlgirl · April 2014

wtfisup said:

Did the hospital teach you infant CPR or how to handle choking before you left? My friend seems to think they'll require that. I've never heard of that. We were planning to review it beforehand.

It depends on the hospital. At our hospital, if you had a NICU kid you had to take a (free) class. But it is really easy to learn - videos like this one are helpful and even if you take a class you will want to review it fairly often. DH and I practice once a month to make sure we remember and won't panic if it happens. The American Heart Association (where I got the video) has a lot of helpful info and many hospitals use their info to teach their classes.

rastrau · April 2014

CharSamm said:

@rastrau Here's the information I have from my MW about perineal massage:

PRENATAL PERINEAL MASSAGE

Massaging your perineum (the tissue between the vagina and the anus) during the last four weeks of pregnancy can help prevent tearing during the birth. Massaging oil into the tissue and stretching it can also result in less resistance to the birth of the head, and the massage can also help you learn to relax the pelvic floor muscles. This technique is likely to be more uncomfortable for your mind than for your body – it’s a new experience for most of us and it seems a bit strange. But when the baby’s head is crowning, and you are able top consciously relax your perineum because you have practiced, you’ll be glad you’ve done this. [....]

Thanks so much @CharSamm! That info is really helpful - none of the other literature I've seen went over methods.

SecondTimeinMSU · April 2014

Babywear said:

Whew, great read - awesome questions and answers! I have a new question. I plan to BF, but I know the world isn't perfect - so should I have formula on hand incase? My hospital is a BF hospital, they won't send me home without a lactation consultant seeing me, there's a clinic I can contact and I'm starting meetings with the Australian breast feeding association this month - so I have my BF resources in place... But I don't want to be caught out unprepared for an important decision like what formula is the best.

I personally don't plan on buying any just because there are stores nearby open 24-7, if I really needed it in a pinch it is easily accessible. DS didn't latch well at all to begin with and the hospital, eventhough they were pro breastfeeding with a LC on hand helping me, they had plenty of formula to use until the pumping I was doing finally paid off and I had a ton of milk to start feeding him by day 3. I am not a big believer that having it in the house makes you more tempted. I think it is a hard decision that people have to decide upon if they've planned on breastfeeding and I don't think they make it lightly. I know even at 2am when I was sooo tired and didn't want to pump I still did it eventhough I had plenty of formula on hand. I eventually got him to latch on but if I'd have ended up using formula it would have been because I thought it was the best decision for my family not just convenience.

catsinawindow · April 2014

Babywear said:
Whew, great read - awesome questions and answers! I have a new question. I plan to BF, but I know the world isn't perfect - so should I have formula on hand incase? My hospital is a BF hospital, they won't send me home without a lactation consultant seeing me, there's a clinic I can contact and I'm starting meetings with the Australian breast feeding association this month - so I have my BF resources in place... But I don't want to be caught out unprepared for an important decision like what formula is the best.

Personally, I wouldn't have any on hand. IME, the best way to insure BFing success is to go in the with idea that you WILL BF. having formula in hand seems like you're setting yourself up for failure. As PP mentioned, there will always be a store open in a pinch.

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Newbie Play date part 2

Re: Newbie Play date part 2

IF, 5 losses, 1 son, 1 on the way.

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

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