This is something that has been on my mind since I found out I was pregnant with B2. I had a very pleasant labor & delivery experience with Brooke.
I will try not to get into too many details or be too ‘visual’, but if talking about labor gives you the heebie-jeebies, you are free to dip out now, I won’t be offended Image may be NSFW.
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With Brooke, my water broke on it’s own at home around 9:30 in the morning, and we made it into the hospital around noon. I was not contracting on my own (and honestly, I think I was too excited to let them happen on their own and just ready to meet her) so I was hooked up to Pitocin around 1pm. By 3pm, the contractions were manageable but coming fast. I opted to go ahead and order the epidural (it was in our ‘birth plan’ to get one anyway), but by 4pm, they. were. insane. It was all I could do breathe through them. They were on top of each other – I had no break in between – and I just wanted some relief. I got the epidural or so and it was so much better. I don’t remember much between 4pm and 11pm, but I started pushing at 11pm and she was born at 11:28, not bad for a first timer!
With the epidural, I couldn’t feel a single thing. I was dead-legged. I hated that part. I had no control over my entire lower body. Which, in the heat of the action was fine, because I didn’t feel anything, but afterwards, I felt that if I had been able to feel something that maybe my recovery would have been a bit easier or better?
So this go ’round, I’m going to try for a medication/intervention-free labor.
The Plan
I haven’t taken any classes or read any books, though I have done a lot of research online. So I may not be the most prepared, but I feel like I will be good. I know that sounds ridiculous. It probably is. But it’s my goal.
So here are the things I’m going to do, you know, given labor goes exactly how I plan (hah!) to ease the pain.
Labor in the tub – I’ve read a lot that says that the warm water, coupled with jets (if you have them) can take quite a bit of pain out of the contractions. I’m all about giving this one a try.
Birthing ball – I bounced around at our house on a birthing ball the days leading up to my water breaking with Brooke. They have these in the hospital too, so I plan to ask for one that I can bounce on, lean on, etc. while in labor if needed.
Squat bar – This bar attaches to the bed and makes it so you can squat while leaning on the bar. I’ve heard and read that this really helps gravity to migrate the baby down and takes pressure off of certain areas.
Visualizations – One of the best visualization ideas I have heard and read is to see the contractions as waves in the ocean. They are going to keep coming, so I just have to ride them out. This is probably much, much easier said than done, but it’s going on my list regardless.
Coaching – Robert and my OB are aware that I intend to go med-free and both are very supportive. So I’ll rely a lot on Robert to help me through the pain, apply counter pressure if needed, and just be supportive in general.
These are just some ideas I’ve had or found and hope to have the opportunity to implement them! At the end of the day, the most important thing is a safe delivery and a healthy baby and mama, but I feel like if I have a plan, even a half-assed one, that I have a better chance of going med-free.
Obviously I will post after he is here and let you know how this all pans out! Wish me luck!
Thinking Out Loud with the Ammmmazing Amanda today!
Image may be NSFW.
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Your turn! Anyone have tips or tricks on going med-free?
Any methods you used that helped you get over the edge, especially during transition?? Help me out!! Image may be NSFW.
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