Giving Birth

[Lumpy]

I am due my baby 2 weeks on saturday and have started to feel a bit nervous about labour (as Im a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain) - does anyone have any advice re pain relief/best positions for childbirth - I was ok until I started reading the baby books - agghhh...HELP.

I'd keep my husband working and say the only thing that will work is sex and have the soup on the quiet.

Emmagee have you tried the Norfolk punch yet? it honestly worked for me and the lady who recommended it to me, and its so much nicer than raspberry leaf tea. BTW you can get rl tablets which are a lot easier to stomach than the very very vile tea.Good luck!

While we are waiting for Emmagee, any news from Lumpy?

I'm still waiting! Had a really emotionally draining day yesterday (as if it hasn't already been draining!), contractions started in morning, reasonably strong every 10 minutes, made all the arrangements for my daughter to be out of the house etc then it all stopped, then started, then stopped, then.....get the picture! By evening, still nothing so went out for dinner with husband and had reasonably early night, woke this morning, still no baby! Things kicked off a bit again this morning, lots of trips to loo, upset stomach etc stronger cramps but all seems to stop when I am even slightly active - goes against all the stuff in the books about keeping upright going for long walks etc. I am wondering about going to hospital for ARM - artificial rupture of membranes - anyone had it? I had an internal and 'sweep' on monday and doctor said my cervix is 'very favourable'.....and at the same time booked me in for Caesarian next Monday, something I am determined to avoid - but I will be 42 weeks by then. Would love views on ARM... and will keep you posted.

Emmagee, have you had that Thai soup yet??? If not go for a long walk on brighton beach - that worked for a friend of mine who was way over due...all those bumpy pebbles!

I was 12 days overdue and was "threatened" to be induced... that was out of the question (I wanted a home birth) - I took some caullophiluim - homeopathic remedy - in a high dose (I think 200CC) - 1 does was enough I had very strong contractions 4 hours later.... but then again maybe my baby was ready... will never know. Labour was horribly long - it was posterior! But I did deliver him without any help or pain relief.
I am expecting number 2 in 2 months... I pray it isn't a posterior baby again because that was really painful.
We will see.

Pupuce, I have taken Caull. at 200 but nothing...I was worried about 'proving' if it's not the correct remedy so took Gelsemium next time, still nothing.

Brighton could be tricky as I'm in Hackney and yes I have tried spicey everything!

Have you tried accupuncture ? I hear it works really well.
Also have you talked to a homeopath or just bought the remedy... In all honesty I spoke to mine - he gave me something else (can't remember what it was but the purpose was to relax me)... I then took call because somebody recommeded it.

Emmagee - I had ARM for my third (out of four) delivery, as I too had been experiencing a stop-start labour that seemed to be going somewhere and then stopped, every day for about four days. After the membranes were ruptured, I felt an internal downward shifting sensation, as if the baby had moved in to a more favourable position. (The ARM didn't hurt, contrary to what I had been told). Later, the midwife said the baby, who was facing forwards, hence the backache, had perhaps been 'stuck', but the waters breaking had helped her to drop down. Anyway, strong contractions began almost immediately, and she was born about two hours later. It was a very active two hours, mainly kneeling (supported) upright, which helped the contractions to be effective.
Good Luck!!

Emmagee, I had my waters broken for me - that bit was fine but be prepared for it to get very painful very quickly and decide what, if any, pain relief you would prefer. I waited an hour before asking and by then it was too late (I went from 4cm to 10cm in that hour) to have anything. However, he was born an hour after that so no complaints!

Papuce, my daughter was posterior one midwife suggested I rest on all fours for 10-15 mins a day to get her to turn. I didn't do it enough as she didn't. Next time I'll spend half the day on all fours if it will work. I found leaning back and pressing my back against my husband helped during the early stages, my husband didn't think much to this as he was trying to read the paper.

Emmagee hope something happens soon!

Kate 71

My son turned posterior in the early stages of labour. But I have since found out that my pelvis must have been flat - did you know that when you get into labour (if not beforehand) your pelvis shifts and the left part "drops" to allow the head to fit in properly... if that doesn't happen, labour becomes much harder as the head has a difficult time getting through... so yes this time I will do my damndest to have the baby in the right position and also I have been visiting an osteopath who has been VERY helpful (I would recommend that route to anyone - also I have a very bad pubic bone : separating... and the osteopath has been a life savior!)

Mooma
I too had ARM for my second child when in labour but in my case, I got off the bed straight away after it and found myself rooted (standing!) to the spot with the strength of the contractions. Gave birth less than 20 mins later (still standing on exactly same spot!)Talk about taking one's breath away! But it was consequently a very easy second stage and no tearing or stitching etc as gravity helped!

Hmmm... nothing from Emmagee since Wed. morning, do you think that means what I think it means?!!

Lizzer - I have been thinking what you're thinking!

Hello all! Baby boy born on Saturday lunchtime. Very fast and shocking labour, 6cm to full dilatation in 20 minutes! Then little bugger got stuck, couldn't turn the corner and I had no strength (emotional or physical) to push any harder, so it was a ventouse and episiotomy and out he popped! So I am home, feeling sore, taking alot of Arnica and thanking my guardian angel that I avoided that repeat section. (and for the names section, he's called Rafferty)

Congrats Emmagee!. That's great news.

Congratulations Emmagee and best wishes to baby too - brilliant description of the birth.

What a great name, emmagee. Friendly-sounding and interesting but not odd, if you know what I mean. Hope you are both happily recovering from the birth. Congratulations!

Emmagee, Congratulations! Lovely name... glad you are both okay...

Good for you Emmagee-hope baby and you settle well quickly.
Have you tried Calendula lotion on your episotomy wound (a few drops diluted in water) -it's wonderful. otherwise try it in little pills.

Big Congratulations and welcome to the world little Rafferty! (fantastic name, I had it in mind if I had a boy, but didn't!)....take care!

Great news Emmagee, many congratulations.

Brilliant news Emmagee well done. Rafferty is a cool name.