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Pregnancy 18-34 Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to pregnancy and childbirth in women age 18 to 34.
Labor Experiences PLEASE! LOL.
by lamb18, Jul 09, 2008 12:38PM
Hey Ladies, I have been thinking a lot lately about labor and delivery. This is my first baby so really, I don't know what to expect. LOL. I was wondering if some of you that are experienced with L&D could tell me about what happened to you. Like about tearing, and episiotomies, and contractions, and all the nitty gritty. LOL. Thanks. Also, could you add in there some stuff about dilation and pushing and the total number of hours you were in labor? Thanks again.
With my first, I was in labor for about 48 hours. Now that was from the very beginning, not full blown labor. I had the episiotomy with him.
2nd, I was only in labor for about 12 hours total. I tore with her and had stitches.
3rd, I was in labor from start to finish for about 24 hours. With her, I didn't have any problems vaginally, but I had the worst hemroids of my life; very painful.
4th, I was induced by my choice to make sure that my doc was the one to deliver. I was in labor for about 9 hours. I don't think I had to have stitches with her.
5th, I was in labor for about 12 hours. I tore and had stitches.
With my first, I had to push for 2 hours. And I had been in labor for a long time, so I was just exhausted when he was born. But with my 4 girls, the pushing part was very fast. My doc said that it would be since my body had "done this" before. I had a lot of anxiety when I was expecting my 2nd, but my doc was right. The pushing part is pretty quick now.
Elaina's Birth--- when I was three days away from my due date, my doctor stripped my membranes. That sounds so gross, but it basically means he separated the bag of waters from the cervix. That night I "felt funny" and I was hunched over, but I wasn't in pain. Walking was incredibly different and strange compared to the rest of my pregnancy. So called L&D and they wanted me to go in.
They hook you up to monitors (huge straps around your belly) to monitor baby's h/b and contractions. After a couple of hours NOTHING happened. They weren't consistent. I was in near tears, thinking we were going home empty-handed and STILL pregnant. But the on-call doctor told the nurse to give me morphine (it was supposed to stop false labor or kick up true labor).
I settled in for a pleasant sleep. When I woke up, they broke my water, found meconium (baby's first poo) in the fluid. This can be dangerous if baby asphixiates it. I got an epidural because I'm simply just a wimp about pain. The contractions were so bad I couldn't even feel the epidural except for this cold sensation that went up and then down my spine. After 3 1/2 hours I was dilated to 10 and began pushing.
It took 10-15 minutes to push. I couldn't feel to push and the nurses were NOT helpful. Neither was DH. But she finally came into the world at 7 lbs 5.2 ounces. DH didn't get to cut the cord and she was rushed to a warming table (because of the meconium they had to work really fast). I had to watch her cry from across the room.
Then this nurse like attacked my stomach and the doctor yanked the placenta out. I do not recomment that as it could leave bits of placenta behind. The doctor was in a hurry to get a c-section and that's why she did it. Again, don't let them do that.
I had a tiny tear that the doctor stitched up and that was it! I got to hold my baby and the rest, as they say, is history.
When I woke up I was doubled over in pain. I could hardly walk, yet I was GRINNING from ear-to-ear. I knew this was it!!! I called the hospital and spoke with the on-call OBGYN. I took a shower before going in and that was incredibly interesting because of the contractions.
I get there and I'm 4cm. They hook me up to those monitors I mentioned before. The pain started becoming unbearable but this time DH was a lot more help. And I had my MIL there with me and she was AMAZING help. She sat and knitted and prayed the whole time.
So the nurse gave me this wonderful, euphoric drug that made everything swim and made me giggle. She chose at that moment to make me sign paperwork. So I'd sign my name with a flourish, giggling, on all the documents.
It wore off too quickly, in my opinion. But luckily my epidural arrived. I felt it this time. I think I paid more attention to details this time. They have you sit up, swing your legs over the side of the bed, and hunch over. You have to hold completely still. It helps to have your partner "hug" you to help keep you balanced.
Anyway, wonderful epidural kicked in and I slept. Dilation this time was slow going. Finally had my water broke at about 7cm. I don't remember how much longer but finally it was time to push! The epidural was wearing off this time so I could feel the contractions but they weren't intense.
The nurses were AMAZING this time around. I had my MIL and husband on my right-hand side, coaching me and some awesome nurses on my left-hand side. They really explained how to push and my second daughter was born a lot faster.
DH got to cut the cord. He said it was really weird and felt like he was cutting a sausage. I got to hold baby immediately, while she was still slimy and bloody. She weighed a whopping 8 lbs 8 oz. Unfortunately she had her arm across her chest, which caused her collarbone to snap while she was being delivered.
Other than that she was healthy and perfect!!!
Giving birth is the most amazing thing you'll ever experience. Don't be frightened! You'll be in great hands and don't be afraid to ask for help. And have support at the hospital. Having my MIL there was a Godsend.
#1: routine check up at 40 wks 3 days...NO amniotic fluid left (water had NOT broken or leaked) baby was breech and suffered from iugr (growth restriction due to lack of fluid) I had a semi-emergency c-section. I was given a spinal block and a sedative...pretty easy recovery as far as surgery goes...no complications
#2: had normal check up on thursday, friday went into labor in the morning...had contractions throughout the day...a lot of mucus and bloody show...waited until my contractions were regular and spaced less than 7 mins apart ( approx 7 pm)...water broke as i was walking into the hospital. In L & D I was hooked up to the fetal monitors and no heartbeat was detected...an ultrasound confirmed intrauterine fetal demise (we later found the cord was around his neck 2 x's really tight) I was admitted and started on pitocin to speed my labor. I had an epidural and morphine for pain management. It made me loopy so I don't remember too much. I didnt' deliver until 12:20 the next morning...I don't remember how long I pushed I was really out of it, a nurse and my husband had to pull my legs back and kind of force me to push. I had a minor tear that required 2 stitches. It healed quickly and easily but I was very tender in that area for months.
#3: I had some erratic contractions for a few days ranging from barely noticeable to extremely uncomfortable. I woke at midnight one night to my water breaking...contractions became regular and intense pretty quick....was admitted to the hospital about 1 am at about 2 cm dialated...By 6 am I was fully dialated. I pushed for under 15 minutes....3 sets of 3 pushes each and she was born at 6:27 am...no tearing, no cutting. That labor was completely natural...no pitocin, no epidural, no other drugs. This recovery was by far my easiest
#4: at 38 wks I had my check up...was 2 cm and 50 % effaced. Doctor stripped my membranes. I had irregular contractions off and on all weekend. On Monday I woke up feeling some contractions but nothing major, but I felt I was leaking amniotic fluid...went to L & D they said no I wasn't and I was only 2 cm still so they sent me home. I called my doc and she told me to go back. I waited until approx 3:30 and went back in...They checked and I was 3 cms 75% effaced and was in fact leaking fluid. Contractions came hard and fast...at around 5 my water broke...about 5:30 I was 6-7 cm and I asked for an epidural...anasthesiologist arrived about 6:15 ...as he was inserting the needle my son dropped like a bowling ball into the birth canal and my contractions gave me an overwhelming sensation to push. I held out to get the epidural finished. As they were helping me lay back down the nurse saw that he was crowning...everyone scrambled and he was born at 6:54 pm less than 4 hrs after arriving at the hospital. It only took 3 sets of pushes with him as well.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions :)
After all is said and done, they rub whats called the Fundus, and that is the top of your uterus, they dont tend to rub very nicely theu push on it quite hard, and that helps your uterus shrink back down to size.