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Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Lulu, Mars, midwives and doulas and wise women....any advice for my poor, labouring friend?

12 replies

marymillington · 17/01/2007 17:39

2nd baby, 39 +4-ish.

She's been having regular, painful contractions since Saturday afternoon, bit erratic in length and time between them. But nothing happening cervix-wise.

She was induced after premature rupture of membranes with her first, dilated rapidly and delivered within 3 hours.

She is getting mightily fed up, and is even thinking of going to the hospital to beg for intervention (she'd planned a homebirth).

Can anyone suggest anything?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
aravinda · 17/01/2007 17:50

Hi, as a doula, first thing that springs to mind is an emotional block? Is she particularly worried about having two? Perhaps her last birth was so fast it was not an entirely pleasant experience and there is some fear there? She needs cake and tears I reckon! Encourage her to voice any fears she might be feeling. Also I have seen many births where babe has not been in an ideal position and this has caused a long prelabour or latent stage. Does she know the position of baby? Lots of leaning forward/all fours may help....as can coming down the stairs sideways lifting knee to hip level (sounds nutty but it works!) Reassure her that long starts can end quickly and remind her to eat and drink if poss - and rest when she can. Over the back of a chair is good if contractions are too painful to lie down. Hth

MarsLady · 17/01/2007 17:58

Hi MM

This can happen. I know she's probably fed up poor love. However, she needs to rest where she can, eat and drink and then find herself some comfy positions (much as Aravinda has said).

She can email me for my number if she wants to talk things through with someone.

Lovelymarslady at aol dot com

marymillington · 17/01/2007 18:07

You are very kind.

I will let her know.

Thankyou both

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MarsLady · 17/01/2007 18:29

I love what I do MM

lulumama · 17/01/2007 18:33

! what mars and aravinda said!

same goes for me

lulumama 21 @hotmail .com

or Mary, give her my other addy or phone number x

visualisation too and i think maybe voice her fears however big or small x

hertsnessex · 17/01/2007 20:23

If she wants to take something homeopathic:

Caulophyllum ? If there is a complete absence of labour or pains may be very weak and irregular. The labour pains often do not feel as if they are pressing downwards but just fizzle out. The remedy is also useful for non-labour pains that might come on in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Pulsatilla - When labour pains are present but they are weak or weakening and being induced is advised. You may feel airless and crave fresh air from any source.
During labour many women find massage of their low back and loins helps with pain and discomfort, you should get your husband or partner to do this. It is important that he gets involved in the process and this is a role that will help in many aspects of bonding. To help with the massage you could use mild oil such as sweet almond oil. Also adopt whichever position gives you the greatest relief during labour - this may be squatting, bending over the bed etc.

Aconite - A remedy for intense fear and fright. Contractions stop altogether from fear. You believe that you or the baby is going to die, and are very anxious and restless.

Cimicifuga - If you are totally negative about the labour and everything associated with it, yet insist on talking during a contraction (very unusual).
Slow labour where you feel 'if these contractions don't get going, I'll go crazy' and burst into tears and become extremely restless. Contractions stop when someone enters the room or if you feel chilled. The contractions resume once you feel warmer.

Chamomilla - When you are intolerant of the slightest pain, demand instant relief and shout that you cannot bear it any more, and are rude, quarrelsome and impossible to please. You may send everyone away, and then want them to come straight back again and reject all attempts at consolation outright! Unbearable labour pains extending into the thighs, with the above behaviour.

Ipecacuanha - A remedy for nausea, especially where you are sulky, wanting something, but unable to say quite what. Nausea during labour, not relieved by vomiting accompanied by an unsuccessful urge to pass water with thirstlessness and breathlessness between contractions.

Kali phos ? If contractions are regular (every 15-30 minutes) but they are ineffective and weak. Food warmth and rest will help. Excitement worry and mental and physical exertion won?t help!

Gelsenium ? If contractions cease entirely and you anticipate them with fear. Bending forward, movement, perspiring and lying with your head elevated will ease the symptoms. Stress, movement, light, hot damp weather can worsen the symptoms.

This is something I wrote for my clients (with the help of a homeopath I work with)

Get her to read.

If she wants any info she can contact me (like the other doulas!) [email protected]

Cx

marymillington · 17/01/2007 21:35

thankyou you are all so wonderful. i have just send dh round with a printout, my little homeopathic kit and a stash of contemporary fiction.

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marymillington · 18/01/2007 12:59

Hello, just thought I would update you.

My friend was feeling truly desperate by 4.30 am, and called the midwife, who examined her, nothing happening. She took some cimicifuga.......and Louisa was born 4 hours later! 8.30 this morning, 9lb 10oz (a mere 3 lbs more than her brother), at home. Friend totally elated and converted to homeopathic medicine for life.

Thankyou all.

OP posts:
lulumama · 18/01/2007 13:01

what marvellous news ! congratulations to your friend. welcome to the world LO!! and well done Herts for that fab advice xx

hertsnessex · 18/01/2007 18:33

well done to your friend. really pleased it all went well.

Cx

Piffle · 18/01/2007 18:38

Wow!
Fab news!
Congrats to your friend!

Biglips · 19/01/2007 08:35

wow....mary is this who i think it is? at the signing class??

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