Ok, Mommies. It's time for some of us to head back a few years because Amy Beth needs us. I have been wracking my overloaded brain to come up with one piece of advice to give to them, but I just can't seem to narrow it down to one thing.
Anyway, let's start with labor for this post. All 4 of my labors were vastly different. Did you experience that, too? You would have thought that I was a pro by the time sweet baby Andrew (#4) came alone. But I so wasn't. Actually, he was the one that I had the false alarm with. You know, when you actually get sent HOME after being so sure that you are in labor? That had never happened to me prior to him, and it was bad. All bad. I was an inconsolable 9 month pregnant nutcase. Good times.
Ahem. So my point is, labor is like a puzzle. You can have most of the pieces (TIMABLE contractions, nasty discharge...(sorry to any men), diarrhea, dilation and effacement...ect.) and still not be quite ready. Which stinks. Blame Eve. Now, I am not trying to make you go throw back the dozen doughnuts in exasperation here, I am just telling you that....drumroll please....no one is a pro (oh, and while your at it, keep that in mind for breastfeeding, childrearing...and everything involving parenting because there will be some that will think that they are...I'm just sayin'...).
Every one is different and your experience will be 100% your own. Each time. Which is why we all LOVE to sit around and discuss it over coffee (the breakfast of champions....oops! Wait. Not so much while you're nursing....but that's another post).
I guess what I am trying to say is to relax when you get closer to the end. It will happen. And if, God forbid, you have to take the walk of shame home, we will be here with open arms and your craving of the moment to hold you up while you snot bawl. It's normal. And we will probably do it with you.
Next week, we will actually get to the REAL labor part. I promise. That is, IF I am not banned from participating. ;)
Ok, girls.....back me up here. Did you have a false alarm....or just a meltdown at the end? Spill it, because I think I am sinking the ship.
19 comments:
Are you kidding me? With my #3, I was in labor for a while and he never "engaged" until it was time to push-- so they wouldn't give me an epidural until I was 9.5 cm. Talk about out of control and insane. He was 9 lbs 9 oz. Ouch.
W/ #4 I was in labor for 30 hours. Prodromal/false labor for the first 28 hours, and then I went to the hospital where I said, "Give me an epidural and then break my water." SO much for the natural birth I prepared for.
w/ #5, she practically fell out. I literally laughed her out and caught her myself-- and she was 9 lbs 14 oz.
I don't even remember #6 bc of the toxemia (:-( ) but I do know that afterwards I didn't even have a sore moment bc she just fell out: 4 lbs 2.5 oz.
Yes, they are all different.
All three of my labors were diff. I was induced for two and Jesus did the inducing on number three. For that, I am forever grateful!
Your post is super!
I've been through it 7 times and it's NEVER the same! I totally agree. I've been sent home MANY, many times, each time it didn't seem fair :(
-Laura
p.s. what's wrong with coffee while nursing (as I sit here drinking some and nursing???)
I had a false alarm with my 4th too! My issue was that my labor always went so quickly that I was afraid I'd have the baby in my kitchen or in the car, so I was little to quick to head to the hospital with that last one. Sigh!
You're absolutely right, even now I'm ready to burst with all 4 birth stories. Pass the cream please. ;)
Laura~It always made my babies C-R-A-N-K-Y.
Even the decaf stuff. It was the days of tea for this Mama.
After the first coming so quickly, I was so nervous that every little twinge I was like "It's time!"
I only actually went in once. I thought I was leaking water. It was a yeast infection. Gross.
i wish i had time to read the comments already here. i'll be back! the topic of labor is always interesting! so my 2...both over 9 lbs. and over 30 hours of labor each. LOVED it. of course had drugs but i would do it again and again. it was truly the most painful/wonderful experience ever and i felt like superwoman herself!
truly an incredible blessing and gift that God gave us to be able to do such a thing.
no big tears at mine (well not until days after w/ other complications). of course laughter is always my default so i had all the nurses/doc/hubby laughing at my first time, cuz i would crack a joke between pushes. meanwhile my mother in law was in the hall hearing all the laughter and steaming! didn't know it was all good.
so fun to think back to such a wonderful time in my life. thanks!
Oh, I am so scared of the walk of shame! I am afraid too I will give birth in the car from refusing to go to the hospital until I am DARN SURE IT'S TIME.
I was induced with all three of mine for different reasons each time. You are so right, each person, each baby is unique.
Gayle...this had to be for me! I have been so "anxious" about what to expect this time. Abby was 2 weeks late, I had to be induced, it took 14 hours...she was NOT coming out! So everyday I worry will that happen again? I'm so ready to meet this precious baby, but reformed grits reminded me that it will come and go so quickly! (True, it just doesn't feel like it right now.) I kind of envy those people who actually get to go into labor on their own(sitting at home, water breaks, fun stuff!) But it is nice to be able to "plan" with an induction. Please pray for my peace as I wait for God's perfect timing!!!!
Just a meltdown with #1. I was totally (or so I thought!) prepared for natural childbirth, but doc said we had to induce. Darlin was 10 days late. So, in the true fashion of a past-9-month-pregnant lady, I lost it. Right there in the exam room. I finally realized why they have so many boxes of tissue in the OB/GYN office! Then I realized this didn't take God by surprise, and I was okay. In fact, I begged to be induced with #2 and #3.
I could write a book, but I'll keep it short. . . .
#1 (boy) was 5 days late. I was in labor for about 29 hours, of which 14 hours were contractions every 2 minutes with double and triples and up to six contractions on top of each other.
For baby #2 (girl) I thought, "good, they always say cut labor in half. So maybe I'll only have a 14 hour labor. . . most people's length of their first." She was 6 days early. Labor was 27 hours.
Oh, and pregnancy? Threw up for 20 weeks with #1, 24 with #2, and then sporadically until a couple of weeks before delivery.
But there's NOTHING like seeing that sweet little brand-new baby just born! I burst into tears both times!
I may have mentioned a time or two that my body is a bit wonky and childbirth was no exception. I had to be induced with all four of mine.
I did have a few times I went to the hospital thinking IT WAS TIME! But no dice. I was ticked. And disheartened. And assured that it happened all the time.
Gayle -
By #6 I thought for sure I knew what being in labor was all about. Well I took the walk. Than when I was really in labor a week later the midwife decided to break my water at 5 ctm "to speed things up" after about 8 hours and it put me in a hard labor. My others weren't so hard. This was the only time I begged for drugs. Before that it was "all natural for me.' I now sympathize with those that want something to "Break the edge. " : )
I. AM. NO. PRO.
Maria
homeschoolblogger.com/tnmomtomanyblessings
Oh man -- this is some GOOD info!!! You are so very, very smart. :)
I'm glad you participated!!!
here I am, catching up with your blog... I've missed reading your stuff!
as far as my labor stories? wow! too long for one comment.
the twins' short story? went in to the OB at 38 and a half weeks, ready to explode. begged him to take them- and went into labor during the exam- and surprised everyone when I said I was ready to push and I actually was. Lots of screaming throwing things and swearing (by the hospital staff, not me!)and out popped twin A. When twin B came 6 minutes later, I was exhausted but blessed.
I will have to come back and write more, as soon as I get my to be read pile down under 100!
I read this a couple days ago, but I don't think I left a comment. With my first, my water broke while I was in the Big City, at my college room mate's rehearsal dinner, two days before her wedding- which I was made of honor in. It was more of a leak than anything, but being my first, I went to a clinic, which sent me to a hospital, which wasn't going to let me out in time to catch the last ferry home 'cause they were worried I would go into labour. I signed myself out and a mad dash to the ferry occured, while the search was on for my husband, who was in our hometown, but out on a lake doing a police patrol. I didn't actually go into labour for 2 more days, but was too excited to rest. My daughter was born during the wedding reception that I was supposed to be at. I have other stories of helicopter rides and God's miraculous care, but this is long enough already.
I read this a couple days ago, but I don't think I left a comment. With my first, my water broke while I was in the Big City, at my college room mate's rehearsal dinner, two days before her wedding- which I was made of honor in. It was more of a leak than anything, but being my first, I went to a clinic, which sent me to a hospital, which wasn't going to let me out in time to catch the last ferry home 'cause they were worried I would go into labour. I signed myself out and a mad dash to the ferry occured, while the search was on for my husband, who was in our hometown, but out on a lake doing a police patrol. I didn't actually go into labour for 2 more days, but was too excited to rest. My daughter was born during the wedding reception that I was supposed to be at. I have other stories of helicopter rides and God's miraculous care, but this is long enough already.
shoot, sorry about that!
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