Need some advice on how to handle labour...AGAIN!?

Question

I'm due in 2 months and the whole pregnancy I've been freaking out because my last labour was 37 hours in total (9 hours active labour) and I was exhausted because I hadn't slept in ages and bed ridden because my son's heart beat was going down with each contraction and I was induced so the contractions were severe. I started going crazy, I started hearing things and imagining things and I really couldn't handle the pain after that long. I'm petrified this labour is going to be as long and/or as painful as the last (i know it's supposed to be easier the second time round but I still think it's going to be a long one). Has anybody done or tried anything that has helped relieve the pain besides drugs because I ended up hacing an epidural with the last one and now I suffer from lower back problems and don't want to make it worse! and the other drugs the doctors offered me didn't do anything for the pain, just made be docile

Answer 1

I just got done having my son on the 20th, 43 1/2 hours of labor, 6 of pushing.

First off, you need to realize that YOU have the right to NOT get certain treatments. including being induced. ESPECIALLY with petocin's or oxytocin or anything like that. DONT ever EVER let them give you that crap again. First, it ALWAYS puts the baby in distress, or makes the distress worse, and second, it ALWAYS makes your labor ten times more work. Opt for every possible thing first. Such as nipple stimulation, walking, cervidel, and other medications that riped and dilate the cervix without increasing contractions. You can have a million contractions but it doesnt do diddly CRAP unless the cervix is open and you can use those contractions to move the baby.

Second, get up, get active if you can. If you cant, use gravity to your advantage. Either in a birthing tub, or on a stool, or if your hospital isnt with it and doesnt offer you those things, sit on the toilet, even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom. They will threaten you, but who cares.

DONT get an epidural, get a spinal morphine, its safer, and allows you to move around, you dont have to lay on your back. Which is the WORST position to be in when delivering. And dont pass up pain killers, no one likes a cowboy.

RELAX, the more worked up you get, the more you fight each contraction, and the less good they do, and the more exhausted your body will be. Let your body do what its designed to do. HAVE BABIES.

The more active you can be before labor starts, the better off you will be.

You'll be fine. maybe you should consider a midwife to help with your delivery, or handle it completely. I had one, and it made the long labor MUCH MUCH better.

Dont let hospital policy and staff push you around and bully you into medications or treatments, its NOT worth it. Even if the baby is in distress, you're stress level will only make that worse, you need to remain calm for the babys health, and they need to giveyou options that will actually help you and not prolong labor. Remember they can whip that baby out of there in 5 minutes if something goes south.

Last but not least, each labor is shorter with each baby. You'll be fine. Trust me.

Answer 2

I agree with the answers above. I was told when I had my second and third child that with every pregnancy that it does go quicker. My second child's delivery was a nightmare but it was also quicker then what they assumed. I had an epidural with all of my children however before it could take affect on me for the third child I had already had him. I would suggest that you try not to be discouraged against your first delivery. Trust me they are all different! Just relax and of course eat as many ice chips as you like..that is all they would let me have. From personal experience I would not suggest the use of Demerol. It may work on some people fine but I had a horrible time with it. Good luck and about the only advice that I received that was beneficial during my pregnancy was that it is all worth it when they lay the baby in your arms. ; )

Answer 3

it really does go quicker the 2nd time,i was terrified too.i did have back pain after the epidural but was told it had nothing to do with it?more likely from the birth itself i had back labour the 1st time,one thing i did do the second time was find something to concentrate on while having contractions,i read it in a book so i stared at the flower on the wallpaper and it sounds silly but it worked.that labour began at 11am,just an ache down vagina,went to the hospital at 2pm,they broke my water at 4pm,i only had 2 severe pains before the epidural and baby girl was born at 440pm
try not to worry so,i'm sure it will be easier this time
goodluck,let us know when you deliver
take care of mommy too!

Answer 4

You really need to talk to you dr about your anxiety.

My friend had some of the same anxieties, so the dr scheduled her delivery at 39 weeks instead of wating for labor. He gave her Valium to take to calm her berfore coming in so by the time she got to the hospital she was calm and not freaking out.

In the old days they totally knocked you out by iv, and they may be able to still do that at your request.

It is very important that you talk to you dr about these fears.

Answer 5

Most likely your grandmother would be more than happy to leave it to you. I doubt that she will be offended if you mention to her that you have always loved her Qur'an and that you would like to remember her by it. You do not have to tell her that you think she may pass on soon. Just say that you really would like to have that Qur'an in the future when she is no longer with you. My grandmother had a Bible that was printed in 1848, bought by her great great grandmother for her great grandmother and passed down through the generations to her and now i have it. I am not a Christian, in fact i consider myself to be an atheist. I do however put great value in that Bible as it reminds me of my grandmother and our past.

Answer 6

Sorry to say but we have no choice on how long the labor will be, just try to relax and don't think about the first time. think possitive that everything is going to be fine this one. congratulations on the new one coming. bring ice chips or a sweet and sour sucker, your mouth gets dry and they won't let you have water as you know already. good luck.