LED candles

ElRuby · May 2015

Well not quite.... But I thought it would be helpful to have a thread dedicated to our best relaxation tips and tricks... Unfortunately Xanax is not an option for labor... What are you planning to do/ use to help set a relaxing tone?

ElRuby · May 2015

I am a big advocate of breathing techniques for stress and pain in general... Although I did not really commit to Lamaze I appreciate the art of breathing and it's positive effects on the body. My favorite breathing exercise is called "square breathing"... Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, and rest for 4... Repeat as needed

Breathing is such a cool skill/ tool because we have it whenever we need it but too many people actually forget to use it!

NotISaidtheCat · May 2015

Honestly, what's always worked best for me is just talking myself down like I'm reasoning with someone else. Especially when it comes to pain - every time something hurts I tell myself "Now this doesn't really hurt, it's just uncomfortable. What really hurts hasn't happened yet, so you better brace yourself." I just keep saying it and eventually everything is over and I've sort of tricked myself into expecting worse than what I actually went through, so I'm able to feel pleasantly surprised and think of what just happened as not all that bad. You know, like a crazy person

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

I have a pneumonic on my fridge for pain to keep it instilled for labor -- Purposeful Anticipated Intermittant Normal

klkonwi · May 2015

Well I'm just planning on the LED candles to take away my pain...... That's it.

ElRuby · May 2015

klkonwi said:
Well I'm just planning on the LED candles to take away my pain...... That's it.

Good plan

... Make sure they are scented.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

I plan on getting an epidural as soon as I walk in... As they ask can I help you? "Yes I'm ready for my epidural"

Sammy K · May 2015

Drugs.

Seriously, my first delivery went from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds so there was no relaxation. There was nothing typical about my experience so this time, I will take the drugs please. All of them.

klkonwi · May 2015

I want a few doses of fentanyl through the IV then I want my epidural. But disclaimer...... That's only if my scented LED candles don't do their job.

rsalata2015 · May 2015

This has nothing to do with the thread topic. But I am deathly afraid of the epidural. My last labor I went super fast in a matter of minutes they didn't give me crap. Can I ask for the Nubian or is that only given with the epidural? I'm not sure how it works so sorry if my question is stupid. Just curious.

klkonwi · May 2015

You can't have the Nubian if your generally 8 cm or more or you go fast.........

sorry ! @rsalata2015

ngaines27 · May 2015

IV pain meds, whatever they'll give me then an epidural should do the trick.

ElRuby · May 2015

rsalata2015 said:
This has nothing to do with the thread topic. But I am deathly afraid of the epidural. My last labor I went super fast in a matter of minutes they didn't give me crap. Can I ask for the Nubian or is that only given with the epidural? I'm not sure how it works so sorry if my question is stupid. Just curious.

Nubain is an IV drug so you can have that without or in combination with the epidural.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

You can get iv pain meds like Nubian, but not once you are (for my hospital 7-8 cms), they won't give it close to delivery because it directly effects baby (puts baby to sleep basically) it is very short acting medication

HayesRN13 · May 2015

Added to this ^^ probably won't give iv meds either with a history of precipitous delivery.......( or if you currently are progressing very quickly)

rsalata2015 · May 2015

Thank you ladies! I can't imagine being paralyzed in my bottom half! I don't like noodle legs;) I hope I progress normally and not so fast this time. However the pain was traumatic and am hoping for some relief. I take Buprenorphine which helps with pain. I'm not sure what's safe to mix with that. I'll have to tell them that asap so they don't give me something that will react badly with that pain medication. Is Nubian a opiate. I'm trying to avoid those.

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

I'll probably use a combination of breathing, talking myself down, having DH distract me / talk me down, and when possible I like to walk and stretch. Also knowing that I don't have any cares about using the drugs via IV or an epidural should I decide I want them gives me a sense of relaxation, too. I know that there is eventually a point where either can't be used, but if I get to that point then I can reassure myself I'm almost there and dealt with a lot so far, and I can make it thru the homestretch.
I'm pretty stubborn. It may sound odd to say I'll stubborn myself into relaxing, but that stubbornness makes me stick to my guns, which helps me direct my mind to something. So I'll be like "damnit, I WILL follow my breathing techniques!"

HayesRN13 · May 2015

@rsalata .. If you are taking Subutex/or suboxone (hopefully Subutex as its safer for pregnancy..? You need to speak to anesthesia prior, as you will have a hard time getting pain relief.. As Subutex is a partial agonist and VERY strong with a very long half life as far as binding to receptor sites.. Regular doses of opiates will not touch you. So definitely speak to your OB asap and make a plan.. What dose are you on? And they are giving that to your for pain management? Good news is an epidural will still work as it is localized

kissell · May 2015

I will say with the exception of dead leg which apparently was a side affect of having the epi in an incorrect position that it was a really great choice because my leg (my other non dead leg) was heavy but not completely paralyzed which was good. I could still wiggle toes but no pain was felt. Can I have another while I recover from the c section...? Sorry if grammar is wrong.. Heavy drugs are involved

rsalata2015 · May 2015

I'm on 12 mgs, I was on other pain management but didn't want any opiates during pregnancy. I had a bad back injury when I was nine its still pitiful but I'm not working anymore so the pain is alot more tolerable. Thank you for letting me know that I will do that. I really don't like subutex, its nasty and I heard its hard to stop taking. However I do have a plan to stop taking it verrrry slowly and carefully. Pain meds are not good for the body with long term use so ill find alternatives.

rsalata2015 · May 2015

Painful not pitiful. Sorry

HayesRN13 · May 2015

I definitely think it may be better than taking full agonist opiates, as they don't see as severe NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome) .. In my experience it's way better than methadone for opiate replacement (what Subutex is usually prescribed for) babies don't withdrawal as severe. Keep us posted .. When are you due?

Raymer2 · May 2015

With my first I did an epidural I had a HORRIBLE nurse who every 5 minutes would walk in and start asking if I was sure I didn't want an epidural I finally got one and after she gave me an infection because her catheter skills sucked when I was done delivering and was told I had walk and pee if I didn't then I'd have to get another catheter needless to say those wobbly feeling legs disappered! This one I'd love to have natural but I'm a baby so I'll probably say bring on the meds!

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

Gonna try and stay home as long as possible...using breathing and positioning etc, then once I get to the hospital just use nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Open to the epidural if I really feel I need it - I just get UTIs if someone looks at me funny so I know I'll get one after the catheter, so that's why I'm trying to avoid the epi.

taboullio84 · May 2015

Raymer2 said:
With my first I did an epidural I had a HORRIBLE nurse who every 5 minutes would walk in and start asking if I was sure I didn't want an epidural I finally got one and after she gave me an infection because her catheter skills sucked when I was done delivering and was told I had walk and pee if I didn't then I'd have to get another catheter needless to say those wobbly feeling legs disappered! This one I'd love to have natural but I'm a baby so I'll probably say bring on the meds!

That's when you pee in the bed. But I left the catch. In till I could feel everything. I didn't want to hit the floor trying to go pee.

rsalata2015 · May 2015

I'm due June 16th with a precious little boy! I'm super excited. Finally his big brother well have a sibling. He's aprox five pounds. So he's a tiny fella. I got a month left, I'm hoping he gains at least another pound.

Frogger5 · May 2015

Why is it that they will give you narcotics that they know affect the baby negatively, and nitrous oxide, but not something like Xanax or, honestly, marijuana? Seems to me like that would go a long way to keeping moms relaxed. Is there actually a reason, or is it just "not done"?

klkonwi · May 2015

Xanax is category D. But one in labor wouldn't hurt anything. Very good question! I would take some Ativan or anything to help anxiety......

Frogger5 · May 2015

klkonwi said:
Xanax is category D. But one in labor wouldn't hurt anything. Very good question! I would take some Ativan or anything to help anxiety......

Yeah, it just seems to make sense, you know? I don't know all the different drug options, but there must be something!

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

Frogger5 said:
Why is it that they will give you narcotics that they know affect the baby negatively, and nitrous oxide, but not something like Xanax or, honestly, marijuana? Seems to me like that would go a long way to keeping moms relaxed. Is there actually a reason, or is it just "not done"?

Thank you! You made a point I've been turning over in my mind and couldn't articulate!

lovethatcolosun · May 2015

I'll be using self hypnosis (hypnobabies) as long as possible, hopefully all the way this time. I'm loving the stories of "pushed for three minutes and baby came right out!" They give me hope. Hypnosis did wonders to keep me relaxed last time and manage my pain so I'm going to give it another shot. Also laboring on a birthing ball or swaying my hips during contractions made a world of difference. Laboring in bed without meds was freaking painful so hoping I can limit that.

rrcameron21 · May 2015

I'll probably just make a lot of inappropriate jokes to calm myself... Not sure if I'll be in the mood for jokes but it's usually what works for me! I'm such an awkward person.

Cateash77 · May 2015

Im having a planned repeat section (1st was emergency, don't want to try VBAC), so my main aim is to just be brave and get through it. Like this is a hallway I just need to walk down, so just do it. I will take my self hypnosis (found this great guy on the App Store, Andrew Johnson) and do some relaxation exercises as well. I shook a lot last time, I think due to adrenaline and fear as well as the spinal so if I can get myself mentally prepared this time I think that might help.

Cateash77 · May 2015

Frogger5 said:
Why is it that they will give you narcotics that they know affect the baby negatively, and nitrous oxide, but not something like Xanax or, honestly, marijuana? Seems to me like that would go a long way to keeping moms relaxed. Is there actually a reason, or is it just "not done"?

All opiates are weirdly enough considered to have a good safety profile in pregnancy and breastfeeding in certain doses, maybe because there is a long history of research on their safety? I was going to get some dental work done and my OB was happy for me to take Codeine but not Nurofen. Xanax is a Benzodiazepine I think and could cause certain neurological issues in the baby perhaps? Benzos are known to cause problems during pregnancy. Medical cannabis might be perfectly safe.

But I agree it's weird how they dose you up to the eyeballs with morphine after a C section, and it's considered perfectly fine to breastfeed....

HoosOnFirst · May 2015

Frogger5 said:

klkonwi said:
Xanax is category D. But one in labor wouldn't hurt anything. Very good question! I would take some Ativan or anything to help anxiety......
Yeah, it just seems to make sense, you know? I don't know all the different drug options, but there must be something!

My doc said he'd be ok giving me Ativan if I had bad anxiety or a panic attack.

Sammy K · May 2015

HayesRN13 said:
Added to this ^^ probably won't give iv meds either with a history of precipitous delivery.......( or if you currently are progressing very quickly)

Thank you for this info! Looks like it's an epidural or nothing for me. My OB mentioned I might want to start the epi before the induction if I'm already dilated since I went so fast last time. And OB and hospital both said if I go into labor naturally I probably won't have any pain med options by the time I reach the hospital.

jessieR358 · May 2015

Cateash77 said:

Frogger5 said:
Why is it that they will give you narcotics that they know affect the baby negatively, and nitrous oxide, but not something like Xanax or, honestly, marijuana? Seems to me like that would go a long way to keeping moms relaxed. Is there actually a reason, or is it just "not done"?
All opiates are weirdly enough considered to have a good safety profile in pregnancy and breastfeeding in certain doses, maybe because there is a long history of research on their safety? I was going to get some dental work done and my OB was happy for me to take Codeine but not Nurofen. Xanax is a Benzodiazepine I think and could cause certain neurological issues in the baby perhaps? Benzos are known to cause problems during pregnancy. Medical cannabis might be perfectly safe.

But I agree it's weird how they dose you up to the eyeballs with morphine after a C section, and it's considered perfectly fine to breastfeed....

I just listened to an interesting lecture on breastfeeding and drugs last night. Codeine is a no no while breastfeeding. Codeine is metabolized by the body into morphine and it reaches high levels in the baby thru breast milk.

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

@Frogger5 nitrous does not effect baby at all. As soon as you breathe out it is metabolized out of your system.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

@Frogger5 ..opiates actually don't affect the baby "negatively" as in developing or any long term affects ..some people are prescribed them throughout pregnancy .. The only issue that comes up is after delivery baby COULD withdrawal a bit but is very manageable, or if given right before delivery you don't want them to be "sleepy" when they deliver because you need them to be able to transition. Whereas benzos actually can cause defects and problems with a developing fetus. not saying if you took one in the 3rd trimester anything would happen...but no doc will give it knowing it's a cat D

Westypet · June 2015

You ladies that have delivered already, or are about to deliver, any updates on your relaxation and pain management plans?

CBHoneyB · June 2015

I stayed in a warm shower on a birthing ball toward the end. It really seemed to help. I can't have an epidural I have a fused space between my L3 and L4 from an accident years ago.

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