Pushing Positions? If you're going to a doc or midwife that allows something other than laying down--have you asked what's optimal? Or think you have a preference you want to try? I was laying on my back in bed with my last, but may request side or squatting this go around.
@kjd291 no personal experience here but in the childbirth class that I took squatting or pretty much anything besides laying on your back was encouraged. My hospital has a "squat bar" attached to the bed that can be pulled up for women, who aren't using an epidural, to use when giving birth.
Me: 24 DH: 27 High School Sweethearts: 10/13/06 Married: 10/13/13 Baby #1 EDD: 3/20/17
@kjd291 I second what @octoberlove13 said. Same thing was said in my yoga class and all the 2nd time mom's there agreed. Supposedly birthing in squat or lunged position provides you 40% more space to birth the baby (again, according to my instructor. No personal experience here)
@kjd291 everything i have heard is saying do what feels natural to you, go with your instinct at the moment. That's what I plan on. I think I'll be in more trouble if I try to overthink it and be more intellectual than go with the feeling.
@kjd291 Ditto what everyone else said. This is one of the main reasons why I want to go med free this time. I absolutely hated pushing while on my back last time. The physics alone just doesn't make sense and it's a total convenience for the doctor. He had to use vacuum assist for my son and I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that had I not had an epidural, I could've gotten into a different position and pushed him out without it. I think having a midwife this time will help a ton and I plan to get into whatever position feels right to me at the moment. Squatting, hands and knees, whatever works.
Pushing Positions? If you're going to a doc or midwife that allows something other than laying down--have you asked what's optimal? Or think you have a preference you want to try? I was laying on my back in bed with my last, but may request side or squatting this go around.
I found that when I was in the moment I knew how I wanted to be. I thought I would want to squat, but actually sitting up against the back of an inclined bed with my feet being held up by a nurse and my husband was most comfortable for me. I'd be open to experimenting with a couple of positions, youd know right away if it feels right.
Thanks y'all for your answers! I'm also trying to think--> go with the flow and do what feels right! But that's hard when I'm such an OCD/type A/planner. Hah.
Thanks y'all for your answers! I'm also trying to think--> go with the flow and do what feels right! But that's hard when I'm such an OCD/type A/planner. Hah.
This tendency can work to your advantage! Make a "birthplan" of sorts for your support person/DH. Include a section about pain management suggestions and pushing position suggestions and anything else you want them to remember for you. Then when the moment comes your support person can gently remind you of options to try when your mind is not able to think clearly
Thanks y'all for your answers! I'm also trying to think--> go with the flow and do what feels right! But that's hard when I'm such an OCD/type A/planner. Hah.
This tendency can work to your advantage! Make a "birthplan" of sorts for your support person/DH. Include a section about pain management suggestions and pushing position suggestions and anything else you want them to remember for you. Then when the moment comes your support person can gently remind you of options to try when your mind is not able to think clearly
I have one! And try to keep going over it and my thoughts and preferences with DH... although last time he fell asleep in the corner of the room while I was in transition... bahah. So: I don't have high expectations for this go around either :eyeroll:
ETA--my midwives are awesome though and claim they will be much more involved and hands on with the whole process compared to a doc just coming in for catching baby--so we'll see.
FTM so no experience here, but in my childbirth class, the instructor was showing us how to get into an optimal position for pushing when you're on your back (i.e. if you get epidural and can't use your legs), and you have to really tuck your chin into your chest and scrunch up with someone pushing you forward from the back and someone holding your legs. Apparently this "can" create the right curve for baby to pass through if you are scrunched enough, but it looked so uncomfortable...! I have been open to epidural, but seeing what you have to crunch yourself into in order to push on your back made me more open to seeing how it goes and using whatever is available to me at the time. I like the idea of the bar over the bed and our hospital has one.
@kjd291 I think you should include in your birthplan for the nurse to wake up DH if he falls asleep again!!
FTM so no experience here, but in my childbirth class, the instructor was showing us how to get into an optimal position for pushing when you're on your back (i.e. if you get epidural and can't use your legs), and you have to really tuck your chin into your chest and scrunch up with someone pushing you forward from the back and someone holding your legs. Apparently this "can" create the right curve for baby to pass through if you are scrunched enough, but it looked so uncomfortable...! I have been open to epidural, but seeing what you have to crunch yourself into in order to push on your back made me more open to seeing how it goes and using whatever is available to me at the time. I like the idea of the bar over the bed and our hospital has one.
@kjd291I think you should include in your birthplan for the nurse to wake up DH if he falls asleep again!!
seriously!! Haha.
FWIW, I Didn't have a bad experience with laying on my back, crunched forward, and knees pulled up. No tearing!! and only 20-30min of pushing. It just seems from research and talking to ppl it's definitely more to help doctors and not the birth process-so we'll see what happens this time with my midwives and what my body wants. I may end up on my back again anyway!
also-DH inflated my exercise ball and I've started bouncing! Very helpful in the evenings with hip pain, and midwife gave me some recommendations for using it and helping baby get into ideal position! Feeling more ready for this show! Spacefem.com says 4%chance of going into labor by tomorrow. Enjoying watching that number go up every day!
@kjd291 I got my birth ball too! What are some of the recommendations you have?
It depends on what position your babe is in. Ask your provider at your next appt! My midwife showed me exactly where babies butt was and some directions to lean and places to push to get her back facing forward. Otherwise, in general, just bouncing or sitting and circling your hips is good. Ideal positioning for labor is to have baby facing your back.
I was sent to L&D again today by my OB due to the fact that my contractions continue to be 4-5 min apart but NOW I'm having some cervical changes (75% effaced, 1-2cm dilated, baby in -2 station). After 4 hours it hadn't changed more so they let me go home, thankfully!
This is my second time being there for preterm contractions... third time if you count when I had a stomach bug and needed IV fluids. They always ask me to change into a gown immediately and I did the first two times...: but this time I decided to refuse, just to see how it went over. I wore yoga pants and a sports bra during my entire labor with DS, and would take my pants off each time for cervix checks. I find it a zillion times more comfortable than a crazy draping hospital gown! Fortunately they were fine with it.
Now just pray I don't get sent back again tomorrow after my 10am appt! It's a bizarre situation because I really have no way of knowing when I'm actually in labor, bc my body had been acting like it's in early labor for the last 10 days. And I have a craaazy high pain tolerance so it's quite possible I won't recognize the difference until things have progressed pretty far! Just praying baby stays put for another week and a half, so I can at least hit 37 weeks. I feel like I'll be much more relaxed and ready for labor after that point.
Re: the birthing ball, MAN I'd love to get mine out but I'm all paranoid to do anything that could possibly encourage labor! So as of today, I'm also officially off work.
Sorry you had to go to L&D again @MahiMama. What's your doctors game plan going forward? It's evident the 5-1-1 rule is out so when the heck are you supposed to head to the hospital? That must be equally frustrating and confusing
Date Study Day 1: I decided to eat 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. I ate my first 3, needed some water between each date, to handle the flavor. I will be armed with water this afternoon.
I finished my first 3lb bucket of dates the other night and ordered 3 more lb online yesterday! DH was like, "You're just using this study as an excuse, right? I mean you want to eat dates anyway."
the study had the women eating 6 a day at 36 weeks. i've been doing 3 a day until Friday when I hit 35 weeks and then I'm upping it to 6 just to be safe lol.
So wait... maybe I missed something. You guys are officially or unofficially participating in a study about whether eating large quantities of dates will....what, exactly?? I'm fascinated!
Got my second steroid shot today and another cervix check which has me completely effaced but no further dilated than yesterday. My OB feels good now that baby has gotten two doses of steroids and basically says I could give birth at any time....or I could go to full term! It's anybody's guess. And yeah, The standard rules applying t contractions is totally inapplicable for me. Right now I'm thinking that my cue will be when the contractions are 2-3 minutes apart AND so intensely that I can't easily talk through them. DH is going to be a complete wreck, though-- he's so worried that this labor will be super fast and we won't make it in time!
On the subject of dates. I found out if you freeze them they last indefinitely and don't get solid, they stay the same consistency so you don't have to thaw them. That made me feel better about my giant tub o dates I got from costco... as a side note I'm not eating them for labor purposes just all this talk about dates got me in the mood for date shakes and homemade raw bars.
@MahiMama no not officially lol. the dates are supposed to help avoid premature water breaking, promote the occurrence of spontaneous labor, help avoid pit and improve dilation. Given your current situation idk if you need the help! lol
Some stats from the study: Those who consumed dates were on average 1cm farther dilated when checking into the hospital. 96% of them went into natural labor as opposed to the 79% who didn't eat them. And the first stage of labor was roughly 6.5hrs shorter!
Date Question: does it matter if they're dried? I don't think I can take 6 a day if they're soft like they come from Costco. I had to gag it down.. so I've got them drying in the oven. I hope they work the same.
I'm only 32w but love the freaking dates so much. I've been eating them on & off all pregnancy. I had 4 today. I plan to eat a few every couple of days until 36w then get my 4-6 a day in. Nom Nom Nom.
Re: **ALL THINGS LABOR!**
High School Sweethearts: 10/13/06
Married: 10/13/13
Baby #1 EDD: 3/20/17
I'm also trying to think--> go with the flow and do what feels right! But that's hard when I'm such an OCD/type A/planner. Hah.
ETA--my midwives are awesome though and claim they will be much more involved and hands on with the whole process compared to a doc just coming in for catching baby--so we'll see.
@kjd291 I think you should include in your birthplan for the nurse to wake up DH if he falls asleep again!!
FWIW, I Didn't have a bad experience with laying on my back, crunched forward, and knees pulled up. No tearing!! and only 20-30min of pushing.
It just seems from research and talking to ppl it's definitely more to help doctors and not the birth process-so we'll see what happens this time with my midwives and what my body wants. I may end up on my back again anyway!
also-DH inflated my exercise ball and I've started bouncing! Very helpful in the evenings with hip pain, and midwife gave me some recommendations for using it and helping baby get into ideal position! Feeling more ready for this show! Spacefem.com says 4%chance of going into labor by tomorrow. Enjoying watching that number go up every day!
Ideal positioning for labor is to have baby facing your back.
How are you and your infuriating uterus doing today? Thinking about you!
So... he sees right through my story.
ETA: You can even order your prunes on there too if you have the same pregnancy problem as me!
Me: 26 Hubs: 28
Married: 6/6/15
Baby Girl: 3/22/2017
Got my second steroid shot today and another cervix check which has me completely effaced but no further dilated than yesterday. My OB feels good now that baby has gotten two doses of steroids and basically says I could give birth at any time....or I could go to full term! It's anybody's guess.
And yeah, The standard rules applying t contractions is totally inapplicable for me. Right now I'm thinking that my cue will be when the contractions are 2-3 minutes apart AND so intensely that I can't easily talk through them. DH is going to be a complete wreck, though-- he's so worried that this labor will be super fast and we won't make it in time!
So yeah! All aboard the date train!! Toot toot.
does it matter if they're dried? I don't think I can take 6 a day if they're soft like they come from Costco. I had to gag it down.. so I've got them drying in the oven. I hope they work the same.
Side note: steroid shot #2 has me feeling CRAZY. DH is picking up some wine for me. Tonight DEFINITELY warrants a glass!
Me: 39 DH: 40
Married: 12/6/2014
BFP#2: 10/28/15 MC: 11/24/15
BFP#3: 3/20/16 MC: 4/26/16
BFP#4: 7/15/16 DD: 3/18/17
BFP#5: 5/1/18 EDD: 1/12/19