Now I know this post will get edited as soon as baby is born to try and better explain labor but there are some things I have been reading about labor, how to handle it the best you can, and your different options.
If you were able to take birthing classes then you are well aware of everything I am about to say and even more! I was not one of those people who could afford to take those classes so I did my best researching the internet and just talking to people. Here are some things to know.
* I stated in my previous post that every pregnancy is different and every woman is different, this is absolutely true but there are some things to NOT ignore. If you are able to clearly tell you're in labor make sure you are keeping count of how often you are getting those contractions (they say that once you each 5-7min you should go in), also once you can't talk or walk through them...it's go time, get to that hospital (if you're still at home). If your water breaks you don't have to rush immediately to the hospital especially if you haven't had any contractions, water breaking is good, but doesn't mean you have to rush right over there, that being said your baby’s world just exploded and you don't want to wait forever, now there is NOTHING wrong with going to the hospital right away if your water breaks, it actually may be a very good idea, just don't freak out if they tell you to go home and rest until you have really close together contractions because they really do this all the time.
*Make sure you have your Birth Plan with you. Not only are they great to have with you so you are being listened to but they are the best way to get research and get familiar with all the lingo you will be hearing in the hospital. I was told by one doctor that birth plans really aren't necessary....ridiculous....if it's important to you to have FILL ONE OUT AND BRING IT! This is YOUR baby and YOUR delivery, your wishes should be listened to and you have every right to want and not want certain things. Here is the best birth plan I found for us. There are a million out there and most of your local hospitals have one listed on their website to print out and fill out. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed with any part of your birth plan. Now it's also really important to remember that not every wish will be granted in your birth plan. You baby controls how labor goes, he/she is in control and sometimes nothing goes according to the birth plan so don't get stressed if you soon realize that your birth plan is going out the window, some things you can control so don't forget that!
*When you are in labor, especially if you're at home still, make sure you do whatever you can to help you relax. Don't start cleaning the house life crazy or going for a jog. RELAX, your body need to be in a relaxed state to properly handle labor and even though it is going to the hardest thing you'll ever do, just keep telling yourself that labor pain is GOOD and that it is pushing your baby out into this world. I read multiple places that once you have come to terms with the fact that it's going to hurt and why it has to hurt; the pain isn't as severe...is this true? I have a feeling I may re-touch on this subject. If you can take a bath, take one; soak for as long as you can stand it. Have a heating pad? Use it! Nothing will take the pain away, but there are so many breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, and other things you can do to subside the pain as much as possible until you get pain meds (if you take that route) or until it's time to push and get this baby out. It is true that our bodies can handle labor, we have been doing it for 100's of thousands of years, BUT medicine also allows us to stay more relaxed and have a smoother, sometimes faster labor. So don't ever push something out of your mind until you research it!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Final Lesson: The End is Near
It has been a while since my last post...a LOT has been going on. But everyone is happy and healthy :)
We have been pretty closely monitored to make sure I don't start to get pregnancy induced hypertension (a.k.a. Preeclampsia) which has to do with your blood pressure and your body "leaking" protein. It isn't life threatening but it's something that can cause stress on the baby which is never a good thing. The only way to get rid of it is to have your child. Now there are so many different stages of this, sometimes you have it so bad to where they have and WILL get the baby out as soon as they feel they can survive outside the womb, and other times you have it the rest of your pregnancy and everything is peachy. I was so lucky to not have been diagnosed fully but have been on that boarder line fence for some time now and all I can do is take it easy, not get stressed, and keep my feet elevated for as long as possible....and drink lots of fluids.
For first time moms, at least for me, I have the constant question of what is a contraction....I have NEVER had them before, how am I suppose to tell. I HATE the repsonse "you'll know".....shut up. Since every pregnancy is different and everyone handles pain differently how do you really "know." I asked two different doctors about that contractions consist of and have gotten two COMPLETELY different answers, and I really believe it's because they each experienced labor differently, they have different pain tolerances. Now I am not too concerned and have realized that since I have been "crampy" and "tight" for quite some time now that I am just going to wait until one of the following:
1. My water breaks
2. I have such intense pain that doesn't go away when I change positions.
3. I am told at one of my appointments that I am in fact in labor....which is what my last doctor's appointment almost turned into but it was "false labor" and guess what...I HAD NO CLUE, NO SYMPTOMS...NOTHING.
First time mom's this is scary....period. But not knowing when you are going to go into labor is even more scary because we don't know what it feels like to go into labor or have a baby. The only thing we can do is wait for those CLEAR signs but guess what, sometimes your water doesn't break on it's own, sometimes you don't feel the begining stages of labor, every woman is different and doesn't fit into that "movie" role where your water breaks and you have your baby 15min later....oh wait THAT NEVER HAPPENS.
When you have reached that "final stretch" time crawls....I think it actually goes backwards at times. You are so excited to meet this beautiful miracle you created and you feel completely ready because of all the amazing gifts you received from your baby shower and from friends and family a long the way....then it hits you. "Am I actually ready?" For me it has been really tough the last month, I have been having those realizations that even though I am so thankful that we were lucky enough to even have children (because so many people in this world struggle with infertility every day) I wish we had done more. I wanted to travel and just leave for a weekend. I wanted to move some more, maybe even to another state, just for awhile. I even wanted to get married before having babies, I wanted that "selfish" time with my husband until we felt financially and physically stable enough to have kids. That's when reality slapped me in the face and reminded me that we have no control over what happens in our lives. I firmly believe that our paths have already been drawn and yes we have a million choices to get us to the end of that road, ultimately our lives are already mapped out and it NEVER happens on our dime or the way we want it to.
I don't feel like I am ready for this baby also because it is so terrifying being responsible for a human life and keeping them alive, now family and friends will tell you that you're going to be great and you'll be just fine but these are fears that I know will never go away once she's here, I will always worry about her, always worry about if I am doing things right and if I am raising her the "right" way.
I also don't feel like our house is ready, I feel like we have to do so much before she is here but the pure fact that I am exhausted when I get home from work has been keeping me from making our house good enough for the greatest roommate we will ever have.
With all these fears, comes so much excitement. I can't wait to see the color of her hair, her eyes, her beautiful smile and her dimples. I can't wait to see who she grows up to be and all the characteristics she shares with Jon and myself. We are so beyond lucky and completely honored to be surrounded by the most amazing families anyone could ask for. They have been so supportive and there every step of the way. I can't wait to give them the ultimate thank you gift, a baby girl :)
We are ready for you baby girl, and can't wait to meet you, you have one very excited daddy and one very anxious, excited, and uncomfortable mommy who can't wait to hold you, give you a million kisses and count every finger and every toe.
The end is near :)
We have been pretty closely monitored to make sure I don't start to get pregnancy induced hypertension (a.k.a. Preeclampsia) which has to do with your blood pressure and your body "leaking" protein. It isn't life threatening but it's something that can cause stress on the baby which is never a good thing. The only way to get rid of it is to have your child. Now there are so many different stages of this, sometimes you have it so bad to where they have and WILL get the baby out as soon as they feel they can survive outside the womb, and other times you have it the rest of your pregnancy and everything is peachy. I was so lucky to not have been diagnosed fully but have been on that boarder line fence for some time now and all I can do is take it easy, not get stressed, and keep my feet elevated for as long as possible....and drink lots of fluids.
For first time moms, at least for me, I have the constant question of what is a contraction....I have NEVER had them before, how am I suppose to tell. I HATE the repsonse "you'll know".....shut up. Since every pregnancy is different and everyone handles pain differently how do you really "know." I asked two different doctors about that contractions consist of and have gotten two COMPLETELY different answers, and I really believe it's because they each experienced labor differently, they have different pain tolerances. Now I am not too concerned and have realized that since I have been "crampy" and "tight" for quite some time now that I am just going to wait until one of the following:
1. My water breaks
2. I have such intense pain that doesn't go away when I change positions.
3. I am told at one of my appointments that I am in fact in labor....which is what my last doctor's appointment almost turned into but it was "false labor" and guess what...I HAD NO CLUE, NO SYMPTOMS...NOTHING.
First time mom's this is scary....period. But not knowing when you are going to go into labor is even more scary because we don't know what it feels like to go into labor or have a baby. The only thing we can do is wait for those CLEAR signs but guess what, sometimes your water doesn't break on it's own, sometimes you don't feel the begining stages of labor, every woman is different and doesn't fit into that "movie" role where your water breaks and you have your baby 15min later....oh wait THAT NEVER HAPPENS.
When you have reached that "final stretch" time crawls....I think it actually goes backwards at times. You are so excited to meet this beautiful miracle you created and you feel completely ready because of all the amazing gifts you received from your baby shower and from friends and family a long the way....then it hits you. "Am I actually ready?" For me it has been really tough the last month, I have been having those realizations that even though I am so thankful that we were lucky enough to even have children (because so many people in this world struggle with infertility every day) I wish we had done more. I wanted to travel and just leave for a weekend. I wanted to move some more, maybe even to another state, just for awhile. I even wanted to get married before having babies, I wanted that "selfish" time with my husband until we felt financially and physically stable enough to have kids. That's when reality slapped me in the face and reminded me that we have no control over what happens in our lives. I firmly believe that our paths have already been drawn and yes we have a million choices to get us to the end of that road, ultimately our lives are already mapped out and it NEVER happens on our dime or the way we want it to.
I don't feel like I am ready for this baby also because it is so terrifying being responsible for a human life and keeping them alive, now family and friends will tell you that you're going to be great and you'll be just fine but these are fears that I know will never go away once she's here, I will always worry about her, always worry about if I am doing things right and if I am raising her the "right" way.
I also don't feel like our house is ready, I feel like we have to do so much before she is here but the pure fact that I am exhausted when I get home from work has been keeping me from making our house good enough for the greatest roommate we will ever have.
With all these fears, comes so much excitement. I can't wait to see the color of her hair, her eyes, her beautiful smile and her dimples. I can't wait to see who she grows up to be and all the characteristics she shares with Jon and myself. We are so beyond lucky and completely honored to be surrounded by the most amazing families anyone could ask for. They have been so supportive and there every step of the way. I can't wait to give them the ultimate thank you gift, a baby girl :)
We are ready for you baby girl, and can't wait to meet you, you have one very excited daddy and one very anxious, excited, and uncomfortable mommy who can't wait to hold you, give you a million kisses and count every finger and every toe.
The end is near :)
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