Hi, just thought I might be able to offer some help or answer questions. I can't legally diagnose or advise medical treatment, but I can answer general questions about what to expect during delivery!
I'm TTC #1 right now, so hopefully I'll be posting as a soon-to-be mommy in a few months! ↓
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Name: sarah21 | Date: Mar 18th, 2008 10:32 PM
I'd like to know your top pieces of wisdom to a mother who is getting close to delivery. Like, stuff that a woman in labor might not listen to but would really help if she did, or just little nuggets of information that can vastly improve the labor experience. ↑
Name: LnD_RN | Date: Mar 18th, 2008 11:17 PM
In my experience, the best thing is to go in with an open mind about your birth experience. Very, very rarely will things go as you plan and hope for, and there is no such thing as a "perfect" labor. Be open about the various methods of pain relief -- and don't feel bad if you change your mind half-way through. Don't be scared of the epidural needle, either, especially if that fear is the only thing holding you back from getting one when it would be most effective for you. Try to poop before they apply internal monitors, or put in your epidural. Once that epidural is in, the chance of an "accident" increases greatly. Pooping during labor is normal, though, since it's essentially the same type of "pushing" involved. And don't hesitate to be open with your nurses about your fears and expectations -- if they know what you want out of the experience, it's easier to achieve it for you! The one thing we don't learn in school is how to read minds. ↑
Name: cors1wfe | Date: Mar 19th, 2008 12:16 AM
LnD_RN - Thank you thank you for offering some assurance - I have a question I am a veteran mom so not nervous about epidural or anything my concern is that my since my last baby was 9lb4oz I have seen some scary baby shows where larger babies get stuck and just wonder what is the largest baby you have seen deliver vaginally? And was it pretty smooth. My son came out with 2 pushes and I only had 1 stitch for a tiny tear .... ↑
Name: mjvdec01 | Date: Mar 19th, 2008 1:03 AM
I have a question. With my first I had an epidural and was only really numb on the right side, it had some effect on the left but not enough. My question is, can I get the anesthesiologist to come back and re do it if I am not happy with the placement? Also, if you tore with your first is it more or less likely that you will with your second child? I had two 2nd degree tears and it was a good six weeks before I was sort of back to normal. Oh one more thing, is it possible to have a lactation nurse in the room as you are delivering to help with the breast feeding right away? I think that is it. Thanks. ↑
Name: bellybubble | Date: Mar 19th, 2008 2:35 AM
LnD_RN - Does your mums birth experience with you have anything to do with how i will go - ie my mum was in labour with me for over 24 hours and then had to have an emergencey C section cause I was not coming out - that may sound silly but just wondering? I hope it has nothing to do with it!! ↑
Name: LnD_RN | Date: Mar 20th, 2008 12:22 AM
Hi ladies, I'm so glad I'm getting some questions! I'll answer these is order: cors1wfe: The largest I have personally seen was 9lb7oz. The popular I work with is primarily low-income, high-risk, and as a result most of our babies are on the small side. However, my cousin had a 10lb9oz baby girl vaginally, and only required a small snip. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you!
mjvdec01: If you only are feeling the full effects of the epidural on one side, you should DEFINITELY ask the anesthesiologist to adjust it! The whole point is equal analgesia. Usually if you are only numb on one side, the anesthesiologist will simply adjust the epidural catheter, either advance it a tiny bit more, or pull it out a smidge. Some doctors think that turning on to the non-numb side helps spread the medication evenly, and some think that's not true. As for tearing, that is pretty unpredictable. If you tear and the doctor repairs the tear, the scar tissue that develops is generally thicker and more fibrous than normal perineal tissue. However, it is also less elastic and more prone to ripping. That said, once you have given birth, the vaginal and perineal tissues stretch and can accommodate a baby better the 2nd time. It can really go either way. If your doctor did a good repair job, and you didn't produce large amounts of scar tissue, you are less likely to tear the 2nd time. Generally, lactation consultants aren't in the delivery room, just because things can get hectic in there. However, your L&D nurse should be trained to assist you with breastfeeding. At my hospital, we recover mom and baby in the delivery room for one hour before transferring to the Postpartum unit (where the lactation consultants can usually be found).
bellybubble: Your experience is very likely to be different from your mom's, and very unique! Chances are that your pelvis is proportioned differently. Your baby may descend easily and quickly in to the right position, or may not turn at all. Don't let your mom's experience worry you -- the chances of all of the variables to your delivery aligning exactly the same for you and your mom are pretty slim. =) ↑
Name: Nervousmommy2b | Date: Mar 20th, 2008 1:13 AM
Dear LnD-RN---I was just wondering if there is a time limit on the duration of labor? What's the longest they will let you go? Is there a cut off point when they will just taken the baby then? My mother was in labor for 36 hours with me and I'm scared I will be in labor for awhile. OH and also, I am 36.5 weeks pregnant and my dr told me I was dialted to a one. She also said that my cervix was still pretty hard. Is there any difference really between a 0 and a 1? Thank you soo much! ↑
Name: mjvdec01 | Date: Mar 20th, 2008 1:14 AM
Thank you so much. Yeah, they did have me flip on to the non numb side, but it DID NOT WORK! I was in so much pain that I didn't think to even ask for it to be adjusted at all. I think that if someone would have asked if I wanted it re done that I would have said, "YES!!!". I really hope I don't tear this time. It was awful and the recovery was hell. I had those little squirt bottles they give you in all three of my bathrooms and one in the shower. ↑
Name: cors1wfe | Date: Mar 20th, 2008 11:35 AM
Thank you so much it's really great that you want to help us all and ease our fears and concerns ↑
Name: Mellie | Date: Mar 21st, 2008 1:20 PM
Is there anything that your doc can do to help prevent a bad tear? I'm very concerned about issues on incontinence later in life and want to avoid a bad tear if possible. I asked my doc if natural childbirth would be better and she said no and that I should just have an epidural.
Do you see a difference in the amount of tearing between women who use an epidural and women who go natural? A difference between women w/an obgyn and women with a midwife?
Thanks! ↑
Name: val_jo | Date: Mar 22nd, 2008 5:41 PM
I have been dilated to 2 cm for 3 weeks now, baby has not dropped any more since then, I am already 3 days overdue, and at my u/s this week my baby measured 9lb 11oz. My dr is still insistent that I would be better off to hold off until 42 weeks to be induced, but I'm afraid if we wait that long, it will inevitably be a c-section. Wouldn't you think I'd have a better chance at a vaginal birth if we try to induce before the baby gets too much bigger? ↑
Name: LnD_RN | Date: Mar 23rd, 2008 1:49 AM
Nervousmommy2b, I think any time limit depends on your doctor, to be honest! Once your waters have broken, most doctors like to deliver within 24 hours, since there is such a risk for infection. In my experience, most doctors are aggressive enough with the pitocin so that if mom and baby are both healthy enough for a vaginal delivery, it will happen. There are a few circumstances where your doctor may opt for a c-section: 1) the baby is not handling labor well, 2) YOU are not handling the labor well, 3) your cervix has been deemed incompetent, 4) you are simply not progressing at a rate congruent with whatever medical interventions are being used (pitocin or cervidil), or 5) your waters broke in excess of 24 hours ago.
To me, the difference between 0 and 1cm is negligible and isn't significant as far as your progression towards labor is concerned. Many women dilate early (35 to 36 weeks), and stay that way until real labor starts. So long as your membranes haven't ruptured and you aren't bleeding, you can go at 1,2, or even 3cm for weeks. =) A hard cervix is a sign that labor is pretty far off. ↑
Name: LnD_RN | Date: Mar 23rd, 2008 1:56 AM
Mellie, preventing tears isn't really an OBs specialty, but there are things your nurse can do. Personally, when my patient starts active labor, I stretch the perineal tissues as much as I can. I usually insert the first two (sterile gloved) fingers on each hand in to the vagina and push down and out towards the thighs. As the baby descends, I will usually slip my fingers in around the baby's head and stretch the tissues to accommodate better. Warm wash cloths can help. And before you go in to the hospital, you can stretch your own perineal area. Best to start early, actually. I don't think that there is any correlation between epidurals and tearing. It has more to do with the size of your vaginal opening and the elasticity of your skin and tissue. The only thing that I can see an epidural doing is it may prevent you from feeling the tearing sensation and you may just oush right through. However, if your nurse or doctor is paying attention, they can help you push appropriately and slow down when needed to prevent a tear. ↑
Name: LnD_RN | Date: Mar 23rd, 2008 2:02 AM
val_jo, I am very surprised your doctor is insisting you wait until 42 weeks. That is unusual in my experience, but each doctor is different. If mom and baby are both healthy, I advocate inducing once the due date has passed. I understand that a lot of doctors and nurses disagree with me, though, and prefer to give nature as much opportunity as possible to run it's course. There comes a point when the baby "runs out of space" and lack of room for movement and an overly large baby can contribute to the need for a c-section. When the baby has less space to move in, contractions are more likely to compress the umbilical cord, potentially depriving your baby of oxygen. If this happens, a c-section will be needed. However, your doctor is probably keeping a close eye on your baby in these last few days and will intervene if necessary. I would encourage you to voice your concerns, though. Perhaps you and your doctor can compromise and induce at 41 weeks? ↑
Name: d | Date: Mar 24th, 2008 3:26 PM
Oh My. Lnd_RN- Where were you before I had my son. LOL. I am getting ready to ttc #2 as I just had a cone biopsy done in January with some extra bleeding.... I was in labor with my 1st for 48 hours before I was finally admitted into the hospital. That was contractions all over the place and was having no less than about 8 an hour. They were all over the place, every 6 then the next one would be at 9 then 4 and so on, this went on and on for 2 days that I was at home. at 58 hours after an epi because 48 hrs was long enough. it was time to push and he still wasn't making his appearance. He was too big, ended up emergency c-section. Ends up I would have never had any baby vaginally. Dr thought he was going to be in the high 6's.. he was 8lbs, 1.4 ounces.
Just thought I share. How long have you been ttc #1? Any advice regarding, pregnancy after a cone biopsy (that is if I get pregnant). So far no cervical stenosis ( If i got that spelling right) has occured. Sure wish you were around 1 year ago. Glad to have you around now.
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Name: bellybubble | Date: Mar 26th, 2008 2:01 AM
Hi LnD-RN - its belly bubble here again - I think I want to have an epidural when I give birth but I guess I will see how I go with the pain first - my question is - when is the best time to ask for it if you want it - and when is it too late for them to administer it??? Thanks for your help! :) ↑
Name: yumymumy | Date: Mar 26th, 2008 8:24 PM
bellybubble im not lnd_rn but id sayif your even thinking about the epi do tell them so they can keep the guy who does it around in a close range so he can do it when you want. my friend said she wanted one a few cm dialated before she would of been denied one. well the guy was too busy doing another womens and by the time he came to her room the docs said its too late and she said it was the worst thing she ever heard at that point lol... i got mine at 4cm dialated, wich is pretty soon but i did not want to miss out. and im lucky my labour was not prolonged in any ways, lnd_rn will explain more sorry to butt in i just wanted to say that:) lol... ↑
Name: bellybubble | Date: Mar 27th, 2008 2:56 AM
Thanks yumymumy - yeah I had a friend who had the same thing happen! ha ha I SO dont want that to happen to me if I decide right epi - and then have them say - sorry too late - hee hee. ↑
Name: tk07 | Date: Apr 2nd, 2008 10:32 AM
hi. i was wondering how long you would normally push for a first baby and when would there be intervention, like forceps or ultrasounds. and how exactly are they supposed to be used???
like does the woman push with them or not? i have read both. thanks! ↑
Name: mjvdec01 | Date: Apr 2nd, 2008 7:14 PM
tk07, I was in labor with my first for 11 and a half hours and pushed for 1 hour and 45 minutes. At some point during the pushing the doctor noted decels in her heart rate and said something to my hubby about a possible c-section. Thank goodness, shortly after that she started to crown. At that point my OB used the vacuum along with my contractions as I pushed. It was very effective and my daughter just had a ring on the top of her head for a day or so. No permanent damage. It would have taken me a lot longer to get her out on my own, I was so happy when he said he was going to use the vacuum. If the doctor were to use the forceps you would push at the same time as well. You will be fine, just listen to your nurse and don't panic. Remember to breathe and try not to make any noise when you push. If you are breathing out while pushing it takes away some of the effectiveness. I am sure your nurse will go over everything with you beforehand. By the way, when are you due? ↑
Name: Sims1 | Date: Apr 3rd, 2008 12:16 PM
Hi LnD_RN, I have a question, i keep hearing about even primrose oil and to start taking it to have an easier birth not necessarily to induce. And i like the idea of that, but is it ok -as I've read to start taking it orally at 34 weeks and vaginally after 36 weeks? would you say this is ok? I know you're not a dr, but just from your experience or things you've heard.... ↑
Name: kay101 | Date: Apr 8th, 2008 1:11 AM
Looks like it's been quite a while since this post started but it's worth a shot. I'm being treated for preterm labor and I'll be taken off my medication at 36 weeks. I've already had to go in several time for having contractions 3 minutes apart, and I think they're going to start like that soon after I'm taken off my meds. So far they aren't doing much to my cervix, so if I go in after 36 weeks and my contractions are back to back but I'm not dialating, what will they do with me? I have to have a repeat c-section also. Will I just be stuck having contractions like that for weeks? ↑
Name: Kris_71 | Date: Apr 9th, 2008 8:05 PM
My daughter had a Dr. appointment today, she is dialated to 2cm. and 80% effaced, this is her first child, do you think she will go into labor soon, her due date is tomorrow April 10th. I told her that I know you can be dialated for quite a while but I wasn't sure about the effacement *0% seems like quite a bit to me what do you think? Thank You ↑
Name: tk07 | Date: Apr 9th, 2008 10:01 PM
Hi Kris, I am not a nurse but i can chare my experience. I was dilated to 1.5 cm and 70% for 2 weeks then 2 cm and 70% then i was at 3 cm and 80% for almost a full week before actual labor! But that was me and she could go into labor in an hour if the baby was ready! or in another week i guess. I hope it is soon though for her sake, that last little bit stinks. ↑
Name: junebaby | Date: Apr 16th, 2008 4:03 AM
I have a question- I am 33 wks and almost dilated to 2 and 80% effaced-does this mean I will probably deliver early?? ↑
Name: mjvdec01 | Date: Apr 16th, 2008 11:16 PM
I don't think LnD_RN is coming back. That's too bad. ↑
Name: ddmohr1054 | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 4:21 PM
I want to know if this is normal. I'm 20 and had my first child on Jan. 26 08. Well he wasn't dued intil Feb. 20 08. and he came out all on his own. I mean my water broke then 2 hours later i was contracting then 7 hours later he was out. My question is there a chance that the doctors screwed up my due date or did my baby just wanted to come out? ↑
Name: mama4andmore | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 7:13 PM
Nurse-I have many questions from the past and for the future. If you are unable to answer them or don't feel like it thats ok. First off I have given birth all natural 4 times to all healthy babies. I was wondering about a messed up due date also. My second child was due August 23 but came July 14 about 6 weeks early She was 5 15 and came home with me. Then all of my labors have been kind of odd. I only knew I was in labor because I would get tired of waiting to have the baby and go to the doctors hoping to be in labor and have no pain but be between 4-6 cm dialated. Is that the norm? Also I never feel any pain until my water is broken and my water never breaks. I have been 9 cm dialated no pain or any sensation of contractions witth my water. Is that norm? Why does my water never break? Then my last child birth experiance was horrible. They broke my water and I dialatd from 4-9 in 10 mins. It didn't hurt until 9. However I remained in extreme pain (wanted meds but it was "too late") However my cervix didn't come over or under (whatever its supposed to do) the babies head. They had to manually move my cervix for my to give birth. Why did that happen and is it like for it to happen again? I am now ttc num 5 but I don't know if I could give birth again. I am terrified of a c-section. In addition I am scared to death of an epidural. Is there anything else that would give me full relief no matter how far along I am besides an epidural? Sorry so long thank you. ↑
Name: mama4andmore | Date: Apr 29th, 2008 7:21 PM
tko7 i dunno if you still come but remember everyone is different one lady responded to her 1st being in labor for 11 hours and pushing for nearly 2 hours. I never had to have any forceps or anything. I was in labor and it took me 12 pushes (about 30 mins) to push my first out. So from the time my water broke to the time i delivered was about 2 hours. So we are all different ↑
Name: JennJ22 | Date: Jun 16th, 2008 10:54 AM
I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and my baby has dropped... I've had this confirmed by the doctor on call last night at the hospital... I have all the symptoms of early labour, and this was also confirmed last night... I still have 8 weeks to go, but this is beginning to be unbearable..I've been this way for 2 days now... will my doctor decide to induce? Or how long does this early labour stage usually last with a second pregnancy? Thank You!! ↑
