Exit poll #4

[Synchro246]

What procedures did you have?
This is a multiple choice (and private--like the others) poll

[JanB]

The only intervention I had was postpartum pitocin, and that's because I hemorrhaged so badly that I blacked out and started to seize.

Not bad for a hospital birth!

[koru]

none

[sarabrynn82]

I was AROM induced (borderline PIH 3 days from due date, showing signs of early labor all week - I was totally ok with it) and post partum pit for my poor uterus that I think measured at 54cm on my last visit! Although, my mw said I didn't bleed as much as she expected... and honestly after being awake for 24 hours and laboring for 13, I wouldn't have noticed either way! And that was a decision we had discussed a few weeks ago as a precaution, so I was totally informed and consented to it.

[txbikegrrl]

After my water broke and then I labored hard for 12+ hours my contractions still weren't regular and I wasn't progressing. My options were to keep trying naturally, with the caveat that I was "on the clock" because my water broke and my baby was big -- really 11 pounds. Or to use Pit so I did, but with an Epidural also because I was in excruciating pain. I hired a doula, DH was there being very helpful, and in general I have a very high pain tolerance. But I just couldn't keep going.

The doctors were suprised I pushed him out (they were really thinking I was going to have to have a C-section) and my major goal was to avoid surgery so I accomplished that at least. But I still feel disappointed that I didn't
"tough it out" and have him completely naturally, or at least just with the Pit and no pain meds.

I'm not letting it ruin my hapiness at having given birth to a beautiful baby boy though.

Now I can't produce milk fast enough for this big boy so we're having BF issues which is upsetting me way more than the medicated birth...

[sarabrynn82]

Originally Posted by txbikegrrl

After my water broke and then I labored hard for 12+ hours my contractions still weren't regular and I wasn't progressing. My options were to keep trying naturally, with the caveat that I was "on the clock" because my water broke and my baby was big -- really 11 pounds. Or to use Pit so I did, but with an Epidural also because I was in excruciating pain. I hired a doula, DH was there being very helpful, and in general I have a very high pain tolerance. But I just couldn't keep going.

The doctors were suprised I pushed him out (they were really thinking I was going to have to have a C-section) and my major goal was to avoid surgery so I accomplished that at least. But I still feel disappointed that I didn't
"tough it out" and have him completely naturally, or at least just with the Pit and no pain meds.

I'm not letting it ruin my hapiness at having given birth to a beautiful baby boy though.

Now I can't produce milk fast enough for this big boy so we're having BF issues which is upsetting me way more than the medicated birth...

*hugs* When a hospital transfer for pit was a good possibility about 8 hours into my labor, my first thought was - I can't do pit contrax without an epidural!!! Congrats to you for getting to push that big babe out on your own - that's no small feat!

[ewins24]

My water "sprang a leak" at home but at the hospital they really broke it when I was about 3-4. I was ok w/ it and still got to do things my way.

[clavicula]

wow! i gave birth in a hosp but i just realized i had no interventions really!!!

[Krystal323]

i had only 5 off that list, which was pretty good considering the circumstances

this labor/birth was a major learning exp for me. i am not superwoman and i acknowledge that i do need/want help with some things re: childbirth/pregnancy. next time around i won't do UP, and that way IF i end up at the hospital during labor, they won't treat me like i'm ignorant.

[kittn]

what is cord traction?

[momto l&a]

I voted other.

I used castor oil as the eviction notice.

[crysmomofthree]

Originally Posted by kittn

what is cord traction?

pull the placenta out

[groovynaturemama]

none of the above
i used castor oil (nastiest taste/texture EVER!!) and essential oil compresses of jasmine, a little cohosh, and some accupuncture to move labor along. for pain management i used tonal moaning and visualized sending the sensation of each contraction down and out through the base of my spine. oh yeah, i had a birth pool, but delivered the baby on the birth stool, as i got too hot in the water.

[kittn]

Originally Posted by crysmomofthree

pull the placenta out

ohhhh they did this with my babe before nate. I hemoraghed everywhere!

[chrissy]

none of the above.

[EFPookie]

Should I pick directed pushing if she was saying it but I wasn't listening? I didn't really care what anyone said, that baby was getting out NOW. But the doctor was down there counting away anyway.

[Eaglevoice]

none, home birth

[Adamsmama]

Well, after being in early labor for atleast a week I chose to be induced with cervidil and then pit the next morning. I was 40w4d. (I feared the baby would be in distress/have the cord around her neck--we had some severe complications with our first son who now has neurological problems). I did have to be monitored with the band around the belly the whole time and was confined to my room during the entire thing. But--I waited longer for the epi (and almost made it without one but the pain was so intense)...I got it at 8cm and pushed her out 25 min later. I was able to use a birthing ball, a rocking chair and different positions in and around my bed during my labor. After going through this and the extreme amount of pain--I think I could do it again and possibly do it without an epi all together.

[beatee]

I did end up with post partum pit (after delivery of placenta), as my blood loss was pretty damn high, I was feeling dizzy, and my iron levels have been really low, so I didn't have any problems with it (and was too besotted with babe to care about having a needle stuck in me!)
And I had stitches for a second degree tear (had to get them in hospital cos the National Health Service midwives (who were fantastic thank goodness) didn't feel confident in their suturing skills, which aren't kept very up to date, and it was a very ragged tear).
But I would definitely say I had an intervention free birth, as both of these things are fairly minor in my mind, and of course came afterwards when babe was safely with us.

[christyc]

Originally Posted by EFPookie

Should I pick directed pushing if she was saying it but I wasn't listening? I didn't really care what anyone said, that baby was getting out NOW. But the doctor was down there counting away anyway.