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Great Big Questions: Labour

miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
in March 2023 Moms
Since we're hitting that halfway mark, I thought we should start a questions thread for all things labour! 

If you have a question ask away! 

If you found a resource that is/was helpful for you share it! 

STM+ What did you find helpful during your other births? 

Please do not ask medical questions, we can't answer those so direct them to your physician. 
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Re: Great Big Questions: Labour

  • miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
    edited November 2022
    Some resources that I liked were: 

    YouTube channels
    - Nurse Zabe 
    - Bridget Teyler 
    - Sarah Lavonne 

    Instagram: Expectingandempowered

    Things that helped me through my first were: the water pool. It seriously helped so much with pain management. And breathing! 
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  • miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
    Question: has anyone tried hypnobirthing classes? 
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  • miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
    To build on @Wishilivedinflorida comment. My MW said that if you get induced using medication, it is 99.9% likely that you will need an epidural. Medication makes your contractions happen. So they go from 1-100 quickly. Unlike if you go into labor naturally, your body may build up to the intense contractions. 

    There are natural ways to induce labour that help kick start it. Which is what my MW gave me. So it was more of a natural build up and not super intense. 
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  • WishilivedinfloridaWishilivedinflorida member
    @miss_lynn9 Interesting. I was induced with my first and labored without pitocin the majority of the second time after my water broke spontaneously. For me the pain and frequency of contractions was exactly the same. They actually started pitocin after my second epidural was placed because my labor had stalled out just prior to placing the epi (I had only 12 hours left to deliver at that point and we needed to get things moving). 

    However, experiences do vary and I know some practices ramp up the pitocin much faster and stack the contractions back to back. That was not my experience and I was very happy that they did a reasonable titration instead of just trying to ram the baby through me as fast as possible. 
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  • miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
    @Wishilivedinflorida definitely, everyone's experience is different. You can never know how things will go. 
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  • nopegoatnopegoat member
    edited November 2022
    @miss_lynn9 I have been induced without meds, induced with pitocin, and have gone into labor on my own. In my experience the only difference with pitocin and without was contractions got to that very intense part much quicker even with only a small dose. These experiences were all without pain meds. I have had an epidural twice as well. With my first I got it ASAP and my second I got one only for pushing accidentally.  Baby literally crowned as I scooted back into position on the bed from getting it. 
    Wife. Boy mom x6. Expecting #7. Wannabe homesteader.
    , 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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  • disneybaby23disneybaby23 member
    Did anyone have experience with a C-section? (Based on family history I will be shocked if this kid isn’t 10+ lbs and stuck in the birth canal like everyone else in my family). We’re you able to hold your baby right after they were born? I hear so much about gentle C-sections to encourage bonding right away, but I’m not sure how often they’re actually done in practice. Would love to hear peoples experiences if you’re open to sharing. 
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  • nopegoatnopegoat member
    If you found a resource that is/was helpful for you share it! 
    Truthfully just reading and listening to lots of other birth stories was probably the biggest help for me. It made me more aware of different scenarios, different options, and during my own labors I could pick different things out from other stories that were similar to mine to calm, reassure, and strengthen my mind during labor. 

    STM+ What did you find helpful during your other births? This is more for if you go without pain meds, but focusing on getting through one contraction with purposeful breathing. Learning to move, ANY movement whether it be wiggling toes and fingers, swaying back and forth, or just shaking your head side to side slowly helps with the pain a ton. Pain is worse when you are tense and if you are moving its very hard to be tense. Knowing that when you hit that wall where the pain intensifies so great that you think you can't do it anymore is more than likely when you are entering transition and you are sooo close to meeting your baby. Also if at all possible, wait till you actually have the urge to push. Fetal Ejection Reflex, FER, is a real and powerful thing. Use it to your advantage if possible. 
    Wife. Boy mom x6. Expecting #7. Wannabe homesteader.
    , 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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  • excitedfortaurusbabyexcitedfortaurusbaby member
    @miss_lynn9 I’m starting hypnobirthing classes with my doula tomorrow night! I already received the materials (online workbook, paperback book, audio meditations) and have enjoyed going through them. My course is 6 virtual classes, significant others are meant to attend, and we’ll be in a group with other couples. During my intake meeting, my doula said that with hypnobirthing labor isn’t painful. I’m really hoping it will work for me! I have a friend who is due in a few weeks with her second child, and she did hypnobirthing with her first and she also described labor as “intense, but not painful.” She said everyone commented on how chill she seemed. She also had a long labor but said it didn’t bother her. So I’m feeling very hopeful about it!
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  • nopegoatnopegoat member
    @gravcass what wonderful pictures!! 😍😍
    Wife. Boy mom x6. Expecting #7. Wannabe homesteader.
    , 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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  • disneybaby23disneybaby23 member
    @gravcass thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful pictures! It’s so helpful to hear stories and recovery information about c-sections since I have no clue! This information is so much harder to find and I feel like I need to prep for both scenarios. 
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  • noxacanthusnoxacanthus member
    @disneybaby23 Maybe not what you're looking for, but my first was an induction turned into emergency c-section. I made it to 7cm and then they lost the heartbeat. It was never officially determined, but I am fairly certain that the doctor knicked the placenta when he tried to reach inside to put a monitor on her (vice the one on the stomach) and it started pulling away. She came out with breathing and some other health problems so she went straight to the NICU. I didn't get to hold her until she was just over 24 hrs old.
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  • heytallmamaheytallmama member
    @disneybaby23 I had a C-section with my first! I went in for my 36w check up and they scheduled me for an ultrasound the next day because I was measuring 3cm behind (had been consistently measuring 2cm behind)- turns out I had been losing fluid and had no clue, plus she was breech. Had my C-section the next morning. 

    Ours is a teaching hospital, so in addition to thr surgeon and their teams, I had my midwife and her apprentice in the OR. The apprentice was the one to actual bring my daughter out and hold her up so my I could see her above the curtain. 

    I’m going elective C-section this time (I know a LOT of friends with significant birth trauma and my anxiety just can’t take the unknowns. I am excited about this plan and the midwife team fully supports it. I plan to advocate for skin to skin right away this time (vs just having her held by me), but honestly it was a great experience. 
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  • miss_lynn9miss_lynn9 member
    @excitedforpiscesbaby oh that's exciting let me know how it goes! It will be really difficult for me to take a class if my partner needs to be there. He's working 10-6s right now. 
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  • excitedfortaurusbabyexcitedfortaurusbaby member
    @miss_lynn9 I’ll keep you posted on how the classes go! But I know that partners are not required to attend (after all some people don’t have partners) it’s just recommend if you can. The program has a separate guided meditation for dads so even if your husband couldn’t join you during the classes he could still participate on his own time if that’s something you both wanted. 
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  • TortugaAzulTortugaAzul member
    @Wishilivedinflorida I was in the same boat as you! I took a Bradley method class and was all set to go med free. 24 hours later I was on hour 3 of super intense transition phase that wouldn’t quit. Literally 3 contractions back to back over and over again and I was stuck at a 6. I caved got an epidural, took a 4hr NAP and woke up at a 10 and pushed out a baby in 20 minutes. 

    My second labor I got a spinal (my hospital doesn’t do epidurals) and labor was a total of 2.5 hrs. 

    I’m not skipping meds this time. I’m also one of the lucky women who can still feel the pressure of the contractions with the meds in during labor so I can still push without too much trouble. 
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  • WishilivedinfloridaWishilivedinflorida member
    Omg a NAP @tortugaazul! That sounds lovely. I’m wondering if I get it earlier in labor this time (I waited 7 hours the first time and 9 hours the second time) if I would have rest time or if I would still rapidly dilate. I only had them in for an hour tops and had a baby in my arms. In fact, when I was ready for my epi the second time they made me wait for the doctor to scrub out of the OR before calling anesthesia. Turns out this was a good call, he still barely made it in my room when I couldn’t stop the urge to push. The nurse almost had to deliver me. 

    Ugh choices. I wish we had a crystal ball to see if we were getting induced or going on our own, if we need a c section, etc. the unknown sucks.
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  • marebear15marebear15 member
    @disneybaby23 - My experience with an emergency c-section was not great, so you probably don't want to hear about it. I had a very similar story to noxacanthus.

    I had all kind of plans with my 1st birth, and one thing I really glad I did was tell myself if I end up with a c-section, it will be ok. Which is what I ended up with. I had a spontaneous, epidural-free labor at 41 weeks, but the emergency c-section and NICU stay was traumatic.

    My 2nd time around, I decided to try for a VBAC induction at 40 weeks. It was perfect, but I did need an epidural to relax after about 4 hours on pitocin. She was born with no fluid.

    My 3rd baby we watched the fluid drop until there was none at 39 weeks and we induced again. This time I got the epidural after about 20 minutes of consistent strong contractions. I wasn't messing around. Gave birth about 1 hour after getting it. 

    My plan is for a 38 week induction (no fluid scares me), and to get the epidural in about the same time frame. I want to make sure the pitocin has time to do it's job.
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  • missmuisqmissmuisq member
    edited November 2022
    @disneybaby23 Just wanted to mention that I'm almost certain I'm going to get an (elective) C-section myself, so I'm interested in everyone's experience with them as well.
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  • Jennarose233Jennarose233 member
    Pregnant with #2 - emergency c section with my first due to failure to progress because my son was sunny side up. Thinking about VBAC this time around if possible. Anyone have experience with VBAC or making the same decision?! Doctors make it seem like it’s riskier than a repeat C Section and other people I’ve talked to (non csection moms) are saying oh I’d just do the elective C section since you already did it and know what to expect. Drives me crazy because having a major surgery apparently is seen as “easier”
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  • gravcassgravcass member
    @jennarose223
    I'll be going for a VBAC. It will have been over 5 years since my last C-section
     I went to 42+1 last time with no signs of labor so I have no idea what the experience is like. 
    ACOG says that a successful VBAC is less risky than a repeat c-section, however a failed one is more risky. I think doctors like to push for a repeat because the risks are more in their control with it, even if it's not better overall. Some people are better candidates than others apparently.
    To me it's a very personal decision, mainly because the research can show so many different variations. 
    I personally don't want to be cut open again. I want to give my body a chance to experience birth. I want to be able to pick my 5 year old up with out worrying about an incision. I just don't want to put my body through surgery again :(

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  • noxacanthusnoxacanthus member
    @Jennarose233 I'll also be attempting a VBAC. Recovery from a c-section is much longer/more difficult than a vaginal birth. You're right - it is major abdominal surgery. My SIL gave birth 2 weeks after me and even with all the extra tearing and scratches (baby had her hand up and basically scratched her way down the birth canal on the way out), she still fully recovered well before I did. Also, scarring from c-sections can lead to fertility issues and I already have enough of those. Finally, I want the chance to experience a normal labor without the words "induction" or "emergency" involved.
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  • burr1371burr1371 member
    @disneybaby23 - I had a scheduled C-Section due to a breech baby at 39+1. Found out once we were in there that the baby was never going to turn. I am probably up for the same thing this time around.

    We went the "gentle C-section" route. I really can say enough good things about my team and the atmosphere in the room. I did get to hold DS in the OR but not right away. DH took pics. I had the clear curtain that they could tape up and down with the traditional blue curtain. My arms were not strapped down in any way. I got to play what music I wanted. 

    3 things that weren't the best (but still not terrible):
    -It felt like the curtain crept up on my face and it was claustrophobic towards the end.
    -My spinal didn't go down both legs with the normal place, so they moved it up a little and the bottom half of my arms were numb too. I got to hold DS but it didn't feel real stable. As soon as I got to recovery I held him sitting up and got to BF him and it was better.
    - I was allergic to the adhesive on the drape and got a rash from it. As soon as I got home and put my eczema cream on it, it got better. None of the L&D nurses could figure it out and it was annoying. The OB that delivered DS came in on the last day, I showed her, and she knew immediately. I will be prepared this next time. 
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  • marebear15marebear15 member
    @Jennarose233 - I have had two successful VBACs, and both of them were inductions! I waited until 40 weeks with my first VBAC and my doctor's only stipulation was that my cervix was favorable. We tried a natural induction by breaking my water, but ended up having to progress to a light dose of Pitocin. I ended up getting an epidural after about 4 hours and it helped me relax enough to dilate. Pushed for 45 minutes and had a two degree tear. 
    My 2nd VBAC was even better! Short labor followed by 4 pushes, no tears. Recovery for both were dreams compared to my emergency c-section.
    My only advice is to find a provider that aligns with your beliefs. I wanted a VBAC only if it was safe and my doctor made me feel like every choice was mine, but kept me safe the entire time.
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