@PoppySeedWindsor - I don't really have any advice, just wanted to say that I can empathize with you. I had these horrendous fears of dying--either stroking out during labor or bleeding during a C-Section. Not only did I not die, but I think getting through the surgery successfully gave me this huge adrenaline rush and the resolve to be up and walking as soon as possible. I don't think I'd have recovered as fast or as well as I did without those fears.
I'm a totally Type A myself, so it took me awhile to let go of control over how/when my baby was going to come into the world. But you're in good hands. My nurse put it this way: if something DID go wrong, you are in the right place at the right time. These doctors and nurses are there to take care of you and your baby--you don't need to do it alone
PoppySeedWindsor I am so sorry you are so stressed out and your mind is getting the best of you! You will be able to get through this and need to focus on the positive!! No one knows how their birth will go, whether they do it naturally from the beginning OR get induced. Almost 1/3 of births are c-sections (IF it even comes to that)....which means doctors are REALLY good at them. They are so standard and normal. It will be ok, no matter what your birth story is and you get to see baby poppy soooo soon!
Remember irrational fears...are just that. Irrational and somehow they only seem to come on late at night...when you are sleep deprived and exhausted.
May the Fourth Be With You: Our 5-4-14 Baby: Andrew Joseph
@kendracoleslaw, Thanks for the encouragement...and on your induction day! I think being able to talk about fears is the most powerful thing I/we can do. I'm proud of you for seeking out encouragement from friends and family. I'm sending lots of good juju your way today. I can't wait to hear about your birth story and see pictures of your little one. It'll all go well!
@baileymama3 Thank you for the support, too. Irrational fears are irrational fears. It's so annoying when they get the best of me. And the end outcome is what's important -- my baby, healthy and happy, regardless of how s/he comes out of me!
@purespark What you went through is our plan on Sunday. It's good to hear a positive outcome of that path.
@mamarotu Thanks for the suggestion about looking into c-sections. I'm pretty sure I would react the same way you did.
And last but definitely not least, @kseccomb17: I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of this stress and struggle in your family. I can only imagine it's really hard to see your rock in such a difficult and compromising position. I'm so glad to hear your family is stepping in to help you out. Know that it's ABSOLUTELY ONE MILLION PERCENT OKAY to be feeling what you're feeling. Don't feel bad for crying. Don't feel bad for not feeling strong. You're not a bad wife if your husband sees you cry or if you complain in front of him nor are you a bad mom if your kids see you cry. Crying means you're human. You and your family WILL get through this. It'll make you so much stronger in the long run...not that I think anyone should ever have to deal with anything so horrible, but know that there is a brighter light on the other side. Lots of hugs and kisses and everything rainbows and unicorns and chocolate cake sent your way!
I am going to visit my friend's new baby today & plan to bring something. I've already given the registry gift - what should I bring for mom & dad? A premade dinner to heat up later from Whole Foods? Bottle of wine? Basket of healthy-ish snacks to nosh on while nursing? Thoughts? WWRTTD?
Hi all. Just checking in, didn't get to catch up though. Jack was born at 7:32 am on 4/21. He's 7 lbs 9 oz, 21.5 in long, with a full head of hair. He's beautiful and I love him so. Not the best phone reception in my recovery room. I'm here for 2 more days. Pics and birth story when I get home. Hope all are well!
@PoppySeedWindsor ((hugs)) I had the same anxiety before I was induced with #2. My induction went really well and I was able to still have a epi free delivery even though it was much harder than my first natural labor. I went into labor naturally with #3 but my labor stalled out at 6cm so we had to agument when Pit, it was still manageable. I would ask that they start out really slow and just up the pit as needed until you are in a good contraction pattern.
~Missed MC at 8 weeks. D&C at 12 weeks on 4/17/13~
Thanks @thomas930 I know my OB outlined the dosages last week during our appointment. I, of course, can't remember the amounts but I know he's going to do the absolute minimum for us. He's been soooooo freaking supportive of our medicine-free pregnancy and birth plan.
Being a med-free hippy from Portland has shaped me into a person I really like being and makes me feel good...but now that I'm in Kentucky I find that our way of living isn't met with as much enthusiasm (Not meant to be offensive to anyone there). However, my OB HAS been really supportive and has offered a ton of different suggestions for dealing with pregnancy's maladies. It's because of this that I have full trust in him that he'll really balance our desires with the needs that rise up during labor.
Phew. I feel so much freaking better after this. I all you RTTers.
@PoppySeedWindsor Sometimes we just need to get out fears out in the open to help us feel better. I'm glad you have a very supportive OB. BTW the birthing ball was great at helping me get through too. Unfortunately, you usually have to be on monitors the whole time which limits where you can go for movement.
~Missed MC at 8 weeks. D&C at 12 weeks on 4/17/13~
@PoppySeedWindsor I can definitely relate to being in an environment that doesn't support the hippie in you! We moved from a liberal town outside DC to a small town in NC. My natural ways and liberal beliefs are definitely not the norm here and I'm struggling to find people I can connect with. Thankfully there is a birth center 20 minutes away but if that wasn't there I'd have almost no choice on how and where I birthed this baby. I'm glad you have a supportive OB and hopefully you'll be able to feel free to continue with what works best for you!
April 2014 May Siggy Challenge: Funny Animals- Kangaroo Mating Ritual
@knotty-girl Yay fur your baby! Glad you got to the hospital okay!
@kseccomb17 So much love to you, hon. Agree with getting people around you. People made all the difference when DH's mom was dying and we were in the hospital every day. Not the same thing, I know, but I know how draining it is so split your life between hospital and the "real world." It can be so overwhelming and the pain can be so huge that you don't even know how to verbalize what you need. If that's where you are, tell people that are close to you that you need them to either offer specific help (hearing "let me know if there's anything I can do," is nice, but not very helpful when it puts the burden on you to come up with something for them to do) or just show up and take care of things, like your kids, your house, etc.
With your background you have to also prioritize yourself. It's tempting to try and take care of everyone else first, but make time for your appointments and make sure you're doing what you need to do to keep yourself balanced. This isn't the time to try and power through, this is about doing what it takes to get yourself through the day and leave you sane and coping at the end of it. Get meds, get help, get therapy, whatever you need; make it a priority. Put your own gas mask on first.
Also, my friend is a social worker at Stanford hospital, and her whole job is to help families/people in your type of traumatic situation. All hospitals have them, but few people know to utilize them. Contact your hospital's social worker - they are amazing resources for help, support, financial guidance, anything you need to help you navigate this tough time.
Going though what my husband and I went through these last two months, I called it a crucible - these are the times that can either break a marriage or that you'll look back on, years down the road, and say, "well, it was hell, but it made us who we are today and I wouldn't trade it." You'll all come through this, I'm sure. I'm still praying for you, hon. Hang in there.
@PoppySeedWindsor Everyone else said what I was going to say, so I'll just say this: it's going to be okay, my dear.
Fell in Love: January 2003
Married: May 2006
Baby Girl Born: April 2014 If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, I will answer you:
@poppyseedwindsor I just wanted to chime in- before LO's birth, I would have tried anything before I agreed to be induced. Then, my water broke at 35 weeks and I had no choice since I wasn't in labor at all and on the clock to deliver within 24 hours. I had a super low dose of pit and that was all it took to get things going. I had an otherwise intervention-free birth with no medication and was able to labor how I wanted. Other than the added annoyingness of the IV pole, things went down as close to how I imagined as possible. Was I scared/frustrated/disappointed that I needed pitocin? Sure. The important thing for me was that I was able to advocate for our birth choices and had amazingly supportive nurses who never mentioned drugs or questioned my choices in labor at all.
It's scary to feel out of control, but the important thing to remember is to do your research and ask for alternatives. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself! If you don't understand something or feel uncomfortable with a suggestion, ask for clarification. It's your body, your birth and your baby! You can do this!
My MIL just called DH and asked "is Kendra dilated any more??" Uhhh.... How should we know?
You mean you don't have a dilameter?
Dilameter. Good lord, what would that even LOOK like?
A dildo with a laser/scanny light thing at the tip? --------------- Can it also perform membrane sweeps? I'd much prefer being medically finger banged by a laser robot than my midwife. Oy.
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
I had a dream that DH ate my corn dog and I screamed at him that I hated him. I also had a dream that I was cloth diapering my own body and was trying to find my swim diaper so I could go into the pool.
Somebody. Get. This. Baby. OUT OF ME!!!!!
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
@kseccomb17 I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I wish I could offer some advice or make you feel better but I am thinking of you and your family. You are stronger than you've been giving yourself credit for. @PoppySeedWindsor you will be just fine no matter how things go with your labor. It's not so bad to be induced. I've had to have pinto in for every one of my labors and have had the easiest deliveries. And an epidural, should you even decide to have one, says nothing about your lifestyle. They are amazing though, but you and billions of women before you can handle the pain of natural childbirth too. Or try sex and spicy food, it totally seriously induces labor every time, it's a medical fact.
Know what's AWESOME? Using new, organic, fancy face wipes (I had a coupon!) then finding you're allergic to them. I don't even know what caused the reaction- none of my known allergens are in it! My face is on fire. Jussssssst what I needed.
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
My MIL just called DH and asked "is Kendra dilated any more??" Uhhh.... How should we know?
You mean you don't have a dilameter?
Dilameter. Good lord, what would that even LOOK like?
A dildo with a laser/scanny light thing at the tip?
I just spat strawberry popsicle juice all over my computer. I love you so much @jellysparkles.
Also, I'm totally willing to do the copywriting and marketing for this. @knotty-girl can do the design....who else is in? Let's definitley Shark Tank this bitch.
@kseccomb17 I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I wish I could offer some advice or make you feel better but I am thinking of you and your family. You are stronger than you've been giving yourself credit for. @PoppySeedWindsor you will be just fine no matter how things go with your labor. It's not so bad to be induced. I've had to have pinto in for every one of my labors and have had the easiest deliveries. And an epidural, should you even decide to have one, says nothing about your lifestyle. They are amazing though, but you and billions of women before you can handle the pain of natural childbirth too. Or try sex and spicy food, it totally seriously induces labor every time, it's a medical fact.
What if I have sex WHILE eating spicy food?
@honeyzoo I (and my vagina) feel like I'm on my honeymoon again!
Re: Longest Thread EVER! (aka Random Thoughts Thread )
I'm a totally Type A myself, so it took me awhile to let go of control over how/when my baby was going to come into the world. But you're in good hands. My nurse put it this way: if something DID go wrong, you are in the right place at the right time. These doctors and nurses are there to take care of you and your baby--you don't need to do it alone
PoppySeedWindsor I am so sorry you are so stressed out and your mind is getting the best of you! You will be able to get through this and need to focus on the positive!! No one knows how their birth will go, whether they do it naturally from the beginning OR get induced. Almost 1/3 of births are c-sections (IF it even comes to that)....which means doctors are REALLY good at them. They are so standard and normal. It will be ok, no matter what your birth story is
and you get to see baby poppy soooo soon!
Remember irrational fears...are just that. Irrational
and somehow they only seem to come on late at night...when you are sleep deprived and exhausted.
I can definitely relate to being in an environment that doesn't support the hippie in you! We moved from a liberal town outside DC to a small town in NC. My natural ways and liberal beliefs are definitely not the norm here and I'm struggling to find people I can connect with.
Thankfully there is a birth center 20 minutes away but if that wasn't there I'd have almost no choice on how and where I birthed this baby. I'm glad you have a supportive OB and hopefully you'll be able to feel free to continue with what works best for you!
@kseccomb17 So much love to you, hon. Agree with getting people around you. People made all the difference when DH's mom was dying and we were in the hospital every day. Not the same thing, I know, but I know how draining it is so split your life between hospital and the "real world." It can be so overwhelming and the pain can be so huge that you don't even know how to verbalize what you need. If that's where you are, tell people that are close to you that you need them to either offer specific help (hearing "let me know if there's anything I can do," is nice, but not very helpful when it puts the burden on you to come up with something for them to do) or just show up and take care of things, like your kids, your house, etc.
With your background you have to also prioritize yourself. It's tempting to try and take care of everyone else first, but make time for your appointments and make sure you're doing what you need to do to keep yourself balanced. This isn't the time to try and power through, this is about doing what it takes to get yourself through the day and leave you sane and coping at the end of it. Get meds, get help, get therapy, whatever you need; make it a priority. Put your own gas mask on first.
Also, my friend is a social worker at Stanford hospital, and her whole job is to help families/people in your type of traumatic situation. All hospitals have them, but few people know to utilize them. Contact your hospital's social worker - they are amazing resources for help, support, financial guidance, anything you need to help you navigate this tough time.
Going though what my husband and I went through these last two months, I called it a crucible - these are the times that can either break a marriage or that you'll look back on, years down the road, and say, "well, it was hell, but it made us who we are today and I wouldn't trade it." You'll all come through this, I'm sure. I'm still praying for you, hon. Hang in there.
@PoppySeedWindsor Everyone else said what I was going to say, so I'll just say this: it's going to be okay, my dear.
Baby Girl Born: April 2014
If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, I will answer you:
Baby Girl Born: April 2014
If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, I will answer you:
---------------
Can it also perform membrane sweeps? I'd much prefer being medically finger banged by a laser robot than my midwife. Oy.
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
I also had a dream that I was cloth diapering my own body and was trying to find my swim diaper so I could go into the pool.
Somebody. Get. This. Baby. OUT OF ME!!!!!
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
Dear lord, I love my DH.
Using new, organic, fancy face wipes (I had a coupon!) then finding you're allergic to them. I don't even know what caused the reaction- none of my known allergens are in it!
My face is on fire.
Jussssssst what I needed.
BFP #1 May 20, 2013 MC June 27, 2013 BFP #2 August 2, 2013 Baby Boy born 4/25/14 (3 weeks overdue!)
April 14 August Siggy Challenge- "This time last year.."
Edit because iPhone doesn't think boppy is a word