Note To Pregnant Women [Archive]

trailerparkmedic

07-22-2011, 02:07 AM

Please don't take this to Fratching.

You know what? If you don't want a hospital birth, don't have one. Have a home birth. Go to a birthing center. Even in Conservative Texas City, there are plenty of midwives who will accommodate both preferences. I'm taught by one and my google-fu shows many in the metro area, especially in Rich Suburb, where we happen to be birthing your baby right now. Please don't come and freak out because the hospital is different than the birthing center.

Or, if your midwife or doctor sends you to the hospital because you're not low risk, don't take it out on the staff, and don't expect your birth to go according to the idealized version you had in your head. You should REALLY be not yelling at the nurses when you're admitted from the doctor's office to be induced because he's worried about you. You know we're full because you waited in the triage room for 2 hours while we "encouraged" a postpartum mom to leave before lunch instead of later in the day so we could give you her bed, so your comments about "trying to trick me into coming here so you can keep this hospital afloat" aren't going to go far.

Yes, we need to start an IV. We're working with you and giving you the option for a saline lock (IV in body but not hooked up to anything) for now, but it's part of our protocol here for the 10 reasons I just explained to you. Or, your came in for an induction. That means you get drugs to start your labor so you need an IV so we can give you drugs. Oh, you want to throw a fit and say you'll just get a C-section instead? No problem, let me just start your IV as IV access is necessary for the major surgery you want.

I'm asking you about your pain medication preference because that's one of the questions we ask here. We don't care if you turn down pain meds and shriek in pain while you're having the kid. That's your right and the walls are surprisingly thick. We do tend to mind when you scream at us for even suggesting that you might "take the easy way out and hurt my baby."

Ditto for breastfeeding. If you have questions about breast vs formula feeding, we'll answer them, but otherwise we'll check the box and keep on going until the baby comes. Don't accuse us of being part of the "formula conspiracy" just because we dared to ask you what your plans are. We asked so we know if we should schedule you with the lactation consultant and to know which diaper bag set to give you later.

Also, you're not really allowed to decline all pain medication if you're getting a C-section. You could probably choose general anesthesia (even if the option is only offered because we want you to SHUT UP), but chances are you're getting something in your spine. For some reason this hospital isn't too keen on slicing open fully awake women who can feel everything. Sure, we'll have your doctor come talk to you. I think he's hanging around the nurse's station so he can stay updated on you because he's afraid of what you're going to do to his malpractice premium.

I don't know what websites you've been reading, but yes, we do need to do internal exams. We really need to do one right now because you said you're feeling pressure and you can't push until you're fully dilated and the baby is down far enough. Yes, we want to limit them since your water broke, but we haven't done one in 3 hours and your condition has changed. Yes, we're worried about infection and that's why we are using a sterile glove. I'll be happy to get your doctor and have him tell you the exact same things we just said. Wait, what? You want the student and only the student to do the exam? Please pardon us while the student stares at you, speechless, and the doctor tries very hard not to laugh. We'll just have the doctor do it, ok?

Sorry if any of this sounds harsh, but it was a long day with some crazy women. Just when we finished with #1l, #2 came in.

AnaKhouri

07-22-2011, 02:26 AM

:eek::eek::eek:

Someone...doesn't...want...drugs...during...a....c-section?

Where they, you know, cut through skin and muscle and move your intestines around a bit?

RecoveringKinkoid

07-22-2011, 02:34 AM

I would submit to you that this aversion to drugs is probably an extremely recent thing.

I'm just saying.

teh_blumchenkinder

07-22-2011, 02:55 AM

:blink: A c-section is surgery. Major surgery. Damn.
I fully acknowledge that I will be in a hospital when giving birth, if only because of my paranoia of hypoglycemia, infection, and pain. I will not be happy, no matter what, because a 10-pound lump of blood, bones, and (eventual) adorableness will be squeezing it's way out of a hole way too small for it over the course of what will be at least 10 hours. If God smiles on me.
Yeah, it costs money, but you know what? I'd rather not die. I'd rather my baby didn't die.
I'd also like to not commit multiple homicides from being pain-crazy.
... why do I want kids again??? :confused:

trailerparkmedic

07-22-2011, 03:07 AM

:eek::eek::eek:

Someone...doesn't...want...drugs...during...a....c-section?

Where they, you know, cut through skin and muscle and move your intestines around a bit?

I think she thought that if she refused drugs we would stop getting her ready for her C-section. She was really attached to the idea of having a vaginal birth but circumstances developed that made that dangerous for the baby. Thankfully her mom showed up not long afterwards and talked some sense into her in only the way a momma can.

I fully acknowledge that I will be in a hospital when giving birth, if only because of my paranoia of hypoglycemia, infection, and pain. I will not be happy, no matter what, because a 10-pound lump of blood, bones, and (eventual) adorableness will be squeezing it's way out of a hole way too small for it over the course of what will be at least 10 hours.

I hear that you are so sick of being pregnant, labor doesn't sound nearly as bad at 40 weeks than it does right now.

RecoveringKinkoid

07-22-2011, 03:10 AM

Mishi

07-22-2011, 03:16 AM

:eek: A caeserean without pain medication? Where the hell was she getting her information from?
:rolleyes: Internal exams are part and parcel of having a baby. They're not comfortable for anyone, least of all the midwife or doctor!

@Teh: Be prepared for the worst but cautiously optimistic. It might turn out better than you expected, and since you've already done the research, know the risks and still want a baby... you'll probably end up being an awesome parent.

I will admit to arguing with a doctor, but it was polite and we came to a compromise after 15 minutes of me explaining why I didn't want to book a caeserean. I agreed to coming in the next day to have an experienced OB/GYN try to turn my breech baby, with the understanding that I might end up with an emergency caeserean. Went to L/D the next morning, off for a sonogram and Bubbles had turned herself overnight!

Oh God yes, by 8 months you really don't care who is going to see what! I'm very shy, but none of it bothered me, I just wanted my babies to get out already.

Micer

07-22-2011, 03:19 AM

We had someone like that in our water birthing class (Yes, I know I'm nuts, everyone else who hears my plans for a water birth and my wanting to avoid drugs thinks I'm nuts - I don't do good with anesthesia, blood pressure issues) Every single question out of her mouth was about how she didn't want the nurses/doctors on call involved, and how could she go about making sure that none of the nurses could 'butt in' and prevent any I guess "Her Time" between her and the midwife. Followed with how she didn't want anyone taking the baby out of the room for any reason at all, almost sounded like she wanted to pop the little guy out and just leave the damn hospital in the same day.

I felt for the teacher hosting the class, because by the third time she started up again, even I wanted to throw out a STFU at her and tell her to just do a damn home birth.

But poor staff >_<; Glad to know I behaved way better when they sent me in for a precaution to my blood pressure spiking and dropping protein, okay, might have pouted when they brought up inducing me early (that and for the midwife jokingly yelling at me for not taking it easy and for having such a trouble maker baby - he's refusing to come out now) That lady sounded like a complete loop, especially on the no drugs for a C-section.

For cripes sake though, you guys are there to make sure nothing goes wrong - not get yelled at!

Der Cute

07-22-2011, 03:29 AM

Yeah, is it possible she was under the Crazy Hormonal Rush or I Can't Think Straight When I'm Giving Birth issues?

Overall. Yeah, I'm sorry she was being stubbornly ...stubborn.

patiokitty

07-22-2011, 03:40 AM

I have come to the conclusion that pregnancy hormones do some rather strange things to people. I know they did with me...and I still pity those nurses that had to deal with me. And I was nowhere as bad as the lady in the next room over that literally had to be tied down to the bed because she wouldn't stop screaming her fool head off!

I had my son vaginally...all 9lb 13 oz. No, we didn't expect him to be so big or I'd have had a c-section. He did a LOT of damage coming out. They had wanted to give me an IV for pain while waiting for me to fully dilate but I'm genuinely phobic of the things. Instead I was given laughing gas.

But after I had my son I started hemorraging (sp?) because my uterus wasn't contracting. Again they brought out the IV and again I went into hysterics. Thankfully my doctor was extremely old school - he massaged my belly until my uterus responded on its own. Can't really give an IV to a person that is literally freaking out and needs to be held down. I shudder to imagine what would have happened if I they had ordered a c-section - I'm literally so phobic of IVs that for any major surgery they have to gas me to sleep before inserting the IV or I will walk out of the hospital. Once I can stop hyperventilating.

I learned that most of the pain when giving birth comes from tensing up. I was fairly relaxed until my son started on his merry way out. But considering the amount of stitches I needed, internal and external, to fix me up it was no damn wonder it hurt! I walked funny for at least a month. I've always recommended to newly pregnant friends not to tense up because it will hurt more...many of them have thanked me afterwards for that bit of advice :)

Amina516

07-22-2011, 03:48 AM

I have come to the conclusion that pregnancy hormones do some rather strange things to people.

And this, Ladies and Gents...is why I do not deal with pregnant non a professional basis. :p

teh_blumchenkinder

07-22-2011, 04:05 AM

@Teh: Be prepared for the worst but cautiously optimistic. It might turn out better than you expected, and since you've already done the research, know the risks and still want a baby... you'll probably end up being an awesome parent.
<snip>
Oh God yes, by 8 months you really don't care who is going to see what! I'm very shy, but none of it bothered me, I just wanted my babies to get out already.

Research... feh... more like horror movie. Miracle my ass more like Aliens. ._____.
I have the motto of 'prepare for the worst, hope for the best' as a thing. It's how I deal with life and anxiety. :)
Wanting it out will mean that I (most likely) won't have a panic attack. But smiling while I push? :lol: nope! I'm sure I'll be glad of the results by the end tho. It's a faith thing, much like college right now. :(
EDIT: thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Mishi. :) It does mean a lot. *puts in mental treasurebox, right next to "You're a genuine person" from a classmate, and "You're beautiful" from a complete lady-stranger as the first thing she said to me and wasn't hitting on me!.*

iradney

07-22-2011, 05:46 AM

fireheart

07-22-2011, 06:55 AM

Slightly OT, but would it be weird to ask the nurses to prop up a mirror during a C Section so you can see whats going on?

I'm not pregnant, but I'm in favour of a C Section, and I really really really want to see what they do....

slightly off-topic, but on a episode of RPA (medical doco thing in Australia) which was a "where are they now?" type thing, one of the episodes dealt with a C-section. The husband was all ready to go and watch the C-section in progress (masked, gowned, etc, he managed to get INSIDE the theatre), then at some point (I'm guessing it was when they made the incision) he went pale, went out into the hallway, then passed out near a hospital bed :lol:

I've decided that unless there is a medical reason for a C-section (or bubs is breech and can't be turned) then when I go down the pregnant route, I'm going to try a vaginal birth. Sure I'll be demanding painkillers and possibly a water birth as well, but I'd rather have a C-section as a last resort or until it is absolutely necessary. (two girls I know had to have C-sections, one because bubs was in distress the other because she was VERY overdue and also in distress)

teh_blumchenkinder

07-22-2011, 07:18 AM

There's reasons for and against c-sections as a first option. Recovery is longer for the mother if she has a c-section, 'cuz you get sliced open. There's other stuff too... :shudder:
The mirror request may not be all that odd. I think I've heard of it once or twice. :shrug:

iradney

07-22-2011, 07:48 AM

If the doc says "eh, go natural, you won't have any issues" then I'll obviously follow medical advice (like hello, they do this for a living). But I would still want to see what happens :lol: i'm nosy, what can I say?!

teh_blumchenkinder

07-22-2011, 07:51 AM

You could totally have it filmed. That is not unusual at all. :) aahhh, 'miracles.'
.___.;
EdIT: c-sections also cost more, which, if you have a doc after money, and insurance assurances (ie less likely to get sued), they'll recommend a c-section if you don't need it. BUT that's if they're less than scrupulous, or concerned for their butts./whatiheard

Seshat

07-22-2011, 08:20 AM

(Yes, I know I'm nuts, everyone else who hears my plans for a water birth and my wanting to avoid drugs thinks I'm nuts - I don't do good with anesthesia, blood pressure issues)

Not nuts.

It sounds like you've done your research, and that you're willing to accept more ... interference-y stuff if it's necessary for your/baby's health and wellbeing. So definitely sounds not-nuts to me.

My doctor, my mental health nurse, my other medicos: all have the philosophy that drugs, surgery, etc are to be used as and when appropriate and necessary, but that for many things, there are alternatives that are much healthier.

A childbirth that goes well? Try heat packs, cold packs, water birthing, massage, family support as pain management techniques, and just have someone skilled at noticing problems in the room to supervise.

I'm one of those who's against avoidable C sections; mostly cause I think cutting through the corset muscles is nasty damage & should be avoided if possible. That said, if I were making medical decisions for self or family member and the doctor made a good case for a C section, I'd say 'go for it'. I'd prefer a slice through the corset muscles than a dead mother or baby!

Bah. I'm sort of going into my lecturing mode again.

Point I'm trying to make is: the women in the OP are idiots. Human babies have evolved HUGE skulls, larger than human pelvic regions are really evolved to handle. (yet)
Therefore medical interference IS sometimes necessary! DEAL WITH IT!

teh_blumchenkinder

07-22-2011, 08:55 AM

... at least we aren't like French Bulldogs, only 20 percent can give birth naturally! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Bulldog#Birth_and_reproduction)

Moogles

07-22-2011, 12:17 PM

Wow she was crazy...
I was lucky and had a nurse-midwife, and she looked at my chart. She decided upfront that there would be no pain medication, and no doctor until I was ready to push. Myself and my mother agreed with her 100% (because I'm deathly allergic to whats in the epidural).
I had issues with mine
1) I was in back labor the whole time. Bubs was face down, but with her back lying on my spine. We tried and tried to rotate her, but eventually my body decided enough was enough and was started pushing on its own. They broke my water and then..
2) Staining! My poor fluid was stained so bad by meconium it was almost black. I was a full week overdue (by ultrasound), but we're pretty sure I was closer to 2 weeks over. Bubs was fine, no issues at all and a healthy 7lbs 8oz.

And of course she rotated on the way down, so I was torn very badly.

Teh: After you have a baby, you won't even feel the pain. You'll just be astounded by the beautiful/amazing being that you brought into existence. Childbirth is just a step on the way. You'll be amazed how strong you can be

trailerparkmedic

07-22-2011, 12:41 PM

Slightly OT, but would it be weird to ask the nurses to prop up a mirror during a C Section so you can see whats going on?

Not weird, but I'm not sure if they'd accommodate you. When you get a C section they put up drapes so you can't see what's going on below your shoulders. It was explained to me that women who can see what's going on had a tendency to freak out, even if they said they wanted to see it. You'll certainly feel what is going on (the pressure and the yanking), even with the anesthesia. It never hurts to ask though!

I'm not going to touch the elective C section debate with a 20 foot pole, but woman #2's C section was not just for fun. She had developed a serious health issue that could have killed her and the only cure for the condition is to remove baby. She was term so it wasn't going to be a problem for baby.

telecom_goddess

07-22-2011, 02:09 PM

Yeah, by month eight or nine, you don't care. By then, you are pretty much done with the whole "miracle of having a life inside you" thing and you just want to see your damn ankles again and maybe manage to not piss yourself when you sneeze.

And this from someone who actually enjoyed being pregnant.

:lol::lol::lol::roll::roll:

I so hear ya on that one!!!!!

I know that by that time I was so done....and with three kids I had a variety of births. First one was at home with no drugs...and by the time I had the third one I was on a full pain med regime including epidural in the hospital :D

ArcticChicken

07-22-2011, 02:38 PM

(Yes, I know I'm nuts, everyone else who hears my plans for a water birth and my wanting to avoid drugs thinks I'm nuts - I don't do good with anesthesia, blood pressure issues)

I don't. 'Course, my mom's a midwife, so I've been hearing about different birthing choices most of my life. I remember when she talked her hospital into adding a water birth tub, and from what she tells me, if you want to skip the pain meds, water birth is the way to go.

AnaKhouri

07-22-2011, 03:46 PM

My husband confessed that he peeked around the drape to see what the surgeon was doing and recoiled when he saw a grayish loop of intestine. Nothing like getting a look at your wife's guts! :lol:

I know there has been some controversy about unneeded c-sections, but I figure, if the doctor tells you you need it you probably do. I had a midwife who came to me after 14 hours and said, "OK, he's not coming out naturally." I was very much against having a c-section (and drugs, until I started having serious contractions :o), but at that point I wanted him out and I knew if I said no we both would probably die, so yeah. :rolleyes:

AccountingDrone

07-22-2011, 06:01 PM

Not weird, but I'm not sure if they'd accommodate you. When you get a C section they put up drapes so you can't see what's going on below your shoulders. It was explained to me that women who can see what's going on had a tendency to freak out, even if they said they wanted to see it. You'll certainly feel what is going on (the pressure and the yanking), even with the anesthesia. It never hurts to ask though!

I'm not going to touch the elective C section debate with a 20 foot pole, but woman #2's C section was not just for fun. She had developed a serious health issue that could have killed her and the only cure for the condition is to remove baby. She was term so it wasn't going to be a problem for baby.

Shame, I watched my first tubal ligation, it was a blast. After I got inflated, I looked like I was about 2 years pregnant =) Watching the monitor was sweet - human insides are interesting.

RecoveringKinkoid

07-22-2011, 08:27 PM

I had the spinal thingy. I could feel everything, and I wanted to, but it took the edge off enough that I could participate in the process a little better. My labor hit really hard really fast. Put it this way...you know how they say call the doctor when the contractions are five minutes apart? They started at five minutes apart. I was afraid I'd have her in the car, no lie. So I didn't have time to adjust to the pain, it was like one minute I'm making chili in my kitchen and the literally the next, I'm in freaking labor.

I have a high pain tolerance...in fact, my doctor says he's never seen somebody be able to control pain like he's seen me do, but I sort of need a little time to prepare for it. And the panicky feeling of suddenly being in the throes of labor without any warning or preamble didn't help. So I went ahead and got the spinal, and then made them pull back on it till I could feel my body again.

Otherwise, I don't know how I'd have gotten on top of the pain enough to breathe and push properly.

A C section with no drugs? Yeah, I'm gonna chalk that lapse in judgement up to pregnant hormones making her crazy. That, and profound naivety.

thatcrazyredhead

07-22-2011, 08:50 PM

After you have a baby, you won't even feel the pain. You'll just be astounded by the beautiful/amazing being that you brought into existence.

Yeah, that's what they all say, but I don't buy a word of it. :p

Quoth RecoveringKinkoid
Yeah, by month eight or nine, you don't care. By then, you are pretty much done with the whole "miracle of having a life inside you" thing and you just want to see your damn ankles again and maybe manage to not piss yourself when you sneeze.

And this from someone who actually enjoyed being pregnant.

:roll::roll::roll:

My co-worker is about 8 months along. I'll have to share this with her. :lol:

Victory Sabre

07-22-2011, 08:52 PM

Yeah, by month eight or nine, you don't care. By then, you are pretty much done with the whole "miracle of having a life inside you" thing and you just want to see your damn ankles again and maybe manage to not piss yourself when you sneeze.

And this from someone who actually enjoyed being pregnant.

My friend S was just like that. She wanted the little one out of her so badly at the end. I was talking to her Saturday, and she was so ready for it to be over with.

She had her little bundle of joy late Tuesday night.

Now if the father of the kid would grow up...

Seshat

07-22-2011, 10:48 PM

I'm not going to touch the elective C section debate with a 20 foot pole, but woman #2's C section was not just for fun. She had developed a serious health issue that could have killed her and the only cure for the condition is to remove baby. She was term so it wasn't going to be a problem for baby.

Yeah - the elective C section debate is definitely Fratching material.

But ... GAH! Look, woman, the nice doctor is telling you that YOU WILL DIE if the baby doesn't come out! And the baby is full term, so the baby will be PERFECTLY SAFE! HAVE THE DAMN C SECTION!

... sorry. Just... well. Yeah. I .. uh .. agree with you. Was that a touch obvious? :o

blas

07-22-2011, 11:08 PM

If I ever did get pregnant, and it got to birthing time........the father would be forced to stand here right next to the doctor, front and center, to see what he did to me. I have to feel the pain, you get to watch the baby come out, and everything that comes with it.

That's my rule. So far, no guys have agreed to it. Looks like I don't have to worry about it then :)

Sapphire Silk

07-23-2011, 12:42 AM

Yeah - the elective C section debate is definitely Fratching material.

But ... GAH! Look, woman, the nice doctor is telling you that YOU WILL DIE if the baby doesn't come out! And the baby is full term, so the baby will be PERFECTLY SAFE! HAVE THE DAMN C SECTION!

... sorry. Just... well. Yeah. I .. uh .. agree with you. Was that a touch obvious? :o

I'm all for natural childbirth. I've been teaching OB nursing long enough, and seen enough complications and unnecessary C-sections from improperly administered Pitocin, that I think women who want to avoid all that are on to something.

My SIL went natural, and had no problems with her deliveries: very little pain, and no complications post delivery. Three very healthy babies.

But I do agree with trailerparkmedic: there is a very good REASON obstetricians came up with the interventions they did. Women died in droves from complications of childbirth prior to the avent of these meds and procedures. My problem with them is not that they exist, but that they are sometimes abused for "convenience."

But for pity's sake . . . TRUST your physician when he tells you that you have a complication and need additional interventions.

I went through a similar situation once: baby was having fetal distress (heart rate dropping rapidly) and needed a state C section. Mom resisted, and insisted on a vaginal birth. Baby came out, but needed some mild resuscitation, and Mom hemorrhaged.

Doc ordered Cytotec to stop the bleeding. Mom almost refused to take it because she'd read on some natural childbirth site it shouldn't be used to induce labor.

She's right. It shouldn't. But she'd already HAD the baby!

I really hate the Internet sometimes.

Midnight12

07-23-2011, 12:51 AM

:eek::eek::eek:

Someone...doesn't...want...drugs...during...a....c-section?

Where they, you know, cut through skin and muscle and move your intestines around a bit?

jaw hits floor, breaks floor. wow...just... wow i am SO sorry
agreed. just out of curiosity where was the husband/father whatnot. I would NOT want a student to examine me while in labor. No offense to the student but he/she only has so much experience and probably doesn't want to come near your crazy behind!

teh_blumchenkinder

07-23-2011, 01:15 AM

Teh: After you have a baby, you won't even feel the pain. You'll just be astounded by the beautiful/amazing being that you brought into existence. Childbirth is just a step on the way. You'll be amazed how strong you can be

That's what I hear. I still won't believe it until it happens; but then I'm also the person who doesn't know if she can die for someone/some idea until she's making the choice.
It's still gross. :D :cry:
Also... isn't meconium... uh, baby poo? *looks* yep.
Ick. Give bub a bath! :lol: And if she rotated on the way out ... then... does that mean she's ... *puts on sunglasses* a little screwy?
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110430020052/sonicfanon/images/a/a6/Csi_miami_yeah.jpg

Midnight12

07-23-2011, 02:17 AM

LOL
a little OT
it also doesn't help that while expecting alot of people feel compelled to share their scary stories. try not to let it get to you. makes me believe that the woman the OP was referring to let those scare stories get to her

Mishi

07-23-2011, 02:40 AM

That's what I hear. I still won't believe it until it happens <snip>

TMI Time:
Once bub's head was out each time, the pain ceased which was awesome because the midwives here like the mum to pause for a moment so they can check for the cord and untangle it if necessary.
For me, it felt like taking a giant dump. Not magical or anything. My midwife for Jazzy jokingly told me off because I was so insistant that I HAD to go to the bathroom, got there and went "Oh, wow... bub's crowning!"

teh_blumchenkinder

07-23-2011, 03:10 AM

Yeah, I hear that too. From my own mother, even. :roll:
EDIT: the acts of sex and pregnancy and birth/the few months of recovery are all one big act of Too Much Information :brainbleach:

AnaKhouri

07-23-2011, 03:11 AM

Yeah, that's what they all say, but I don't buy a word of it.

Yeah, that's bullshit. I remember everything. EVERYTHING. :devil:

After the surgery my husband started to cry. I asked him why and he said, "A hundred years ago, you would both be dead." :o

SuperRTL

07-23-2011, 04:53 AM

There are some crazy people out there, especially when it comes to childbirth. The no pain meds during a c-section woman literally made my skin crawl.

My advice on watching the c-section: don't. Seriously. Watch a video of it being done to somebody else AFTER the baby is born or before you're pregnant. Get a little distance. And also, having had 2 of them, I was so out of it, I had trouble on focusing on anything until they announced the time of live birth. September 7, 12:12pm. In that moment, I remembered that my son had been born October 7, 12:12pm, almost 7 years earlier.

I remember asking my husband to sing the song the anesthesiologist had been singing when my son was born (he was weird, I liked him) and I asked the nurses to count her fingers and toes. I don't think I could have focused on anything as far away as the mirror would have to be to see the operation.

RecoveringKinkoid

07-23-2011, 05:39 AM

Yeah, I liked my anesthesiologist, too. In fact, I proposed marriage to him when that painkiller hit my system.

Everyone laughed when I did that. I reckon they mistakenly thought I was kidding.

teh_blumchenkinder

07-23-2011, 05:43 AM

:lol: polyandry! I'll probably have to write out papers saying that anything I say during labor isn't binding, legally or otherwise. I'm the type to be high-strung when stuff's happening, there's nothing I can do, there's no good way to control it, and I *hates* it, and have time and space to think in any way shape or form about it. ... Like labor. Gah. Lots of cursing. Lots of "OMGWHYYYY~" Lots of "WE ARE DIVORCED I HATE YOU."
Thankfully, BF loves/goes for the insane girls. Literally. Crazy. I'm the closest to sane he's ever going to get, and we know each other well.
EDIT: these papers will cover stuff like in the original post: procedures will be followed, and if I say "no drugs for c-section," then everyone else can happily ignore me.

iradney

07-23-2011, 09:03 AM

Yeah, I liked my anesthesiologist, too. In fact, I proposed marriage to him when that painkiller hit my system.

Everyone laughed when I did that. I reckon they mistakenly thought I was kidding.

My Dad's an anesthetist. I'll be pulling him out of retirement when I have my kid, coz he's the best.

Moogles

07-23-2011, 01:01 PM

Teh: Bub had a bath, and the ENTIRE NICU team looking after her for an hour til her fever went down. Was hard on my mom.. cause she worked in the NICU and was in fact supposed to work the day I gave birth. When I went into labor, she raced to work to tell them she wasn't going to be in and that they may have another baby in the unit for a bit. We got lucky, her fever cleared and she knew how to breastfeed like a pro (some baby don't know how to latch on)

Meconium staining tends to happen if the baby is overdue, which she was

kpzra

07-23-2011, 01:24 PM

This is why before the induction was even started, my doctor, husband, and I all talked about what could/would happen and what I wanted. I had all the consent forms signed even, so when my doctor told me it was c-section time (narc OD and 30 hours of contractions with ZERO dilation) there was no discussion. Of course, I was pretty much unconscious by that time. My husband watched the whole thing, from first cut to J being pulled out, but he's a Ranger medic so he's used to blood and such. I do remember being pissed that she was born at 3:31pm, not 3:30...LOL

Seshat

07-23-2011, 01:29 PM

Having the potential complications and all discussed beforehand is a Very Smart Idea. Including consent forms and so forth. :)

And yes... a hundred years ago, a lot of us would be dead/insane/in a freakshow/whatever.

fireheart

07-23-2011, 03:25 PM

Yeah, I liked my anesthesiologist, too. In fact, I proposed marriage to him when that painkiller hit my system.

Everyone laughed when I did that. I reckon they mistakenly thought I was kidding.

He's probably been proposed to a thousand times already. :lol:

Or been told that he's loved.

dalesys

07-23-2011, 06:52 PM

My mother tells of being in the recovery room (this was the 50's, when mothers were like the lights in Georgia) LHAO at another new mom, just coming out of twilight asking her hubby:

Tell me about the baaabeee
He has ten fingers Thas nice...
Ten toes Thas nice
Two ears Thas nice
Two heads Thas nice...

I'm sure she killed him later.

Sapphire Silk

07-23-2011, 11:42 PM

It's still gross. :D :cry:
Also... isn't meconium... uh, baby poo? *looks* yep.
Ick. Give bub a bath! :lol: And if she rotated on the way out ... then... does that mean she's ... *puts on sunglasses* a little screwy?
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110430020052/sonicfanon/images/a/a6/Csi_miami_yeah.jpg

Baby's naturally rotate a couple of times during a vaginal birth. It lets the shoulder get past the pubic bone.

Don't worry about the baby poo. It's sterile :D

TMI Time:
Once bub's head was out each time, the pain ceased which was awesome because the midwives here like the mum to pause for a moment so they can check for the cord and untangle it if necessary.
For me, it felt like taking a giant dump. Not magical or anything. My midwife for Jazzy jokingly told me off because I was so insistant that I HAD to go to the bathroom, got there and went "Oh, wow... bub's crowning!"

When I was a student and saw my first delivery, I was walking her in the hall when she said she had to have a bowel movement.

I remembered what my instructor had told me about that, and insisted she get checked by the nurse first.

She was fully dilated and ready to push. She delivered less than a minute later (and a big good of blood and amniotic fluid in my face as I was working a hand crank to lower the head of the bed for the doctor). :rolleyes:

BuffySummers

07-24-2011, 01:09 AM

I had epidurals and vaginal deliveries for both my boys, and it still hurt like nothing imaginable - but you forgive the pain because, look - baby!

I also had my gall bladder removed 5 weeks after delivering my oldest - full abdominal surgery, since my organs were still all squished from pregnancy, and the dr couldn't see to operate laproscopically - and I gotta tell you, even with stitches, recovering from a vaginal delivery is WAAAAAAYYYYYY easier than recovering from abdominal surgery. Within an hour of delivering both kids, I was puttering happily around my room in the maternity ward, pumping and/or nursing, and basically feeling OK. Within an hour of waking up after my surgery, I was pressing the morphine pump like I was doing the Konami Code.

It's beyond wonderful that the C-Section exists for when it's necessary - my close girlfriend's baby is alive because she had an emx c-sect, and thank heavens for that. But if you have the choice. . .think really, really hard about what's worse - a few hours of pain vs. 3-4+ weeks of recovery. . .

And, yes. Delivery feels like taking a giant dump, and having a bag of wriggly jellyfish come out instead of poo.

hotelslave

07-24-2011, 01:31 AM

My sister is 33 weeks prego and is completely miserable due to the heat. Doesn't help bro in law is cheap and will turn off the a/c when he thinks its cool enough. She thinks its crazy people who go natural birth.

Midnight12

07-24-2011, 01:41 AM

hopefully this isn't too off topic but is now jealous of all those who delivered vaginally. Due to the recovery process. Some soreness is normal I was told, but...I didn't even get to the epidural before I had to have emergency c-sec...recovery was brutal.

And if i want a second child will more than likely have to have a c-sec again because of the way it was done. Some say i can delivery vaginally but as it should be know, ASK MY DR. sigh...

ArcticChicken

07-24-2011, 03:05 PM

And if i want a second child will more than likely have to have a c-sec again because of the way it was done. Some say i can delivery vaginally but as it should be know, ASK MY DR. sigh...

It is more complicated, and there are more risks, so some doctors flat out won't do it. Before you let your doctor tell you 'no', you should see if he ever allows it. If a doctor who's willing to do VBAC tells you 'no', otoh, then it's a really bad idea.

AnaKhouri

07-24-2011, 03:11 PM

My surgeon told me I would have to have a section again (the hospital doesn't allow vaginal deliveries after c-section) but a nurse told me she had 5 kids, the first was a section and the rest were vaginal. So it's perfectly possible, you just have to find a hospital that allows you to try.

Midnight12

07-24-2011, 03:19 PM

figured that since the first sec was done on emergency instead of planned the healing process is different and there is more scar tissue for me. of which hurts some days but is nothing bad.
My thought is a planned sec versues emergency has a big hand in the delivery of future kids which may limit me to only two more but again also based on how my body heals and what the dr AND hospital say.
Was told that if you have a c-sec you can only have three kids because by the third the muscle has been cut enough times any more is dangerous. would like to move this to pm to avoid thread jacking.

trailerparkmedic

07-24-2011, 08:33 PM

Sapphire Silk

07-25-2011, 12:30 AM

Midnight, find a doctor that is VBAC friendly (seriously, call OBs asking just that question until you find one that says yes) and ask them these questions. There are at least 3 different places/ways to cut for a C-section and each of those carries different risks, so you need individualized answers.

Agree.

VBACs are perfectly safe for most women as long as the OB has your history of how your previous C section was done. He'll need to know so he can evaluate the exact risks, esp in considering how your current baby is size wise, and how sitting in the uterus.

VBACs do carry some risk, but you can mitigate it, and as long as you carefully monitor the patient, the vast majority of women do just fine.

Seshat

07-25-2011, 01:56 AM

I'd just like to emphasise Panacea's phrase here: "as long as you carefully monitor the patient".

If you want to opt for a home birth or a birthing centre birth, please do so with absolutely all the precautions your obstetrician asks for.

My sister in law went to a maternity hospital that had a birthing centre that was home-like, midwife-designed to be all friendly and so forth. Water births, crouching births, no-pain-meds births were all catered for. But there was an operating room for C-sections in the same hallway as the birthing centre, and the midwives and obstetricians worked closely with each other.

If such a place is available, that would be the ideal for a VBAC attempt.

Er. IMO, IANADoctor, etc etc. :)

Mishi

07-25-2011, 02:20 AM

Seconds Panacea, TPM and Seshat.

My local hospital caters for all kinds of births and has posters everywhere in the Antenatal Clinic which basically say "Ask us about VBAC!" The set-up is pretty much as Seshat described. I hope you find something you like and that works for you when you decide to add to the family. Wish you were over here in Aussie-land, we're all kinds of awesome! ;)

My mother had an emergency c-section with me, a standard one with my brother (new incision only a few mm away from the first scar), and then had a mini-tummy tuck with our younger sister because the doctors were worried about the placement of the incisions and all of the scar tissue.

judecat

07-26-2011, 07:03 PM

My mom had an emergency C section with my oldest brother in 1934, and then gave birth vaginally to 4 more children -- in 1936, 1942, 1951 and 1953. Yeah sis and I were unexpected.

fireheart

07-27-2011, 10:50 PM

My sister and I were both C-sections, although my sister was planned (or she wasn't able to do VBAC for some reason). I was breech and my sister was huge.

boringscreenname

07-31-2011, 08:18 AM

I've been lucky enough to avoid c-sections with both my kids. But I've had two very different labor and delivery experiences with each of them.

With my son I went into the hospital because I thought I was in labor. His heartrate started dropping when they hooked me up to the monitors, and they were worried about him becoming distressed, so they decided to admit me and induce labor.

I was really annoyed with the nurse, because she asked if I planned on getting pain medicine. I told her I hadn't decided yet, wanted to see how labor went, and how I handled the pain. So she turned around and told the doctor that I was refusing all pain medication, then the doctor comes over and starts lecturing me about how he wants me to get an epidural right now, because in case they have to do a c-section they might not have time and might put me under general anesthesia. So I went ahead and got it.

They gave me the meds to induce labor, and they didn't do anything, but my son's heartrate kept dropping. The resident went to ask the attending for permission to do a c-section, he said no try a foley induction. For those of you who don't know what that is, they basically stick a foley balloon end first in your cervix, manually inflate and force your cervix to dilate then hopefully your body takes over from there. Which mine did, but not after I needed to have medicine to raise my blood pressure (it was dipping too low), fluids, and oxygen. And when my son came out he was tangled up in the cord and they had to use forceps to get him out. It was not a fun experience, and it took me a couple weeks to heal from all the stitches, catheter, etc...

My daughter was a completely different experience. I woke up having contractions but they were about 7-10 minutes apart. We had to go grocery shopping, we had nothing in the house and had just gotten our car out of the mechanic's shop. I assumed we had time to do that, then pack my bag and head to the hospital. I was wrong, after getting groceries I was in a ton of pain, and told my DH to just take me to the hospital. I told him I couldn't walk to the Labor and Delivery floor, so he called the hospital to see if they could arrange for someone to take me. They said sure no problem, we got there, and there was no one there. My DH couldn't take me because our son was in the car and there was no way he could carry our son, plus push me. So he went into the ER, and they sent someone out fast. I stepped out of the car, and my water broke. They got me upstairs, discovered there was a bunch of meconium. And I was fully dilated ready to deliver the baby. They asked me if I wanted the epidural I said no, I didn't think there was time, and by the time they gave it to me and it started to work I'd probably already have the baby delivered.

So they just took me to the delivery room, and my daughter was born about 30-40 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. I didn't even have time to sign the consent forms, and they barely had time to start an IV and get me a hospital bracelet, which they just taped to my hospital gown. Luckily she was born very quickly and easily and I only need a couple stitches. The staff was pretty impressed because I was fairly quiet and calm throughout the whole thing. The doctor actually commented that it was too quiet in the delivery room and usually things were louder. I felt just fine after delivering her though and was up walking around a couple minutes after she was born.

SuperRTL

07-31-2011, 08:39 AM

I love easy baby stories :-) especially my moms. Mom went into labor right on time, which happened to be at her birthday party, during which a blizzard had started. They hopped into my dads car (which didn't have great heating) and headed to the hospital. The cold had stopped the labor so they sent her home to heat up. A few hours later the contractions started again. Up to the hospital they went again, my dad dropped my mom off at the ER and went to park the car. Mom told Dad to just leave it running, she would be down in a few minutes. Dad parked the car, got up to the delivery room in time to see my mom showing the nurses an easier way to wash a newborn. I was born at 3:12 am, my mom checked out at 7am and they went to Village Inn for breakfast because she was starving.

I always tell first time moms that story instead of mine.

LadyAndreca

08-01-2011, 12:50 AM

My mom has a pretty good baby story. When my second brother was born, it was my mom's fourth kid. She was a pro at it by then. However, my Dad, an Army Reservist, was doing field training when she went into labor.

So Mom's calmly calling Dad's unit and telling them she's in labor, getting the babysitter there, making sure us kids are calm, etc etc. Dad's lieutenant was a guy fresh out of training, not even married, much less having kids of his own. Dad's all calm and "okay, let me get a shower and get this camo off" and the lieutenant is "Your wife is in labor, soldier! We're leaving NOW!" (He had to be escorted by an officer since he was leaving his unit.) Dad decides it's just not worth arguing over.

So Dad walks into the maternity ward in full gear and camoflage paint and goes "Where's my wife?!" Mom hadn't even gotten there yet! :roll: The nurses made him go take a shower. :D

To hear Dad tell it, you'd think it was the lieutenant's kid, because the guy couldn't sit still and couldn't sleep at all. :lol: The poor guy never imagined being an officer involved something like that.

fireheart

08-01-2011, 04:13 AM

So Mom's calmly calling Dad's unit and telling them she's in labor, getting the babysitter there, making sure us kids are calm, etc etc. Dad's lieutenant was a guy fresh out of training, not even married, much less having kids of his own. Dad's all calm and "okay, let me get a shower and get this camo off" and the lieutenant is "Your wife is in labor, soldier! We're leaving NOW!" (He had to be escorted by an officer since he was leaving his unit.) Dad decides it's just not worth arguing over.

At least the lieutenant had their priorities in order!

My cousin was the same when she was to be induced.

monolayth

08-06-2011, 02:43 PM

I had an easy baby.

Although I was in labor for two weeks lol. Seriously had contractions every 3-5 minutes for two weeks before he came. I went to the hospital constantly. I was happy that the contractions were only uncomfortable to me.

I was scheduled for induction that Sunday and my water broke that Saturday. I was upset because I was trying to sleep in. So did not happen.

Also my water breaking was the most disgusting experience I have ever been though.

I went in at 10 and around 6 they offered me an epidural. I said sure, as I did not want pain.

The epidural stopped working about 3am. It shifted and caused pain. I was sobbing in terrible pain until the anesthesiologist could find time to come to me at 7am. So for 4 hours they had better things to do than shift my needle. For 4 hours I was in the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life.

After that I refused all other medication. I did not want anyone to touch it unless they were taking it out. So medicine stopped for me and I felt everything. Which was not that bad. I am sure I had lingering medicine in me that cut everything but they were not giving me what they wanted to.

I could get up and walk right away. They did not let me until the epidural was removed. But I was moving around in the bed.

BTW taking my first shower, the bathroom looked like a horror movie when I was done. So much blood.

The fun thing was I had a new dr in there with my doctors and it was his first birth. totally funny.

Also my husband was irritating me so I drugged him. lol.

The thing I hated more than the terrible pain from the stupid needle. The arm pressure cuff. hurting me every 15 minutes. I wanted to kill the thing.

teh_blumchenkinder

08-07-2011, 07:22 AM

At least the lieutenant had their priorities in order!

:lol: some would debate otherwise, but still-- good on him. :D The whole story's hilarious...
Monolayth, apparently the mini-not-quite-contractions leading up to labor contractions are supposed to get the uterus in shape for it, so the egregious/strong amount you had was probably why the labor was easier than most. :)

Der Cute

08-07-2011, 08:05 PM

Ok, my birthing story:
Being preggers, you have that freaking blob of water in you. But it can leak. And most of the time, leaks aren't detected. And many of them happen at the TOP of the bag of waters, not down close to where it's obvious.
Also - this is in January 2010. I was due late Feb. At least the cool weather helped with my pregnancy.

I was told: If you have a lot of pee - you are PEEING a lot, go see a doc, that's a labor/getting ready symptom. Fine.
I called the doctor's line, and told them I'm not PEEING, but I'm always wet. It doesn't smell like urine, but it's wet, WTF. Doc on phone told me it's nothing, bleh bleh stay home. But my spidey senses were up. Everytime I sat behind the wheel in the car, my tummy rubbed up against it. This day I called - the stomach/steering wheel had a 1cm gap between them. I thought about it, and said, "Oh, doc said ignore, so I will". I told the dad about it, and he semi-jokingly said, "Don't have your baby yet, I don't want to miss the Super Bowl."

Drove to MIL's apartment and proceeded to watch the Super Bowl. The Dad was having a blast, I'm sitting there fat and miserable, and just bored. We went home, and I didn't sleep much. Called the doctor line again and got my own OB-GYN doc (the other one was not mine). Doc said "Get in NOW".

So we left for the hospital, and Dad was grumpy due to having 4 hours sleep. Me, I'm fine, no contractions, just ..wet ish. My doc was there and we tested that moisture for "bag of waters or something else". Turns out my bag WAS leaking, and with protocol, I was required to stay in hospital, give birth and get lots of anti-biotics due to the risk of having an infection. Dad wasn't all happy.

So I'm in the birth room and the first thing I ask for is, "Where's my epidural?" hehe. Rested a lot, tried to nap a bit. Had some meds to help push the dilation along. Fine. Waddled to bathroom and it broke in there. LORD there is a lot of fluid in that thing!!!!!
Was grounded to the bed, gave birth, and it really didn't hurt that bad. Then again the epidural was good, and I got to cuss the living daylights out of Dad.

kansasgal

08-16-2011, 05:30 PM

I think that for each woman it is different and TOTALLY depends on what her medical condition and the baby's medical condition is.

My first, I had 3 days of Labor (yes, 3 DAYS) with the last day being induced since I didn't dilate past 2, then an emergency C-Section, many infections and finally the incision being reopened and having to be packed til it healed. I was miserable.

2nd, I asked for the C-section because of the first experience, and my doctor tried to push me into a VBAC, I told him if he wanted to try it so badly, he should, but I was having a C-Section. Baby was 9 lbs, 24 inches, 15 centimeter head and 35 centimeter chest. I felt fine after the surgery. Baby is now 6 foot 9

3rd I just told the doc I wanted a C-Section and it was arranged. Because they went through the prior scar tissue, I didn't have much pain, and in fact the nurses were chasing me down with my pain meds asking if I wanted them. I was like "Nope". They were amazed..

As to the last month of pregnancy? It lasts a year. Totally sure of that...it's longer then the other 8 months all on it's own, lol! :roll:

teh_blumchenkinder

08-20-2011, 11:44 PM

o___o That is a big son you have. (I assume it's a he. Not too many women get to be that tall.)

kansasgal

08-21-2011, 07:28 PM

o___o That is a big son you have. (I assume it's a he. Not too many women get to be that tall.)

Yup, it's a he. And yes, he's big. A complaint he has is that everyone always comes up to him and says "Wow, you're big!" as if he hadn't noticed, lol.

He also has size 17 feet. Finding shoes for him is fun....

teh_blumchenkinder

08-21-2011, 07:32 PM

Heh. I have a second cousin who's 6 6, and his kid, at 10, was about 5 feet. Cory's a big girl. XD How tall are your other children? :lol: or is he just a mutant?
Der Cute: I had no idea a lady could spring a leak like that! Thank you for the story... and where was the father?
I imagine the kidlet was well?

Seshat

08-21-2011, 10:43 PM

Now, I'm not short (168cm - 5'6"), but I'm the shortest in my family - including extended family - now that my grandmother's dead.
My husband is very tall. His parents, however, are short: at least short by my family's standards. :D

In our wedding photos, people who aren't looking closely at faces (and aren't familiar with our families) assume my parents are his and vice versa!

kansasgal

08-22-2011, 01:02 AM

Heh. I have a second cousin who's 6 6, and his kid, at 10, was about 5 feet. Cory's a big girl. XD How tall are your other children? :lol: or is he just a mutant?

He's just a mutant...no, my younger son (14) is 5 foot 8, and will probably be tall himself. I am 6 foot and my hubby is 6 foot 3, so we have tall kids.

My older son was about 6 foot at 14, so my younger son will be slightly shorter then his brother.

teh_blumchenkinder

08-22-2011, 11:34 AM

I'm 5 8. My sister is 6 foot even-- and she's finally found a guy that's taller than her, and finds height attractive in a woman. She's very self-conscious about a lot concerning herself, and tallness is one of them. :(

RecoveringKinkoid

08-22-2011, 12:48 PM

Man, I would so love to be about six foot. I'm five six. Everyone in my family stops growing at five six, male and female. Except my cousin Sal, who has reaching the soaring height of five eight. He's a giant.

teh_blumchenkinder

08-22-2011, 01:22 PM

Heh. Finding clothes that fit is a bitch though. My sister refuses to wear male clothing (which is reasonable, really) and jeans... she has to coddle each pair, lest she spend 75 minimum every time she wants a new, plain, in-no-way-extravagant pair. :( And let's not get started on shirts!
Man... having everyone the same height is like something out of Harrison Beregeron (short story by ... Vonnegut, methinks)
EDIT: however... your height would match your personality! :D You could LOOOOOOOOM over people! :lol:

RecoveringKinkoid

08-22-2011, 01:30 PM

:lol: What's funny is that people consistently guess my height at five eight or more. I don't usually wear heels. But it's a thing with me that people tend to be surprised when they find out I'm "only" five six.

I guess I have a tall personality! :lol:

When I was in Rome, I liked the fact that on the average, I was as tall as the men. Most of the women were shorter than I am.

Huh. Is that the female version of "Short Guy Complex"? Wishing you were taller?

Bardmaiden

08-22-2011, 06:56 PM

Yup, it's a he. And yes, he's big. A complaint he has is that everyone always comes up to him and says "Wow, you're big!" as if he hadn't noticed, lol.

He also has size 17 feet. Finding shoes for him is fun....

Yup know that one, My b/f is 6'7" and bought 3 pairs of shoes from america because 1, they had his size (14/15 ish I think) and 2, he had choice! Normally he goes into a shoe shop and asks what they have in his size and gets to pick from 2 pairs if he is lucky.

But then I get funny looks when I tell people who haven't met him how tall he is, I'm all of 5 foot tall. :D

teh_blumchenkinder

08-22-2011, 07:45 PM

Huh. Wonder why the States would have more...? hm.
Also, tiny chicks big guys is a thing. It is. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HugeGuyTinyGirl)

dragon_wings

08-22-2011, 11:32 PM

Huh. Wonder why the States would have more...? hm.
Also, tiny chicks big guys is a thing. It is. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HugeGuyTinyGirl)

:waves: I'm 5'4 my boyfriend is 6'3. And my ex was 5'11.5. ^_^

RetailWorkhorse

08-23-2011, 05:31 AM

Baby is now 6 foot 9

I feel so small right now.

*Hides under a chair*

RedRoseSpiral

08-23-2011, 08:12 AM

FormerCallingCardRep

08-23-2011, 02:12 PM

The last study I read (source (http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/viewer/Pages/index.aspx?NewsID=2835)) said the the risk of uterine rupture (the big scary things for VBAC) is .7% (.9% if you've had multiple c-sections) compared to (I believe could be wrong) .5% vaginal birth without a c-section. So really, unless the doctor sewing you up did a really bad job after your c-section, there isn't that big of a risk when it comes to having a VBAC especially compared to a vaginal delivery where there has been no previous c-section.

I have kept quiet on this to this point, but I can not any longer. Yes the rate of uterine ruptures are low, but the death rate for the baby is very high. Is your child life worth the risk.

Let me tell you my story:

Twenty years ago I was expecting my second child. My first was delivered by emergency c-section after 36 hours of labor. I had just transferred on my job a month before we found out that I was pregnant. Due to the fact that this pregnancy was classified high risk (I had a c-section in June and Hubby has Neurofibromatosis (NF) (a genetic birth defect)) I was referred to a high risk specialist. There were several interns working with him learning how to manage high risk pregnancies. At my first visit they checked me out, did an ultrasound because they could not find her heartbeat and asked us about my previous delivery and the reasons that B was taken by c-section. I explained to them that B weighed 8 lbs 14 ozs and that I had CPD. They gave us some information on VBAC and told us to read it over and make a decision on if we wanted to try labor. Hubby and I both read the information and decided that the risks were too great with what I had gone through with having B. When we went to our next appointment we were told that we no longer had a choice, we had to try labor. If I could have found another Dr that would take a high risk pregnancy I would have changed Drs that day.

M was due on June 4th. On June 14th I went in for an ultrasound because she was breech on my appointment on the 11th. If she was still breech when I went for the ultrasound they were going to admit me and take her by c-section. When they did the ultrasound it showed that she had turned into position. It also showed that she was between 9 and 10 lbs.

On June 15th I was having pains as though something was tearing. I went to the hospital only to be told by the Dr that that was "feasibly impossible". I went into labor on June 16th but refused to go to the hospital until the contractions were 3 minutes apart. That was not until 8:30 pm on the 17th. When I got there I asked about a c-section due to her size. I was told that I had to do it there way or leave the hospital. They admitted me and said that they would do an ultrasound in the morning and if she appeared to be as big as the ultrasound showed on Friday they would take her by c-section. In the mean time they started to induce my labor. At 1:00 am on the 18th they brought me a sleeping pill. They said that since I was not progressing I might as well get my rest. Once I fell asleep they made Hubby go home and told him to be back there at 7:30 and they would do an ultrasound then.

I woke up at 4:00 having very strong contractions (1 minute apart) and asked the nurse to help me with my breathing to get on top of the contractions. Instead she gave me a pain shot and left the room. I woke up at 5:30 needing to go to the bathroom. The nurse helped me and left. Next thing I woke up in the worse pain that I had ever felt. I rang for the nurse. She came in and asked me what I needed now. I explained that I was in severe pain. She went to get the Dr. When he came in he decided that maybe I was further along then they thought. He decided to do a vaginal exam. When he did he put his hand through the placenta. They brought an ultrasound machine in and found out that my uterus had split from the top to the bottom and M was under my ribs. M only lived 3 minutes.