I want to go into labor on my own. With my first 2, I never really had that moment of "OMG, I'm in labor!" I always go to the hospital too early and end up being induced. Well, this baby is big, already. I'm afraid that if I go all the way to the end, the baby will be very big and hard for me to push out on my own. I am a doula and should know better that we don't grow babies bigger than we can birth, but doctors have very different ideas on the matter. I would rather have my natural vaginal birth than a c-section so what is worse, giving up my fear of not going into labor on my own and risking delivering via c-section or submitting to induction earlier than my edd?
I should add that I am 100% sure of the time I got preggo so the dates aren't off, this lo just decided to grow big. It is like my first. I had her at 36 weeks and she was already 6.5 pounds. Everyone says that if I went the full 40-42 weeks, she'd have been right around 10 lbs. I had to have episiotomies with both my 6 pound children so I'm afraid my body just cannot handle the delivery of a 10 pound baby. Any advice would be great because this is making me sad.
JeDeeLenae
06-03-2008, 10:24 AM
You CAN handle the birth of a 10 lb baby. My first son was 9 lbs 6 ozs. My cousin's first daughter was 10 lbs 2 ozs. Just go with the flow! And stay positive. Don't get worried about how big the baby will be.
MomsHelpingMoms
06-03-2008, 12:32 PM
I understand fully that a lot of women can. I'm worried about if I can if that makes sense? Just because of my previous history.
ThatLinGirl
06-03-2008, 01:03 PM
Ok -- first, it is unlikely that your baby really would have gained a pound a week at that point. Honest.
And "had" to have an episiotomy? Why? Tears are usually far less serious than an episiotomy and they really can't tell ahead of time if you'll tear or not. Why take a 100% wound over the chance of one? I know many mamas who "had" to have episiotomies with 6lb babies and have pushed out 10lb babies without issue.
Since you're a doula, I'm sure you know this, but you'll be best able to birth a larger baby by maintaining a wide range of motion and listening to your body. :hugs:
If I were you, I would tell your doctor that you trust in your body and will not submit to a c-section for size, nor for slow progress, as long as you and the baby are okay. Sometimes they play the "dead baby" card, but if so, simply ask if you and your baby are both okay at the present time? If yes, then continue. Have a doula to stand up for you, even though you are one!
I would also not consent to an induction, since, as you know, that also increases your risk of a c-section.
mmillerRN
06-03-2008, 01:12 PM
[QUOTE=MomsHelpingMoms;3753931]I want to go into labor on my own. With my first 2, I never really had that moment of "OMG, I'm in labor!" I always go to the hospital too early and end up being induced. QUOTE]
It sounds like you're going into labor on your own, but are in early labor and they augment. Is this right? Perhaps if you stayed at home for a few more hours (maybe even 8-10 hrs, depending on how long you labor) you wouldn't have to have any drugs to help you, and you can discuss the reasons why you had an episiotomy w/ your first 2 and let your doc know you don't want that this time unless absolutely necessary.
kezoo
06-03-2008, 01:14 PM
ITA w/ Lindsay!!! And IMO, each birth gets easier and you are more experienced. :)
sheleighya
06-03-2008, 01:33 PM
For some women each birth gets easier. But for others, like myself, it got 2x longer, not necessarily harder except when came time to push because I was being directed to push instead of being allowed to push when I was ready, and the size of second. My second was a little over 8lbs.
So, mama! You have to trust yourself, in knowing that your body will do the job right, without all of the extras. It truly will if you trust and go with it.
Some babies slow down in growth at the last month instead of dramatically gain depending on many factors. So it will be well with you. I stayed home until I was 9cms. I check my own cervix, and so can you if you so choose.
Wait it out, then go in. They cannot force you to be induced, or have a c-section. The most that can happen is that the baby will take longer to come and push out- so be it. Just do not be bullied, and stand up for what you want mama. I personally would like to refer you to freebirth.com.
I learned how to communicate with my baby while in labor, and check my cervix, and I stayed home for 20+ hours in labor without anyone and felt very comfortable before I went to the birth center with my husband. Feel comfortable in your body, and with knowing that you will not give in to what you do not feel inwardly is best.
abacus2
06-03-2008, 01:52 PM
If you do go in too early, you don't have to let them induce you. Just go back home, or if you live a fair distance from the hospital and really feel you're in serious labor, check into a hotel. Definitely look for a doula for yourself. You can do this!
sheleighya
06-03-2008, 05:20 PM
That's right! You can just go back home instead of checking into the hospital. I would not check into a hotel though, I would return home, and have a doula there with me. Also, some doula networks provide service for free if not within finances to hire one, or on a sliding scale basis.
mengmommy
06-03-2008, 06:03 PM
A couple of things...
First, it sounds like you could have been in prodromal labor...kind of like practice labor. With dd (my second-ds, my first I had SROM) I was in labor on and off for a few weeks, and dilated to a 5 by the time my labor actually started. Once it actually started, I was only in labor for 4 1/2 hours. I'm sure I would have been "failure to progress" according to most doctors, and they would have tried to augment my labor. Lucky for me though, we went UC.
Second, DON'T lay down to give birth! Your pelvis closes off 30% when you lay down. So if you do have a "larger" baby, you are doing your body and your baby a HUGE disservice by submitting to laying down to birth. Birth upright, squatting, or on all fours.
Third, read this thread (http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424210&highlight=large+baby) here on DS...it gave me a LOT more confidence in birthing big babies as I've had two *almost* 7lb babies and thats it.
Amby
08-18-2008, 09:03 PM
You sound just like me I wanted to go into labor by myself so bad, with the first two I had to be induced because of toxemia the first was 3 weeks early at 7.2 lbs and the next one week at 8.6 lbs. I was determined to go into labor with the my last one all by myself I had gestational diabetes we did an ultrasound which said it was about 7 lbs but they can be off by a pound up or down. I told the doctor I would rather have an induction than a c-section and so one week before my due date I was induced with a 8.15 lbs baby. I realized in the end all that mattered is that I had a healthy baby and I did not have c-section. I know some people would rather have a c-section but thought of one makes me sick. I figure maybe with the next one I will have the oh yeah I am went into labor by myself but if not I will be disappointed but in the end it really doesn't matter. You will be okay with whatever you choose. good luck mama.
jesshb
08-18-2008, 09:14 PM
:hugs: mama! You can do it!
Question about your two other births. Did you have pain meds/epidural? If not, were you able to understand more where your second lo was at during labor?
With my first, I didn't have a clue where I was at in during labor. However, with my ds...I knew literally felt him traveling through the birth canal and knew it was time for me to push. I'm not sure if that is common or what, but it gave me a better sense of what was going on and the mental strength to keep on keeping on.
Also, I'm not sure if OBs will do this, but I had MWs putting warm cloths and massage to aid the stretching of the skin. Sadly, I won't be with MWs this time so I'm not sure if that would be an option, but I do have to say while I tore both times, it wasn't too terrible (my dd was 7lb13oz and ds was 8lb7oz).
Hope all goes well for you mama!
ETA: :doh: CONGRATS mama! Didn't see this was an old post! :blush:
Ariana'sClothesline
07-31-2009, 07:59 PM
First, being a doula you probably know this, but basically everything the doctors say or do is hogwash. Your body is fully capable, I'm a small person and my first was a 9#er, and I pushed her out at home with no tears, my 2nd was an 8 1/2#er and I had him at home, standing up, super fast which caused a small side tear that I didn't even realize I had til a week and a half later. It healed fine on it's own. I would place money that your "needed" episiotomy's were't necessary at all, except in the eyes of the lazy doctor that just wanted to speed things up... I'm probably way to hostile towards the medical profession but I've known too many people that were abused by them.
Indigo
10-29-2009, 06:30 PM
They do not know how big she is, they u/s can be off up to at least 2lbs. It is not recommended to induce based on size estimates. I would not interfere in a pregnancy based on that, and I would really question a doctor who does so. ACOG does not recommend this practice, and does not recommend elective induction before 39 weeks. Inducing early puts you at more risk for a section than a suspected large baby. Baby position makes much more difference than size on how the birth goes. So having a doula, and moving and doing positioning can be helpful.
From here
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010701/practice.html
Induction of Labor. In cases of term patients with suspected fetal macrosomia, current evidence does not support early induction of labor. Results from recent reports indicate that induction of labor at least doubles the risk of cesarean delivery without reducing the risk of shoulder dystocia or newborn morbidity, although the results are affected by small sample size and bias caused by the retrospective nature of the reports. Results from one randomized clinical trial reveal similar cesarean delivery rates in the induction group (19.4 percent) compared with the expectant management group (21.6 percent), with five cases of shoulder dystocia in the induction group and six cases in the expectant management group.
lorio
06-08-2010, 05:14 PM
Try reading Ina May's guide to childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, if you haven't already. That woman makes you feel like you can give birth to anything....and you can. ;)
SKITTLES46
06-24-2010, 12:16 PM
There's nothing quite like going into labor on your own!
That said, incidentally I had a 6.5 pound baby that they took at almost 37 weeks, was told repeatedly if I went to full term that I would have a BIG baby. Decided to go UP/UC with my youngest, carried him to almost 41 weeks, and he was 8 pounds even.
They just don't always know what they're talking about!
Even if you do end up with a bigger baby, I've heard for some they are easier to deliver, rather then harder, and chances are your body is quite capable, as long as you aren't tied to a bed on your back!
