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12-03-2012 at 12:58 PM
kmt104
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STM's- Prepare me for L&D please!

FTM and of course scareddd of labor and delivery! It has always been a fear of mine! Guess it's of the unknown and of the major pain!!!! How did you get through the pain? I plan on a epi as soon as I'm allowed one! But getting to the 3 or 4 cm's beforehand is what worries me..oh and pushing!! Eeeek!

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12-03-2012 at 1:02 PM
ChicagoBro...
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My first time it took me almost 10 hours to get to 3.5 cm and they would admit me. I was at home for the first 8 hours with consistent contractions then walked the halls at the hospital for two hours to get to almost 4 cm. The last hour and a half, the contractions got pretty painful but I just leaned on H as I walked the halls and breathed through them. They (in my case) felt like super powerful period cramps. I got the epi at 5 cm and never looked back. 

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12-03-2012 at 1:13 PM
skoogirl
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Just try not to think about it. It is only approximately 12-24 hours of your life.  It will pass very quickly.  I got an epidural after about 4 hours and couldn't even feel the contractions after that.  The contractions are manageable.  Moreso if you don't let yourself get too anxious.

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12-03-2012 at 1:14 PM
synchrosal...
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I probably would have dealt with it differently if I had gone into labour on my own.  I was induced and was thrown into active labour from nothing. It was hard, I'm not going to lie. The first 2 hours of 60 sec long contractions 1 1/2 mons apart were bearable, but by the third hour, when I had vomited up my entire days worth of meals and  I was still only 4 cm I couldn't take it anymore and got the epi. 

I'd like to think had I been able to go into labour slowly on my own, with 4 mins between contractions, things might have been different. But having back labour, vomiting and no break between was too much. I'm hoping for a more natural labour this time around.  

12-03-2012 at 1:15 PM
UberBiz
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You're going to find out that everyone's experience is so different (even if they are similar) and you just have to go in prepared for anything.

My water broke at around 6p.m., was checked into the hospital at around 8 p.m. and my contractions got so bad by midnight (I was literally crying through them) I got the epidural. I did not feel ANYTHING (I'm thinking I got too much, I was totally numb from the waist down).

At around 4 a.m. my OB told me to start pushing, and I did. Or tried to. Baby was in distress and was not descending. I got rushed in for an emergency c-section and my DD was born 5:05a.m. I was such a mess from all the drugs they gave me, I wasn't awake AND coherent til almost 5 hours later.


 
12-03-2012 at 1:21 PM
WorkinWeez...
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I was 3 cm before I even started labor, so don't be afraid of that part.

Honestly, I didn't think of going in to labor at all with LO #1, and I'm not thinking about it this time around either.  I'm not worried about it, I haven't been afraid of it, I just know it's something I'll need to take moment by moment because it is always so different for everyone.  You cannot control what happens (except meds vs. no meds) and if you are all worked up about it you are just making it harder for yourself. 

I really understand people being 'scared' but I don't understand getting all hyped about it.  It's all part of the process.  You'll get through it and have a baby in the end!!

*Obviously there are extenuating circumstances which no one ever really wants to talk about, but those cases are rare and hopefully not a reality*


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12-03-2012 at 1:25 PM
vaness1229
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I'm sorry, not trying to be snarky at all, but, I don't think anyone can prepare your for L&D. Everyone has a different experience and labor pain is indescribable. What I can tell you is that you won't be in labor forever. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The best comparison I've ever heard was that labor is like a very grueling marathon that you have to finish. You're so focused and motivated the entire time to get to that finish line. It is very painful and there usually are many tears along the way (as well as other things). But you complete it and the end result is like no other.

I felt the same way as you with my first. I was scared to death about delivery. But I made it and I consider myself to be the biggest chicken in the world with a very low pain threshold. I delivered a 9lb baby vaginally and it was the best day of my life. I guess I must of not thought it was that bad because I signed up to do it one more time :) (either that or I just suppressed the memory)


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12-03-2012 at 1:27 PM
MarchABC
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skoogirl:
Just try not to think about it. It is only approximately 1224 hours of your life.nbsp; It will pass very quickly.nbsp; I got an epidural after about 4 hours and couldn't even feel the contractions after that.nbsp; The contractions are manageable.nbsp; Moreso if you don't let yourself get too anxious.


This was the best advice I was given. I kept telling myself that it was timelimited... only 12 hours or so. I went natural and when it was over, the relief was amazing. If it were as bad as your imagining, no one would ever decide to do it again... And honestly, my mind seems to have just blocked out how painful it was. I really only remember that it hurt and that the pain didn't last.

ETA thinking about trying hypnobabies this time around just to see if I can have an even better experience.

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12-03-2012 at 1:29 PM
courtneyt1...
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I hit 39 weeks and was 4 cm without any pain. When I got to the hospital after going to labor at 40w 3d I was 7 cm. That was painful but I got an epi and after that it was really easy. I could still feel enough to know when to push, but there wasn't any pain.

I was really scared as well, but your body knows what to do and so do your doctors. My advise would be to create birth plans and such with an open mind. You can't plan for everything.


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12-03-2012 at 1:51 PM
mariamaria
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It was painful, no doubt, and scary (I ended up with a semi-emergency c-section after 15 hours of labor), but it was still very exciting even though it hurt like hell. I will also say that once I got the epi it was pretty much smooth sailing. I went from not even being able to handle myself cuz it hurt so bad to watching Family Feud and playing cards with my DH, even napped a bit. The epi takes away almost all of the pain (in my experience). As a FTM, it's all so exciting and surreal that it really is less scary than what you think. You'll be fine!

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12-03-2012 at 1:58 PM
finallypla...
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MarchABC:
skoogirl:
Just try not to think about it. It is only approximately 1224 hours of your life.nbsp; It will pass very quickly.nbsp; I got an epidural after about 4 hours and couldn't even feel the contractions after that.nbsp; The contractions are manageable.nbsp; Moreso if you don't let yourself get too anxious.
This was the best advice I was given. I kept telling myself that it was timelimited... only 12 hours or so. I went natural and when it was over, the relief was amazing. If it were as bad as your imagining, no one would ever decide to do it again... And honestly, my mind seems to have just blocked out how painful it was. I really only remember that it hurt and that the pain didn't last.

This all the way.  I went totally natural for my first and it was about 14 hours but only about an hour of hard labor(pushing) and my second was an induction and lasted only about 8 hours with 30 minutes of hard labor.  I remember that it hurt but not enough to care or be afraid to do it again and my second was 10lbs 6oz natural no drugs. 

It's just to amazing of an experience to worry about.  I'm sure you'll be fine. 


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12-03-2012 at 2:04 PM
blueandgra...
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Think of it this way - women have been doing it forever.  Our bodies are made to do it.  You are surrounded by professionals. And look at all us STM+ who are doing it again!  If it were really something so terrible, the human race would have ended long ago :)  Also, like PP said - its ~12 hours.  You can do it. 

Preparation is up to you.  Take a class, or read books, or rent videos, or watch births on the internet.  Or ignore it all and go in blissfully unaware.  I do highly recommended learning a few relaxation techniques and practicing them ahead of time (like now, if you are already nervous!). 

I labored at home as long as I could, and got to the hospital at 4cm, so I was allowed to check in and get the epi right away.  Once that epi was in, the rest of my L&D was really enjoyable (seriously).  It was really only the last 2 hours or so of that labor at home/first getting to the hospital that I had to really work through ctxns.


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12-03-2012 at 2:09 PM
randomname...
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FTM here too, so I can't speak from experience, but for me watching documentaries of other women giving birth has helped tame the fears a lot. Exposure therapy, I guess.
We just have to remember that our bodies are made for this and women have been giving birth forever. If they can do it, so can we!

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12-03-2012 at 2:29 PM
highlights
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Nothing will prepare you for L and D. Just be prepared to be unprepared. At the end, you'll have a baby, and that is the important part.


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12-03-2012 at 2:56 PM
MplsMay05
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Around 2cm my contractions started getting bad. By the time I went to the hospital at 4cm, I was in SO much pain. Requested my epi right away. Loved having it, wish I would have slept. Then epi worn off and I gave birth with no drugs. Didn't have the ring of fire pain, but felt like someone was stabbing me in my lower abdomen. Needless to say I will be taking pain management classes prior to giving birth this time.
 
12-03-2012 at 2:59 PM
Bbelle88
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I labored at home all day with inconsistent contractions. They really weren't all that painful, I could talk through them.

I finally had to fib a little to my midwife about the contractions being more consistent so she would let me go to the hospital.

By the time I got to the hospital I was a little over 4cm and they admitted me. My contractions were still mild but I decided I wanted an enema out of fear of going #2 while delivering (which looking back if it had happened it wouldn't have been a big deal).

Well the enema did the trick because my contractions swung into full gear. They're like gas pains/cramps but times 15, they come in waves. It will be bearable in the beginning and then get to the point where you feel like you just can't take it anymore and then it will start to subside.

The next time I was checked I was almost 7 and that's when I received my epidural. After the epidural they broke my water and in no time I was pushing, and after 20 minutes of pushing I had my baby girl in my hands.

If you're bad with pain or feeling like it's too much, just get the epidural, it's TOTALLY worth it and makes delivery pain free. I wouldn't worry too much about delivery. Once you're 9 months, you're ready for the baby to be out of you and you're ready to meet your little one that you'll be totally fine! It's really such an exciting experience, I can't wait to do it again!!!!


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12-03-2012 at 3:12 PM
BoatsNHoes
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I was terrified of delivery, but it was so much easier than I expected. Also, my dr said get the epidural whenever you want it, there is not magic number to be dilated. I got it at 4cm I think after 4 hours of active labor.

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12-03-2012 at 3:27 PM
SpringPeep...
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Everyone's experience with L&D is different. BUT the after is more consistent. You will most likely bleed, a lot. It's normal. It's from the placenta detaching. You will probably be given mesh panties and a ginormous pad. Use them liberally. Take some home if you like them.

Stay on top of ibuprofen for at least a few days. Even if you have a completely uneventful delivery, it will help with healing and swelling. 

Get some colace to have at home for after the delivery. take it every day for at least two weeks. Some people need more, some need less. 


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12-03-2012 at 3:43 PM
PansyPants
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I'm the minority, but I didn't really think of it as pain. It was hard work and it was unpleasent, but to me pain = fear/injury and I never felt like that. I got to the hospital at about 4cm and it felt like a rough period, I was still talking through most of my contractions but I preferred not to. 

Don't be afraid of it and don't try to block the early contractions out, accept them as much as you can and remind yourself that every time it ramps a little you're closer to your goal. I would honestly say to move around as much as you can and try to really get your body going so that the early labor doesn't last longer than it has to.

Good luck and you'll be fine, we all make it through one way or another. 


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12-03-2012 at 8:33 PM
katie6/26/...
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Well I was in labor for most of the day unknowingly, I got to the hospital at 1am and DS was born at 4:23am.  It went so quick there wasn't time for an epidural even if I wanted one so I got a small amount of Nubain which was more to relax me than anything.  I didn't make a sound through the whole thing unless someone asked me a question.  I had a co-worker come to visit and she asked how bad the pain was and I responded that it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  I hope for that same experience again!
 
12-03-2012 at 9:33 PM
randomosit...
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The best thing you can try to do for your labor is stay as relaxed and calm as possible. I know, it's easier said than done but the more relaxed you can try to be, the quicker things will generally progress. I can't say that every birth experience is always positive but more often than not, it's not as scary as you would think! For me, it was a wonderful experience. Painful, yes but in the end, it was all worth it to be able to hold my beautiful little girl :)

I don't know how many cm's I was when I got my epi...after about 3 hours on Pitocin, I got one and I know I was at least 4 or 5 by that point. And really, it wasn't too bad! I cursed through some of the contractions near the end there but you totally forget the extent of the pain. In fact, I'm going natural this time around to try to avoid some injuries I sustained during pushing (I fractured or broke my tailbone...the after-affect of that hurt much more than labor and delivery.) Anyway, try not to sweat it too much! What will happen, will happen. Fretting about it won't change anything.


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12-04-2012 at 7:55 AM
UFMADDIE09
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If you REALLY want to be prepared, read on EVERYTHING, not just your "birth plan". I only looked into the natural, no meds, vaginal birthing. So much for that!

I ended up having a placental abruption at 30 weeks and again at 32 where I had to deliver my son via emergency c-section. I was NOT prepared on ANYTHING cesarean, emergency, premature babies, that I didn't get to see my son AT ALL after he was born or hold him for over a week, or the Nicu stay of a month, etc.

Everything that happened to me was very rare (esp. since I had ZERO risk factors) so I don't want to scare you into thinking anything bad will happen to you, but just read up on EVERYTHING, you can NEVER be too prepared!

 


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