Baby itch? no more??????

OK, so I went to a new GYN yesterday and when I walked in there were babies everywhere! I was soooo facinated with them and couldn't stop making silly faces at them to make them laugh. The problem is that I was listening to a woman who just found out she was pregnant talk to another woman who has had 3 kids already and the who idea of me having a baby has freaked me out so much! I also looked through a pamphlet about pregnancy, which didn't help.

My question to you ladies is:

Is childbirth as bad as it sounds and were you scared/nervous before/during your pregnancy?

I thought I was ready to take on TTC (but not for another year since we are doing major construction to our house and just got married 2 months ago). I thought I was getting the baby itch.

Thanks for any insight!
Kelly

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

I wont lie... childbirth hurts! Its like the worst cramps you could imagine X10. Its not constant pain (unless you get induced and have pitocin). It comes in waves and usually lasts for a few hours then you have your baby.

I was in labor with DD for 22 hours, hard really painfull labor from like 10AM (when they broke my water) till 5PM. I wound up with a c-section because the cord was around her neck and her heartrate was dropping. I got to 9CM. I can honestly tell you even though I was scared that I was going to have surgery I was SOOOOO thankful when they put that needle in my spine to numb me! Then they took my pride and joy out of me and I had to recover for about a month.

DD was a suprise so I couldnt really be scared before but not knowing what was going to be happening to my body during pregnancy and labor was scary. DD is almost 6 months old and when I think of having another baby it scares me. I know I am going to have surgery again I think thats the kicker.

No matter how much pain I was in and no matter how unsure of everything I was I can't wait to get the nerve up again to have another baby!

I wish you luck for when you want your little baby and don't listen to all the horror stories... its never THAT bad.

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Re: Baby itch? no more??????

I was never scared or nervous one bit.
Yes it was very painful. Its a pain that you cant prepare someone for. ITs just as kp described it. the contractions, come in waves, of excruciating pains, like the worse cramps X 1,000.

After all I went through, I would do it again in a heartbeat ! and cant wait to do it again !

KP-are you having another c-section next time ? (you mentioned having to have surgery again).
Dont your doctors allow the option of VBAC ? (vagin*l birth after c-section ? ) I also had a csection and I plan to try vagin*lly next time.

Kelly-why are you freaked out ? What did she say that freaked you out ? There is nothing about childbirth or motherhood (in my whole 2 months of experience!) that should make you freak out or back away from it. Its the most amazing experience in the world.

On Thanksgiving weekend, I babysat my sisters 3 kids, plus had my own. So i had 2 infants and 2 toddlers. Boy was it a handful (especially when I was nursing my son, and holding a bottle for her infant son!) As crazy as some parts of that day were, I would never think twice about having 2 or more kids... They are children, we were children once, kids are kids, they didnt do anything that normal children dont do (jumping, running, fighting, etc) it was an experience, but it was also fun in its own way !

Dont get discouraged ! What is bothering you about the whole thing ??

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Yes Anna I am going to have a repeat c/s just because I have a nice scar on my stomach already and I dont want to ruin all my parts! I am queazy about the stitches on my stomach (I dont touch them) I wonder how I would be with stitches down there!

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

I am planning on trying Hypnobirth, instead of conventional child birth.
Here is a web site that explains more about it. The women lives in St. James
What is HypnoBirthing?
http://harmonicpathways.com/hypnobirthing.htm#What
When having your baby with HypnoBirthing, what you will experience is similar to the daydreaming or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book or staring at a fire. You will be conversant and in good spirits - totally relaxed, but fully in control. You will be aware of your body's contractions but will be able to determine the extent to which you feel the surge. You will experience your birthing in an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, without fear and tension that cause pain. Your body's natural anesthesia (endorphins) will replace the stress hormones that create pain. When it is time for your baby to be born, you will be fully awake and involved.

I saw this on 20/20 and Dateline and was totally amazed!
I also think (as I have not gone thru it myself) that we scare ourselves so much that we make it worse. So, yes I am really scared by childbirth but I plan on trying to do everything I can to calm my fears.

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

KP...she is SO beautiful! When I see such a beautiful baby, it renues my baby feaver! Thanks for telling me the truth in labor pains! My friends tell me that 'it's no big deal', but then again, they haven't yet gone through it.

anna... They were just talking about ALL the tests you need to go through. The blood tests are the ones that are making me more turned off than anything else. I am such a baby when it comes to drawing blood from me or dealing with needles. Just thinking about them turns me queezy! Then they were talking about the labor and how long they were in labor. I know I want children, don't get me wrong, but it does scare me!

Thanks for all the true advice! (keep it coming!)

Kelly

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

i have a question (no experience whatsoever with all this baby stuff ) - but what exactly happens when your water breaks?

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Kelly, I am 5 months pregnant and definitely worried about the pain involved in labor. But I keep telling myself, if it's THAT bad, then why do so many people go on to have 2, 3 or 4 kids? The way I look at it is that it's one day of pain for a lifetime of happiness.

**I've heard that once you go into labor, you are so excited about meeting your new baby that you are not worrying about the pain or anything else for that matter!! Pain is ALL in your head, and there are many techniques that you can learn to help you get through it. Plus, there are DRUGS!! Hee hee.

Also, as far as the tests you have to go through during pregnancy...I am 22 weeks now, and have only had one blood test. My next one is at 28 weeks, when they test your blood sugar to make sure you don't have gestational diabetes. I've only had one pelvic exam so far. So far, it's relatively easy!

Good luck!
Melissa

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Thanks melissa! Best of luck to you, your DH and your little one to be! I can't wait to see a pic!

Michele... thanks for the info! That sounds interesting and worth looking more into.

Kelly

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Thanks for the compliment... shes the reason I want more babies. They are so cute!

1. Water breaking - Amnionic sac ruputres - fluid leaks out - my doc broke mine to speed up my labor - I felt like I was peeing myself! Makes labor active if it wasnt already.

2. When you are in the beginning stage of labor things are great. THen active labor begins and I dont think there is anything that could excite you even having a new baby except making the pain stop! I dont think the pain is in your head... Its like cutting your arm off and saying the pain is all in your head. You are pushing a baby out a SMALL whole! There is nothing except an epidural (which has its drawbacks) that will get rid of the pain completly. I was going as natural as I could and after 15 hours I has a shot of nubain which makes you feel all dopped up but it does take away the pain for a couple hours PS the shot burns when it goes in your arm.

3. The tests - not too many times taking blood maybe 5. The gestational diabetes test isnt too bad as long as you have the orange drink....... its pretty yummy. You shouldnt have any pelvic exams except the first one till you are 36 weeks... then one every week till the baby is here.

Ahhh all these wonderful memories

But after all you endure you have a baby. Makes any pain worth it!

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

kp-i was just surprised that you have a choice to have another c-section. Im shocked that Dr's are doing that. Because its a major surgery and it should be avoided until necessary. My Dr's wont do it unless medically necessary. i've heard also that lots of celebrities are now scheduling c-sections way ahead of time, so they can schedule their lives around them.. its amazing how things are so different with every doctor.
PS-your daughter is gorgeous !!

michelle-i give you lots of credit and luck with the hypnobirthing ! I have to say i could never go for that. the pain is REAL, oh believe me its real. i am a strong believer of alot of things being 'in your head' or 'mind over matter' but in the case of being in labor, i think i would have clocked anyone that would have told me to dream it away..lol...

kelly- keep with the good baby vibes ! its so much fun, yes exhausting, but rewarding ! (especially whenthey crack that first smile !! TOOK MY BREATH AWAY !!!!!!)

yeah, im worried about it too--(long)

but it is unavoidable- there will be some pain.
Please dont l isten to everyone's horror stories- some people just loike to think they earned a badge of honor- as someone else here on the board said- why would we go onand have another child then?

Blood will be taken about 5 times...I have TINY veins and Low blood pressure..but I made it through.

I have about 9 days to go til my due date. and Have been attending childbirth classes-Bradley Method. This will take a lot of the 'mystery' out of it...and some of the anxiety cuz you find out steop by step what will/can happen.
I hope to go as natural as possible...drugs arent always the answer...they actually take away some of your options...but that is just my opinion- and that of my class.
In EArly labor- they advised to stay home as long as possible.. You can eat shower and rest/nap while at home...and feel SAFE in your nest at home.
Once contractions are 3to 5 min apart for about an hour- its time to go to the hospital.
\Once you are checked in there...and are not a high risk person...then you use your coping techniques to work through the contractions- Walking up and down the halls (gravity works in your favor to pull out the baby) , sit on a medicine ball, slow dance with partner, get massages where it works for you, have music playing in the rm, take a bath or shower ( if your delivery rm has this option)...all of these are coping techniques.

You are not alone in your fear....but dont let that stop you. Find a way to work through it.

Once you decide to be a mom, and become pregnant, then ALL your decisions are on behalf of your baby. You also want to make it as comfortable for u as possible..but at this point...you will not be considering yourself first...but the life inside you

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

kp-your baby is so precious!!

It was interesting to read all of your posts, it's sounds like the whole birthing process is just undescribeable. I'm planning on a water birth to ease the pain, avoid an episiotomy and for the many other benefits to water birth. But, if I am in labor for 15 hours, I think I'll be moving to plan B-- whatever it takes to get the baby out and stop the pain.

Here's a good site on water birthing, it has a lot of info about the benefits. It's very common in the UK.

http://www.waterbirth.org/index2.html

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

KP She is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big hugs and kisses for her, what a face!!!!!!!! God bless and congratulations.

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Thank you everyone. I love her to pieces. That picture was taken when she was a day old. This pic is her when she was 3 months old (we had a photo shoot )

Edited to say: When I had my 6 week check up after having her I asked my doc 'what about when I have another one' and he said I could do it either way. I told him I already ruined my stomach so we might as well use that route he said ok. VBAC is possible but there is a 30% chance of uterian rupture. I've had 2 surgeries at that hospital and I trust them and I have complete faith in my docs (they made the decision to have the emergency c-section to get Emma out). The recovery may be HORRIBLE but I dont think I could damage my body more. JMO.

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Re: Baby itch? no more??????

kp, she was only a day old? she's wide-eyed and very alert!
the other pic is great too!!

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

I totally believe the pain is very real BUT I have read many hypno-birth stories and they do say that they were less afraid, felt more in control. I don't have dillusions of 'this feels great' coming out of my mouth but if it can help ease my labor in anyway then I say, 'Why not'. It cannot hurt anymore with hypno-birth and I can always ask for drugs during if I feel I need to.

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

KP - your little angel is gorgeous!!! Looks like you'll be fighting the boys away in about 14 years!

I love hearing everyone's birth experiences as well as everyone's ideas on how they would like to give birth! I think it's wonderful to allow yourself to have options during childbirth. Just like everyone has different thresholds for pain, and different coping mechanisms for stress, we should all have individual ideas for how to get ourselves through the birthing process. I would love to explore the the waterbirth and hypnobirth concepts further - I think they both sound interesting.

When I was preparing to have Paul, I wasn't scared of pain, as much as I was just nervous about the onset of labor. I didn't know how labor was going to start for me, and I was worried about my water breaking in my home - GROSS! Anyway, I am so glad things happened the way they did. I went into labor rather peacefully...during the night, when I was relaxed and sleeping, and it gradually got more intense. Like Phyl wants to do, I labored at home for most of my early labor. I walked around my apartment, showered, rested and practiced some of the techniques hubby and I learned in birthing class (we had a combo of Bradley and Lamaze - it was great!)

I was disappointed that I didn't have many options once we got to the hospital. They administered my epidural right away, b/c contractions were closer and intense so no more walking around. BUT, looking back...I'm glad that I was finally able to rest!!! I had been awake since 2 AM, and I don't think I would have had the strength to push if I hadn't gotten the epi. My water broke after they gave me Pitocin. I took a nap, watched the Met game and called the grandparents.

I applaud Michele for considering hypnobirth b/c it sounds very disciplined, and I don't know if I could have that much discipline during a state of pain and uncertainty. Maybe I'd find it easier to do with my second, since I already know how things happen - who knows?

To be very honest, THINKING about a second birth actually frightens me more than I was for my first b/c I KNOW MORE about what will happen....is that crazy or what??? LOL!!

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Michele I completly agree with you #2 is going to be much different than #1 because you know what happens. I want another baby now but I dont think I have the guts yet. The memories are just too fresh

BTW we are locking DD in the basement as soon as she can walk... no boys for her!!

Re: Baby itch? no more??????

Hi KP...I think you meant me (Claud) in your above post. Michele hasn't had any babies yet...LOL!


And, I know what you mean about locking them in the basement! LOL!!