I am 4 months pregnant. and i must ask about something that scares me. I read labor stories but i am still very terrified i would like to get some more advice about labor and the do and dont's of pregnancy. This is my first child and while i am eating healthy, i just want to have a nice flowing pregnancy.
myth or truth: (am wondering about this as well.) someone told me if you jump during the epidural you'll go paralyzed and that scares me a tremendous amount
Having never been pregnant, I can't really offer advice other than to see your doctor, but I found this site that claims that a retrospective study of UK patients from 1982 to 1986 found a 10 in a million chance of permament disability from their use of the epidural, which means that driving your car is more likely to paralyse you.
It's normal to be freaked out during your pregnancy. I had a really difficult pregnancy and was freaked out the whole time. Eat well. Get sleep. Don't stress. Best advice I can give you.
As far as the epidural, everyone has a different experience, but the risk of paralysis is so slim, it's not something you should worry about.
EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON you meet is going to tell you some sort of horror story, or old wives tale. I had wicked contractions and couldn't stay still for the life of me when my epidural was placed, and I had no complications. Besides, there's no law saying you HAVE to have an epidural. If you think you're up to it, you can try going unmedicated.
The best thing I did to keep myself sane was to join a messageboard specifically for pregnant women. Babycenter.com, babygaga.com, and thebump.com all have forums. I personally recommend thebump.com, as babycenter and babygaga are notorious for ridiculous drama.
Finding moms who are due the same month as you is incredibly helpful, as you can compare symptoms and signs, and discuss different methods of birthing, parenting, etc. It's a whole new world opened up before you to give you all the information you could ever need.
Yeah I definitely was shaking so bad they were holding me on the table through the last couple hours of my labor. And when they gave me the epi I was fine. So I wouldn't worry about it at all.
And pregnancy is scary in general. Chances are, you'll do great. It's a natural thing. Don't listen to everyone's horror stories.
Besides, there's no law saying you HAVE to have an epidural. If you think you're up to it, you can try going unmedicated.
This is good advice. I was having long hard contraction for about 10 hours straight. So bad I was probably scaring the other pregnant women on the floor. They gave me the epi which helped tremendously for about 20 minutes. But my body became immune to it and I had Piper naturally. The pushing doesn't really hurt. It's a relief. It's just the damn contractions beforehand.
I can't tell you how many times I went to the ER for nothing. I'm glad I had medicaid though, otherwise my bills would be... Not paid, lol.
I would go in for small things and what I thought were big things, turns out, I could have just called my Dr's office (even after hours) to speak with a nurse or on call doctor. If I had known that with my first pregnancy, I think I would have been more calm.
Stressing about stuff doesn't help either. I know it's hard not to stress, but you can always take a nice warm bath or ask your hubby/boyfriend to give you a message as well. Even if it's just getting your feet or shoulders rubbed, it helps.
I'm also on a messageboard specifically for pregnant women. I actually didn't know about thebump.com I'll have to check that one out, but I am on baby center. While there is a lot of drama on that one, I've found it to be helpful and I've also tried my best to help others.
Also, my mother was a midwife and surgical tech. She helped me a lot through my pregnancy and during my labor. She actually worked with the OB that delivered my son. Which was helpful because she's the one that recommended him, and his co-workers. If you need or want anymore help, message me, or I can give you my email.
I may have had only one kid that's 5 months old, but I feel that that 9 months has given me a lot of knowledge on the matter. I'm also pregnant again, so if you want to share stories on morning sickness and stuff, I'm here for that as well.
My biggest lifesaver was "What To Expect When You're Expecting," and whattoexpect.com. They answered a lot of questions that I had and any that I might have had and since I didn't have a doctor to see in those first 27 weeks, I was relieved and thankful that I had something to reassure me while I dealt with what was going on. I would definitely recommend that you get the book or check out the website. There are multiple forums, and you can find both local expectant moms and a forum for moms due the same month you are. Actually, I'm kind of surprised that sunset-skies didn't mention this one.
"Ryou was Lunar, Bakura was Eclipse. Together they were Ryou Bakura, Lunar Eclipse." - Lunar by LittleDragonofTruth
thanks! all great advice i guess since it is my first i am just tweaking, but i really have been good about eating well and sleeping the amount i need. But i am a bit of a worry wart but i am trying really hard not to get stressed. and more power to the people who do it naturally even if the epidural wore off. Shit would be painful! BUt not i do have a lot to think about and consider thanks!
Actually, I'm kind of surprised that sunset-skies didn't mention this one.
I tend not to recommend it, because as soon as I signed up for their forums, I was inundated with "advice" emails that were thinly veiled ads by the website's sponsors. Like, I legitimately got an email with the subject line "Housekeeping tips for new moms" and the very first line was "Get a Diaper genie diaper disposal system". As if new moms just left dirty diapers laying around the house for lack of a diaper genie.
The Book that I love more than what to expect when you're expecting, is Great Expectations . It had more info than the other book and actually it helped me out a lot! It gives info about pros and cons of midwives, hospital delivery, goes into detail about epidurals, things of that nature. Best 15.00 bucks I ever spent. It even tells you how to get a good latch (if you plan on breast feeding). There's even resource guides in the back. It even helped when I didn't know what kind of questions to ask my OB.
Ah, now that is true about the WTE emails. I don't read them (they're more spam than information to me) but I do like going to the December forum to see what topics are being mentioned. And I don't mean the promotional "Win This Item" ones that are starred by the site admins; I mean the ones that the members post to share symptoms, helpful information, personal experience/stories, and the occasional tasty recipe. I see it as being similar to this forum, in that the members help each other out. Although I will say I prefer this one over WTE.
"Ryou was Lunar, Bakura was Eclipse. Together they were Ryou Bakura, Lunar Eclipse." - Lunar by LittleDragonofTruth
The best way to not stress out is jus prepare yourself for anything that can happen. Thats what I did with both of my children. They were both emergency c-sections.
My first baby, Avery, his cord wrapped around his throat at the very end.
And my second, Addilyn... she was 10 weeks early. My water broke and I had to be rushed to the hospital so they could try to stop labor. Which only worked for like 2 days. She was in the NICU for 2 months.
Every pregnancy is different so you always gotta jus expect anything.
Pregnancy can be scary, but it's amazing at the same time. I loved being pregnant.
And getting an epidural isnt realy that bad. I hate needles with a passion, but it isnt realy bad at all.
They gave me the epi which helped tremendously for about 20 minutes. But my body became immune to it and I had Piper naturally.
What? That happens?
They told me when I got my epi that I should only feel pressure, and no pain. I... definitely still felt quite a bit of pain, but nowhere near what it had been to up until that point.
Regardless, the reduction in pain level was enough of a break to give me the willpower to actually start pushing. If I hadn't had even that slight relief, I probably would have been going for 2-3 hours, not just one.
you're honestly better off, imo, not reading any of the books or going to any of the sites and shit.
everyone experiences pregnancy differently. some women experience round ligiment pains, some don't. some women get massive heartburn, some don't, some women have pain from the baby mushing on their sciatic nerve, some don't.
some women have none of the shitty symptoms of pregnancy, some have them all.
if you are feeling something you are concerned about, i'd ask other pregnant women/mothers, or phone your doctor.
i do know that the younger you are th more easier labor is usually. but other than that its all just a guessing game.
my contractions werent bad enought for me to get any meds, so i cant say anything on that part. but i do know that i loved being in the tub. it was amazing and i would go with a midwife again for my next one in a heartbeat. now a days they only do c-sections for real emergencies cuz when i had my daughter the cord was around her neck when i got her head out and they just slipped it off rite then and there.
i would suggest that you do yur research and see what kind of delivery you want....i.e. home birth, midwives, dula, doctor and then see what you need to do to get that going. then have a back up plan or 2 just in case.
but its really not that scary. when yu start going in and getting hooked up yur adrenaline kicks in for a bit.
hope that helps hun
I had a tough pregnancy, growth scans, really bad morning sickness, water infections, but the labour was fine. She was born at 36 weeks so was classed as premature, she was only 5lb 8oz, but I was only in labour for 5 hours and had no pain relief.
As many people above me have said, it differs so much from one person to the next that it's hard to say what will happen. Just go with the flow and don't stress yourself, that'd be the worst thing you could do.
Also, try not to read too many books and things, they all contradict each other so much it just confuses you; go with what you feel is the most sensible advice you have been given.
Firstly dont read any of the above comments - scare mongering pissed me off the most. If you can accept that yes there will be some pain and discomfort you are half way there and trust me you can spend HOURS wrapping your brain in a worry sauce.
I did have some complications with mine - but it was made worse by having a shit midwife. Make sure if you arent happy with the medical opinion you have been given you are entitled to get another if you arent happy - something i wish i had done more of.
Everyones labour is different some will tell you it was a piece of cake others will make it sould like world war 3 was coming. Do some reading on websites you trust such as oh baby.com they have some good birth videos.
Also birth plans are a crock and most of the time things dont go 1.2.3 on the checklist the best you can do is go in with an open mind and make your choice on the day but let them know if you want to give it a good go without the drugs. I couldnt like i said due to complications
They gave me the epi which helped tremendously for about 20 minutes. But my body became immune to it and I had Piper naturally. The pushing doesn't really hurt. It's a relief. It's just the damn contractions beforehand.
