MOS, the first time was a mixture of not wanting to risk it without investigating which we didn?t have the time for, not having the time to do it, and having had heparin that morning. This time they were going for a spinal but he prodded my back finding his place and I squealed and nearly flew across the room! It was like having a bad bruise prodded ? they?ve actually written on my notes ?extensive bruising? as the reason for the GA although they told me they think it?s fractured. I?d have the chat about it if you are worried about your back, they?re not happy to rush into a GA because it can mess with your head but if you?re worried they should talk about it. Get someone to have a good prod of your back before the operation because I had the chat with them, they said ?oh no problem, we can do the spinal? and then only found out in theatre. I had already mentally prepared myself for a GA because I didn?t believe my back was that good so I didn?t feel bad about the change in plan. Although they don?t allow birth partners with a GA you may be able to push for your husband to be there, it?s not completely unheard of (of course that?s in the UK) of course your husband should be OK with seeing you being intubated which a lot of people find difficult when it?s someone close to them. I was almost force-fed as soon as I came round! I really didn?t want to eat but they wouldn?t move me until I did. It was 4am and I had just had a tube down my throat so eating was the last thing I wanted to do, especially toast! I thought pregnant women were exempt from Ramadan?
IDBI, I also got a lump in my throat reading your birth plan! It?s just as it should be, a couple of key important points that covers what happens in the main eventualities.
Spotty I started ?showing? on Christmas Day and it was NYE I actually started going into labour, NYD I had a proper/ full show so it can happen slowly.
Rosie, they may let your husband stay over night with you, especially as you are going in first. It can?t hurt to ask, make sure they can see how stressed you feel about being separated from him
LBB that is how my contractions go, as soon as I get pain in my pelvic floor or back I know it?s serious (why I ended up in Liverpool). I find they start in my bump and swing underneath and up my back. Do you need counselling for your not being able to get on MN problems?
KT, it?s not an old wives tale. It?s because of the effect it has on your body, anything that makes you go to the loo will help with self-inducing.
Herb, they would have been fine if you had eaten, the main reason for not eating is in case they need to do a GA, if they had needed to they would have had to wait. I had it backwards; if I had taken heparin when they thought I was in labour I would be nil-by-mouth until I was past 12 hours.
I can't think of anything clever for the thread name, I'm not creative enough (says the artist/ fashion designer) "and we're off" was the best I could come up with. Ten days seems to be the longest we can go for now.