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D Day: Childbirth edition
by My due date is February 16th.
Someone please make it quick and painless.
I know, that's a wish that just isn't coming true - ever - but the closer my due date looms the more I start to internalize and try to store up coping skills for whatever kind of labor and delivery I'll end up having.
Since this is my first ride on the pregnancy and childbirth pony, I'm living in the world of unknowns and it is absolutely torturous! I really cannot wait to be part of the ‘been there, done that' club so I'll at least understand that I won't care if I poo on the table and having hands shoved up my lady bits will no longer be uncomfortable but an accepted part of life.
My pregnancy was going smoothly up until a few weeks ago at my 34-week appointment. We had a slight scare during a routine checkup and, though everything ended up looking okay with the baby, we learned that he was lying transverse - his head near one hip and his feet near the other - instead of head down.
Apparently, this is not normal this late in the game for first-time pregnancies and transverse babies come out via C-section and not through the va-jay-jay.
One would think the thought of a C-section would send me running to the hills but oddly enough, I'm totally okay with a C-section. I'm also mostly okay with an attempt at a med-free, natural childbirth. I have no idea how I'll handle the pain of a med-free birth but I can wrap my head around both of those scenarios.
However, I'm terrified of being induced and I have no idea why.
Somehow, going through labor because synthetic chemicals - not my own - tell my body to do so completely freaks me out.
I've been trying to tell myself to prepare for all of the above scenarios, because no one really knows what kind of birthing experience they'll have until it happens.
Except, the mental preparation for each of those birthing "experiences" is completely unique. How am I supposed to prepare for a day where my stomach could get sliced open, my va-jay-jay could get ripped to bits or I could have chemically induced contractions from hell? Or all three?
Just the thought of the word ‘induction' makes my brain spin and my palms sweaty. I've already decided that I won't even question an epidural if I have to be induced. When the doctor asks, my immediate answer will be, "Yes, please. As soon as humanly possible."
Why can't the stork just come and drop off the baby, all wrapped in a cute white sheet?
That idea seems much less complicated.
I've decided that I'm probably in need of good birthing experience ju-ju before I end up in a downward spiral that lands me in the crazy house.
No one wants to start her first days as a mother in a straightjacket.
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Comments (3)
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 - 1:13 pm
Whatever happens, it's never going to be as bad as you can imagine it to be, so although it's much easier said than done when in this situation you just need to stop worrying about what may or may not happen and just go with it. Do the research so you have all the facts, but don't go over the 'what if's. And don't question yourself and put pressure on yourself for it to go a certain way, that way if things don't go to plan you'll handle it much better. (You can skip this part if you don't want someone else's story!) My experience? Induction at 10 days overdue, took another 2 days to kick in and get going. Epidural after about 7 hours of 'gas and air' alone, and c-section a further 7 hours on as progress had halted. And do you know what? The next day I couldn't have cared less - I had my wonderful little boy in my arms and though I can remember the mechanics of my labour and op, the rest immediately became a blur. He turned 2 this week and I can't wait to do it all over again and give him a little brother or sister (soon I hope!). I say focus on the destination, not the journey.Reply -
Report Sat Feb 18, 2012 - 7:35 pmtruly coolReply -
Report Sat Feb 18, 2012 - 1:40 pmI recall being terrified of induction too. Someone told me to take castor oil and orange juice - it was supposed to hurry things up. Hey, that baby is 48 years old now! Anyway I got the dreaded stuff and it sat on the kitchen counter all day but i just couldn't face swallowing it. But that night I got the first labour twinges. I figured it was wishful thinking but by morning they were pretty close together - not exactly pain - just a kind of tightening. A few hours later my little Libby popped out like a pea from a pod with no problems. Still, if the baby won't turn around, can't you just insist on a C section? Probably more comfortable for both of you.Reply
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