June '14 L&D Questions Thread

steprozz · May 2014

nutmegs8 said:
Just got a call from a nurse at my OB office. I came back GBS positive. She said they will put me on IV antibiotics during labor and delivery. I have an appointment on Friday with OB and will ask more questions.

Until then, questions for moms that have went through this: Can you give me any insight? How will this affect my labor and delivery? Are there any side effects to the antibiotics? Did you have a continuous IV or is there still hope for a hep lock?

I had the antibiotics. they are NBD and had absolutely no effect on anything they just hook it up to your IV. I did have a continuous IV for it, not sure if they can do it with a hep lock I would definitely ask.

babygabe614 · May 2014

@Mia081081 I've never heard of that study before but sounds very interesting!!

flojo973 · May 2014

@Mia081081 - I've been eating Lara bars because of that study. Not sure if it will help but they're tasty so why not! If you're eating dates I would make sure to cut them open first, I was reading on the May board that some people have found mold in them.

Mia081081 · May 2014

flojo973 said:

@Mia081081 - I've been eating Lara bars because of that study. Not sure if it will help but they're tasty so why not! If you're eating dates I would make sure to cut them open first, I was reading on the May board that some people have found mold in them.

Ew - I saw that too. I don't know how you could not cut them open since there is a seed inside? I buy Medjool dates in the refrigerated case at Whole Foods or Fresh Market. Did you see the Amazon coupon for Larabars on the May board too? I got a box for $16 on amazon yesterday, which comes out to $1/bar. Much cheaper than the store!

diagonalley · May 2014

nutmegs8 said:
Just got a call from a nurse at my OB office. I came back GBS positive. She said they will put me on IV antibiotics during labor and delivery. I have an appointment on Friday with OB and will ask more questions.

Until then, questions for moms that have went through this: Can you give me any insight? How will this affect my labor and delivery? Are there any side effects to the antibiotics? Did you have a continuous IV or is there still hope for a hep lock?

I was given antibiotics while in labor because they didn't know if an infection was what caused preterm labor. It didn't really effect my labor, but it does burn when they put it in (goes away in a few seconds) they put mine in through an IV twice while I was in labor.

rastrau · May 2014

Mia081081 said:

Did anyone do the 6 dates per day thing suggested in this study? I didn't last time, but plan to this time. Already eating lots of Larabars and dates with cream cheese (yum). These raw brownies are also the most delicious thing ever, but they keep me up if i have them at night. Too much caffeine in the cacao powder maybe?

Anyway, just looking to see if anyone had done it and how your labor went.

I'm not familiar with this study or Larabars. Is it intended to ripen the cervix naturally or is it more to shorten labor?

Kinipela7 · May 2014

Does it hurt when/if your water breaks?

Can contractions feel like when you get the wind knocked out of you?

Mia081081 · May 2014

rastrau said:

Mia081081 said:

Did anyone do the 6 dates per day thing suggested in this study? I didn't last time, but plan to this time. Already eating lots of Larabars and dates with cream cheese (yum). These raw brownies are also the most delicious thing ever, but they keep me up if i have them at night. Too much caffeine in the cacao powder maybe?

Anyway, just looking to see if anyone had done it and how your labor went.

I'm not familiar with this study or Larabars. Is it intended to ripen the cervix naturally or is it more to shorten labor?

The study showed that for women who ate 6 dates a day starting at 36 weeks, labors were shorter and less women had to be induced. I'm all for both of those things, and I actually like dates, so I'm doing it. Larabars are just a type of food bar that is usually made of dates + nuts + a mix-in like dried blueberries or cherries. They are tasty.

nunzchucks · May 2014

Ashes92813 said:
Hey! I'm close. I'm at Fairview. Are you going to Hillcrest? (Some of my doctors work there too).

LilNunz1 said:
@Ashes92813‌ Are you at Hillcrest?

Had DD at Hillcrest, but we moved so this one will be at Medina. The Clinic NICUs are fantastic. You are in great hands!

SecondTimeinMSU · May 2014

Kinipela7 said:

Does it hurt when/if your water breaks?

Can contractions feel like when you get the wind knocked out of you?

It didn't hurt me at all for it to break naturally. I had one contraction which is what sent me to the bathroom to check things out but there was no pain when the gush came out. I know some people have said getting it broken for you hurt and some said that didn't hurt at all so it might depend upon when they break your water.

I would define the wind getting knocked out of you as more of a chest pain. All the contractions were an intense cramping and pain in my uterus and surrounding areas. I didn't feel any pain in my chest or lungs.

MollySm · May 2014

Kinipela7 said:
Does it hurt when/if your water breaks?

Can contractions feel like when you get the wind knocked out of you?

Mine was a slow leak and wasn't at all painful. It was barely noticable. I couldn't tell if it was just discharge or if my water had broken, because it was very similar to my 3rd tri discharge. The nurse at L&D told me to just wait it out and see if contractios started, which they did about 2 hours after I noticed the leak.

My BH contractions sometimes feel like getting the wind knocked out of me.

katiebartton · May 2014

Mia081081 said:

flojo973 said:

@Mia081081 - I've been eating Lara bars because of that study. Not sure if it will help but they're tasty so why not! If you're eating dates I would make sure to cut them open first, I was reading on the May board that some people have found mold in them.

Ew - I saw that too. I don't know how you could not cut them open since there is a seed inside? I buy Medjool dates in the refrigerated case at Whole Foods or Fresh Market. Did you see the Amazon coupon for Larabars on the May board too? I got a box for $16 on amazon yesterday, which comes out to $1/bar. Much cheaper than the store!

ive never heard of these tasty bars, which flavor?? i just looked up on amazon and there seem to be a variety of them. I'll have to stalk May to find said coupon

Mia081081 · May 2014

@katiebartton - I like the blueberry muffin and cherry pie flavors. I'd stay away from the lemon / lime / key lime ones. Ew.

@Mease8 - I will have to look for those!

@lizardbreath14 - Yes! Love dates stuffed with cream cheese. Going to have to try cheddar for my afternoon snack

Mia081081 · May 2014

Kinipela7 said:

Does it hurt when/if your water breaks?

Can contractions feel like when you get the wind knocked out of you?

It didn't hurt when my water broke. DH and I were having sex to try to get things moving and I just felt a very, very warm trickle. Then I leaked all over until I got to the hospital. Contractions started about 45 minutes later.

Contractions to me felt like bad menstrual cramps. When they got really bad during transition, it was like pain/pressure inside my pelvic bones. I was able to relax and breathe through mine (I attribute that to 12 years of yoga). The "ring of fire" when pushing was more "pain" and the lidocaine shots when I was getting stitched sucked worse than labor.

rastrau · May 2014

lizardbreath14 said:

For those talking about eating dates, I will just suggest that they are delicious with cheddar cheese, or basically almost any cheese, for that matter!

DH loves to make bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with almonds, if you need another suggestion!

Mia081081- thanks for the info! I think I will also be purchasing myself some of these tasty-sounding Larabars

MrsKipper · May 2014

I had Cervadil and was induced with Nola. The Cervadil made me cramp a little at first but then nothing until they started Pitocin the next morning. Once the doctor broke my water things got painful and I got an epi soon after.

I also was GBS+ (and this time, too) I had a few rounds of IV abx, but it wasn't a continuous drip. I do need to ask the doctor if I need to get to the hospital sooner than suggested when I go into labor this time since I'll need abx again. Being GBS+ has no effect on labor, they just have to get rid of the infection during labor so you don't pass it on to baby!

Kmlinville · May 2014

Which is typically more painful: contractions, or the stretching/potential tearing that happens when baby is actually coming out? FTM ignorance here; just trying to conceptualize this whole thing...

diagonalley · May 2014

Kmlinville said:
Which is typically more painful: contractions, or the stretching/potential tearing that happens when baby is actually coming out? FTM ignorance here; just trying to conceptualize this whole thing...

For me the contractions because the pain lasts longer. If you tear it hurts in that instant but your distracted by baby being born. The numbed it soon afterwards and stitched me right up.

ncbelle · May 2014

Water breaking doesn't hurt.

For me contractions are more painful than crowning - pushing felt "good" because it felt like I was able to push against the pain. Plus you've got a LOT of endorphin action going! It's really impressive how you stretch - try not to fear it

FWIW, both of my children had off the charts heads (and my second was 10 pounds). I didn't tear at all with #2 and had like 2 stitches with #1.

Contractions really aren't like any other pain I've experienced. Yes, they really hurt and are intense. But they come in waves so it's not like sudden intense pain (like when you stub your toe).

MrsKipper · May 2014

Contractions hurt, tearing doesn't. I didn't feel any tearing or stretching going on. I did have an epi, though. The epi didn't get rid of contraction and back labor pain.

And @ncbelle‌ is right, pushing actually felt good and got rid of the back labor pain I had. As soon as I stopped pushing between contractions all the pain came back.

MrsKipper · May 2014

Oh, and Nola was sunny side up. I didn't know that until after she was born. Apparently that's why I pushed for two hours and had terrible back labor. So, while painful, it can bed done! I'm really glad the doctor didn't tell me she was facing up while I was pushing!

jwarnerb · May 2014

Totally going in on the dates thing.

Has anyone been induced with pitocin and NOT had an epi? Is this just stupid to think about? Also- if you're induced do you have to be in bed/on your back for labor? I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT INDUCTION!

I feel like a complete moron.

steprozz · May 2014

@jwarnerb‌ I *think* the only time you have to be in bed is if you have the epi since you won't feel or be able to move the lower half of your body. I'm sure you could have pitocin without an epi, no one forces you to get one, but I think most women go for one because the pitocin causes such intense contractions. I know I'm a wimp and I couldn't handle the pitocin without an epi. I got it very soon after they broke my water.

tbmadeamistake · May 2014

@jwarnerb, I chose to get an epidural while on the pitocin because I wasn't getting any breaks to breathe between contractions, they were right on top of one another. However, I've never been in un-induced labor, so I have nothing to compare it to. I also tense way up when in pain, and wasn't progressing terribly fast. Once I had the epidural, I went from a 4 to a 9.5 in 90 minutes! It's amazing how fast it happened once I relaxed. I think it's totally possible to do it without the epidural if that's what you want.

My hospital you only had to stay in bed if you had the epidural. Before that, I was free to walk around as I chose, as long as my IV pit came alongside me.

MrsKipper · May 2014

I didn't want to get an epi as soon as I did with Pitocin. I really wanted to wait it out for a while, but I just couldn't do it. The contractions are so strong and so intense! I don't want to spread fear but it really does make them painful, especially if the doctor breaks your water.

I'm really hoping to not have to be induced this time so that I can see if there is a real difference between Pit and non-Pit contractions!

aleher15 · May 2014

LilNunz1 said:

Ashes92813 said:
Hey! I'm close. I'm at Fairview. Are you going to Hillcrest? (Some of my doctors work there too).

LilNunz1 said:
@Ashes92813‌ Are you at Hillcrest?

Had DD at Hillcrest, but we moved so this one will be at Medina. The Clinic NICUs are fantastic. You are in great hands!

I absolutely agree my son was transfered to main campus NICU after he was born; they where fantastic.

aleher15 · May 2014

jwarnerb said:
Totally going in on the dates thing.

Has anyone been induced with pitocin and NOT had an epi? Is this just stupid to think about? Also- if you're induced do you have to be in bed/on your back for labor? I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT INDUCTION!

I feel like a complete moron.

I was induced with my son and had pit and an epi, but I had super bad back labor honestly the contractions from the pit wasn't that bad. I really think it depends on how your body reacts to the meds as to how painful your contractions are. As for staying in bed I was allowed to get up and use the bathroom in the early stages but that was it, I could lay on my back or either side but no walking around.

steprozz · May 2014

@jmar2011‌ do you know why they like you to take your contacts out? I was already wearing my glasses last time so it wasn't an issue but I was hoping to keep them in this time.

jwarnerb · May 2014

@stephross88, @mrskipper, and @lilygrace48- Thanks, ladies! Everything I've read/heard about pitocin sounds like a nightmare. Good to know about your experience, @aleher15- I will keep that in mind as I try not to freak out about induction.

I think my future will include trying every old wives tale in the book to induce labor. Sexy time, spicy food, dates and pineapple! Surely someone will start a thread about this, no? I bet every BMB has one...I'm too lazy to look right now.

And still interested if anyone has done pitocin induced labor w/o epi...

steprozz · May 2014

@jmar2011‌ oh girl I've had so many corneal ulcers and scarring from them. I take terrible care of my eyes, I won't go into it because I might give you a heart attack. guess I'll just wear my glasses for my csection and put my contacts back in when I get to my PP room

tbmadeamistake · May 2014

As much as I didn't like the pitocon and got the epidural, I will say that overall I was happy with my labor and delivery. My goal was to have a healthy baby on the outside instead of the inside and that's what I got. Water broke, six hours later nothing was happening so they started the pit, a few hours after that I asked for the epidural. At that point it was get the epi and a chance to rest up for pushing, or continue fighting and end up too weak to push and a potential c section, which I did not want. I slept for almost two hours after the epi, woke up ready to push, pushed for 2.5 hours because my girly didn't get the message to tuck her chin in, a quick snip and out she came. I was up and about quickly, the snip healed super easily, I didn't need the pain meds they offered, and c and I were both happy and healthy. So yes, the pitocin sucked, but at the end if the day I had my healthy girl I'm my arms. I would do it again if necessary wihtoit batting an eyelash, though I might ask for the epi sooner this item.

katekat8721 · May 2014

How long did you guys stay in the recovery room after birth? Did you have a c-section or vaginal?

steprozz · May 2014

emilyh107 said:

katekat8721 said:
How long did you guys stay in the recovery room after birth? Did you have a c-section or vaginal?
After my c-section, I was in recovery for an hour. It may have been a little less because they said as soon as I could start feeling my legs again they would move me up to our room.

WSS. after my csection I had to stay in recovery until I could bend my knees and then I got to take baby upstairs. I think it was about an hour and a half or so

diagonalley · May 2014

katekat8721 said:
How long did you guys stay in the recovery room after birth? Did you have a c-section or vaginal?

After vaginal it was an hour, no food or drink allowed (which literally after he was born I was starving!) They also made me get up and use the bathroom before moving me to the maternity wing.

efino87 · May 2014

Since the big baby thing has been brought up a few times lately, what would STM's who have had a 9lb+ baby recommend as far as prepping for a successful vaginal delivery of a suspected large baby? I know the growth ultrasounds can be very wrong and I could be worrying about a whole lot of nothing but I would like to be prepared if the end of June comes around and its time to deliver a 10lb baby.

My original plan was to labor as long as possible on a ball and only get the epi when I am close to transition if I really can't handle it. I know that there are better positions to labor/push in than on your back but are they at all possible with an epi? I have tried talking to the doctor about this the last two appointments but the response has been, "We will see, you have two months left" and then the "you may need a c-section to avoid major complications" conversation comes up b/c of his head size.

I know I could just be blowing smoke, I still do have two months left till my due date and I'm still not out of the PTL/birth woods yet but I wasn't sure if things like perrinal (sp?) massage needed to be started months or weeks ahead. My goal is whats best for baby however we get there, just looking for some insight.

meritsamomma · May 2014

@efino87‌ FTM here so not going off of experience, but I just got my 33 week email this morning which said starting this week to do perineum massage 5-10 minutes a day from now to D - day. Here's a link to the info on exactly how it says to do it:https://www.everydayfamily.com/pregnancy-week-33-my-health/

flojo973 · May 2014

@jwarnerb - I've read some posts on the Natural Birth board about women getting induced with pitocin and not getting an epi (still doing birth med-free). You might want to check those out.

PressLove · May 2014

jwarnerbMease8- I was just talking to my OB about natural ways to induce labor that my are doctor approved. I have no experience, but thought I would share.

Spicy food- It must be super spicy (spicy in and spicy out) to really get you going.
DTD- You must orgasm!
Nipple stimulation- Apparently, this was the go-to method before Pitocin.

efino87 · May 2014

@Meritmacalpine thank you so much!! Thats really helpful!

ElTrain5 · May 2014

nutmegs8 said:

Just got a call from a nurse at my OB office. I came back GBS positive. She said they will put me on IV antibiotics during labor and delivery. I have an appointment on Friday with OB and will ask more questions.

Until then, questions for moms that have went through this: Can you give me any insight? How will this affect my labor and delivery? Are there any side effects to the antibiotics? Did you have a continuous IV or is there still hope for a hep lock?

FTM but my midwives told me if I need antibiotics they would do a hep lock and just hook me up when I needed the doses, then unhook me again. I know that pretty standard in birth centers too. Of course check with your dr. though, but if they are fine with the hep lock to begin with I don't understand why it would be a problem.

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