Favorite Pain Management Technique for Labor? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[LunaLady]

Yes, I have seen The Business of Being Born several times, that's the whole reason I wanted to do a home birth. And I read most of Ina May's book before my water broke. 

I didn't really have much as far as options went considering my situation. It was cytotec or c-section. 

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by jbk21 

So interesting that this worked!   I read about it in Spiritual Midwfery too.  I'll have to give it a try! :)

Yes, it's in her Guide to Childbirth and I've used this technique while dealing with pregnancy constipation as well.  Works like a charm every time! 

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

Wow I cant believe that they gave you that drug, I cant believe its even still used!  Have you watched The Business of Being Born?  Its free to watch on Youtube.  Ina May also talks about it in her book Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth.  I am glad to hear that it worked for you, but there are alternatives!  Thank goodness you are both OK!

It was featured in the documentary Pregnant in America and I was sort of hoping that they had gotten rid of it after that, but sounds like it's pretty entrenched as an induction option.   Christina, this is not a judgement on you at all, but I just am seriously shocked that it's still being given.  That drug isn't even meant for induction!  You can read more about it here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/  And really this is for anyone else that may find themselves in an induction situation.  Again, I'm just so grateful that everything turned out well with you, Christina! 

[birdhappy85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

It was featured in the documentary Pregnant in America and I was sort of hoping that they had gotten rid of it after that, but sounds like it's pretty entrenched as an induction option.   Christina, this is not a judgement on you at all, but I just am seriously shocked that it's still being given.  That drug isn't even meant for induction!  You can read more about it here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/  And really this is for anyone else that may find themselves in an induction situation.  Again, I'm just so grateful that everything turned out well with you, Christina! 

I loved that documentary. That's where I first heard about Cytotec as well. I cried during that part of the movie. Our childbirth ed teacher (who is also a midwife and owner of our local birth center) told us that Cytotec is still actually used prevalently in the Milwaukee area. WONDERFUL. Not. Most of the women in our class are planning natural hospital births, so she advised them to make sure they are asking questions and decline Cytotec. Healthcare is big business in Wisconsin and I've noticed a massive increase in marketing for the "best birthing units" in the hospitals around here. They're even showing commercials that are promoting epidurals and such! You know how there's a Starbucks on every corner in Seattle? (from what I hear) Well there's a Walgreens pharmacy on every corner here in Milwaukee, LOL. That's a running joke we have... With all of the healthcare booming around here, I just really wish women were actually being informed about more than the most basic birth options. But I don't think OB's want all of their pregnant patients to have too much knowledge these days. I know several women who have had negative hospital birth experiences and rant about them, yet they still speak highly of the system of care they were given because they are made to believe that every intervention was necessary. I could go on and on... I used to truly believe in our medical system and it kind of sucks having lost that faith! But I've had too many experiences in hospitals where something went bad or could've gone bad because of negligence and I find it hard to trust now.

[TalkToMeNow]

Oh, goodness. Luna, you are amazing! Laboring for so long and dealing with it being so far from what you had wanted... not the ideal situation, etc. I hope you aren't second guessing any of your choices. You did what you needed to do. 
 

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

Yes, I have seen The Business of Being Born several times, that's the whole reason I wanted to do a home birth. And I read most of Ina May's book before my water broke. 

I didn't really have much as far as options went considering my situation. It was cytotec or c-section. 

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by TalkToMeNow 

Oh, goodness. Luna, you are amazing! Laboring for so long and dealing with it being so far from what you had wanted... not the ideal situation, etc. I hope you aren't second guessing any of your choices. You did what you needed to do. 

Seriously!  I totally agree.  Induction is hard enough but for more than two days!?  You're a champ!
 

[jasmin85]

Yay, so thankful for this thread!  I was thinking about having the rice socks, too, since we'll be at home--just have to have them ready to go (they are always disappearing)-- I loved sitting in the tub last time, the contractions made it too difficult for me to stand without my knees buckling, plus it gave me some alone time and likely was nice for DH to have a little break, too.  I didn't like having all of the attention or people chiming in, I felt a lot of pressure, kind of on the spot, even though I wasn't really "present" enough to notice all that much.  But other than that, DH stayed by my side the entire labor and is a massage therapist so he spent a lot of time rubbing my low back and just being present for me.  I wanted to have my iPod but never had it ready last time, so I am hoping a bit of music will help take my mind off of some of the anxieties and some of the awareness of other people sitting around waiting for the baby to come.  I also hope to use a birth ball this time, it sounds nice to be able to go on my knees and just rock with the ball.

Best thing ever:  Sitting on the toilet.  Everything would just relax, the contractions didn't feel as intense but the gravity really seemed to help get her into place without me having to stand.  Awesome, seriously.  Plus, again, I was alone.  That was how I realized it was time to push, actually, I was going to use the bathroom so I could take another bath and then I was like, wait a minute, I reached down and could feel her head!  I ran out of there naked and said, "I don't have enough time for a bath, she's coming out now!"  Haha