https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:11:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-969260 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:18:49 +0000 bisous 969260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I had an experience like yours with my hospital tour. I won't give you any advice because I would repeat what others have said, but I will tell you that I figured out that so much has to do with what nurses "think" and "feel comfortable with." </p> <p>I am hoping the doula works out for you. And if you have a nurse you don't like, you should be able to ask for a different one! My satisfaction with my birthing experience was totally different when I got a nurse who was on board with my plan to birth naturally and stay active during labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-969229 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:00:21 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 969229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I'm starting to get the feeling that the hospital here is stuck in the dark ages in more than a couple ways :S </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-969187 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 16:39:12 +0000 daniellemybelle 969187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what others say - you don't have to agree to anything. Ask to sign a waiver if you have to. Continuous monitoring for a first time mom with no complications is no longer a standard practice anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967702 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:51:03 +0000 mrskc 967702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think hiring a doula would be wonderful! </p> <p>As others have said, the hospital cannot force you to do anything. My OB required constant fetal monitoring b/c of liability issues. sad but true. When the time came, the nurse didn't even have it strapped on me all the time. I was able to go to the bathroom and get up and stuff. I think she strapped it on when I sat on the bed, but I don't remember. I was also able to get a heplock in my hand and IV fluids were not required. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967662 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:34:45 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good news - I took @runsyellowlites: advice and started emailing doulas in the area. I found a student doula who is working on her certification that is exactly the price I can afford. I started a new thread in regards to that: <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula?replies=1#post-967660" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula?replies=1#post-967660</a> because I have some questions specific to hiring her.</p> <p>But that's a step in the right direction at least! Now to get in touch with that L&amp;D nurse I want to speak to. I'm feeling better already :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967203 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:32:53 +0000 Mrs D 967203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read all the responses but from my experience at my hospital tour I will tell you the following about IVs, Food &amp; Monitors. When she (the nurse) initially was going through things that are not worth putting on your birth plan she mentioned IVs and Monitors as a hospital requirement. She rattled on - when she got to a stopping point, the other girl and I questioned her on them and she responded with:</p> <p>1) Saying you dont want an IV is not an option. Saying you'd prefer not to be hooked up to one or have the heplock (others mentioned) is the alternative. Which she said under appropriate circumstances the hospital is totally open to. She basically said the IV is a precaution that is placed early in the event it is needed later its already in place this way. I am no opposed to or afraid of needles so this was a good enough response for me. I just didn't want to be tied to a bed. She also said if you do have an iv for fluids you can still move around with the cart thing.</p> <p>2) Fetal Monitors...she said generally speaking you are going to get hooked up pretty quickly - and while hooked up you are restricted from moving around. However, when we questioned her she showed us how the cords unplug so you can walk around or move about your room for agreed upon periods of time based on your doctors thoughts and your wishes. But she said dont bother saying you dont want the monitors on because again - they just want them in place for future use as needed.</p> <p>As for the food - everyone has pretty much told me to eat something right before leaving for or on the way to the hospital. But again, the idea of throwing up while dealing with labor is not appealing to me - so I have no issues with the no food rule!</p> <p>Maybe you cought a "bad" nurse or a nurse on a bad day when she was just negative. My hospital is a pretty old fashioned one (strict when it comes to the rules) so I'd imagine most hospitals are open to deviations from the policy but not complete refusals...Keep asking and maybe try calling L&amp;D and asking a few questions of a different nurse and see if you get a different response! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967188 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:28:12 +0000 rachiecakes 967188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: that's terrible! I went to an OB and though she was pretty quick with my appointments (I actually didn't mind, I hate sitting in a doctor's office), she basically told me that no one wants an episiotomy or a c-section but sometimes they are necessary.<br /> If I were you, I would absolutely ask them if there was any way to get around the monitoring, etc. that's totally unnecessary unless there are complications.<br /> I had pregnancy complications (pre-e) and birth complications (posterior, brow presentation) and I was still loosely monitored and allowed up and about while in labor and after my water broke. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967183 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:24:19 +0000 prettylizy 967183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: My hospital 'requires' you to come in as soon as your water breaks too because they start a clock and give you 24 hours to deliver then they want to section to get the bub out for fear of infection. FWIW, I just didn't go in! lol!<br /> My water broke on Thrusday night at 9pm, I went in on Friday at 10am, still wasn't in active labour and was barely 2 and still thick so even though I was given attitude by the nurse, I voluntarily checked myself out and went back home until the next day at 10am again. DD was born the Saturday night at 11:50pm and we had no infection issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967179 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:23:09 +0000 ktdid23 967179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zombiebullfrogholler: no, no one told me to come in ASAP. I called the OB/Midwife after hours line and told them that my water broke; they told me to labor at home until the practice opened at 8 and to come in right at 8. I went to the dr office at 8, they sent me right over to labor &amp; delivery. But it didn't seem like an immediate thing - they wanted me to labor at home as long as possible, which was what I wanted, as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967169 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:17:32 +0000 2PeasinaPod 967169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: Any luck in reaching out to the woman who taught your class at the hospital? Perhaps she might be able to give you something helpful to speak to the OB about your requests! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967166 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:16:48 +0000 heartonastring 967166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With regard to the IV, I had an induction at 42 weeks and required continuous monitoring and an IV. I was still able to move around as much as I wanted. I laboured on the birth ball, leaning over the bed and, for the most part, holding onto DH in the "slow dance" position. They had to keep moving the fetal monitoring belt every time I moved, which was annoying, but not a big deal. </p> <p>Honestly, it's your birth and you get to have a say. I was with a midwife, but was a transfer of care to the attending OB as soon as they had to start oxytocin. I sneaked food when the nurse left the room and basically just told them what I was going to do ("I'm going to labour on the ball now," "I'm going to walk around the room now to get the baby lower," etc.), rather than asking permission. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967163 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:15:00 +0000 sslm 967163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I would definitely question all of that stuff though. It sounds so archaic and backwards!!! Very weird for sure. I'd fight it :) I just wanted to offer some reassurance I guess, that if you end up needing an iv it probably won't faze you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967155 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:12:02 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: haha, It's unpredictable! Well, let's hope if I don't have any fight in me that turns out to be where I want to be, too :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967151 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:10:20 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@purrpletulips: Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to verify things. It just seems out there that they would try and make you stay in bed because your laboring. And what I was told in the birthing class (taught by one of the nurses in that unit) doesn't add up with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967149 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:08:46 +0000 sslm 967149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: haha! By the time they hooked me up I had no desire to leave the bed. My midwife kept trying to get me to try other positions but the fetal position was the most comfy for me!!! Funny, never dreamed I'd actually WANT to spend my labor in bed lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967140 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:05:30 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ktdid23: Everyone at the hospital has told me that I need to come in asap as soon as my water breaks. Were you told that as well?</p> <p>@sslm: haha, Thanks! I'm actually fine with needles. It's not having them stick me with something that makes me uncomfortable, it's having it attached to something the entire time I'm there. So if they wanted to give me an IV, but not hook it up to anything, I would be okay with that. Even if they gave me fluids for a little bit and then detached it, I could compromise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967083 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:40:04 +0000 sslm 967083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: @ZombieBullfrogHoller: I also hate needles and panicked at the thought of needing an iv while in labor. I did end up needing one (as per my midwife) because I was having a hard labor and she wanted to make sure I stayed hydrated. In the moment I could not have cared less about the needle. Seriously, I didn't even notice it. Just wanted to say that in case you do end up needing one :) I can pretty much promise you won't notice or care when you are in labor!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967077 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:36:22 +0000 purrpletulips 967077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Call the OB ward at the hospital and verify that you would need to be connected to the cabinet machine for continuous monitoring. The hospital I delivered at required continuous monitoring but they had a portable monitor that hung on an IV pole so I could move around the room (or walk around the floor) if I wanted to.</p> <p>You may also want to verify the you must stay in bed once your water breaks; the hospital I used would have required I get out of the tub/shower once my water broke but didn't say I had to stay in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967033 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:19:54 +0000 ktdid23 967033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Someone above mentioned it, but the nurses are not in the room all the time, so get up if you want! My water broke at 4am and I didn't get to the hospital until maybe 9am? After they took my vitals and monitored the baby for a bit, my midwife unhooked me so I could labor in the shower. I was in the shower for probably an hour and a half, and when they needed to monitor me again I just sat in the rocking chair (also in my room) while they got the stats they needed. Truthfully, once things got intense, I found it more comfortable to be curled up in the bed anyway, so they hooked me back up (because I was in bed so why not) and I went from there. </p> <p>And yes, you can ALWAYS say no to things. If it's something that the hospital needs you to do for liability purposes, they should have something for you to sign off on saying you understand the risks, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-967007 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:12:02 +0000 edelweiss 967007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i remember being disappointed when i found out i would be connected to something and not have total freedom of movement. however at least if i wanted to, the cord to the fetal monitor was about 8 feet long.</p> <p>in the end it didn't matter because despite all the books i read and prep i did (even bringing a yoga ball to the hospital), i asked for an epidural within 10 minutes of arriving. i had to be in bed after that, but surprisingly that didn't bother me--there was enough on my mind and adrenaline pumping that time flew. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-966904 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:43:03 +0000 Vegmama 966904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does your hospital have a staff of midwives?? Or just OB's? If they have a midwife group, you could switch. They would most likely let you do a hep lock, intermittent monitoring, etc. I say, get your doc to sign off that you are having a normal birth, and these things are okay during labor. </p> <p>This is why we ultimately decided on a home birth. I asked my doctor if they would let me labor totally naturally, intermittent monitoring, etc., and leave me alone (no checking internally), and she said no. They couldn't do what I wanted, so we opted for another route.</p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-966899 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:41:51 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 966899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm seeing a new doctor this coming week (I suppose they want you to meet all the doctors since who knows who will be on call), so I'm going to run things by him. I'll try to reach a happy middle ground, but will try not to be intimidated and find my voice :) </p> <p>I think I'll also ask if I can wait until after the exam to talk things through. I feel way more vulnerable and intimidated sitting there with no pants and a sheet. I'm sure there's correlation between ability to be assertive and pants. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-965402 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 22:23:01 +0000 coastmama 965402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even though I was hooked up to the IV, they let me move around as I wanted in the hospital. And honestly, by the time my water broke and the real pain began, I would have liked to have seen someone tell me I had to lay still in that bed. There was no way. The fetal monitor they used did strap around me, but they would take it off if I wanted to move, and then do random checks as needed. I cannot see how they could possibly make you stay in the bed like that. That's ridiculous. I don't know about the eating thing, they only gave me ice chips, but I had a short labor so it didn't really become an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-965339 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 21:47:11 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 965339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a giant bummer. I don't think it's hopeless and maybe you did just get a cranky-pants nurse. My advice:</p> <p>1) Don't give up on intermittent monitoring. Ask your OB about it, ask your nurse about it, ask for a new nurse &amp; ask her about it, insist they give you a good reason why you can't do that. Med-free labor will be harder if you're stuck to that machine. And you CAN be out of the bed if you're continuously monitored. The nurses aren't in the room all the time, so get out of that bed if you want! </p> <p>2) Go with the IV. I had to have it and it was generally annoying, but no big deal. If you're not continuously monitored, you can take the IV with you while you walk, move about, even in the shower (I did - it just sat outside the shower area.</p> <p>3) I wasn't able to eat during my labor and it wasn't awful. Honestly, I didn't *want* food. But I was able to drink water - they insisted upon it! I can't imagine they won't want you to drink water! Bring your own water bottle and drink when they're not in the room. Our hospital also let me drink broth. Ask your OB about that maybe?</p> <p>4)Get your husband on board with your preferences, so he can advocate for you. But remember they are *preferences* and be prepared to have things change. Have you read any birthing books? The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin has really good pro/con/alternatives info for all the different hospital interventions.</p> <p>5) Stay home as long as you can, if you can! With any luck, you'll be far enough along that many of your concerns will be minimized. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964989 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 20:15:32 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 964989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, this is so tough. Its a big part of why we chose to go with the midwives instead of an OB. I really hope it was just the nurse who gave you the tour who insists on the lying down - its really an ineffective way to give birth, and I've heard it can make contractions worse. I would totally push back, ask to speak to a few different people, advocate for yourself!</p> <p>As far as the no eating/drinking - what if you delayed going to the hospital? Like, waited until contractions were really close, or you know you're in active labour? That way, you're minimizing the time that you're in the hospital and not eating/drinking/lying down. </p> <p>In any case - I really hope that things work out well for you. Don't be afraid to advocate; you don't *have* to do anything that you don't feel comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964499 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:18:07 +0000 FarmWifeGina 964499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Oh, baha, I totally forgot that it was just the tube, lol. Derp. </p> <p>I too had a great hospital in a podunk, tiny country hospital (the maternity ward consisted of 3 beds) that was not used to wild crunchy mommas like me, but my doctor pretty much turned a blind eye as broke every rule in the book and wrote orders for things like a heplock and intermittent monitoring. I was in labor for 21 hours before we got to the hospital too and waited until I was sure I was in active labor before we left for the hospital. We could have waited longer, but we were 50 miles from the hospital and since it was my second baby, I was freaked out about going fast and giving birth on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere North Dakota in February, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964475 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:11:49 +0000 prettylizy 964475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I would also consider asking for a meeting (with your SO) with the charge nurse on the floor or someone of authority. Go in together as a united front and state your concerns and why you are choosing to do certain things. </p> <p>Remember---- YOU ARE A PAYING CUSTOMER!!!! You pay them to provide you with a service!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964470 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:09:40 +0000 Espion 964470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: is totally correct, but just to clarify, the needle does not stay in your arm in a heplock, just the flexible plastic tube. (I'm only saying because people ask me about this all the time.)</p> <p>If it makes you feel better my hospital tour said the exact same thing. However if they forced me to not eat or to not get out of bed I would've told them to go climb a tree. I know how hospitals work, and I know why they tell you all the stuff. Primarily it's a CYA maneuver that is for some people's benefit but not all. </p> <p>A hospital not a prison. You can say no. </p> <p>In a situation where you are concerned about such it really helps to have either a doula or your husband on board to run interference. You maybe in a situation where you are too stressed to ask questions or to get full clarification of certain things. That being said, I will also say that it's absolutely best to mentally prepare yourself for every possibility. Most people don't go in wanting to have a cesarean section, per se, however people who are mentally prepared for this possibility generally have a more favorable view of their birth experience, no matter what happens. </p> <p>I wish you exactly the birth experience you want, mama. You are so close!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964459 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:03:08 +0000 travellingbee 964459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ran into the same issue. I was, in the end, not able to negotiate. I was 38 weeks and didn't feel comfortable switching doctors and hospitals. They wouldn't do a heplock (or saline lock) and I wasn't allowed up out of the bed. I couldn't eat or drink which ended up not being that big of a deal because I was so focused on labor that I didn't even notice the not eating or drinking. (Until I was pushing and then I was very thirsty!) I hate that the hospitals and doctors are so inflexible and next time I will know to find a doctor that works with me instead of against me. That said, my birth experience was great, actually. I labored at home as long as possible and that made it better. I used my own tub/shower/birthing ball and used different positions with DH applying counter pressure etc. and went to the hospital when my contractions were 2 minutes apart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-feeling-some-kind-of-way#post-964455 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:00:21 +0000 runsyellowlites 964455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A heplock is an IV that is not hooked up to fluid, so you can be up moving around.</p> <p>As for the continuos fetal monitoring... Evidence actually does show that it increases risk of unnecessary cesarean (it hasn't lowered mortality rates though)....</p> <p>As for the doula, see if you can find a student doula in your area... Alot of time they will offer their services for free or very minimal. And idk what ins you have but I do know homebirth MW that have managed to work with quite a few different carriers (I'd definitely call around &amp; ask if that's the only reason you aren't doing hb) </p>