In honor of Labor Day, a meme was started over at Rocks in My Dryer to exchange labor stories...birthing stories that is. Well, with six kids how can I pass this up?
So here goes...
How long were your labors?
Can I just say, I don't like this question.
The reason I don't like this question is because I am asked this TWICE every time I am pregnant (and for those of you who are unaware, that's nearly every year.) So TWICE(once by my doctor and once by the nurse checking me in to the hospital while I'm in labor), I have to try and remember how many hours I was in labor with each of my SIX children. This is a ridiculous task and I don't understand why these people don't just write it down, put it in my file, and stop asking.
But, for the sake of the meme, I will say about 5-6 hours with each. Satisfactory?
Oh-and I pushed with #1 for about 40 minutes. The rest of them have fallen out without pushing. Okay, I push like two times...once for the nurse, who then promptly screams "OH! Don't do that again, we have to call the doctor!" And then once for the doctor and the baby is here.
How did you know you were in labor?
This one's easy...
because the nurse stuck the IV in and said "I've started your pitocin, just let me know when you want your epidural."
Yes, I've been induced with all six pregnancies.
I was 2 weeks overdue with #1. I lived over an hour away from the hospital with #2 and #3. We were concerned about #4 being too big. I started having contractions with #5 at 26 weeks (luckily I wasn't dialating), got put on bedrest, had a miserable last trimester ending with a stomach virus and my doctor just took pity on me and said, "How would you like to have this baby tomorrow"...I nearly named my son after her. And once again we came to the end of my third trimester with baby #6 and she wasn't coming (despite feeling contractions since 26 weeks again), so I was induced.
Where did you deliver?
Always at the hospital. Thank God.
Drugs?
Are you kidding? Of course. I'm still on drugs.
Oh, come on, it's just a joke. Great...Social services is knocking.
C-section?
Thankfully, no.
Who delivered?
Doctors.
We really liked our first one. The second one was just fine. But I love the OB I have now!
She delivered our 5th. When it was time to push, they called her. About 3 minutes later she burst through the door running. Trying to catch her breath, she explained she was about to go into a c-section when they called. She told them to wait on the c-section and RAN up three flights of stairs because she knew I would deliver fast. The moment I saw her running into my delivery room I thought "She's got a patient for life...I will never go to another OB."
Unfortunately, with our 6th, she came in to see me and I was about 5 cm. She told me to make sure I waited for 30 minutes because she had a c-section to do. Ten minutes later, I was at 10 and they had to call another doctor in.
Wasn't that fun?
Share your labor stories, too. Scoot on over to Rocks in my Dryer, copy and paste the questions, and leave your link.
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Showing posts with label birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birth. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
New Mommy Wisdom
As you know, I have recently come home from my sixth two-nighter at the mother/baby ward of our local hospital. While this is certainly no Hilton, I have always enjoyed my stay...I mean coming home with a new baby beats those miniature bottles of shampoo any day! And since I have frequented the mother/baby ward nearly once a year for the past several years, I've come up with a list of tips to help the newcomers. So if you've recently lost sight of your toes due to an ever growing midsection and your reservations for the labor and delivery room have already been made (or if you're simply curious) please join me as I impart my ...er, um...wisdom (AKA random thoughts on the matter).
My first tip is to pack light...especially when it comes to packing for the baby. I love how all the baby magazines tell you to pack onesies and blankets and diapers and wipes. This is ridiculous. The hospital provides everything...plus you will likely be receiving even more of these things during your stay by the onslaught of sightseers, I mean friends and relatives, who will be visiting you and showering you with yet more baby stuff. You really only need to bring your baby an outfit to wear to take their hospital photo and one to wear home. (As a side note, I will admit that this time was the first time I didn't bring a "just in case the ultrasound was wrong" outfit.)
As far as packing for yourself goes, there are a few "must-haves". First, I always pack a robe. I don't know where you draw the line in terms of the modesty issue, but the paper thin, bottom exposing gowns that the nurses give you to wear just don't cut it for me. And considering that you will not only be expected to host visitors, but will also have at least 245 pictures of you and your new bundle of joy taken in the very flattering hospital gown, I can assure you will want to be wearing a robe.
Next, pack your own underwear. Trust me, you'll thank me later. These should be comfortable, granny underwear...not the pretty ones, as they will definitely be getting messy. But anything will be a vast improvement over the mesh ones (yes, I did say mesh) that the nurses will give you and actually expect you to apply a maxi pad to. While we are on the subject, I also bring my own maxi pads as I am a firm believer in ultra-thin with wings.
If you have a body pillow, I would recommend bringing it. I know this is kind of a big thing to bring for just a two night stay, but you'll be glad you did. When you are first transferred from the labor and delivery bed (which can only be described as a piece of thick plywood with a sheet over it) to the bed in the mother/baby ward, you will actually think that it is the most comfortable bed you've ever laid in. This is only an illusion. By about hour 6 or 7 of lying flat on your back, right about the time all the visitors leave and you can actually get some rest, you will be very uncomfortable indeed.
Lastly, pack some sweet smelling bodywash and one of those scrunchy sponges. I know this one is the weirdest of all, but it is the most important. When my first was born, my sister actually gave this to me at the hospital as a gift. Believe me, when you are finally able to take a shower after giving birth, you will be so thankful to pamper yourself even just a little. Again, while we're on the subject of showers, I've also learned to take a shower as soon as the nurses allow it. There is nothing that will make you feel better after labor than a shower. I remember laying in bed, feeling crampy and sore. I was so exhausted, but I desperately wanted to take a shower. It was 5:00 in the morning, but I kept going back and forth trying to decide if I should sleep or bathe. I finally decided to get up and after showering, I felt and slept so much better!
Also, if it is possible, have your husband stay with you the entire time. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I've visited many friends in the hospital whose husbands were at home with the older kids or off running errands and such. Not only do I not feel guilty when I ask my husband (instead of my nurse) for my 800th can of Sprite, but it has always been a sweet time of enjoying and getting to know our new baby together. Because we have so many little ones, my husband has not stayed the night with me for the last four visits, but he always stays with me till after 9pm and I make him promise to be back by 9am. I love getting to experience the newness of our little one together with him.
Of course, rest as much as possible, but most of all just praise God for the new blessing! Enjoy your precious baby...count her toes and memorize the curve of her face...fall in love, because this is just the beginning! Pin It Now!
My first tip is to pack light...especially when it comes to packing for the baby. I love how all the baby magazines tell you to pack onesies and blankets and diapers and wipes. This is ridiculous. The hospital provides everything...plus you will likely be receiving even more of these things during your stay by the onslaught of sightseers, I mean friends and relatives, who will be visiting you and showering you with yet more baby stuff. You really only need to bring your baby an outfit to wear to take their hospital photo and one to wear home. (As a side note, I will admit that this time was the first time I didn't bring a "just in case the ultrasound was wrong" outfit.)
As far as packing for yourself goes, there are a few "must-haves". First, I always pack a robe. I don't know where you draw the line in terms of the modesty issue, but the paper thin, bottom exposing gowns that the nurses give you to wear just don't cut it for me. And considering that you will not only be expected to host visitors, but will also have at least 245 pictures of you and your new bundle of joy taken in the very flattering hospital gown, I can assure you will want to be wearing a robe.
Next, pack your own underwear. Trust me, you'll thank me later. These should be comfortable, granny underwear...not the pretty ones, as they will definitely be getting messy. But anything will be a vast improvement over the mesh ones (yes, I did say mesh) that the nurses will give you and actually expect you to apply a maxi pad to. While we are on the subject, I also bring my own maxi pads as I am a firm believer in ultra-thin with wings.
If you have a body pillow, I would recommend bringing it. I know this is kind of a big thing to bring for just a two night stay, but you'll be glad you did. When you are first transferred from the labor and delivery bed (which can only be described as a piece of thick plywood with a sheet over it) to the bed in the mother/baby ward, you will actually think that it is the most comfortable bed you've ever laid in. This is only an illusion. By about hour 6 or 7 of lying flat on your back, right about the time all the visitors leave and you can actually get some rest, you will be very uncomfortable indeed.
Lastly, pack some sweet smelling bodywash and one of those scrunchy sponges. I know this one is the weirdest of all, but it is the most important. When my first was born, my sister actually gave this to me at the hospital as a gift. Believe me, when you are finally able to take a shower after giving birth, you will be so thankful to pamper yourself even just a little. Again, while we're on the subject of showers, I've also learned to take a shower as soon as the nurses allow it. There is nothing that will make you feel better after labor than a shower. I remember laying in bed, feeling crampy and sore. I was so exhausted, but I desperately wanted to take a shower. It was 5:00 in the morning, but I kept going back and forth trying to decide if I should sleep or bathe. I finally decided to get up and after showering, I felt and slept so much better!
Also, if it is possible, have your husband stay with you the entire time. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I've visited many friends in the hospital whose husbands were at home with the older kids or off running errands and such. Not only do I not feel guilty when I ask my husband (instead of my nurse) for my 800th can of Sprite, but it has always been a sweet time of enjoying and getting to know our new baby together. Because we have so many little ones, my husband has not stayed the night with me for the last four visits, but he always stays with me till after 9pm and I make him promise to be back by 9am. I love getting to experience the newness of our little one together with him.
Of course, rest as much as possible, but most of all just praise God for the new blessing! Enjoy your precious baby...count her toes and memorize the curve of her face...fall in love, because this is just the beginning! Pin It Now!
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