Hellobee Boards

@aprild: I'm planning on a natural birth again. Do you mean medication or techniques to get through?

@aprild: true–- lesser option would be nice. I feel you on the long labor; DS was born on day 3 of labor!

@aprild: I think with my first I was offered morphine or an epidural. They really present the epidural as the best option. So, when I felt I couldn't take it any longer that's what I asked for.
This time, since I'm planning on a VBAC at a birth center, my options are more limited. We actually haven't talked about them yet, but an epidural isn't an option.

I was all set on trying for a VBAC if I go into labor by myself prior to my due date and RCS date of 8/4 but as that date approaches I am starting to second guess myself. My OB really doesn't think I'm a great candidate for a VBAC, although she will support me if that's what I want to try, and I've been soooo exhausted lately. I'm wondering if I'd be better off with the RCS instead of going through what could possibly be a long and tiring labor that has a good probability of ending in a RCS anyway. With DS I was so sleep deprived by the time we left the hospital it was such a difficult recovery. If I just do a RCS and skip the VBAC attempt I could potentially go in a lot more well rested. Gah, I don't know what to do anymore but I supposed I need to make a decision very soon!

@aprild: She thinks my anatomy is likely such that I cannot pass a baby through my pelvic bone. With DS my body did exactly everything it was supposed to do--I dilated fully pretty rapidly--but then when it came time to push he would not get past my pelvic bone. They tried to readjust his position in case he was just coming down at a funny angle that made it hard from him to pass through but didn't have any luck. In the end they couldn't determine if it was my anatomy or his position, but the general consensus is that it's likely my anatomy. It would just suck to go through a 30+ hour labor with this delivery only to push for several more hours and have baby girl unable to pass through. For the most part I've heard really positive things about RCS recoveries so I'm just starting to second guess whether that might be the safer route to go.

@Mrs.Scientist: I had a planned c-section with my first and the recovery was super easy (for major surgery). My LO was measuring really big, I'm tiny, and I had GD (they wanted to induce at 39 weeks and I really didn't want a failed induction and go through labor just to have a c-section anyway). He had to be vacuumed out during the c-section because of his position and being so tightly wedged in there.

Obviously, recovery will probably be a little harder with a toddler, but I'm lucky that my DH will be home for 2 weeks and I have lots of family around to help. That definitely makes a difference. I just don't feel a huge desire to try for a VBAC after a pretty smooth c-section the first time.

But that's just my experience! I know plenty of ladies who are so glad they did the VBAC. It's a hard decision!!

My hospital gave me a folder full of information at my preregistration appointment, including all the medication they use on the labor and delivery ward! (The epidural was its own sheet, so it isn't on here, but they have it, of course!) Looks like several non-epidural pain options. They explained in person that they usually can't be given right before pushing, as they can affect the baby, but during early labor they can help, and the half lives are short so baby will "sober up" before actual delivery. They give the information so you can do all your own research BEFORE you go into labor, which is nice.

@lilteacherbee: See, hearing about experiences like yours makes me feel optimistic that my second CS and recovery could be a more positive experience than the first since I would be mentally prepared for it and know what to expect. My first CS was totally traumatizing since I wasn't expecting it.

@aprild: It sounds like we did have a very similar experience! My doctor also had her arm way up inside me trying to turn my son's head. There was a mirror above the bed I was on so I could see what she was doing. It looked like she was literally like elbow deep inside me. I finally had to be like, "uhh, is there something you can do so that I don't have to see that in the mirror up there??" I did not want to have to see that, lol.

I still don't know what I should do but I guess I can always make my decision on the spot if I do happen to go into labor before my RCS date. I'm such a planner though so it's bothering me that I'm being so indecisive.

@Portboston: I do feel very fortunate that my OB is supportive of whatever option I choose. I've been having a lot more BHs this pregnancy (and painful ones, too) than I did with my first and my OB said that could be a good sign that my body is doing a better job of preparing for labor than last time. Yet another variable to consider!

@Portboston: haha, excellent idea!

@getjazzy: I'm right there with you! I also think it would be easier to not have to go through a major abdominal surgery with a toddler at home. He depends so much on me and loves to sit on my lap and play together. It would break my heart if he felt like I was neglecting him and just sitting in bed all day. My OB said the same thing to me too about not having to go through 40 hours of labor again. She said I could cap it at whatever I was comfortable with, for example 12 hours, and then request a c-section after that. I think part of what made recovery so hard for me last time was that I was physically exhausted from such a long labor. I never had time to rest, and then bam! I had a baby to take care of. I don't have a ton of support at home as far as family helping, so I need to be able to do as much as possible myself. Hopefully, we'll both get our VBACs!

I'm at MFM and just found out my cervix is down to 8mm I think that's like 80-90 percent effaced?! Still waiting to see the dr so we'll see what he says.

Man, I had a horrible recovery and I had a vaginal birth! I did push for nearly 5 hours though. I could barely walk for a while. I am hoping recovery goes better this time (and well, LABOR goes better!) so I can feel a little more mobile and less in pain post birth.

My SIL just had a RCS and said it was a lot better than her emergency CS! Her birth experience with LO1 was worse than anything I've ever heard So I was glad to hear her RCS went awesome. Hope that helps some of you if you guys choose to go that route!

Anyone else feeling short of breath? I'm going to ask my OB about it today but it really bugs me. Even just sitting down on the couch I feel short of breath! Not sure I remember this with LO1!

@kjpugs: wow 5 hours! I hope your next ones goes quicker! I am also feeling like its harder to breath sometimes when I lay down. Usually gets better after a few minutes but it's such a weird feeling, like I can't breathe deeply.

@buttermilk: my labor was brutal. My OB had noticed during a check that my pelvic opening was more oblong than it should be (I swear she held her hands and it looked like the shape of a mail slot, haha) and so I knew it might be more difficult. I'm hoping E paved the way, so to speak, haha. I just keep telling myself "it will be like a slip and slide, she will walk right out!" I'm hoping they don't estimate her to be bigger than E! E was 7 lbs 12 oz.

@Portboston: YES! It was INSANE! Funny thing is, me and DH were both born on our due date, and if we hadn't had those pushing issues LO would have been too, haha! Man, I had no energy. It was hellish! I think just all the trauma from that pushing was the bad recovery, so as long as it's not as awful this time I *HOPE* recovery should be better.

@MrsADS: Oh man!! Silly cervix, hang on to that baby! Get really acquainted with Netflix and hang in there a little longer. 5lbs is an awesome size and babe will start packing on the lbs as each day passes now. Hope things stay quiet for you!

@kjpugs: So insanely short of breath!! I was coming to post about it actually. I went for a prenatal massage this morning and I was thinking "ahhh this will be so relaxing" but it wasn't!! They had a special pillow with a cut out for my belly but about 15 mins in, I had to request to lay on my side because I couldn't breathe. Then she later had me on my back on his huge comfy wedge pillow, and again after about 15 mins I couldn't breathe again and had to ask to turn back to my side. It was an awful, panic type feeling too. Like borderline I might pass out soon if I don't fix this. It was an hour long total but I think I will do 30 mins max, and on my side only from now until I deliver.

@getjazzy: I know that feeling....I had it during my maternity photos! I Was laying on a log on my back to get that profile picture and felt like I was going to pass out! Not a good feeling. Good for you for speaking up!

@Mrs.Scientist: That sucks that she ended the session. My girl was super accommodating to me and helped me get comfortable every time I needed to shift around thankfully. I would recommend side lying. I thought it would make for a bad massage but it actually wasn't much different than being laying on my stomach in terms of the quality of the back massage. Such an awful feeling though!

@getjazzy: so silly!!! My hypnobirthing teacher (who is also an L&D nurse) said whatever I do during labor, stay off my back! That It's the worst possible position to give birth in!