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35 weeks and feeling unprepared for child birth...
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Anonymous
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I am 35 weeks pregnant and just recently, I feel unprepared for child birth. I am on daily injections of Lovenox due to a history of pulmonary embolism (six years ago). Now that I am approaching the last month of pregnancy, it is recommended that I switch to twice daily injections of Heparin.
So far -- the shots haven't been an issue. The problem is...I may not have the option of getting an epidural during child birth. My hematologist told me it's up to the anesthesiologist and his/her comfort level with giving me an epidural, since there isn't an exact science to counteracting the amount of blood thinner (Heparin) in my system. Now I feel unprepared for labor since I thought I would be able to get an epidural. I took a child birth prep class and will review the material again, but I wonder if anyone has suggestions on how to cope with the pain of natural child birth? I plan to get a birthing ball and try it, as well as a tennis ball for massage. A friend recommended walking around (this helped her manage the pain) and showering. TIA for any suggestions you provide. |
Anonymous
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Birth pool
Showers Walking around Stay upright, don't lay down Birth ball Singing Relax and don't stress about pain. Yes it hurts, but you can do it. |
Anonymous
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You can do it!
Do you want book recommendations? "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" is great. Also, "Birthing from Within" has useful exercises, including ones on relieving pain. (And some artsy activities, if you're so inclined--I thought they were helpful in feeling centered prior to the birth.) For your partner, "The Birth Partner." (I like that it has stage by stage recommendations and is very clear.) Support is key. You want to make sure that you have a person or two who is focused on you (and not your medical care). For that reason you might want to consider a doula. Get a bunch of ideas and supplies ready ahead of time, then see what you feel like at the time. Best of luck! |
Anonymous
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People really should not recommend Ina May's Guide to Childbirth to people who are just starting to learn about natural childbirth. I am really into that sort of stuff, and I found the book to be odd and off putting.
The lady climbing in the bed naked with the mother while she was in labor? The husband and friend sucking on the laboring mothers breasts??!? Why am I the only one who ever remembers that this stuff is in the book. Are we giving birth or having orgies? There are much better options than that over sexualized dirty book. |
Anonymous
| Taking baths and watching movies to distract me helped me deal with the pain. I would take my time at home and not go to the hospital too soon. It is boring there, and many do not have wireless fetal monitors, so you can't move around all that much even if you don't have an epidural. |
Anonymous
| OP, in your situation I would totally suggest hiring a doula. You don't have time for a 12 week class, but you can definitely learn a lot in a short amount of time. I'm taking a Bradley class because I also may not be able to get an epidural, and it's really opened my eyes up. I really enjoyed reading The Birth Partner, and my DH loves it too. I'm not hiring a doula because I think DH and I are going to be prepared enough, but it sounds like you've got some anxiety and it could really help you out. |
Anonymous
| Always remember there is an end point and it's an amazing one! The pain is temporary....the reward is lifelong. And there is always IV medication.... |
Anonymous
| Hypnobirthing CDs can provide you with tools to help manage and mitigate the pain and with 5 weeks to go you have plenty of time. Highly recommend it! |
Anonymous
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if a doula appeals to you, it might be a really good option at this point. if you hire a doula, you wouldn't have to worry as much about preparing and learning coping techniques and remembering stuff -- she will be able to guide you and your partner through all of that as everything is happening, in addition to helping you think through decisions about pain medication and anything else that arises.
there are also other medical forms of pain relief such as narcotics -- you could discuss this with your doctor or midwife. they do have side effects such as sometimes causing breathing problems in newborns if they are given too close to birth -- but maybe just knowing you have the option of medication if you need it would be reassuring. you could also contact childbirth instructors and see if anyone can come give you a quick private class. there's a list of childbirth teachers/classes at www.birthoptionsalliance.org. also i second recommendations for The Birth Partner. It's an amazing book. I think if you do nothing else, read that book!!! Best of luck to you. |
Anonymous
| third vote for birth partner (also have your partner read it so they can help you)!! And if you can afford a doula, a great idea. You CAN CAN CAN do it. Walk around, stand, rock, sway, use a exercise ball, shower, bath. Repeat as necessary. The one thing I would say is try (if you can) to avoid pitocin. Natural contractions are much more tolerable, gradually increase and decrease in pain, and are farther apart than ones induced by pitocin. My natural labor without pitocin was much more manageable than with. |
Anonymous
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I recommend that you call the L&D department and ask them who they use for anesthesia services. Then call that group and ask if they could meet with you to discuss the options available to you.
I HATE to say this, but depending on who your OB on-call is/anesthesia on-call, you may very well end up with a c-section...and I think if you are on heparin, that is full general anesthesia- which means you would be asleep completely. You really really need to talk to an anesthesiologist who can fully explain to you the risks and benefits of childbirth while on heparin. A very good friend of mine was on heparin and ended with will full anesthesia and the staff acted like she was nuts becuase she had no idea that would happen...I am not trying to scare you, knowledge is power...know your plan of care and set your expectations based on safety and reality. Good luck, OP!!! |
sybersus
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| I'm so sorry, OP. I agree with a lot of the suggestions made before -- especially hiring a doula, reading some books, and more than anything trying as much as possible to relax through contractions. I've found the book "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" to be excellent, and it has several exercises to do w/your labor coach to help relax during contractions (which makes the contractions work in your favor). You can do this; it is hard but not impossible, and women have been doing it for thousands of years. Best of luck! |
Anonymous
Well, I showed restraint by not suggesting her earlier book, "Spiritual Midwifery." Give me some credit! Is that perhaps the book you're thinking of? I don't remember any orgies in her Guide to Childbirth, but perhaps my birth-induced high is affecting me. (Ha, ha.) |
Anonymous
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don't lay down. i couldn't bare the contractions whenever i lay down for them to check my dilation.
know you can do it, because you can do it! remember, it is only for one day, and anything is bearable for one day. keep in mind that just when you feel like you can't handle the intensity of the contractions any longer, just when you feel like giving in to pain meds, you are probably in transition already, so the end is near. |
Anonymous
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HIRE A DOULA!
Seriously, that is what got me through my 30-hour, VERY painful, natural childbirth. A doula can help you manage pain and can do things like counter pressure, massage, warm/cold compresses to make you feel better. Worth every penny! P.S. The rush you feel afterward is incredible. So it's not all bad! You'll be fine, the pain is fleeting. |