Preparing for labour

[Tigercub]

Hi everyone,

Has anybody else being thinking about labour yet? Maybe it's too soon to be thinking about it - but has anybody else decided if they want a natural labour or if they are happy to use pain relief? And is anybody doing exercises to prepare their bodies?

I'll be a first time mum so I'm curious (and terrified) about the whole process. Any advice? (Sorry if this has been covered in another post).

[Pebbles]

I am trying not to think about it too much to be honest!
With my DS I had him "Vaginally" but should have probably had a c-section as I ended up with 2nd degree taring which was very painful and took awhile to heal. During the labour I used Gas and Pethadine. The Gas didnt do much but the Pethadine was GREAT although it wore off by the time I actually had to push him out!
This time I am gonna go for the same type of labour, I am happy to use Gas and Pethadine again but I am hoping I will not tare this time round. My Ob has been instructed to do the cut (cant remember what that is called..) if it looks like I might tare.
There is still the chance I may end up having a c-section but atm looks like it will be vaginally. Hopefully I have another small bub!

[Tigercub]

Hi Pebbles,

I don't think I have ever heard of gas actually working! Did pethidine make you feel really light-headed? I have had morphine before for something else and hated the 'spacy' feeling it gave me. I wondered if that was what pethidine was like. It's hard when you have no idea what the pain will feel like!!!
The only thing I don't want it to have to stay lying down on the bed (as in with an epidural) because I have heard that it is better not to deliver lying on your back on a bed (gravity?)

[mel79]

That's so true about the lying down on your back - when you lie down on your back it actually decreases the size of your vaginal opening by 25%!!!! This of course greatly increases the risk of tearing.

My mum was given an episiotomy (where they cut the skin btw the vagina & rectum) and had ongoing problems from it afterwards - she also probably didnt even need it cos my 2 sisters were born after me with not even a tear! (I was 9.5 pounds, my sisters were 8.5 pounds).

My worst nightmare would be to have a bad tear or to have to have an episiotomy so i am doing everything i can to prevent that from happening - pelvic floor exercises (25 reps, 3-6 times daily); regular exercise; and active birthing classes to learn about the positions which make it easiest for the baby to come out. I'm also having a water birth cos warm water (even if its just a warm, wet facewasher when your pushing) allows the tissues to stretch without tearing.
Apparently really forceful pushing during labour can cause tearing too cos the tissues don't have enough time to fan out.

There's heaps you can do to prepare yourself, yoga is really good for preparing the pelvic muscles and ligaments for the stretching they will need to do during birth too. I don't want a small baby cos they have highly increased risk of heart disease, allergies, obesity, diabetes and stroke in later life (i'm expecting a largish baby anyway - so i have to try to be prepared!!)

[K1W1]

all i've got planned for labour is that its NOT going to happen till the beginning of Oct at the earliest

[punkbaby]

i dont think you can say you wont do this or use that etc until that exact moment to be honest, i am going into this eyes wide open once again!

All i do know with my last two labours is when i got to about 6cms...i had the peth and bingo bubs was out in 15 minutes, if that! I love my peth haha, i also find that after i have it, i can feed bubs be mesmorized by it all then sleep and rest as it does make you light headed after a while. Plus this gives your partner time to stare in awe at bubs so you can have a sleep too.

I know it works for me gas makes me vomit and an epidural wasnt for me with my first so i will go the peth again if i feel the need too!

LIke i said i dont know till the time comes though :)

[Pebbles]

The gas worked for me and it didnt make me feel sick but it doesnt work that great as your labour progresses hence the reason I ended up using Peth. I was very against an Epidural as well and I still would prefer not to have one this time as well. I totally agree about the "DONT LIE ON YOUR BACK" rule. I should have turned over off my back when I was in labour but I was young and scared and for some reason I wouldnt listen to the midwives telling me things would be easier if I wasnt laying on my back. I am sure my tare wouldnt have been so bad if I had got off my back. But ya dont know how ya gonna feel until ya in that situation. Nobody can really describe the pain or the "out of control" feeling that most women feel when they are in labour. So sometimes the most carefully laid out plans just go down the toilet the minute ya go into labour!

[erinp]

DH and I watched the DVD "Being Dad" last night and there is a birth scene in it which was the first one either of us have ever seen. I was surprised at how well I coped with it - I have a pretty weak stomach, hate blood, needles etc but I coped *much* better than him - afterwards he was saying "I don't want to do that" and I said back - "well lucky you don't; it's me - you can just not look!!!"

I agree with punkbaby in that you probably can't say you're going to do this, not going to do that, etc. I think every woman is different and you have to do what's right for you and what's right for you then and there (which means each subsequent labour will most likely be different). I have a low pain threshold so will more than likely need drugs, but I am also quite sensitive to medications (even Codral and Naprogesic make me vomit, and I have an allergy list that goes from here to Christmas) so I will just have to see what happens. To tell the truth I am petrified but I don't want to spend the next 4 months panicking!! (I have spent the past 4 feeling horrible with m/s so the next 4 have to be better before I endure the birth!!)

Hee hee I know a girl who is *much* more of a wuss than me, faints when people just talk about needles, and all she had was 2 panadol to get her through labour. Everyone's different. Sorry for rambling....

[punkbaby]

Hee hee I know a girl who is *much* more of a wuss than me, faints when people just talk about needles, and all she had was 2 panadol to get her through labour. Everyone's different. Sorry for rambling....

my sister wont get an earring faints at needles and hates any pain LOL shes had 3 labours with no intervention drug wise at all.

[SpaghettiMummy]

Hi Tigercub,

I just wanted to say the best preparation is to be aware of all the alternatives (ie shower, heat packs, massage, rocking) and the drug but to go in with an open mind and not to expect that you will or won't need anything. You may have a shorter labour and not get to have anything anyway (happened to me with my first-asked for an epi if I was going to go on a lot longer but was found to be 10cms) or you might have a long labour and need to have something.

I personally was like I will give all the natural alternatives a try BUT if I want the drugs youre going to give them to me for my first labour. and I HATE needles and although I have a reasonably high tolerance of back pain (have had chronic back issues for about 11 years) I am a wuss and don't like it but while I was pregnant with DS if I had asore achy back and joints I'd prefered a nice warm bath so I knew for me if I got the chance a bath during labour to help with back labour would be the go.

I myself have been blessed with two shortish labours my first was 8hrs from the first niggle and the second was induced and just under 6 hours from being induced.

Both were drug free, though because I had a back labour with my first and was tired I wasn't in the best position for delivery so I got a third degree tear.

My second I did a lot more reading on Active labour and birthing and was in a better delivery position and came away with no tears at all.

I was given two really good pieces of advice:

ONE: The most dreaded part of pregnancy is labour but the worst part is actually morning sickness as you don't know how long it will last and when it stops you're stil pregnant. Where as labour and birth while painful is only for a short concerntratated time you don't have to be doing other things while in labour but concerntrate on baby and at the end of the pain you have a beautiful baby as a reward!!


TWO: STAY ACTIVE IN LABOUR!! Basically stay off your back as that slows down bub's entrance and makes delivery much harder!

My advice is to do some reading on active positioning in labour and they also generally have tips on what will help in the weeks before..

Sorry if this is a bit disjointed baby brain has affected my thinking.

[Tigercub]

Thanks antlmummy!! This advice - it's really helpful (especially about morning sickness being worse!)

Can anyone tell me if using the fitball is as helpful in labour as I've heard.

I also want to do additional antenatal classes to those offered by the hospital. Does anyone know how I could find extra classes in North Brisbane?

One final question (to end my already too long post) - I have gotten into the birth centre but don't know if it is the right option for me. Can anyone tell me their experience of using the birth centre - and also using the normal birth suite/labour ward???

[nicoleE]

Call me crazy but Im really looking forward to the labour! :yelclap:
Ok I might get a bit nervous about it closer to the date but I kind of feel like whatever way it goes it will be an amazing experiance which will test my body and we will finally be able to hold our baby.

My thoughts so far are:

* I want to massage the perenium in the last month or two of pregnancy to try to avoid tearing.
* I want to birth in an alternative position to laying on my back, standing, balls, stools etc, etc bring em on and I will try them!
* I would like to include water during the labour (they have tubs but not ones big enough to birth in so birthing in the water is out)
* What my body cant handle either physically or mentally there are medical interventions for as well as pain relief... and Im happy to accept them if my OB thinks they are best (i totally trust him) ~ what I mean by this is that although I am aiming for a natural vaginal birth im content in my mind to accept pain relief or medical intervention If I want it, I dont think I will feel like a failure if I feel I need them.
*Anything can go! - what I say now I may not care about when its all happening! I just want a safe birth and a healthy baby and mum!

[SpaghettiMummy]

I used a fit ball (in the birth suite I was in it was like two balls joined together so there was more balance for you.) partly for rocking during my labour and in part for leaning on for delivery. I didn't find rocking that useful but then I was getting close to the end where nothing seems to do what you want it to so perhaps if I tried it earlier it may have worked better for me.

TBH I found my antenatal classes good for the actual info I needed/wanted BUT if you want an active birth maybe look into some pregnancy yoga classes or something? These will help you with positioning in labour etc.

I haven't used a birth centre but used a birth suite and I didn't have drugs pushed on me or anything like that they supported natural labour and would advise me on positioning it was a midwife who advised me to rock on the ball to help bub move down easier.

HTH
Natalie
if you want any more details feel free to pm me!

[SpaghettiMummy]

That sounds like a great plan Nicole! sounds like me open to doing whatever so long as mum and bub are safe and healthy.

[Milliner]

I will do everything that I can to have a VB my worste nightmare would be to have a c-sect. I am not afraid to have another Epi. Bring on the drugs I say!! lol

[nicoleE]

TBH I found my antenatal classes good for the actual info I needed/wanted BUT if you want an active birth maybe look into some pregnancy yoga classes or something? These will help you with positioning in labour etc.

My Hospie also has Active Birth classes as well as the normal Antenatal ones so it might be good to ask where you are birthing if they also do the same.

[Tea Lady]

Hi Tigercub (and Oct mums) :wave:

Forgive me barging in, but I thought I'd mention that the Childbirth Education Association has classes too (that's what we used for DD) but I think with all the reading and things you're doing I doubt you'd get heaps out of them to be honest! The hospital classes are meant to be good, but really I think I got much better preparation for birth by cruising around the different sections on BH and reading everyone's ideas. I got some of my most helpful hints from here (and the best thing was it was all free :laughing: ).


One thing I would HIGHLY recommend looking into is getting a doula (I haven't used one, but I wish I had). Check out the doula section on here if you like, or you could ask for peoples' feedback on birthing with a doula. If you want to ask but aren't too sure which section to post in, feel free to PM me :)

HTH :)

[Julie Doula]

Hi Tiger Cub, I'm gatecrashing this thread too - hope it is OK to add a comment even tho I'm not having a baby in September LOL!

I second the staying active and hiring a doula. I think especially when it's your first, talking things over with your doula, during pregnancy, really helps you really clarify what you want and what you want to do.

Ideas:
* To stay off the bed, put your bags etc there (sends a reminder to self as well as a message to staff!)
* keep moving - be a moving target
* say no to continuous monitoring - you end up having to stay still so that the machine works right - instead of staying active so that your BODY works right!
* Find out about Optimum Foetal Positioning - because if you can get your first babe into a left front ling position in the late weeks of pregnancy, you'll safe yourself hours of pain & effort in labour when the baby is trying to rotate. It;s just a matter of spending lots of time on hands and knees in late pregnancy, doing pelvic rocks & circles etc. Worth it to avoid a posterior lie, especially for a first baby.
* New Active Birth is a good read. it explained how whenever the uterus contracts, it tilts forward slightly. So when you tilt your body forward, either standing leaning forward or kneeling leaning forward, it helps your uterus in what it is doing and also helps your pelvis be more open. (Which is why it's good to keep off your back)
* Lots of walking, in pregnancy and labour - keep fit
* Practice intentional relaxation - with whatever helps you get into that meditative zone eg mood music and really imagine and dream about yourself giving birth
* deep water is huge in birth - as good as an epidural! (and no side effects!)
* choose your birth place wisely - if you want a low tech birth don't choose a hospital, you'll get a hospital birth in a hospital. You'll get a hands on, low/no tech birth at a birth centre or if you hire a private midwife and have the baby at home.
* avoid being induced.
* set up a birth environment which is proivate, quiet, warm, peaceful, nice music etc so you can chill out and relax, to enhance the optimum release of your hormones.

Build your inner knowledge, strength and confidence as much as you can. You can do it - but you need to be in an environment where you're given half a chance.

Good reads: Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin, New Active Birth by Janet Balaskas, Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley, A Labour of Love by Gabrielle Targett - those last two are Australian.

Your body rocks .... rock your body!

[Grizabella]

I have no plans fr this labour - except not to "expect" to do anything. Of course there are things to avoid etc, but all in all - I found that by not expecting anything - you don't feel like you have failed your birth plan etc. Educating yourself on dsifferent positions etc is great, arm yourself with all the knowledge you can, and then use what will apply to your personal position at the time.

I went into my first birth with all these plans of what I was going to do - I did none of them. I was induced, and birthed on my back. I had a very small tear, but that was the ONLY way I was comfortable. Weird I know, but I just caved in the end and lay on my back, after spoending the first parts of my labour trying to avoid it.

And also don;t be scared if you DO need an induction or c/sect. They are things that are best if you can avoid them - however, if you go into them fearing them, then it will make the whole thing much much worse. Again, research them so you are educated in how they work, because knowledge can help in removing fear. My induction was good fortunately, despite the intenseness of it all (I went straight into final stage labour apparently) Mind you I was lucky in that my labour was very quick (3hrs from start to baby). This time round I am hoping not to need one, but again, will have the induction if I need it.

The main thing I am trying to say in all this dribble - is to arm yourslef with knowledge. And not to be afraid of less "ideal" births. The way you birth your baby, be that with or without drugs, vaginally or c/sect, induced or not, does not take away from you as a mother.

Also - if there is something that you want to do, don't hesitate to let it known. Don't feel pressured to do something you really don't want to do, but also take into account that sometimes something may need to be done for your baby's health. Try to find out their reasons for doing something before you agree - just so you can understand before diggin in your heels.

[SJE]

A few things will be different to DD's (things I can control).

No visitors until me and the baby are ready for them (a note to go to the nurses desk will be put on the door) Inconsiderate visitors may have ruined our chances of breastfeeding with DD.:gloomy:
It got absolutely ridiculous with them -
First it was the breakfast lady
Then the nurse, the paed. the breakfast lady to pick up the tray.
Morning tea lady.
the obstertrician,
nurse
Lunch lady
then visitors and the lunch lady again to pick up the tray
afternoon tea lady
more visitors
dinner lady
nurse, tray pickup

Should have charged an entrance fee!!!
Perhaps I can take something to baracade the door with.:detective:

Bubs will go on the breast just after birth, that way my real milk and its hunger should kick in about the same time. (Day 3)

Gas and pethidene did nothing for me - if I go for pain relief it will be the epi. I wonder if the pethidene was the culprit for making me vomit throughout the entire labour.

I will try to labour at home or at least keep more mobile. Less time spent waiting around in hospitals is good I reakon.

Prefer not to be induced if I can help it. It make the whole labour too intense too soon for my liking.

After 38 weeks I plan to recruit DH to contribute his natural prostaglandins to perhaps get things going naturally.


The hospie bag will contain some extra equipment to help with breastfeeding such as nipple protectors. Also any info I can get about bf off the net.

[K1W1]

man everyone has their plans lol

I just want to add, if you don't want the birthing ball and bean bag does wonders, moulds to ya body, great to rest on when on hands and knees (ideal position for me) and is great for back support if ya need it:thumbsup:

[Pebbles]

My cousin said she practically lived on her bean bag at the end of her pregnancies coz it was the most comfie place to be. I might invest in a bean bag soon! :D

[Tigercub]

Hi everyone (and Tea Lady if you're there!),

It's been amazing to hear so much advice! It makes me feel calmer about giving birth when I hear about your experiences - it makes me believe that I can do this :thumbsup: (most of the time!).

I loved the idea of putting my bags on the bed to keep me off it!!! Thanks Julie Doula!

I'm going to ask my friends to wait until I'm at home before they visit. I hope it's not rude but I figure that it's time for me and DH to bond with bubs. SeeJayElle - I had no idea that so many hospital staff come into your room - thanks for the advice!

I'm at work now and lunch is over. I'll try to check in later - but thanks again for all the help and advice!:wave:

[Tea Lady]

It's definitely not rude to wait until you're home for visitors. They kick you out of hospital so soon you need to make the most of your time there. I had FAR too many visitors with DD and I was too hormonal (and polite) to tell them to nick off (and also at my hospital the nurses didn't see it as their job to police who came and didn't unfortunately!). My MIL even hung around for DD's first bath, which I really wanted to be a time for just DH and me (sounds petty I know!) but things like that made me feel even more emotionally fragile than I already was!

Btw did you make up your mind about the birth centre TC?

I really hope the bf works out better this time Seejay. Have you joined the ABA? Could be worth it :)

[Pebbles]

Tigercub - I completely agree about your friends. I am going to be telling most of my friends to visit me when I am home, the hospital is where you need to bond with your new baby and your hubby. I know my friends will understand I am more concerned about my MIL coming in and taking over every day. At home I am going to tell her to "BACK OFF" but at the hospital its hard coz there is so many people around to witness her tears if she decides to chuck a tantrum which is not unusual for my MIL!

[SJE]

Pebbles - The MIL cracking a tantie - Oh no, that is definately not on when you have just given birth and dealing with a newborn.
Is it possible to limit all visits to 1 hour and visitors only allowed to visit once in the hospital unles otherwise invited? DH wouldn't want you to jepardise the babys or your comfort and well being would he?

[Tigercub]

Hi Tea Lady,

I am 90% sure that I'm not going with the birth center. It's strange, but I don't feel settled when I think of going there - I think I'll be tense if I'm aware that they may object to me having pain relief. I know they have to respect my wishes and all, but I don't want to have to argue/explain my reasons if I decide to go down that path!

It amazes me how many stories I hear about visitors being too intrusive! It shows how important it is to stick up for your own wishes, even if they seem rude!!!

[Milliner]

I was the opposite when I got home I didn't want any visitors.

[sam's mum]

I am booking an antenatal session with a private midwife rather than doing the antenatal classes. It is cheaper and I am really only interested in the birth prep parts. I figure I have got the breastfeeding and baby caring under control, its the birth bit I need help with. I knew I had to have a cs last time because of the placenta praevia and so I didn't really pay attention to the birth information. My first was a shocker, I was not prepared at all.

[Pebbles]

Has anyone written a 'Birth Plan' yet? I didnt have one with DS and I sorta regret it coz I didnt feel prepared at all and I am usually a very organised person so this time I am gonna do one.

[Milliner]

I havn't written one but I DP knows what I want to happen. I don't want to be induced at all, even again and I don't want anyone to say a thing to me when the baby is out I want to see the sex for myself. That's all that's in my plan. :D

[SpaghettiMummy]

nope and cos it looks like I'm going back to where I had my first two I probably won't.

I realised if I did and something went wrong I'd feel like I failed myself and what I wanted as every labour is different.

I do always fil in the form they give me though it just basically involved ticking all the active birth options and I will use all of them before resorting to drugs and so far that plan has worked for me. But then I haven't had a long labour (though having a back labour with DS made me understand why those who have long back labours do go for the epidural as I was starting to want one after 8 hours of constant back pain.)

I don't know how it will all go and if I can have another natural short labour and delivery then great if not then that's ok too. To me so long as bub is healthy that's the improtant thing.

However DH is to cut the cord but he definately is bad to "guessing" bubs gender he thought DD was a boy.(he got to say hello Liberty as a way of us saying whether she was a boy or girl- would have been Ethan for a boy) lol hopefully now he's seen newborn of each gender he'll know better this time.

[Mammy]

My plan for labour goes something like this-
Avoid labour at all costs.
I have a CS booked for 10th and if this little dude decides to make an apperance prior to this, then he is in big trouble!

[kitty1kat]

MooMoo - I'm 80% with you there. Haven't quite made up my mind, but pretty sure I am having c-section too.....

[michblb]

Am waiting for the 32 week scan before I can find out if I have to have a c - as I had a low lying placenta at the 19 week scan.

Kinda haven't thought about the birth much lately - too much other stuff to think about and will wait until the next scan when I know my options.

If I don't have a c, I guess I'll write one - it will be short and read 'I accept as much pain relief as legally possible!':D

[greengables]

eek it is HORRIBLE!! (well I was induced so maybe was worse??)

The thing about CSection is it takes so long to recover doesn't it?

[SpaghettiMummy]

Being induced can be worse depending on how much intervetion you need to get things going.

I was induced with #2 by the gel but that was all I needed. It does make it worse in some ways because it was faster for me I was onto active labour much faster then my first labour and then onto pushing sooner then I expected so I was too focused on the contractions to even think about drugs. Then again I was also realy hoping not to take 3 days then be told I'd need a c/s either.

[Milliner]

I would rather be induced than have a C-sect anyday!! That's all I will say on the matter as I don't want this to turn into a C-sect debate.

[SpaghettiMummy]

Mel me too!