More genuine (but explicit) questions about child birth?

Question

Thanks to everyone who answered my last batch of private questions and encouraging me to ask and become informed, so here are more doubts:
1. Did you vomit during delivery?I hear that nausea and vomiting can happen
2. If you used an epidural,does your back hurt a long time afterwards from where the needle went in?
3.Just found out that after birth you use a peri bottle. Was it gross? How long after were you able to use paper?
4.I've read a lot of books that talks about the stitching after delivery but I don't know what it really means: do you get stitched only if you tear?or only if you have an episotomy? Is stitching a must for every delivery?
5. How difficult was postpartum depression? How long did it last? How do you feel towards the child and father during this time?

Many thanks to everyone and I look forward to sharing your experiences!

Answer 1

1. yes I vomitted during pushing and it was an effective method of getting the baby out.
2. no my back did not hurt at all
3. the peri bottle wasn't gross. I used it for a few weeks I think because I was scared it would hurt if I didn't. You spray and pat dry.
4. I was stitched because of an episotomy.
5. Didn't feel any postpartum depression.

Answer 2

You've asked some really great questions!!

1. Some women do vomit during delivery, its hard to say why, for some it could just be a response to the discomfort they are feeling...it is common to feel nauseous around transition time (when you get to 7cm and contractions get more intense). Don't worry, that should be the quickest part of labor and pushing relieves a lot of the discomfort of the contractions! Also, the nausea should only last a little while, not the whole time!

2. Thats another one that depends on the person/situation...I had one w/ my first baby, the anesthestisiologist (bad spelling) commented on how that was the easiest epi he'd done...but I did have back pain for about 2 years after...nothing severe, just a dull ache, especially in cold weather...that doesn't happen to everyone, but there are a lot of side effects from epidurals...they can lower your BP, slow labor (depending on when you get it), and they can make baby very sleepy at birth...also, if it is done incorrectly, you can have "spinal" headaches that are very severe for up to 2 weeks ( I know 2 people that had that happen). The best thing you can do during labor is to stay out of bed (sit in a rocking chair, walk around, sit on a birth ball, etc). That will greatly speed up your labor! Of course, with an epidural, you can't do those things since you can't feel your legs!

3. Using a peri bottle isn't gross, you just fill it w/ luke warm water, and squirt the water "down there" instead of using toilet paper...the amount of time you have to use it depends on your situation, if you have stitches, etc...

4. If you have an episiotomy you will need stitches, if you tear beyond a certain amount, you will need stitches. It is not required for every delivery, if you don't tear or have an episiotomy you won't need them. Some doctors perform a perineal massage using mineral oil to help the skin stretch to avoid any tearing or episiotomy. Talk to your doctor about that, especially if you don't want an episiotomy...it has been said that tearing is actually better than being cut (I think b/c the size of a tear is usually smaller than the size of an episiotomy and less painful afterwards).

5. I think I experienced a little of the postpartum depression w/ my daughter while I was still in the hospital...she wouldn't nurse so everytime I tried to get her to eat, she'd get mad and start to cry, so I started to cry and say stuff like "My baby hates me" etc...Once I got home w/ her we both relaxed and breastfeeding was a breeze! If you experience any thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby or just feel really down let your doc know, they can help!

Hope those answers help! Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 3

1. I vomitted during my delivery a few times actually. (my mother drove me to the hospital and I threw up in her brand new car!!!!). Each time i threw up it was after I had some water. If I didnt drink or nibble on something I was ok. Due to this I was put on a drip

2. My back was sore for a couple of days after the epidural but it was nothing, It just felt like I had a bruise on my back. You are so happy and running on adrelalin after the birth that you dont really feel much.

3. Peri bottle ( I just researched that) and I used paper straight away. The only thing different was it took me awhile to do a number 2 and doing wees stung and I was on special stuff to make it not sting as much ( cant remember what it was called).
4. Stitching can occur yes if you tear down there but also if the doctors have to cut you. Stitching is not a must for every delievery. It is actualy stutchers not stitching and it just means they 'stitch' up down there. Stitching hurts afterwards more then the epidural and it also hurts to pee after that. Also when you do number 2 you have to make sure you dont squeeze to hard so you dont pop the stitches and make sure you clean down there well so it doesnt get infected.
5. I can not answer this question due to I did not suffer it. The only adivce i can give is the first couple of days you may experience something called the baby blues where you are depressed. If this last longer then a week then consult a professional

Answer 4

1. No vomiting during delivery, came close afterwards.
2. My back didn't hrt at all from the sight.
3. The peri bottle will be your best friend. I used warm water and it felt great. Trust me you don't want to wipe, you are so sore. Also if you have stitches or a tear it will hurt worse to wipe.
4. It truely depends on if you tear and how big the tear is, if you have an epsiotomy generally yes you get a few stitches. So no stitching is no with every delivery. I actually begged my Dr. before delivery NOT to cut me, but she had no choice my daughter was in distress. It was either a lil cut or a c section.
5. Please remember that post partum depression can come on for almost a year and half later. Not everybody get it. I can't answer this question cause I didn't experience it.

Answer 5

1. I did vomit the few hours prior to delivery. I had a quick delivery (was only in active labor for 3-4 hours). But, it wasn't all that bad (or much).
2. I had an epidural, but I don't remember back pain at all.
3. I used paper right away, but also used the peri bottle. It's not gross, and was very convenient on those tender areas.
4. I did tear, and got stitched. That was the worst part. It was unplanned, because the baby had it's arm above it's head, so it made a wider area to push out. If that hadn't of happened, I don't think stitching would have been neccesary.
5. I luckily did not have any depression. I did cry easily at first, but never about the baby. It was about other stupid things, but it never got bad enough where I needed help. But, please don't hesitiate to call the doctor if you are worried!

Good luck!! You'll do great!

Answer 6

1. I vomited after using castor oil to augment labor with my first. I did not vomit with any of my others.
2. I didn't have an epidural. (No thanks to a needle near my spine.)
3. You don't have to use a peri bottle. It's a gentle way to clean, though, which you might appreciate if you've had tissue trauma. It's not gross. It's a lot like being on your period.
4. You don't have to get stitched for a shallow tear, and in fact it's probably better if it heals on its own because they're no chance then of being stitched up too tight. If you don't tear or have an episiotomy, you don't need stitches. The vagina is made to stretch, you just have to give it time and the right environment (not common in typical managed births.) Episiotomy is almost never necessary, but done routinely because of the myth that it helps protect the pelvic floor and eases delivery. Do some research -- it's not true, and it causes severe tissue trauma and makes incontinence and painful sex more likely.
5. Postpartum depression for me wasn't horrible, but it definitely marred what should have been a joyful time. It's hormonally based, so you want to real protective the time around the birth to be sure your body isn't being prevented from producing the hormones you need to feel good following the birth.

Answer 7

right
1 i didn't vomit but heard some people do
2 i didn't have an epidural
3 don't know what a peri bottle is and I've had 4 kids lol so can't see that everyone has to use them
4 you get stitched if you tear or have an episotomy depending on how bad it is, i was recommended to have stitches after I'd given birth to my twin daughters but refused due to the way my auntie was treated and i healed fine
5 i was very lucky as i didn't get depression just baby blues which gets you quite teary and upset over nothing at times but it doesn't last long
every delivery is different i had one of the twins born breached and it wasn't so bad and had great deliveries with the other 3 also
my first i was in labour for 4 and half hrs 2nd 3 and half hrs and 3rd and 4 th was 2 and half hrs
good luck and try and relax

Answer 8

No I didnt vomit but I did have nausea It didnt last to long. I did have an epidural 2 of them infact no the site where the needle went in didnt hurt afterwards (and im a whimp hence the 2 epidurals lol) I used the peri bottle for about 3 weeks only because I had alot of stitches. I also used baby wipes for about 4 weeks instead of paper. No you only get stitches if you tear or have an episotomy. I didnt have postpartum infact I had more energy than Id ever had. It only lasted about 3months though! Good luck!

Answer 9

No I did not vomit during pregnancy. However, I did experience nausea prior to both deliveries. I did not have an epidural, I went natural with both deliveries. Yes, I did use a peri bottle after my first delivery, it helped and eased my pain. I did have stitches after both deliveries, the first was due to the episotomy. The second was due to a tear. I had a very mild case of postpartem depression. Feelings towards my husband remained the same.

Answer 10

1. I vomited during labor, but I was induced and had Pitocin... Every pregnancy is different and everyone's body responds differently to labor.

2. I had an epidural, and it didn't hurt. It was a little sore afterwards but nothing too bad.

3. The peri bottle was not gross... it actually makes you feel cleaner, at least I did.

4. If you tear or have an episiotomy, then you will have stitches. The stitches are disolving and will heal when you are healed. They do not hurt, and you are given a spray to use that will stop them from itching. I tore when I had my daughter, but I only needed one stitch.

5. I personally did not suffer from post partum depression... and not everyone does. If you do find that you are a victim of depression, talk to your doctor asap and get help. There is nothing wrong with asking for help, and it doesn't make you any less of a mother to get help.

If you have any more questions feel free to email me.