New Mom with ???s

Hello, I'm a first time mom at 35 weeks and I had some questions about labor and things like that. I'm hoping to give birth the regular way but I'm afraid I might have to have a C-section due to scar tissue from previous surgerys. Here are my questions:
My doctor said that we will start with Stadol and once I'm dialated to a 4 she'll give me an epidural. I'm a little concerned because I don't know anything about Stadol and I'm afraid of how much the epidural needle will hurt me because I have an extremly low tolerance to pain and have been known to pass out easily. So any personal stories or tips would really be appreciated!
Is it true that their gonna shave me "down there" or if I need a c-section are they gonna shave my stomache?
If I get induced, is it true that it will be more painful?
How do I know the difference between Hicks contractions and real contractions?
My baby is a few weeks ahead of schedule as far as weight. Two weeks ago she was 6lbs. How big will she get before they possibly decide to induce because of how large she is?
I've heard that if I get a c-section I will need somone to take care of me for a few weeks, is it really that bad?
I've heard that retin a is great for stretch marks after pregnancy, anyone know is this is true?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[tomel]

Wow your really jumping ahead of yourself. Dont stress...not good for baby
I did not have Stadol..have heard from others that it can make baby groggy
The epidural does not hurt when they put it in..they numb you then its just a pinch.
No they dont shave you down there and if you need a c-section they wont shave your stomach..even if they did you wont feel it cause you cant feel your body from the waist down.
With a c-section they give you a spinal which is pretty much the same as an epidural.
With induction yes the pitocin will make your contractions alot stronger.
The difference between braxton hicks and real contractions are real contractions are close together and dont stop if you walk around, take a bath or rest. Generally docs like you to time them for an hour.
Its up to your doc when they may want to induce....you might want to ask them that..that is a big baby for 35 weeks. My baby was 6 lbs at 37 weeks he was born at 41 weeks and weighed 8 lbs.
Yes with a csection you cant drive the first 2 weeks and its about a 6 week or more healing process.If you dont take care of yourself higher risk for infecion (infection).
If you plan on nursing you cannot use retin a.
If your concerned about stretch marks and you have them already its probably to late to do anything about them...you can try useing th coco butter cream now to prevent any new ones

[kbrownhh]

I have had a vaginal birth and a c-section.  My first baby I went through labor and had a lot of pain, but wasn't far enough along yet for an epidural.  I had them give me some stadol in my IV.  I didn't like it.  It really doesn't take away the pain all that much, just makes you kinda drugged feeling.  As soon as they gave it to me, the room started spinning.  I was able to sleep a tiny bit when I was on it, but it sucked b/c you would be somewhat asleep and then wake up in a very strong contraction that you could feel.  I finally got to the point where I could get an epidural and it was the best thing ever!  Yes, you can feel it when they stick you with the needle, but I was in so much pain from the contractions it was nothing.  You only feel the pain for a minute and then you go numb which is a very welcome thing!
I had a c-section 9 weeks ago due to my daughter being breeched.  It was a totally different experience.  They gave me a spinal block instead of an epidural.  It is pretty much the same method though.  With the block it is just a shot and you don't have the continual epidural medicine like a regular epidural.  It numbs you more and higher.  They did shave me after I was numb...just used an electric razor, I didn't even know what they were doing.  They don't shave you all the way though, but they have to because the incision is made so low.  Recovery from a c-section is pretty painful.  The worst part was when your bowels started working again and the gas pains from it...also getting out of bed the first time was very hard.  Just be sure to stay on the pain medication and take it on schedule so you can always stay on top of your pain.  I would recommend having somebody around the first few days after you get home from the hospital to help you.  It is easy to overdue it and it is still painful for a while.  I had a 3 year old as well, so I really did need somebody to be around to help me with her.  You can't lift anything too heavy for a few weeks and will be very tired for a while.
The weight they tell you from a sonogram is usually a little high.  They told me my first was 7 lbs 2 weeks before she was born.  She was  born at 6lb 6 oz.
Good luck!

[tomel]

I also had a csection and vaginal. My csection was 5 yrs ago and I had a VBAC on Aug 20th. Now that I think about it I guess they did shave me they have to a little in the pubic regionfor the csection.But I know they dont shave for vaginal anymore. But when it comes down to it your not gona care when the time comes..
Good luck

[MissMommy]

Thankyou so much for your tips and stories. I know I'm jumping a little ahead but the doctor said she'll probably get here a little early since she's so big. I'm not sure what's goin on but I'm gaining so much weight I can't beleive it and now it hurts even to walk! In one week the doc scales said I had gained five pounds! I barely even eat because it makes me sick, how can gain so fast? Anyways, I'm just soooo ready to get this over with so I can move on to the good stuff. Thanks again!

[Crritter]

You need to try to relax and anjoy the last few weeks.  My little ones measured bigger too, but I wouldn't worry, if your Dr. feels the baby is too big, they may induce early or do a C-section.  I was induced at 39 weeks with my second baby as the first was over 10 lbs.  I was induced both times, so I have no idea how different natural vs. pitocin is.  I did get the Stadol with baby #1 and it just made me feel drunk and groggy, sent the room spinning.  The epidural was great and really when you are in labor, that poke is way better than hard labor, just relax and keep an open mind.  When the time comes you will be great.

[ImmortalOne]

Is it true that their gonna shave me "down there" or if I need a c-section are they gonna shave my stomache? ---- Most places don't shave the female regions for L&D these days from my understanding.  As far as for the stomach *Checks recent Emergency c-section location*  Nope they didn't shave there either, not enough time I guess.

If I get induced, is it true that it will be more painful? -- The Medication they use for inductions can make contractions more "productive" which can be more painful yes.

How do I know the difference between Hicks contractions and real contractions? -- Real Contractions feel extremely different, it isn't just a tightening in your stomach, its there and everywhere at the same time.  But for each of us it is different.

My baby is a few weeks ahead of schedule as far as weight. Two weeks ago she was 6lbs. How big will she get before they possibly decide to induce because of how large she is? -- Don't count on u/s's for accurate weight... they told me Lilith was 6lbs at 36 weeks.... when I delivered at 39 weeks she was 6lbs 5oz... that u/s was WAY off.

I've heard that if I get a c-section I will need someone to take care of me for a few weeks, is it really that bad? -- With my c-section my husband has had to help me for the first few days.  My mom has been here to help with the general stuff and the baby the last week, and my kids, friends, and family have been here to help with things as well.  Not only is a c-section recovery painful and sometimes difficult, it is hard to do some of the simple things we often take forgranted every day.

I've heard that retin a is great for stretch marks after pregnancy, anyone know is this is true? --  After 3 children (only stretch marks with first 2) I never found anything to get rid of or lighten them.  They are our "war wounds" and we should be proud of them imo.


I had an emergency c-section with this baby after 2 back labors with my oldest daughters.  My pelvic wasn't separating for her to pass this time for some reason, and I wasn't dialating fast enough - then her heart rate started to become stressed during contractions.  I've also had 2 1/2 abdominal surgeries (2 in the last 7 years, 1 during my pregnancy) then this c-section and the c-section has been a hella lot easier to cope/recover from imo.  

Also the Epidural, the sooner the better, and I didn't feel mine hardly at all.  It was a god send from the horrible pain of a bad labor when all other medications did nothing for me.

[Crritter]

That is all so true!  I had a hard time getting my epidural with my second baby though and it did hurt, they took 7 tries and my uterus had been hyperstimulated from the pitocin, they did turn it down during the 7 attempts when my Dr. came in and saw the monitor and my face.  I was shaking from the pain and was starting to cry, but did not say a word.  No way was I going to complain while the Dr. worked his magic.  Hurt a lot for me, but still way better than the back labor I was having, and I would take that needle any day compared to the pain I was in.  That epidural was so great once it kicked in!  I was lucky to avoid the C-section, but my first  baby I ended up with 4th degree tears and tore through my rectum.  It was painful for awhile, but I did not need anyone to take care of me.  Once baby gets here, you love them so much you kinda forget about the pain and are so consumed with them.  I never wanted to put my babies down, they are so smal and sweet when they are newborns.