No epidural, but they gave me something to stop me puking and it made me feel better. I ate lunch and took a shower 10 mins after the birth.
Ha Ha - hoped it would make someone laugh
Ok - the Hippy side of me says...have you tried Hynobirthing? It is about relaxation techniques - i can find some web links for you if you like (a friend of mine used it and said it was great)
Isnt that antipuking stuff great - I find I feel so much better when I am not feeling sick (I know an obvious thing to say)
I did have an epidural - only becuase i was being induced and given the fact i contact very quickly and the drugs they give you make it more painful we opted for the Epidural as soon as possible - was very good as it allowed me to rest and have a chat after i was 10cm before it was time to start pushing
We had our daughter Feb. 27th at the Universitatspital and it was a really great experience. The hospital provided robes, clothes for baby, pads, diapers, drinks, snacks, food (which I liked - but it was your standard cafeteria fare), etc. There were even some toiletries provided, but I brought my own toothpaste/toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, face stuff, lotion, etc. Also, like many of the others have said bring a nightgown and slippers and stuff to keep you occupied during the long periods of no guests and sleeping baby. Bring your camera, too!
Overall, my experience with a public hospital here was VERY good. The midwife who delivered was incredible - SOOOO nice and knowledgeable. The nursing staff during my 5 day stay after the birth was also great. Everyone spoke english and they were especially helpful with breastfeeding. My daughter latched on immediately after birth, but I had problems with really sore and cracked nipples... it was very painful, but the help I received from the nurses got me through it. There was also a lactation consultant available and I believe the lactation consultant was also available for home visits if needed. I didn't know breastfeeding would be so painful at first. Now it is no problem... 3 weeks later. I have been strongly advised by many women to avoid the nipple shields, but I know that for some there may be no other choice.
[quote=thebrynster;426859]We had our daughter Feb. 27th at the Universitatspital ...quote]
Congratulations on the birth of your little girl - its lovely to hear such a positive experience
I did lamaze breathing and kept a focal point to get through them. I had some of the worst contractions ever since I was on Pitocin. Also, I asked for Stadol about a little over halfway through which helped me relax a little and made me a little out of it enough to rest for 30mins-hr. My labor was a horrible 18hrs long.
ouch - are you planning a natural birth for your twins? (feel free to tell me to mind my own business)
I also found that watching the contraction occur on the monitor and seeing the time pass helped me... just taking it one contraction at a time and trying not to think of the next 10 hours of that crap was best!
My delivery room had a big birthing tub and sitting in the warm bath was very helpful. Also, for some reason I just wanted to sit in the shower with hot water running on my back. My daughter was posterior and labor was extremely painful (aren't they all?!? ) and quite long, lasting almost 18 hours.
After 13 hours I opted for an epidural, which wasn't part of my original "birthing plan". That was the best thing for relaxation!! It's a personal choice and I regretted having to make it in some ways... feeling like a failure at giving birth... but at the time I was desperate and another 5 hours of that pain wasn't an option for me!
I went for the epidural option as soon as the real pain kicked in. Was the best decision ever. I don't feel like a failure - the little fella came out all plump, pink and healthy and he didn't give a flying fandango if I'd had an epidural, was listening to whales singing or giving birth on a bed of rose petals with the London Philharmonic in attendence.
I got the job done and there he was.
Please try not to feel bad at having an epidural - quite often we dont get to follow our birth plan..for instance with me...
Birth Plan = gas and air, avoid monitoring / examinations unless necessary and get into the birth pool (hopefully deliver there as well)
Reality = Induction, epidural, constant Monitoring (on the bed at all times), on my back the whole time, hands were being placed 'up there' at regular intervals, drugs needed to stop my BP from going too low, that then gave me the shakes - finally in the last stages they put my legs in stirrups and gave me hand holds - with 5 people all looking down that end!
he was born at 33 weeks - so I understand it was necessary - but i was angry for quite a while that I didnt get to do a single part of my birth plan - the pool looked so inviting as well
please tell me you meant wasnt! lol
No, the birth plan was rejected on account of the London Phil being on tour in Hong Kong...
You mean you didnt charter your own plane and fly to them??? How could you deprive your unborn child of such a magical birth experience???
I want to go natural as long as I can. Pretty much till I can't take the pain anymore..lol Then maybe a light epi to relieve the load of pushing two out wouldn't be so bad.
I think that's a really good outlook. The best plan is to not have a plan... just do your best. Twins - WOW! I'm sure you've got loads of anxiety, but so much to look forward to also! Lots of luck to you!!!!
he he - good for you going for a 'standard' birth - the only women i know expecting twins are all being pushed into a c-section
I was induced with Picotin/Synocin (sp) and contractions were very painful. You hear that labour should start with contractions far apart and then get close together, but mine started at 1 min apart and 45 seconds long! I managed to fall asleep in the 15 seconds I had between contractions
This is normal with induction and is what makes induced labour much more painful and difficult to bear. Syntocinon (usually called 'pit' in the US) is synthetic oxytocin which is administered in a dosage that only tries to mimic natural hormone release but is never 100% correct. It therefore causes very strong and frequent contractions.
In natural-onset childbirth, a woman is slowly eased into labour with rather weak contractions that intensify only as the labour progresses, often after many hours.
My doctor must have got it spot on because she kept adjusting the drip to give a bit more and more and the nursing staff were pretty good at it too. My contractions started mildly and far apart - she even had to increase it to make it more effective.
Guess it depends on the doctor's skill.