Is this stupid or what?

Question

I am 35 weeks pregnant and currently starting to ask my doctor about different things I can do while in labor. One thing, is being able to get up and walk around. I asked the nurse in my OB's office (I'm high risk because of diabetes) if I would be able to walk around during labor to help speed it up and help gravity naturally pull the baby down further. And also because I don't want to be tied to a bed the entire time. I want to be able to get a shower too. She told me that as soon as my water breaks I'm not allowed to get up and walk around because the baby could have a "cord prolapse". Now nothing else is wrong with me or my baby or his positioning, other than the fact I have diabetes. Is it normal for a doctor's office to not let you up and walk around once your water breaks because of this reason? I'm so mad now and dreading labor because I feel like it's gonna be a prison in there where I'm basically strapped to a bed the whole time. What are you thoughts?

Also, can I fight this and walk around anyways? I really don't want them cohercing my entire labor. I'd like to do what I feel is most natural (as long as I have no problems) and so far, nothing is wrong with his cord.

Thanks to all the great answers! You've helped me better understand know what I should be doing during this process!

Answer 1

OK, I'll be the dissenting opinion.

The chance of cord prolapse is small and usually occurs in the first 20 minutes after the waters break.

If the baby's head is already fully engaged, ie at 0 station, then the chances that the baby will float back up out of the pelvis and allow the cord to fall down into the vagina are slim indeed.

This "rule" is more for doctor's liability than your own, or your baby's risk.

I also have to heartily disagree with the statement that "doctors know best". Quite often, they are not familiar with natural options and customs for labor and birth. Instead, they have been indoctrinated to view birth as a medical procedure, not a natural life event. Thus, their perspective is skewed and unnecessary medical interventions become the norm.

It is very common for midwives to encourage the mother to move around as much as possible during labor. Why? Because they know the whole story, not just the medical view. They are more concerned with the entire process of birth and adhering to what your body tells you to do, not about being sued.

As for wanting to stay flat on your back in bed, this was definitely not what I wanted to do. However, my water didn't break until my first was crowning and my second was born in her amniotic sac, so cord prolapse was never an issue with either.

However, I did walk around right up until I breathed them out.

If you truly want the option of walking in labor, even if your waters are broken, then here's what I would do.

I would sit your doctor down and ask him specifically why walking is not allowed.

Ask him is this is hospital policy or just his preference.
Ask him what the chances of cord prolapse REALLY are.
Ask him what station your baby is at.

If it IS hospital policy, then ask if you can sign a waiver. If this won't work, then tell him that your waters are NOT to be artificially ruptured so that you may walk around as long as possible.

Hope this helps and happy birthing!

Answer 2

What is umbilical cord prolapse?
Umbilical cord prolapse is a complication that occurs prior to or during delivery of the baby. In a prolapse, the umbilical cord drops (prolapses) through the open cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby. The cord can then become trapped against the baby’s body during delivery. Umbilical cord prolapse occurs in approximately one in every 300 births.

What causes an umbilical cord prolapse?
The most common cause of an umbilical cord prolapse is a premature rupture of the membranes that contain the amniotic fluid. Other causes include:

Premature delivery of the baby
Delivering more than one baby per pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
Excessive amniotic fluid
Breech delivery (the baby comes through the birth canal feet first)
An umbilical cord that is longer than usual
What are the consequences of umbilical cord prolapse?
An umbilical cord prolapse presents a great danger to the fetus. During the delivery, the fetus can put stress on the cord. This can result in a loss of oxygen to the fetus, and may even result in a stillbirth.

How is an umbilical cord prolapse detected?
The doctor can diagnose a prolapsed umbilical cord in several ways. During delivery, the doctor will use a fetal heart monitor to measure the baby’s heart rate. If the umbilical cord has prolapsed, the baby may have bradycardia (a heart rate of less than 120 beats per minute). The doctor can also conduct a pelvic examination and may see the prolapsed cord, or palpate (feel) the cord with his or her fingers.

**** I would make a birth plan including ( Labor postions your comfortable trying, anethsia methods, ect..) Now your husbands role in all this is to be the B**** for you. His job is to see that your wishes are carried out and that you feel as comfortable as possible.

When I had my daughter, my water broke at home the day before, they had me walking and a lot. I also got into the tub to try to take the pressuer off my back.. (Walking help move the baby into the birth canal, It's not to break your water.!!)

Bottom line, your body, your baby. This is the 21 centery you can do what makes you feel comfortable. Good luck and congratulations. Also, they don't strap poeple to the bed any more during deliver, I hope that was just a metaphore.

Answer 3

a prolapsed cord means the cord comes out before the baby, which can be dangerous. That is only a possibility if the baby is not at 0 station or any of the + stations.... (if the baby is not engaged its dangerous). However, the reason I chose to have a home birth with this one is because I felt strapped down to the bed. I would suggest that you wait as long as possible before going to the hospital. And when you decide to go, DO NOT CONSENT to let them break your bag of water (almost every doc wants to) they say it helps speed thing sup, well, it speeds it up by about 15 minutes, and it makes labor ALOT more painful. Diabetes or not, if you are in the labor room you should be able to get up and move, but that doesn't mean that they will let you....

Answer 4

All this stuff you hear about walking is for before the water breaks. There is more to it than just the cord prolapse possibility, your doctor should have explained more and better.

Once the water breaks, the chance of infection if you are not in a controlled environment goes up a lot more than when the membranes were intact. And there are a lot of sick people in hospitals. I would not want to walk by someone sick with an easily communicable disease in a hospital hallway with my water broken, or touch the elevator button after them, among other things.

Also, as others have said, more than likely, you will be in too much pain to walk at that point or shortly thereafter.

And with diabetes, there are just too many risks. The mere seconds it takes to get you back in the bed where they need you if you are down the hall walking could mean the difference in your baby's life. Don't mean to sound overly dramatic, but it's true.

Listen to your doc on this one, and good luck!

Answer 5

I also had type 2 diabetes while I was pregnant, sucked ace, but I wasnt able to go walking either, even before my water broke, becuase of the diabetes they like to be able to she the babies heart beating at all times becuase the diabetes can effect the babies heart rate and other things, I got up to go to the bathroom a lot so I could move around, and I would stand up for aminut and walk aroudn in place so my legs could get some excersize, but my babies heart rate did drop, and I almost needed a c-section, So trust me, do what they tell you, diabetes is a serious thing and anything could happen to baby at any second if you don't don what they say. Good luck!!

Answer 6

I can totally understand how you feel, I had planned a water birth, but since I was past my due date by almost 5 weeks, they had to induce, thus I was stuck to my bed and IV's. I was so upset that I couldn't even dip my feet in water to relax me, my whole preperation had been in terms of using water as relaxation, and it was taken away. I always feel like I'm the one paying the doctor for their services, so I should be able to make certain choices, but since doctors take on a certain amount of liability when the treat you, or take you on as a patient, I guess it's perfectly acceptable for them to tie you to the bed at a certain point if they want to. If you want more control over your delivery, you should consider a home birth, that's what I plan on doing next time. That way, I'll call the shots. In the meantime, good luck, I am sure they will only do what is best for you and the baby, and everything will go by so fast, you won't even care or remember in the end once your little buddle of joy arrives.

Answer 7

I think its an American thing for you to have to stay in bed, its for the doctors ease most of the time, Im lucky being in the UK because they promote natural labour like the kind you want and they try to avoid having you flat on your back or stuck in a bed. I dont see any reason why you wouldnt be able to fight for what you want, after all its your baby and its going to be your labour, fight for what you want!

PS, with regards to what people are saying about you nat wanting to walk once you are in labour, its rubbish! Walking speeds up the labour and lying in bed means you are more likely to have to have interventions. The only way you will be able to get the birth you want is to fight for it and you have every right to!
Good luck x

Answer 8

I was in bed the entire time with both my kids. I didn't mind at all. I think walking is a bit overrated. Don't be nervous, it will work out fine!!! Totally enjoy it, it is an absolutely AMAZING life event and worth every moment leading up to it! I do recommend a portable dvd, some magazines or books and suduko or a laptop to pass the time. It's awesome, good luck! Oh, and pack some snacks for AFTER labor, you will be starving and will want to eat immediately!

Answer 9

They just answer questions to get the points. That is why most people answer one word answers. And yes your idea would be funny. Unless it happend to me. I have given stupid answers to some good questions just because i had nothing better to say. And no matter what i said I would look stupid anyway so just gave a stupid answer.

Answer 10

Trust me...once you start having hard labor (after your water breaks) you WILL NOT want to get out of bed! You want to walk to speed the contractions and the breaking of your water. I tried walking around before my water broke because I was uncomfotable lying down...then as soon as I was up I wanted to be lying down! haha You aren't comfortable no matter what you do. My advice...just get the epidural! =)