Pregnancy 2010 - August

ljmcquade

I'm in the UK and here gas and air (nitrous oxide) is the first line in possible pain relief and really common. I've just read a book by an American OB and he said that gas and air is hardly ever used in the US but it is available if you ask for it. He seemed to think this was because it's cheap and companies have no real reason to push it. Like I said, it doesn't actually take the pain away but makes it more bearable and doesn't affect the baby in the slightest. You breath it in a bit like a scuba mask and when you breath out, it leaves your system almost instantly.

I can recommend the back rub too. My partner rubbed my back through the whole thing, it helped him feel useful and really helped with the pain. Although after the birth I was sorest where he'd rubbed lol.

tahmed

I will probably go for the meds. I am a whimp when it comes to pain, and I think I will be so worried about the pain, I will make myself a nervous wreck, and do more harm than good. I think knowing there is something that can help me handle the pain will make me a lot more relaxed.

jessdawn1982

Anyone considering (or has done) natural childbirth? I've heard good and bad things about the epidurals, as well as good and bad things about natural childbirth. Any advice you can give on either one would be great. I would like to think that I could do natural childbirth, but I'm not so sure.... I guess just because this is my first I have no idea what to expect. Thanks in advance for your input!

When I had my daughter I had every intention of going "natural" but....she was 2 weeks late and I had to be induced. I was in labor a total of 30hrs. I did not sleep the first night in the hospital and after 15 hours of labor with only 1cm dilation I got something in my IV to take the edge off so I could nap because I was afraid I would be to tired when the time came to push. I did not think it was to bad and remember it is only temporary. To help with pain I heated up a buckwheat pillow and had someone rub it on my back while I stood beside the bed leaning forward. But after 30hrs I had only dilated 1.5 cm and I ended up having to have a c-section. I soon found out why I would not dilate......My little girl was 10lbs 12oz and 22.25in. I am a petite person (only 5' 2") and she was just to big to come out that way I say if you decide to don't let people discourage you. I had a lot of people comment and tell me that I was crazy because I did not want an epidural but it was my choice. Also remember that things don't always go as planned so plan for everything.

ckmama

I thought I was going to have a vaginal birth until I hit about 20 weeks, then it was back and forth with the doctor. She ended up sending me to a specialist and they conquerred that a c-section was safest with my first. I have a flat pelvic (i can't remember the name) but the top part of the pelvis that goes up mine is flat, and the baby's head wasn't coming out that way.

With my section they didn't allow any type of IV pain meds only the epidural. I was super frightened but didn't feel a thing, i didn't have the shakes afterwards either.

I was having contractions less than a minute apart and I wasn't dilated but 2 cm, and that happened the morning I was scheduled to have my section so it all worked out.

I know of several women who had their babies naturally and said it went fine, but I don't know if someone would say "OMG it was the most painful terrible experience i've ever been through"

My section wasn't bad, it was scary, and the healing process was very painful and my incision got infected. If you can avoid one I would, they aren't what some people make them out to be. They are a means to an end.

00Angela00

EMGI- I am totally aiming for labor day! I think it would be awesome! ... although I'll be 2 weeks early for my first baby, so it's not likely. lol, oh well. I have heard however that A LOT of women go into labor on labor day, so hopefully we'll still get full attention if it does happen!

MWILSON- I'M TOTALLY PLANNING A NATURAL BIRTH! I started off my pregnancy thinking there was NO WAY I was going to do a natural birth, until i found out all the benefits of it. The more I read about epidurals the more I felt like there is NO WAY that I would do an epidural! lol

Here's what I've heard, please be aware everyone that I realize there's tons of women would swear by epidurals and have not had problems with anything listed below, however there are lots of women that have had epidurals and then did natural birth and would never do an epidural again. There's no reason to think that getting an epidural will automatically mean you or your baby will have any problems!

So there are a ton of benefits of natural birth: much faster recovery for mom, the ability to move around right after delivery if you want to, faster labor, no risk of medications causing problems with babies health or breastfeeding. Lower risk of cesarean section or many other complications. Lower risk of tearing. The ability to move around and get into positions that not only are more comfortable, but also help baby to move down faster and labor to progress quicker. Because of the ability to be in different positions during delivery there is a lower risk of not only tearing but injury to your back and tailbone. ETC

Reason NOT to get epidurals: research has shown that the medication does get into babies system within minutes which causes baby to also be groggy which can take a day or two to wear off. Epidural can also make breast feeding difficult since baby is medicated. Epidurals don't help 100% of the time either, sometimes it only numbs a portion so you may still feel all the pain, but because part of your body is numb you still can't move meaning you can't get into positions that would be more comfortable for a natural childbirth. Positioning for a epidural birth is bad for gravity helping deliver the baby and puts a lot of strain on your tailbone AND puts you at more risk for tearing. Once you get an epidural your bed ridden ... no walking to progress labor, no squating or doing other positions that helps baby move down and come out faster, etc. Higher risk of you getting a fever. Having an epidural puts you at a much higher risk for a cesarean section! ETC

Also, whether you are planning an natural birth or a medicated birth practicing peineum massage everyday leading up to BD will help reduce the risk of tearing as well. I would recommend reading up on natural birth for recommendations on how to cope with pain naturally (learning exercises that will help, learning positions to be in during early labor and delivery, learning relaxation techniques, etc). I also HIGHLY recommend using a Doula. The use of a trained coach like a Doula also has significantly high percentages of making it through a natural birth, having a positive natural birth experience, and your more likely to have a faster labor! YAY!

If you do decide to go natural let me know and I can share more specifics on what I've been learning on how to make it through.

mwilson1018

Ladies, thank you so much for your advice, input, and personal stories! They are helping me so much! Please keep them coming if you think of anything else! You are an awesome bunch of ladies!

jessdawn1982

Also if you choose to go natural you need to do your reading. It will not be easy but from what I read the benefits were worth the temporary pain but it is good to try to find a natural birth class and read up on relaxation techniques. Also natural pain management techniques like shower, heat, massage, music, etc.... Good luck with whatever you choose.

valelapena

Hello! My husband and I got married earlier this year and we are TTC. I'm so glad I found this group!

MamaRandall

Hello ladies! I am also very glad I found this group. My hubby and I have been TTC for 2 years now..:grumble: It's been a very long stressful process. I have 2 kids of my own, but they were with my ex. We finally went to the doc a couple months ago and found out he had a varicose vein which was causing bad sperm count. He had surgery July 13th and they said it takes about 72 days for all the sperm to repair itself.... So I'm keeping my fingers crossed now (getting my hopes up again) that it works soon.

The doc said that 60% of men who have this problem and do the surgery end up getting their wives pregnant within a year. So Now, I'm just trying to be as healthy as I can and lose a couple pounds and get my body ready :happy:

Congratulations to all you pregnant women out there tho!!! Enjoy the heck out of being pregnant and know just how lucky you are to be able to carry that baby!! :flowerforyou:

debnu1

I heard the heartbeat yesterday! I guess I wasn't imagining this. Hope all is well with everyone else!

Soon2Bfitmamaof3

Did any of you ladies join this site right about the time that you conceived? I am not sure if I should consider my prepregnancy weight when I started MFP or once I lost my weight? I started 5 weeks before I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. So my whole weight loss was while I didn't know I was expecting

00Angela00

SHERIJIMENEZ - I used the weight before I found out I conceived. So I found out exactly 4 weeks in so that was my starting weight.


Also ladies I was going through my folder that my doc gave me when I first went into see her and found paperwork pertaining to morning sickness. i thought I would share incase there was anything new to those who are dealing with the delights of first trimester. :-)

to PREVENT morning sickness, try the following suggestions until you find one that works for you!

- Eat a piece of bread or a few crackers before you get out of bed int he morning (put them close to your bed the night before) or when you feel nauseated.
- get out of bed slowly, avoid sudden movements
- Have some yogurt or cottage cheese, juice or milk before you go to bed, or before you get up.

Or try one of these if you have to get up during the night:

- Eat several small meals during the day so your stomach doesn't remain empty for very long.
- Eat high protein foods: eggs, cheese, nuts, meats, etc. As well as fruit and fruit juices. These foods help prevent low levels of sugar in your blood, which can also cause nausea.
- Drink soups and other liquids between meals instead of with meals.
- Avoid greasy or fried foods. They're hard to digest. Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned foods.

To REMEDY morning sickenss, try these suggestions:

- sip soda water )carbonated water) when you begin to feel nauseated.
- get fresh air: take a walk, sleep with a window open, use an axhaust fan or open a window when you cook, take deep breaths.
- Drink spearmint, raspberry leaf or peppermint tea
- Try any of the suggestions above under PREVENTION

debnu1

Thanks for sharing Angela, very helpful. I have drunk more soda in the last few weeks than I have in the last year. It really seems to make a difference especially after vomiting...

phoenix72

I joined MFP to try and lose weight before conceiving, because I'm 38 I thought it would take a while. However my partner and I were delighted and felt very fortunate to find out I was pregnant quite quickly after only 5lbs weight loss (Ive since put a lb on). Because I was 1.5 stone lighter when I had my daughter I'm worried about weight gain this time. Ive changed my goal to maintain, is this what I should do, guessing that being on a 'diet' and being pregnant isnt advisable?

Any advise would be gratefully received....

tahmed

phoenix - I just found out I am pregnant last week. I was at 1200 calories per day, and switched to maintenence, which put me at 1960. Thats (760) more calories a day. In a book I received from my Doctor, it says for the first three months you should consume only 200-300 calories more than you were eatting before. Now, I am not sure if that is correct, if before you got pregnant you were only at 1200 calories. I plan to talk to my doctor about this when I go in next month. For now, I am trying to get between 1500-1700 per day.

ckmama

I heard the heartbeat yesterday! I guess I wasn't imagining this. Hope all is well with everyone else!

That is so awesome.

ckmama

phoenix - I just found out I am pregnant last week. I was at 1200 calories per day, and switched to maintenence, which put me at 1960. Thats (760) more calories a day. In a book I received from my Doctor, it says for the first three months you should consume only 200-300 calories more than you were eatting before. Now, I am not sure if that is correct, if before you got pregnant you were only at 1200 calories. I plan to talk to my doctor about this when I go in next month. For now, I am trying to get between 1500-1700 per day.

I've also read that the extra 200-300 shouldn't start until the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Oh how I wish I could say I was eating at my 1900 calorie goal daily, i've been a junk food junky. The cravings are aweful. I've gained 7 lbs so far. I really have to get it under control.

tahmed

Ckmama - Are you starting to show yet? I am trying to get a handle on how quickly I will show, which also means how quickly I will need to tell work about my "situation" :ohwell:


Also, I have found that roasted, lighly salted almonds really help curb cravings. Might be worth a try.

jessdawn1982

Ckmama - Are you starting to show yet? I am trying to get a handle on how quickly I will show, which also means how quickly I will need to tell work about my "situation" :ohwell:


Also, I have found that roasted, lighly salted almonds really help curb cravings. Might be worth a try.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I didn't start showing until about 19-20wks and that was only if I wore a tight shirt. But by month 6 there was no hiding it.

mwilson1018

I don't think I'm showing yet...I think I can tell a tiny difference, but only to myself, not noticable by others. I've heard that if it's your first it will take longer to show than if you've had children before. I read that it may be well into the 2nd trimester, like what jessdawn is saying. I want the baby bump! :laugh: My brother is getting married Sept. 25, so I went dress shopping this past weekend and made sure to get something "flowy" just in case the little one decides to poke out there!