I am being induced next Tuesday and my Dr hasn't told me what will happen. I'm just wondering what to expect and how do they induce you exactly? This is my first baby so I'm really nervous! ↓
It sounds normal to me. I am sure you are about ready to have your baby in your arms instead of your tummy! I was induced with my first. First my OB put a small balloon in the opening of my cervix to help me get to 4cm, then they started the pitocin, once I was to 4cm I was given an epidural. 11 and a half hour from the start I had given birth to my daughter who is now 26 months. I really had a great experience. If you are scared, don't be. My advice would be to sit down with your hubby and jot down all of the questions you have, then when you get to L&D you can ask your nurse before you get started. I was so scared the morning of my induction. I refused to get in the car and started crying, my hubby and my mother had to practically drag me to the car. Then, once we got to the hospital, I refused to get out of the car! Now that it is history it is funny, but at the time I was terrified. I did find that once I got inside and met my nurse I wasn't so anxious anymore. They really have a knack for putting you at ease. You will probably hear some not so great stories about induction, but that wasn't the case for me. It was so great that I will be doing it again July 17th and I am very comfortable with it. Don't let anyone scare you, and if you have concerns you can't shake before the 15th then call your OB, I am sure she would be happy to talk to you further before the 'big day' Congratulations in advance. Please let me know how it goes. :o} ↑
mjvdec01 - Thank you so much for sharing your story. This is my first baby and I'm soooo nervous! As of Monday I was dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced. I always heard that you get your epidural when you get to a 4 but thats only a cm more than what I am now and I have no pain! ↑
The fact that you are already at 3cm and labor hasn't started yet is great. You need one more cm to get your epidural and that is all. I loved my epidural. I couldn't even tell you what it felt like to get it, it was no big deal at all. If you are nervous about the epidural, just tell the anesthesiologist that you don't want a play-by-play of what he is doing. All you want is instruction as far as what he needs you to do to place it properly. That is what I did. The 15 is next tuesday!! You and your hubby must be so excited. And yes, you can have your epidural at 4cm if you want it. You will do fine. Please let me know how you are holding up. ↑
Well that is very reassuring to me, thanks. So there is a chance I could walk in there Tuesday and get my epidural immediatly and have no pain!! Yay. I really hope so! I am getting really really nervous! I keep having terrible nightmares about her not breathing and me dying and so on....you know. I hope thats normal....and I'm not just being over dramatic! ↑
I don't know if they will give you the epidural before they start the pitocin? I don't think so. But when they start the pitocin they don't just crank it up right away, it is gradual, so at first you won't feel much but a tightening, they they will slowly get more intense over time. I would ask for the epidural at the point where you can handle it pretty easily, but don't want to feel much more. Remember too that sometimes it can take the anesthesiologist an hour or so to get to you, although I only waited about 20 minutes. My advice would be to try and ask for your epidural BEFORE you really need it. Another piece of advice, have someone in the room designated to ask you if your epidural is alright, and if not, make sure they ask you if you want it repositioned. Give it time to start working first ofcourse. When you are in the throws of everything you don't even think to ask for things like that. It's like you don't recognize it as an option. With my epidural I still felt all the pressure on my butt. It was painful, but bearable with the epidural. You may experience that as well, or you may end up being entirely numb and oblivious. Just remember, chin to your chest while pushing and don't make any noise during your pushes, if you do it actually takes away some of the effectivness of the push because that air is escaping out of your mouth. I think you will do fine, your body is already preparing itself. I am excited for you. Please keep me updated. I'm being induced at 39 weeks, which is still 14 WEEKS AWAY!! It seems like an eternity to me. Is your nursery ready? ↑
Ok I have taken notes, lol. Yes I everything ready! This is our first baby and the first grandbaby so we have had it together for awhile now. I've got her crib in our room for now, even though everyone tells me that is a bad idea. I'm going to breastfeed so I like the thought of her being close and I'm going to try try try not to let her sleep in the bed. I slept in the bed with my parents until I was almost 12 so I'm very instistant on that! I'm still trying to decide between pampers or huggies. I asked everyone I know and it's pretty 50/50 so I bought a package of both. Did they give you the option of letting your hubby cut the cord? So if I understand this right...they use pitocin to start and induction? I for some reason thought they inserted something in you. 14 weeks......I remember when I was there. I thought time couldn't go by any slower! Have you picked out a name? I am still kinda nervous my little girl is going to be a boy because I keep having boy dreams! I had a 3d/4d untrasound done last Friday but something was right in the way, but you can still see a little. Is there a way I can show it to you to see what you think? ↑
There is a drug called Cervadil, it is inserted to help your cervix dialate. I didn't have that. Just the pitocin and the balloon to help me get to 4cm. If I were you I would put the crib back in the baby's room and get a co-sleeper. You can find them at Babies"R"Us. They attach to the side of the bed and then in the night you don't actually have to get up to get the baby to breastfeed, you can keep some diapers, wipes and cream on your night table and chang her right there too. Trust me, when you have had no solid sleep, the last thing you want to do is physically get out of bed. We kept our daughter in our room for about two months, then we moved her to her own room, but she was sleeping through the night at 5 and a half weeks. Diapers, Pampers swaddlers newborn are the most plush, and they are actually a bit smaller than the huggies newborn. If you want to go with one or the other I would go with the Pampers hands down, they are softer and like cotton and your baby's skin is going to be against it that is what you want. I know they are more expensive, but I really believe they are worth the money. When she gets in to size #3's then I would switch to Luvs with the stretch sides. They are cheaper and they work really well. My daughter has been using them since they came out with the stretch sides. I wouldn't put any diaper that doesn't have stretch sides on my child. How comfortable could that be? It would be like wearing a belt too tight all day. Yes, we did chose a name, Nathaniel James Venable. We will call him Nathan or Nate for short. Our daughter is 26 months old and her name is Madalyn Amanda Venable. The ultrasound techs are usually right about gender, have you chosen a name? You can email me the photo if you like. amandavenable at msn dot com. ↑
Forgot to mention that the doctor will ask your hubby if he wants to cut the cord when the time comes. Otherwise you can always let your nurse know when you see her. I would also get some sugar fee hard candies to suck on during labor incase you need something. They will only let you have ice chips, so having something with some flavor, but no sugar to sit on your teeth is a welcome thing. Oh and get some of those moist facial cleansing cloths just incase you want to clean your face a bit after delivery and can't get to the shower yet. Also, your room should have a small refridgerator, get some sandwiches drinks and snacks for your hubby for later. The hospital will only feed you. What else... Oh they will give you a squirt bottle to clean yourself after delivery, ask for as many as you have bathrooms at home. It is awful to pee and then realize your bottle is in the other bathroom. Here's another good one, after delivery you will be really swollen and they will place an ice pack for you. If the nurses don't do this then your hubby should do it for you... take a diaper and open it up at the waist band, put your fingers inside between the layers and open it up, then fill it with crushed ice. You want it to still have a curve to it, so don't overfill it, then use that in your underwear. It is great because it stays cold a lot longer, form fits to your body, it's soft and it doesn't get all wet when the ice melts because the chemicals in the diaper soak up the mositure as if it were on your baby. Once I got home I put a maxipad in my underwear and then a depends over that for the first week or so and it worked really well. Remeber you will bleed post partum for anywhere from a week or two to six weeks. I'm sure I could think of more, but I think that is enough for now, unless you think of any other questions? ↑
Wow I'm so glad I found you on here! You have given me more information than anyone including my Dr. I appreciate it soo much! I think we are going to go with Jillian Grayce for the name. She was Haydn Olivia for months, but I got tired of it. I also like the names Brittyn and Presley. I think I will just have to see her first but as of now it's Jillian. I love Nathan! My mother bought me a package of Luvs newborn so now I have a pack of all three kinds, lol. So have you been pretty comfortable so far in the pregnancy? ↑
All of those names are great. As far as packing diapers for the hospital, most hospitals supply everything you need for the baby, if anything you will be bringing diapers home. I would just ask your OB if they supply everything. I would be suprised if they didn't. Technically, my pregnancy has been great. Physically, I had a rough first trimester. Morning sickness was all day sickness, although I never actually puked, and the ligament pain was debilitating, at times (more often than not) I could barely walk. Now at 25 weeks 1 day I am just exhausted. Having a toddler and being pregnant makes for very long days. Madalyn is at the age where she wants me to play with her all day, and that is fine. I recognize that I am her only playmate most of the time and I don't like for her to get bored. It makes me feel bad, so I do what I can, within reason and most days we go "bye-bye", because it just makes things easier. If you have any other questions I am here. By the way, where are you? I am in Washington State, just south of Seattle. ↑
I complain all the time about being tired, I couldn't imagine having to keep up with a little one while being pregnant. Hopefully the time remaining will go by fairly quickly! How does she feel about having a little brother? I never have the ligament pain, I don't think. I had/have TERRIBLE problems with my sciatic nerve, oh it's horrible. I also had the all day sickness. I only threw up a handfull of times but there is nothing worse then feeling like you need to throw up all day long an dnot being able to. I was a bartender and worked up until the middle of February which turned out to be perfect timing! After I quit working I didnt have too much trouble with my back until a few weeks ago. I cannot sleep for anything!!! I dont fall asleep until like 3 or 4 and wake up at 12 or 1. I think my days and nites are mixed up....and so are her's! She is pretty calm throught the day but when it's time to go to sleep she starts partying (as my hubby calls it). I love to lay on the sofa and just watch my belly jump around! I think I might actually miss my belly as weird as that sounds! 4 days left! I cant wait to meet this little person who has been kicking me! I live in Nashville, Tn but originally from Houston. Is your little one very active? Talk to you later hopefully! :) ↑
Madalyn knows there is another baby's room and she knows that the baby's name is Nathan. I don't know how much more she really understands, she doesn't really talk about him or anything, although once she did kiss my belly. For me the sciatic nerve pain is just starting, and it sucks too. I remember when I was pregnant with Maddy, watching my tummy move all over, I haven't gotten to that point yet with this one though, but he is extremely active. More so than Maddy was for sure, and a lot earlier. Houston huh, my husband is from Texas and all my in laws are there as well, THANK GOD! My mother-in-law bugs the crap out of me and I am so happy she doesn't live here. I have been trying to think of other suggestion of things to take to the hospital and this is what I came up with; take your own pillows for both you and your hubby, the ones they supply are awful, bring your own toiletries, and make sure to talke home the big jug cup they give you to drink water from while you are there. It is great for when you get home and you have to keep water close by at all times to quench the thirst form breastfeeding. When you do get home, drink water constantly, this will help you to get rid of all the extra water you are retaining faster (as odd as it sounds). Don't for get to take two 'going home' outfits for the baby, one for 'up to 7 pounds' and the next size up. That way if you have a smaller baby like I did they aren't swimming in it. I really don't think I have any more suggestions other than what I have already stated. I am so excited for you! You only have three days left!!! Just try and relax and you will do fine. I have to know your birth story, so please don't forget to post it as soon as you have the time. My email should have worked. It is all lower case : amandavenable (then the "at" symbol) msn.com ↑
No, still no baby! :( I've been putting the last touches on the nursery, grocery shopping, and laundry....ugh. I've worn myself out, lol. I sent the pictures again, so hopefully you got them. I really appreciate all the advice you have given me. I'm still scared out of my mind but at least I know a little more of what will/could happen. I got tomorrow morning to the Dr for my weekly visit. I'm hoping for some good news, like maybe I'm to a 4 or something. Wishful thinking I know but it's worth a try! I will let you know tomorrow how it goes! Have a good night. -Suzie ↑
I am so frustrated!!! Everytime I hit the backspace button it goes back a page and I lose everything I have written! Anyway, tomorrow is the big day!! How ecxiting! Yes, let me know how your weekly check goes. I'll have my fingers crossed for you. I remember what it was like at the end of my first pregnancy, it's hard to get anything done. So you finished the nursery? Nathaniels room isn't anywhere near completed, all I have in there so far is the crib and changer, we still have to pain and get all the accessories. Anyway, I still have to get a shower so I have to go. Hopefully I will hear from you before your induction tomorrow. You will be fine and the baby will he healthy. Try and get some sleep tonight and remember to communicate well with your nurse, they really are very helpful. I'll be thinking about you. Have a great day!!! ↑
Well I am between a 3 and a 4 and almost totally effaced. So I think that is a good start for going in tomorrow. All the Dr told me today was that when I get there tomorrow they will start the IV and potocin and she said when she gets there she will break my water. I'm not too sure WHEN she will get there but hopefully it's not long after I get there. Oh and she said I could get my epidural at ANY TIME! I'm so excited. It might be totally pain free, or just wishful thinking. lol I've finally finished everything. I washed both of our going home outfits AGAIN but this time in dreft. I packed her a bag and myself. I put her a couple of sleep sacks, 2 outfits, 2 socks, one thin blanket, one thick blanket, a pacifier, and 2 hats. I know I know I wont need have of it but I will have choices. I thought maybe they would let her wear the sleep sacks while she is in there. What do you think? They've got the thing you can pull over their hands so they dont scratch themselves. I packed myself a long sleeve shirt to lay around or sleep in, socks, and a sweat suit for going home. I also packed a bag of snacks and soft drinks. I made sure though to get me some caffeine free coke. I read somewhere that if your going to breast feed to lay off of the caffeine because it upsets their stomachs. Its gonna be really hard not to eat after midnight! I stay up so late all the time and I usually eat before I go to sleep. I hope I'm going to be able to get some sleep. I tried to nap today and it just wasn't happening, lol. I'm too excited! I am bringing my laptop to the hospital too so maybe I will talk to you before she is here! Thanks for your thoughts! :)) ↑
I can't wait to hear how it went. I will be around all day tomorrow if you want to post at the hospital. I would love to hear from you. I really think you will do great. If you can't sleep tonight, I will be on for awhile. The night before my induction I couldn't sleep at all. It sounds like you have everything packed that you will need and more. Don't forget the other things I mentioned in my other posts. I'm sure you have the carseat base already installed in your car, just make sure you bring the carseat in to the hospital the day you are to be released. If the nurse doesn't ask for it, and show you how to properly fit it to the baby then you should ask for her to show you. If your carseat comes with an inner head support that is removeable, it is only used for premies, and isn't safe for term babies. I am so excited for you. Don't forget me. ↑
Hi Due in april and mjvdec01- just following this post and I would really like to hear how it all goes! Goodluck and I am sure you will have a great experience - especially now you have a bit more information from mjvdec01. Cant wait to hear about it.... :) ↑
Well she made it! Jillian Grayce was born at 5:46pm, 8 lbs 13 oz, and 21.5 inches long. She was soo much bigger than I thought, but is perfect! I will give more details after I take a little nap. Talk to you later! :) Oh and thanks for the well wishes! ↑
I am so happy for you and your hubby. :o} I can't wait to hear the entire story. Get some rest and get back to me as soon as you can. Hopefully we will still be in touch when it is my turn in july, and I can share with you as well. I also wanted to say that you chose a beautiful name. ↑
Oh Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! That is so exciting! I cant wait to hear your birth story.... I am also keen to hear yours when it happens mjvdec01 - I am not due till Aug 12th so a bit further down the track but I will be sure to share my story too - very nervous but will take it step by step.... :) x ↑
Thanks! I cannot believe that she is finally here! I went in a 7:30 yesterday morning and started the IV and potocin and I was between a 3 and a 4. My Dr came in at 8:30 and broke my water which felt really weird! And it wasn't all at once it was kinda gradual, everytime I laughed or coughed it would come out! I opted for the epidural after about 15 mintues. Mainly because I don't do pain very well and because there were about 10 other women in labor and my nurse told me it could take up to 2 hours and I would really be hurting by then. It was a peice of cake! The IV actually hurt worse. I kinda got a weird tingly feeling in my legs but other than that it was great. I fell asleep about 45 minutes later and woke up around 1 with total feeling in my left side. It was like really really bad menstrual cramps. Every contraction wrapped around my side and to my back. Luckily I only had to wait about 15 minutes for a top off of the epidural. My legs and belly were totally numb then. They felt like noodles! Then they put in the cathader which I didn't feel. At about 3:30 I could feel EVERYTHING on both sides. That was probably the worst. It was just all of a sudden once I changed posistions I could feel it all. This time I had to wait about 30 mintues and by that time I was in tears cussing at everyone who tried to help. Come to find out the tube had come unhooked from the box. They gave me another dose with fentynol this time. My blood pressure went way down and I got really dizzy had to have oxygen and thought I was gonna pass out. I think they either gave me too much or I'm sensitive to it. WOW! It was like everything was delayed, along with my hearing. I started pushing at about 4:30. I was so numb I thought I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing but obviously I was. Her head was still at an angle in my pelvis so it took a little umph to get her to drop down more. Once her head started to come the pressure was sooo intense! I thought someone was holding a lighter down there. It was unreal! Which I think by feeling that it made me push harder. As soon as her head was out it was such a relief because she just shot right out, lol. I pushed about 1 hour and 15 mintues. She was born at 5:46 pm. She was face up so thats why it took to much to get her down and out and why I felt so much pain in my back the nurse said. She has a TERRIBLE cone head which the Dr assured me it was because she wasn't face down like she was supposed to be. She was so big too! My dr was afraid she was not going to be much over 6 lbs. She was almost 9, I couldn't believe it! I have been able to breast feed her pretty good so far. She latched on right away. I'm just hoping we can continue on with that. I opted to let them take her to the nursery around 12:30 and they brought her back to me to feed her at around 5:30. She ate a little longer this time and actually got more out. They took her back to the nursery to let me get some more sleep which I plan on doing right now! ↑
I am so glad things went relatively smoothly, with the exception of the epidural fiasco. It sucks when they can't get it right the first time, and then they finally get it and the damn thing comes un hooked! Anyway, yeah I know, the pain sucks. I didn't want to scare you before, but it is pretty intense. So she was sunny side up huh? That can make for a lot more pain, but it sounds like you handled it well. I am glad to hear the breastfeeding is going well so far. If you start to have problems, get in touch with your local La Leche League. Ask your lactation nurse about them, she may have all the information on where the meetings are or you may have to do a search online to find them. I guarantee there are meetings in your area. I will be going this time if I have any problems. Last time was a nightmare, and I ended up giving up, knowing nothing about La Leche and the help I could recieve. I am so happy to hear you are doing well. How is your hubby doing? Does he have that new daddy 'dear in the headlights' look or has he jumped right in with diapers and soothing? My husband was afraid at first, but after the first day was a lot more comfortable. Please post again when you feel up to it. Congratulations!! ↑
Congratulations! What fun! I can't wait for our little guy to be hear, and reading your story brings back memories of when my dd was born! Get some rest and enjoy your little babe! ↑
