Have you ever tried to "stop" or delay your labor?

[Celticqueen]

A conversation with DH got me thinking about this concept. My last labor was 1 hour and we barely made it to the waterbirth center. So, now that I'm pregnant with #3, I can't help but wonder if the next labor will be just as fast or faster. At any rate, I do need to prepare for a quick one, just in case. Since I'll now be going to the hospital 15 minutes away (If it were up to me I'd have a homebirth though), I brought up the possibility of having to give birth at home or in the car and my dh panicked and said "absolutely not" (he's terrified of ever having to deliver a baby) and suggested trying every possibly way to delay labor until we get to the hospital. I insisted to him that if labor starts, there's nothing you can do to slow it down, especially if you're in transition and pushing...that baby IS coming out whether you like it or not.

Is this true?

Is the idea that you can slow things down even possible? One website suggested a glass of wine or another means of relaxation like taking a bath can slow things down.

Just thinking ahead and trying to mentally prepare for any scenario.

Has this been your experience ever? Have you ever tried slowing it down? How did it turn out? Did it work? And most importantly, is it even safe to try to slow things down instead of letting nature take its course?

TIA!

[llwr]

My second was also quite fast.  It was 11 minutes between my check-in time and delivery.   So I'm interested in the replies. 

Personally, I felt like my baby was coming no matter what. My body was pushing even though I was breathing through the contractions.  I didn't even realize that *I* wasn't pushing until I got to the hospital and was allowed to try.  I suppose you could try the opposite of what usually keeps labor moving -- lying on your side vs walking for example.  Or your body bearing down might not be an option, but you don't have to add to it.  Just a couple of minutes could make the difference between an unplanned UC and getting to the hospital, especially since yours is so close. 

I do believe that your body might be able to stop should the situation be seriously unsafe, but by that I'm talking catastrophic made for TV type danger. 

[Celticqueen]

I've been reading that side lying position can really help slow things down. Also, staying hydrated can help slow it down too. At least according to here: http://www.parentsconnect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/labor_speed_adjust.html

[Just1More]

I just wanted to say, and I'm sure you know, but don't hold the baby in, or cross your legs or anything like that.  Those methods of slowing down birth can cause severe damage.

I have faster births, too, and dh hates the idea of it just being us when the baby comes.  Finally we talked about it in depth the other night, and his fear is because he doesn't know what to do if something goes wrong.  I asked him what kind of something, and he didn't know.  He had just been fed enough of the birth is dangerous idea to be worried about it.  So, we talked about lots and lots of things that can happen during a birth, and what I or he could do about them.  He'd like me to make a reference card for him, but now he feels much better.  Maybe a similar conversation with your dh could be helpful?

[chapluqa]

Just to add a bit of friendly advice - if you know that you have a high chance of having a very fast labor, both you and your husband should read up on the 'basics' for an unexpected home (or car) birth.  There's a great manual online called "Emergency Childbirth" which has all the basic do's and don't's (mainly for the non-birthing person, your body already knows just what to do and will guide you instinctively!). I don't have the link but I'm sure you can google it.

It's also important to realise that the vast majority of births that happen before getting to the hospital turn out just fine because there hasn't been enough time for complications to develop, and your body gets to just do its thing without being interrupted by doctors and nurses poking around and strapping you to machines, etc... and you can both be comforted by knowing that you will be in the hospital/ambulance will arrive soon to make sure everything is ok. 

I actually think that everyone should educate themselves on this stuff, because you never know if you're going to need it or not.  It could also help your husband become a less anxious about the possibility of attending your birth on his own. (he's not the one 'delivering' your baby, that's your job).

[Celticqueen]

Originally Posted by chapluqa 

There's a great manual online called "Emergency Childbirth" which has all the basic do's and don't's

Thanks!

[stegenrae]

I  have precipitous labors, too (#1 was my long one, at 5 hrs, and nearly half of that was in a car, driving to the birth center!) For #2 we knew home birth was the only option for us, partially because I go so fast. With him, my water had broken to start labor, and the cervical pressure was intense before I could "get ahead" of it, if that makes sense. I'd just read "Active Birth," and while the book is mostly how to birth most efficiently, there were a couple paragraphs on easing cervical pressure: I got on my hands and knees and put my face on the floor, sticking my bottom up as high as possible to sort of invert myself as much as I could while in active labor. It did help to ease the pressure. Another thing I did once I was pushy was to get in the typical American hospital birthing position--the least favorable--in hopes that I might not tear quite as badly if I could slow him down. For the record, I don't feel like that worked! (He still came fast AND I tore like a mofo.)

And I second the "Emergency Childbirth" pamphlet--your mw (or LLL)  may have a copy if she has lending resources. DH felt much better after reading it. (I knew I wouldn't want him to come anywhere near me & my body would do everything on its own, lol)