homebirth for wimps - Page 3

[S.Elise]

Originally Posted by Mariposa40

but somehow knowing ahead of time that I will likely hit that point seems like it will make that point a little easier to manage. At least then I might be able to think, "Oh yeah, this is that point where I think I can't do it -- but I really can." DH has strict instructions when I reach that point to remind me that I am strong and can handle this.

Exactly! I could not agree with this more.

[jeminijad]

This has all been helpful... but from what I have read, a number of homebirth transfers are for exhaustion.

I need my sleep. Period.

So, since I'm the OP, I'll change directions a little: Homebirth For Those Who Lose Their Minds When Not Well Rested.

Someone mentioned that Benadryl or Ambien are things that some midwives will use when long prodromal labor keeps a woman from sleeping. Any other tipes regarding this, perhaps not using meds?

I realize it is kind of a fine line between saying 'I'm okay with using substances/practices to help me be well rested for active labor' and 'I'm okay with Nubain to knock me out so I can just wake up to push,' which is NOT the point at all.

[jennica]

Originally Posted by jeminijad

I realize it is kind of a fine line between saying 'I'm okay with using substances/practices to help me be well rested for active labor' and 'I'm okay with Nubain to knock me out so I can just wake up to push,' which is NOT the point at all.

Nubain does not do that at all. It barely takes the edge off of the pain. It certainly would not allow you to sleep or "knock you out".

[grcelizabeth]

Nubain is NOT good for you and has ill side effects. I can elaborate if you want. Giving something to help sleep like Benadryl is preferrably not a good idea because it can make you sleepy-yes- BUT you could potentially be right at the pushing state where you need all of your energy and don't want to be half out of it. My advice would be if you're afraid of being too exhausted, relax during the first part of labor. Don't get too excited that things are happening and start walking, squatting, ect. to get labor going faster. Just move at your own pace, take naps while you can, EAT AND DRINK as this GREATLY increases your energy. Keep telling yourself everything you have learned so far... every contraction gets you closer to holding your little one, your body is meant to do this, your baby is getting in the optimal position for pushing. BTW, if your exhausted, it's not going to change a thing at the hospital. There's nothing that will happen differently unless you decide you want pitocin to speed it up (which is a whole topic on its own).

Originally Posted by jeminijad

This has all been helpful... but from what I have read, a number of homebirth transfers are for exhaustion.

I need my sleep. Period.

So, since I'm the OP, I'll change directions a little: Homebirth For Those Who Lose Their Minds When Not Well Rested.

Someone mentioned that Benadryl or Ambien are things that some midwives will use when long prodromal labor keeps a woman from sleeping. Any other tipes regarding this, perhaps not using meds?

I realize it is kind of a fine line between saying 'I'm okay with using substances/practices to help me be well rested for active labor' and 'I'm okay with Nubain to knock me out so I can just wake up to push,' which is NOT the point at all.

[ShadowLark]

Originally Posted by jennica

Nubain does not do that at all. It barely takes the edge off of the pain. It certainly would not allow you to sleep or "knock you out".

Is Nubain the same as Stadol? Because I had that with my first birth PRECISELY to knock me out. Worked like a charm! (It was 9 pm and I figured I'd be in labor all night long. I was right - had him at 9:44 am. Of course, I was also stuck in bed and had an epi, so that couldn't have helped matters. And PUKING MY GUTS OUT! Was that from the Stadol? ICK!

And how much Benadryl is safe to take for trying to get to sleep? I routinely take 50 mgs every so often for allergies so that wouldn't be enough. I'm pretty sure 100 mgs would knock me out, but would that be safe for the baby? (homebirth all the way this time!)

[jennica]

Originally Posted by ShadowLark

Is Nubain the same as Stadol? Because I had that with my first birth PRECISELY to knock me out. Worked like a charm! (It was 9 pm and I figured I'd be in labor all night long. I was right - had him at 9:44 am. Of course, I was also stuck in bed and had an epi, so that couldn't have helped matters. And PUKING MY GUTS OUT! Was that from the Stadol? ICK!

I think they both narcotics but different kinds. I had Nubain for Ds's birth and it barely did anything. It just took the edge off and helped to stop panicking, but I had the same amount of pain, it just felt more contained with the Nubain. It certainly did not knock me out or even come close. I barely even felt it at all. After the birth when they gave me a second dose (without consent) during stitching because I was having trouble relaxing, then I felt it. I was all dizzy and lightheaded then, but still it didn't knock me out or make me sleepy.

[dogmom327]

Just to give you hope...my sister gave birth today after 46 hours of labor (most of it hard labor) at home (hasn't slept the last two nights). She is a huge wimp normally and for the first six months of her pregnancy was insisting she had to have an epidural--until she figured out there are always strings attached to that. Anyway, she did awesome. I'm so proud of her!

[Abismommy]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong. If you email someone from DONA, I am pretty sure they have doulas in training. Whom will work for you for next to nothing, as they have to attend so many births to become certified
Now moving on
You can totally do it! I am a big wimp..lol. I was screaming, but in the end it was ALL worth it. I was able to eat, walk, sit, stand, shower. Massage also helped. If you are strapped down to a hospital bed, it is gonna hurt so much more
PS: With my first baby my labor was 18hrs and a breeze.
My 2nd was back labor and much more intense, but still manageable!
Our bodies are meant to do this!!!

[CallMeMommy]

Re the exhaustion thing, after my homebirth my husband told me how he was literally falling asleep standing up after the birth, was just completely exhausted, but I was all like "YEAH! WHOO!" and so not tired. Those endorphins are great at keeping you alert (marathon labors being a different story, I don't want to disrespect anyone who ended up transferring for exhaustion). With a run-of-the-mill homebirth it's not likely that you're going to end up too tired to push or crazy out of your mind with tiredness (I get like that, too!).

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by ShadowLark

And how much Benadryl is safe to take for trying to get to sleep? I routinely take 50 mgs every so often for allergies so that wouldn't be enough. I'm pretty sure 100 mgs would knock me out, but would that be safe for the baby? (homebirth all the way this time!)

With baby 3, my water broke at 11 at night, and I needed sleep, so I took 50 mg benadryl, slept for 4 hours, and then woke up in almost-active labor. I was fully awake and it was fine. I had enough sleep to not be crazy tired.

[jeminijad]

I had Nubain in the hospital and it DID knock me out. I went from 3 to 8 in the 6 hours of Nubain induced sleep.

Clearly, this is not what I am looking for this time, at home.

[mion]

I'm thoroughly enjoying Grantly Dick-Read's book, Childbirth Without Fear, which might be helpful. I've read and re-read all the Ina May and many others prior to dd#2, but I wish I would have read this one much sooner. His discussion of the physiology/psychology of pain as it applies to the uterus and labor is fascinating. It is hard to believe he studied and wrote at the turn of the 19th century! (or would that be the turn of the 20th? late 1800's. haha)

[lilmamabrown]

I loved hypnobabies! I know it is not for everyone but I was also very grateful for my big ol' bottle of wine during early labor and saved the rest for when it started getting really intense. An hour in a hot shower was also a huge help. Breathing is very important for keeping you composed as well as from getting exhausted... I wasn't prepared enough on breathing methods but luckily my husband was. I got to a point before pushing where I just let him tell me how and to breathe bc my way wasn't cutting it.

[triana1326]

I am a total wimp when it comes to pain. My mother was totally shocked when I told her I was going all-natural for my DD birth. She was convinced that I'd be begging for a transfer to the hospital for an epi. I had done so much reading and research that I knew that I wasn't going to have medications, regardless of how much it hurt. Throughout my three day labor, I don't remember a single moment when I thought about the hospital or pain meds. It just wasn't an option for me. I do remember begging my DH and midwife for "just a small break", saying "I can do it, but I just need a break for a few minutes". This was my transition. When DD crowned I remember screaming "Get it out!" a lot, but I shut up pretty quickly when I reached down and caught her myself. The only other pain I remember was pushing out the placenta. I was pissed that I had to do it, because I was like, "no, I just had a baby, I'm not pushing anymore!" Rather funny looking back on it, but I was so mad about it.
I'm actually more worried about handling the pain this time around, because I know what's coming. At least with my first, I could only guess about the pain. Now I know what it feels like, and although I'm just as committed to natural birth as I was with DD, I'm worried that I might chicken out at the last moment...

[billikengirl]

Originally Posted by triana1326

I'm actually more worried about handling the pain this time around, because I know what's coming. At least with my first, I could only guess about the pain. Now I know what it feels like, and although I'm just as committed to natural birth as I was with DD, I'm worried that I might chicken out at the last moment...

I worry that it'll take a lot more to psych me up for a 2nd unmedicated labor than it did with the first when ignorance was bliss.

[triana1326]

Originally Posted by billikengirl

I worry that it'll take a lot more to psych me up for a 2nd unmedicated labor than it did with the first when ignorance was bliss.

Exactly!

[phathui5]

Has anyone stayed in there for most of active labor? I have read that you should not get in until you feel like you CANNOT take it any more, so that you feel the relief the most.

I stayed there for most of active labor for babies #2 and #3, not planning to have waterbirths, then refused to leave the tub and had them in it.

Since I'll already by paying very likely out of pocket for the HBMW, not completely certain I can get a doula as well...

What you could probably afford is a doula who is working towards certification. I'm certifying through DONA and charging much less than usual to get my births in. You could contact organizations and ask for a certifying doula.