Planned hospital birther's thread - Page 2

[HotJabanero]

[QUOTE=nancy11;13326683] no matter how nice they are -- they're strangers. I thought about that happening, too: labor slowing down while en route. QUOTE]

That is exactly how I feel. I can't wait too long though because once I start pushing it's over fast.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by HotJabanero

How long is everyone planning on staying in the hospital?

Barring complications my midwife said we can check out 6 hrs later. I'm thinking if I birth before noon I will take them up on that. If later then I'll wait for the morning after.

The midwives/OBs will release the mom as soon as they feel she is ready, but the pediatricians won't release the baby until 48 hours for first time moms and 24 for "experienced" moms. So, we can expect to spend at least one night, if not two depending on when little bit is born.

ETA: I wonder how long it'll be before some mom-to-be who plans to homebirth comes in and says: "Why not homebirth?" My answer: "For reasons that do not concern you."

[Murph12334]

hospital said 24 hours is stay required by them, 48 is positive for that one test i can't think of the name for.

I totally don't mind because I'll give me time to bond with the baby without dh and dd around.

[jenmk]

For those feeling afraid of hospital staff: have a conversation with your DH about what's important to you and what you do not want anyone trying to change or talk you into (assuming all is well/baby is healthy/etc). I was worried for my first birth as well and prepped DH with what I wanted to have happen and that I didn't want them trying to talk me into doing something I didn't want to do nor convincing DH of it either. He asked that I write it down so he'd have a cheat sheet. We didn't end up needing it as everything went as we hoped, but it was good to just know that someone would stand up for me if I couldn't do it myself during labor/delivery.

And keep in mind, it's your birth and your baby. You make the decisions, not hospital policy or routines. And if you rub some nurse the wrong way because you're wanting to do things differently . . . so what? She's not coming home with you. You won't likely see her again. You need to advocate for yourself and your baby.

Hospital policies/routines are for the convenience of the staff, not necessarily for the best of every mom and baby. The staff is there to help you and take good care of you and your baby . . . I'm not suggesting they're not. But so much is done for staff convenience rather than individual patient needs.

[michanders4]

Saving a spot!! I am having a hospital birth and am off to bed, but will read through and respond tomorrow!! Good night!

[ShineliketheSon]

I liked staying at the hospital last time. It was like a hotel only they brought food to you (good food too). The nurses rarley came in and never at night and baby roomed in with us so it was like a mini vaca where we didn't have the pressure of doing anything around the house, just caring for our baby and me healing. Now with that said, I may want to get home sooner this time to have DD home with me. We'll see.

I've also been told if you don't like your nurses you can always ask for another and they will send in a different one. My dad did this a few times when he went through his cancer...some personalities just don't match.

[nancy11]

Originally Posted by ShineliketheSon

I've also been told if you don't like your nurses you can always ask for another and they will send in a different one.

I'm more likely to have a nurse asking for a different patient!

I think they are "requiring" me to stay two nights there... but if everything goes really, really smoothly, I think I would essentially make my exit before that. We'll see how that goes. I had one ER experience there for my D&C in 2007, and it was pretty non-confrontational (although the attending doctor was a weirdo and he's all looking up my skirt so-to-speak - meh). Of course, that was a very quick procedure and I was outta there that day.

[michanders4]

I am having a planned hospital birth too. It makes me feel the most comfortable. I really like our hospital. We went on a tour a couple of weeks ago. The rooms are really nice. The hospital policy requires you to stay 48 hours for a vaginal birth, but I am ok with that. I probably have packed way more than I need, but I'd rather have more than I need of my own stuff than not enough, kwim? The baby is allowed to stay with me (and DH is too) the whole time and this was one of my concerns so I'm happy about that. They do weigh the babies every night but I can just take him myself to the nursery (or DH can) and then bring him right back to my room.

My fear is that I am going to end up having a C-section. I discussed this with my doctor and it sounds like their "policy" is to do a C-section more quickly than I'd like. I completely understand that if I'm pushing for over 2 hours and not making any progress than that might indicate that something is wrong with the baby's position or my pelvis and that it might not happen, but I am going to do everything in my power (and I'm going to make sure DH is on board too) to make sure I exhaust all options SAFELY before letting it get to that. Obviously, if the baby or myself are in distress of any sort I understand that it might need to happen.

My other concern is that I'd like to labor at home for as long as possible (the teacher who gave us the tour said its better to stay home as well). The hospital is literally a 7 minute ride door to door so I have that going for me. If my water breaks at home, how soon should I go in? I know I have a good amount of amniotic fluid (high end of normal) and I have to worry about cord prolapse - does anyone know anything about this? My doctor hasn't even discussed this with me yet, but I have heard that having increased fluid can cause this if/when your water breaks. If I'm just having contractions and my water has not broken, what signs do I need to look for that would tell me its time to go in??

TIA!!

[goodmomma76]

michelle-My OB gives out a card with instructions on it about when to call or come to the hospital...perhaps you could ask at your next visit for something like that in writing...I have been very forgetful lately for some reason and need stuff in writing... I get that next time I go in, but I looked at it last time, and from what I remember (and from my first 2) contractions 5 minutes apart (depends on your drive too, mine is 35 minutes) Water breaking more than 12 hours ago, bleeding, no movement from babe in 1 hour, ummm, seems like there were a couple of other things, but I can't think of them right now.

Wish I was packed. I keep trying and getting sidetracked in to something else...oh well, at least I'll have slippers and body wash! LOL

[SallyN]

Planned hospital birth here. Um, unless we "oops" don't get to the hospital in time.

I'm fortunate to have a Baby-Friendly hospital a mere 4 minutes away. The longest part of the trip will probably be getting from the parking lot to the maternity floor (it's literally the furthest point away from the entrance... down many halls and up the slowest elevator known to (wo)man).

I birthed my first daughter there and my experience was okay - I think it would have been better had I known more... which I do this time around. (So I'm fortunate to be in the "regret" rather than "guilt" stage of reflection on her birth.) This time I'll have a doula. And I also have a different midwife (CNM) who has actually had a homebirth for her most recent kid. Our local homebirth CNM described her as "having a homebirth heart". (I actually would have liked to have a homebirth, but by the time I processed some mental/emotional blocks, the CNM was already booked.)

Anyway... words of advice from my first experience...
- What the nurses tell you you "have" to do isn't necessary "policy"... it may very well be just what is usually done, or what they know to do. Honestly, the only person I'd accept a ruling of "this is policy" from would be my doctor or midwife.
- Don't sign a blanket consent form (actually, I didn't, but I've heard lots of stories from women who did.)
- Have a doula, or dedicated birth attendant to help you remember what you wanted and/or didn't want
- I didn't have my bag fully packed, as there were things I was still using up until when I went to the hospital. I DID have a checklist of things to be put in the bag. Word of advise... don't check something off until you actually put it in the bag (I checked a few things off as I was going to get them, but then would get distracted... we got to the hospital with a few, thankfully not necessary, things checked off but not in the bag.)
- Eat before you go to the hospital. Even if you have your HCP on board with you eating/drinking at will, the nurses might provide resistance (until you get them on the phone with your HCP). Plan to eat/drink things that you won't mind having come up again, just in case. (My nurse meant well, that was her concern. My concern was the migraines I get if I don't eat!!)
- If you're not at a Baby-Friendly hospital, and plan to breastfeed, make SURE the staff know not to give your baby ANYTHING (including a pacifier). If you're at a hospital that doesn't allow rooming-in, make SURE that staff know to bring your baby too you at the slightest indication of rooting/hunger/distress. (And if you haven't seen your baby in a while... bug them... either go to the nursery yourself, or page the nurses until they bring baby to you!)

[MissyLissa]

You have to remember that naturally occurring cord prolapse is pretty rare!! It seems more common but a lot of times it's caused by an amniotomy (manually ruptured by the doc). I know of two girls that were whisked off for emergency c/s because of this. If your water breaks on it's own, things to look for are meconium in the fluid and decreased fetal movement, both would indicate some kind of stress on the baby. Also, if you have a huge gush of fluid rather than starting with a trickle there's a higher risk of cord prolapse. If you're really worried about it give your doctor a call, but keep in mind that if labor hasn't started on it's own you're starting that 24 hour clock for yourself. My water broke with DS and contractions were slow to come. I waited about 4 hours to go to the hospital and I got really scared and mentally stopped my labor, which led to pitocin, epidural, etc. If I could do things over I would have waited at home much longer. My fluid was clear and I was still feeling plenty of fetal movement so I knew he was okay. I was just a scared FTM and thought I would die of an infection if I didn't consent to pitocin! lol That's another thing, don't put anything in the vagina if your water breaks before labor begins!!

[Xerxella]

Originally Posted by amyandelle

I delivered at a regular hospital with Elle and Meadow (same one for both) but this time I am delivering at a womans hospital in downtown Chicago. We are going to be taking a tour in the next few weeks (we should have done this weeks ago) and Elle is going to go on a special "Tike Hike".

Are you birthing at Prentice? The Illinois tribe thread has lots of opinions about that hospital. I birthed at Edward in Naperville with my first son and I would NOT recommend it. I'll be trying West Suburban this time around.

[ShineliketheSon]

Originally Posted by michanders4

My other concern is that I'd like to labor at home for as long as possible (the teacher who gave us the tour said its better to stay home as well). The hospital is literally a 7 minute ride door to door so I have that going for me. If my water breaks at home, how soon should I go in?
TIA!!

My water broke last time and hard contractions hit within 10 min, the doula and DH were on there way and I was on the phone with the midwife during them and she said I was in transition and to get there as soon as DH arrived. I was also Group B strep pos so they wanted me there asap(not sure I'll follow that if I"m positive this time) But anyway by the time Dh got home I was feeling like baby was going to be coming out soon! It was an hour after water broke before we left for hospital and about 1 hour before I made it to my birthing suite and then 2 hours later baby was born. So total of 4 hours. Anyway, I'm having a doula this time around too and if it doesn't go like this and my water breaks but we have time...I"ll labor at home till she feels it's time to head in. Other than that I don't have any answers!

[heatherweh]

Originally Posted by MissyLissa

You have to remember that naturally occurring cord prolapse is pretty rare!! It seems more common but a lot of times it's caused by an amniotomy (manually ruptured by the doc). I know of two girls that were whisked off for emergency c/s because of this. If your water breaks on it's own, things to look for are meconium in the fluid and decreased fetal movement, both would indicate some kind of stress on the baby. Also, if you have a huge gush of fluid rather than starting with a trickle there's a higher risk of cord prolapse. If you're really worried about it give your doctor a call, but keep in mind that if labor hasn't started on it's own you're starting that 24 hour clock for yourself. My water broke with DS and contractions were slow to come. I waited about 4 hours to go to the hospital and I got really scared and mentally stopped my labor, which led to pitocin, epidural, etc. If I could do things over I would have waited at home much longer. My fluid was clear and I was still feeling plenty of fetal movement so I knew he was okay. I was just a scared FTM and thought I would die of an infection if I didn't consent to pitocin! lol That's another thing, don't put anything in the vagina if your water breaks before labor begins!!

Wow- I could have written this! If I had known then what I do now I would have stayed home until labor got going on its own instead of going right in so they could induce me and let the snowball of interventions begin.

This is a great thread, lots of good advice. I agree with making a cheat-sheet for husband/labor coach/doula; what to do if I start freaking out, what to do if x, y, z as first second and third choices and options a) accupressure b) homeopathics xyz, c) aromatherapy xyz, d) smack me across the face and call me Sheila etc.. e) run from the room screaming to the first person you see that I need an epidural right away lol.

My friend just told me about her wonderful hospital birth experience today and it really cheered me up. She was a champ and did everything the way I am hoping to do it- stayed home laboring on her feet and walking and finally went in to discover she was at 9 1/2 cm and almost ready to push, then had them put the hospital bed in the sitting up position to drape over the back of it, then three pushes and done! That sounds like a nice plan to me. :-)

I live a few minutes from a baby-friendly wonderful hospital with doctors who I consider to be not so mama-friendly. : I'm actually scheduled to interview a new doctor next week so may be transferring to a new practice (awesome doc) and a new hospital (not as baby friendly) more like 30 min away. I think I owe it to myself to at least try and if I don't click with the doctor then I can feel more at peace with my original choice.

I also fear that I am in for a fight whichever choice I make, either a fight with my provider or a fight with the nurse, but at least this time I have the a-team with me; DH, a doula, and my nurse friend/homebirther/labor-coach/patient advocate.

Oh and I understand concern over other children too- MIL got all flaky suddenly too and told us to make sure we have back-up plans in place because she and FIL might be anywhere in the country when I have the baby, there's just no telling. Ummm...ok, glad you randomly decided to do your tour of the motherland during the couple week period that I might be birthing your grandchild after having already agreed to watch your grandson for us. Way to support your family. But then I started imagining them being there during the tender first few moments of DS meeting his little brother and reuniting with DH and I and that gave me the cold shiver down the spine too- I can just see it now, them trying to force poor LOs to pose for pictures and admonishing them for crying or trying to get us all to eat cake or serve them tea or whatever random nonsense comes into their minds as I limp about and wring my hands wanting to breastfeed the new one and comfort the older one and generally be all hormotional... Sigh, there is just no easy answer here unfortunately. I'm leaving it all to DH- his family, his problem. I'm the one who has to push the baby out after all.

[Maxine45]

Originally Posted by heatherweh

My friend just told me about her wonderful hospital birth experience today and it really cheered me up. She was a champ and did everything the way I am hoping to do it- stayed home laboring on her feet and walking and finally went in to discover she was at 9 1/2 cm and almost ready to push, then had them put the hospital bed in the sitting up position to drape over the back of it, then three pushes and done! That sounds like a nice plan to me. :-)

Sounds good to me, too!
and I love your term "hormotional"; doubt I'll be able to remember it, but it's great.

[shannomad]

I'm officially a May due date, but it's May 2nd, so I pop in here as well.

I've have 2 hospital births, the first was terrilbe, the second was wonderful. I switched to a Baby Friendly hospital for the 2nd birth. I'm going back to the same CNM practise and hospital for this birth.

I felt so much more dignified laboring in my own gown for the 2nd birth. Like PPs, I hated the pictures of me in that horrible hospital gown during and after my first birth. So, i will definitly be packing my own clothes to labor in. Probalby a long-ish maternity shirt this time. Last time, I used a nightgown, which looked nice, but I had to crumple it all the way up above my breasts to nurse, so I expect a shirt will work better. I will also bring slippers and a robe.

I will bring a cute cap and blanket to put on the baby. I've always done this before, but this time, I'm going to give it to the nurses during labor, so they can use them on the baby first thing. I really dislike the pictures of my new baby in the hospital caps and hospital blankets. It's funny that these little things matter so much to me, but those initial pictures are ones that you save forever.

At check in, I will definitely ask for a nurse who enjoys natural birth. Last time, I had it on my birth plan, but by the time they read the birth plan, you've already got your assigned nurse!

I also plan to bring some homeopathics, and a cheatsheet for DH to know what to give in which circumstance. In the past, I thought I could deal with this kind of thing myself, but once you're in laborland, you can't necessarily think about things like this, at least that's my experience.

I need to bring a sheet and sleeping bag for the daybed they have for DH.

Finally, I will bring my ipod with music and HypnoBabies. And headphones.

The last two births, Ive brought so much more stuff, but hardly used any of it. The hospitals always had stuff for the baby. About the only other thing I'd bring is something to wear home. And a toothbrush!

Also, we wanted to leave ASAP last time, and the MW was OK with it, but we had to wait for the baby checkup, and then, the pediatrician asked that we wait until DD peed for the first time, which took a while.

I'm always so happy to leave the hospital and get home!!!

[Murph12334]

I talked to the midwife in my practice today at my appt. She said I didn't have to get the pitocin for after birthing to help with the bleeding. Also she said the OB's in this practice want all mom's to have the Hep lock.

[ShineliketheSon]

I'm meeting with my doula next Tuesday to go over any fears/anxietys/questions I have. I'm feeling really comfortable with my midwives and the hosptial birth. I've had a few other offers for middle of the night emergencies should my mom not follow through...so that helps. I have yet to still discuss my concerns with her...the whole thing makes me sad. She is the best one to care for DD and also one that will go home/back off when I ask. Well see.

Anyway aside from that...baby appears to be head down so thats GREAT...I can't wait to do the GBS test as that's the last thing I have that might interfere a bit with my birth plan. I don't want the hep lock/antibiotics if I don't have to...I get yeast infections from antibiotics!! So praying I pass that test.

[lj2blessed]

Wow...I can't believe we're so close! :

I'm due April 4th (our first) and will be having a hospital birth. This wasn't my original plan but both DH and I work here and have the insurance...so we're doing it!

Birth plan with the OB didn't go so well...he wasn't down with our "natural" wishes. We won't be bringing it up again, just making our voices heard at the hospital. We plan to labor at home as long as possible - the trip is maybe 6-7 minutes from curb to curb!

The tour seemed nice, the let baby and dad room in, so we like that! Met one of the LC's and she seemed very helpful, I sure hope they all are.

[FischK]

I'm due April 25 and I'm also planning a hospital birth. I had just moved to the area we lived in when I found out I was pregnant, and while I was considering a homebirth for a few weeks, it just seemed easier and I really liked the midwife who's affiliated with the local hospital when I met her.

At this point, I've toured the hospital, talked to some of the nurses who work there, discussed my birth plan with the midwife, and met some of the other OBs in her practice, and all points to the hospital being extremely baby-friendly and non-interventionist. I've also heard many good things from colleagues about the hospital so I will give it a try for #1.

I'm currently working on my birth plan and I will make multiple copies to ensure that I will have one on me when I go to the hospital. I will work until 1 week before my due date, so I may have to get there from work rather than home. My midwife has assured me that everyone who is affiliated with the birthing unit will respect my wishes, unless there is some sort of medical emergency for either me or the baby. They actually want mothers to breastfeed, so they are not allowed to give bottles or pacifiers to babies; if for some reason the mother can't feed the baby immediately, they spoon-feed. Rooming-in with the baby is what they prefer at the hospital and when we visited there weren't any babies in the nursery even though all the rooms were full. Needless to say, I'm cool with that as long as it is all true when I am actually there.