TENS goes on your lower back, and women will turn on the stimulation during a contraction to help with the pain. Some believe it actually disrupts the pain signal being sent to the brain, others it just gives another distraction to focus on. It is only recommended in early labor, and definitely for back labor!
Me: 27 years old DH: 27 years old Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
Married in July 2014
TTC #1 since late Feb 2016
BFP #1 3/29/16 MMC: 5/5/16 BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16 BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17 My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast: Juicebox Podcast Episode 118 A1Cs: 1/12/16 6.7% 5/25/16 6.0% 11/2/16 6.1% 3/22/16 5.8% 4/27/17 5.4% 6/13/17 5.3% "Sugar Fancy Tutu"
With my first baby I had to be induced at 40w4d because of extremely low fluid. I found Pitocin contractions to be very painful (more painful than I imagined) I cried for the epidual once I was 3 cm. After that it went great. I was in labor for 12 hours, 1 hour of pushing. Pretty easy recovery.
With my second I went into labor on my due date. My contractions went from 20 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart suddenly. They were also lasting for 2 minutes. We got to the hospital and I was already 8-9 cm. They said I couldn't get an epidural. I threw a fit and I'm pretty sure I cursed out a few nurses. I told them I wouldn't push the baby out without an epidural. They ended up giving me one when I was 10cm. LOL. I was so tired that I actually rested for 2 hours after already being 10cm. I pushed for 15 minutes after that. It was a great recovery, much easier than the first time. Looking back I should have prepared for a natural birth. I had no intention of it, but my labor went fast. Once active labor started to 10cm, it was probably 3 hours.
So second time moms, these babies come faster! Haha. I went from 12 hours to 3!
@LuckyPenny1231 I'm so nervous about this labor being faster as a STM! What would I do if we don't have time to find someone to watch DS if it's last minute?Ugh I guess I should start thinking now. All of our family are hours away.
I'll keep this short and sweet induced at 41 weeks 1 day due to being post dates. Pitocin started - not bad just felt like period cramps. Once maxed out on pitocin OB broke my waters and EFF ME! I thought for sure I was going to die from pain. Asked for epidural, anesthesia team in surgery so had to wait for an hour and 45 min. Got epidural. Bliss. Took a nap. DS had late decels so I was turned several times and given oxygen. Got to 10 cm time to push, pushed for 45 min DS was born! 2nd degree tear (really no big deal). Next time would like to not be induced or even augmented with pitocin, its makes your contractions very strong and the pain a lot worse. I think since this is probably our last baby I want to try to go without an epi but not sure yet.
@LuckyPenny1231 I'm so nervous about this labor being faster as a STM! What would I do if we don't have time to find someone to watch DS if it's last minute?Ugh I guess I should start thinking now. All of our family are hours away.
Active labor started at 2am. I waited an hour to make sure it was real before calling my mom who then had to drive an hour to come watch DD. I was about ready to take my DD with to the hospital if my mom didn't come when she did! I would definitely have a plan in case you go into labor in the middle of the night!
Rants/Raves? Raves: My OB was amazing. She kept coming to check on me about every two hours. My nurse during the day was amazing too. She walked me through everything that was going to happen and kept my spirits up by telling me that I was doing great. I ended up bringing her a small gift before I left. Rants: My night nurse was terrible. She took my catheter out before the dr. said it was okay, then had to put it back in after I was no longer numb. I told her she was hurting me and she told me to shut it because my epidural hadn't worn off yet (which was why I had to get it put back in) and that it was impossible for me to feel anything. That pain was worse than actually pushing the baby out!
Was it similar to what you expected? I had this horrible, painful experience in my mind that I was basically going to come close to dying of pain, but it was nothing like that. I had a pretty good experience.
What things might you try to do differently? Actually push like everyone told me to. Everyone said push like you are pooping. I didn't want to poop, but after an hour of pushing, I really didn't care anymore.
Necessities to bring to the hospital? Socks you don't mind throwing away (hospital floors are gross!), Music, Movies, Neck Pillow, Snacks to sneak when the nurse isn't looking (LOL)
Was it your doctor who delivered? Yes. She scheduled my induction so she could go on vacation afterwards.
How did your SO/DH do? He kept telling me to help him hold my leg up while I was pushing. Ummm...I've had an epidural. I have no control over my leg. That's why you have to hold it there. He almost passed out when he was asked to cut the cord. LOL He couldn't handle the blood everywhere.
Any advice for the other SOs/DHs out there? Don't be a pansy. Your SO/Wife just went through the hardest thing she will ever do in life. Be there for her, comfort her, cheer her on. Bringing new life into this world is so hard.
Other advice you might want to share? If this is your first time, don't be scared. We only fear this because we have no other experiences to compare it to. Also, just go with the flow. Your doctor is a professional - it's why he/she is in this field. Take his/her advice- you're paying for it, aren't you? Sometimes, things don't go as we planned, but the dr is there to make sure your baby is as healthy as can be.
FTM's I am having flash backs to the terrifying experiences shared with me prior to giving birth with DD... so I have a birth story for you to make you all rest easy.
at 2:00pm on a Friday I felt like I had to pee an awful lot. In fact, I couldn't stop peeing, but I did so I thought, that was weird. I had my 38 week appointment at 4pm so I figured I'd talk to OB then. Sure enough I get there and told him I couldnt stop having little gushes of pee come out. He checks me Im 3CM and sure enough he moved babys head and it was my water... it was completely broken now. I had no contractions. I was admitted to the hospital at 5pm. No contractions. Got my epidural at like 7:00pm because the anesthesiologist was going home for the night. It hurt, but when I couldnt feel my legs we called it a success. 12:00am nurse wakes me says Im not having any contractions would it be ok to give me a bit of pitocin to get things started as the baby's heart rate was slowing. I said sure. 12:45am Pitocin comes in half a dose with another half scheduled to be given at 4:00am. 1:15am I wake up not able to breathe from the pain.... hit the nurse button contractions 5 minutes apart. DH is passed out in the corner of the room and couldnt get him awake. dialated to a 5cm. 2:45am: Contractions are 1 minute apart, I asked to my checked again... they arent sure they should since I was just a 5...said "you should feel like you need to poop thats your push sign" sure enough I had already felt that for 40 minutes, they checked me I was at a 10...they call my Doctor back to the hospital asap. Told me to relax. And the nurse frantically hits max dose on my epidural (which ahem... isnt working from my knees up). Doctor shows up, at 3:48am with just 3 pushes my DD was born. I literally only had to get 3 stitches. recovery was a breeze!
With as fast as I went this time... I like @iheartichi am worried that this STM isnt going to make it to the hospital let alone find someone to watch DD. Worst case she comes to the hospital with us, and a social worker needs to take her while I deliver.
I didn't know what to expect but I know I wanted an epidural. Since I was a FTM I didn't know if my water would break or not. I was 5 days late, I was due on a Monday. My water did not break but at 1am I got up to use the restroom and then the contractions started. I started feeling them about 1:10am, I called my doc at 2am and then didn't go to the hospital until about 4am. My water didn't break until probably 7am or so. Epidural was great but it did make pushing much harder. I actually pushed for 3 hours and by the end I had DD 95% out I needed her suctioned, I was tired from everything. Also her shoulder got caught so that made it hard as well. DD was born at 1:10pm, so just about 12 hours door to door. Hopefully this next one won't be as long pushing or gets caught.
Here's my novel: 38 weeks. Went to bed about 10pm. My belly kept getting really hard about every hour and waking me up. I had diarrhea (found out in my birthing class that this was a sign of labor). However because it was early I thought the cramping was just from diarrhea. I would go back to bed and then wake up from the cramping every thirty minutes. I finally gave up on trying to sleep and went out to sit on the couch (told dear husband I was uncomfortable and couldn't sleep). Waited for the sun to come up to call my mom, I didn't want to call to early as I was pretty sure this was just Braxton hicks or false labor. Told her about diarrhea and mucus and every thirty minutes waking up and she was like "honey, you are in labor!" DH woke up and made me breakfast. I got in the shower and was having a hard time with contractions so cut it short. I couldn't stand in one place to do my hair so didn't do that either. I sat down to eat and timed my contractions, about ten minutes apart. Took one bite of my toast and ran to the bathroom to puke. I had read somewhere that puking was a sign of transition so I freaked out and told DH we needed to go to the hospital NOW! He frantically packed a bag (we weren't ready, I was sure I would go late and have a boy, with no hair, but I was wrong about all those things). Jumped in the car to head to the hospital (5 minute drive) and the contractions were gone. I felt like a fool, this must be false labor! Called work to say I want coming in. Called the doctor, asked to go to the clinic to be checked and was told to go to the hospital. Doctor (mine was out of town) came in to check me and said I was 6cm! She said we were going to have a baby today, that's the first time I believed it! I told her I wanted to do it naturally. I had a few visitors over the next hour, talked and joked with them. Doctor came back in and I was at 8cm. She said we'd have a baby by noon (I wish she didn't have said this because baby want born at noon and I got discouraged). The pain was intense, but I breathed through it and focused on a tiny hole in the ceiling where a screw was missing from the light fixture. The doctor suggested breaking my water to move things along and I reluctantly agreed I had just figured out how to manage the pain and I knew this would intensify it. She broke my water and almost immediately I was begging for an epidural. They were trying to encourage me saying I was almost there and could do it. I said "if it takes more than five more contractions I can't do it!" lol! I kept asking what was taking the anesthesiologist so long??? It hurt so bad, I began puking again. After puking, I realized I wasn't going to get the epidural so I just stopped talking, closed my eyes, ignored everyone and every question and focused once more. I was at 9.5cm and the doctor sat between my legs for two hours asking if I was ready to push. I did not want to push, I was scared. She let me labor down, which was so cool because most doctors like to get with it. Finally she says, alright so you want to have this baby? The nurse and doctor had to coach my through pushing, it didn't come natural. They taught me how to push with contractions and control my breath to sustain a productive push. About 30 minutes later DD's head emerged and doctor said she had a full head of hair! It took three more pushes to get her out and I had instant relief. They tossed her on my chest and DH cut the cord. She was covered in vernix. Then the nurse and doctor started pushing on my stomach and that was terrible, I almost dropped my daughter because it hurt so bad. I had no tearing! I did have the shakes though and had to have a catheter to pee. Looking back my birth experience went really well. I have been wanting an epidural this time though because during transition (after my water broke) I was in so much pain and so scared and my heart races just thinking about it. My mom keeps reminding me though that it only lasted about 5 minutes, and the rest of the time I managed the pain much better. I really think that no epidural and laboring down is why I didn't tear. My recovery was easy. Three weeks later I hemmorhaged though which I had know idea could happen, I went to the ER and they got it to slow down.
Re: Previous Birth Stories
Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
BFP #2 7/6/16 SCH, D&C 8/4/16
BFP #3 12/26/16 EDD: 9/6/17
My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast:
Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
A1Cs:
1/12/16 6.7%
5/25/16 6.0%
11/2/16 6.1%
3/22/16 5.8%
4/27/17 5.4%
6/13/17 5.3%
"Sugar Fancy Tutu"
With my second I went into labor on my due date. My contractions went from 20 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart suddenly. They were also lasting for 2 minutes. We got to the hospital and I was already 8-9 cm. They said I couldn't get an epidural. I threw a fit and I'm pretty sure I cursed out a few nurses. I told them I wouldn't push the baby out without an epidural. They ended up giving me one when I was 10cm. LOL. I was so tired that I actually rested for 2 hours after already being 10cm. I pushed for 15 minutes after that. It was a great recovery, much easier than the first time. Looking back I should have prepared for a natural birth. I had no intention of it, but my labor went fast. Once active labor started to 10cm, it was probably 3 hours.
So second time moms, these babies come faster! Haha. I went from 12 hours to 3!
induced at 41 weeks 1 day due to being post dates. Pitocin started - not bad just felt like period cramps. Once maxed out on pitocin OB broke my waters and EFF ME! I thought for sure I was going to die from pain. Asked for epidural, anesthesia team in surgery so had to wait for an hour and 45 min. Got epidural. Bliss. Took a nap. DS had late decels so I was turned several times and given oxygen. Got to 10 cm time to push, pushed for 45 min DS was born! 2nd degree tear (really no big deal). Next time would like to not be induced or even augmented with pitocin, its makes your contractions very strong and the pain a lot worse. I think since this is probably our last baby I want to try to go without an epi but not sure yet.
Raves: My OB was amazing. She kept coming to check on me about every two hours. My nurse during the day was amazing too. She walked me through everything that was going to happen and kept my spirits up by telling me that I was doing great. I ended up bringing her a small gift before I left.
Rants: My night nurse was terrible. She took my catheter out before the dr. said it was okay, then had to put it back in after I was no longer numb. I told her she was hurting me and she told me to shut it because my epidural hadn't worn off yet (which was why I had to get it put back in) and that it was impossible for me to feel anything. That pain was worse than actually pushing the baby out!
Was it similar to what you expected?
I had this horrible, painful experience in my mind that I was basically going to come close to dying of pain, but it was nothing like that. I had a pretty good experience.
What things might you try to do differently?
Actually push like everyone told me to. Everyone said push like you are pooping. I didn't want to poop, but after an hour of pushing, I really didn't care anymore.
Necessities to bring to the hospital?
Socks you don't mind throwing away (hospital floors are gross!), Music, Movies, Neck Pillow, Snacks to sneak when the nurse isn't looking (LOL)
Was it your doctor who delivered?
Yes. She scheduled my induction so she could go on vacation afterwards.
How did your SO/DH do?
He kept telling me to help him hold my leg up while I was pushing. Ummm...I've had an epidural. I have no control over my leg. That's why you have to hold it there.
He almost passed out when he was asked to cut the cord. LOL He couldn't handle the blood everywhere.
Any advice for the other SOs/DHs out there?
Don't be a pansy. Your SO/Wife just went through the hardest thing she will ever do in life. Be there for her, comfort her, cheer her on. Bringing new life into this world is so hard.
Other advice you might want to share?
If this is your first time, don't be scared. We only fear this because we have no other experiences to compare it to. Also, just go with the flow. Your doctor is a professional - it's why he/she is in this field. Take his/her advice- you're paying for it, aren't you? Sometimes, things don't go as we planned, but the dr is there to make sure your baby is as healthy as can be.
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at 2:00pm on a Friday I felt like I had to pee an awful lot. In fact, I couldn't stop peeing, but I did so I thought, that was weird. I had my 38 week appointment at 4pm so I figured I'd talk to OB then. Sure enough I get there and told him I couldnt stop having little gushes of pee come out. He checks me Im 3CM and sure enough he moved babys head and it was my water... it was completely broken now. I had no contractions. I was admitted to the hospital at 5pm. No contractions. Got my epidural at like 7:00pm because the anesthesiologist was going home for the night. It hurt, but when I couldnt feel my legs we called it a success. 12:00am nurse wakes me says Im not having any contractions would it be ok to give me a bit of pitocin to get things started as the baby's heart rate was slowing. I said sure. 12:45am Pitocin comes in half a dose with another half scheduled to be given at 4:00am. 1:15am I wake up not able to breathe from the pain.... hit the nurse button contractions 5 minutes apart. DH is passed out in the corner of the room and couldnt get him awake. dialated to a 5cm. 2:45am: Contractions are 1 minute apart, I asked to my checked again... they arent sure they should since I was just a 5...said "you should feel like you need to poop thats your push sign" sure enough I had already felt that for 40 minutes, they checked me I was at a 10...they call my Doctor back to the hospital asap. Told me to relax. And the nurse frantically hits max dose on my epidural (which ahem... isnt working from my knees up). Doctor shows up, at 3:48am with just 3 pushes my DD was born. I literally only had to get 3 stitches. recovery was a breeze!
With as fast as I went this time... I like @iheartichi am worried that this STM isnt going to make it to the hospital let alone find someone to watch DD. Worst case she comes to the hospital with us, and a social worker needs to take her while I deliver.