Confession: I don't know how to go into labor. And it stresses me out.
With Annabelle, I was induced. It's a long painful (not really - epidural wiped that away) story, but the gist is: I had pregnancy-induced hypertension and was showing signs of pre-eclampsia. Of course, now we prefer to blame it on the thyroid, which was taking my blood pressure and flushing it down the toilet. That and my metabolism and any bodily power I had to keep my eyes open. Thyroid took it all and flushed it.
Anyway - I was induced to avoid any further complications. My body wasn't technically ready to have a baby, so my doctor put a balloon-like instrument in my cervix (no really) the night before I gave birth to dilate me a bit (I wasn't dilated at all), came in the next morning and broke my water, and we waited (and waited) (and waited) for my body to do its thing. Thankfully, it did, without the use of any additional medication besides that wonderful epidural.
I never timed my contractions, had my water break in the middle of the grocery store, woke up my husband in the middle of the night to tell him it was "time." I showed up when they told me to and gave birth per the hospital's schedule.
I'm seriously stressed about this. I have this sinking feeling that my water will break in the most awkward of places at the most awkward time, like in the middle of a heartfelt prayer at church or something. "And please bless the..." WOOSH. And then what? Do I apologize for my bodily fluid and get my hind parts (quite literally) to the hospital? Or should I attempt to clean up the mess first. And with what? The pack of wet wipes in my diaper bag?
I seriously can't handle thinking about it much. Although I'm not likely to have high blood pressure issues again (it's generally only common with the first pregnancy, plus my thyroid has been tamed), and I don't necessarily want to be induced again, I don't think I'd cry about it if it got to that. Then again, being induced caused like three years of labor (with an epidural, so I can't complain too loudly). I wonder if my body could do it quicker on its own? Heck if I know. All I know is I can't stop thinking about the awkwardness of water breaking. It keeps me up at night.
Oh wait. That's my constant use of the restroom. Good times.
With Annabelle, I was induced. It's a long painful (not really - epidural wiped that away) story, but the gist is: I had pregnancy-induced hypertension and was showing signs of pre-eclampsia. Of course, now we prefer to blame it on the thyroid, which was taking my blood pressure and flushing it down the toilet. That and my metabolism and any bodily power I had to keep my eyes open. Thyroid took it all and flushed it.
Anyway - I was induced to avoid any further complications. My body wasn't technically ready to have a baby, so my doctor put a balloon-like instrument in my cervix (no really) the night before I gave birth to dilate me a bit (I wasn't dilated at all), came in the next morning and broke my water, and we waited (and waited) (and waited) for my body to do its thing. Thankfully, it did, without the use of any additional medication besides that wonderful epidural.
I never timed my contractions, had my water break in the middle of the grocery store, woke up my husband in the middle of the night to tell him it was "time." I showed up when they told me to and gave birth per the hospital's schedule.
I'm seriously stressed about this. I have this sinking feeling that my water will break in the most awkward of places at the most awkward time, like in the middle of a heartfelt prayer at church or something. "And please bless the..." WOOSH. And then what? Do I apologize for my bodily fluid and get my hind parts (quite literally) to the hospital? Or should I attempt to clean up the mess first. And with what? The pack of wet wipes in my diaper bag?
I seriously can't handle thinking about it much. Although I'm not likely to have high blood pressure issues again (it's generally only common with the first pregnancy, plus my thyroid has been tamed), and I don't necessarily want to be induced again, I don't think I'd cry about it if it got to that. Then again, being induced caused like three years of labor (with an epidural, so I can't complain too loudly). I wonder if my body could do it quicker on its own? Heck if I know. All I know is I can't stop thinking about the awkwardness of water breaking. It keeps me up at night.
Oh wait. That's my constant use of the restroom. Good times.
5 comments:
Oh you funny girl, you need to relax. Women have been doing this for years and somehow it just works out. :) That coming from someone who had 2 failed inductions, an emergency c section, and now who just has scheduled c sections. Ha Ha ha
Oh my gosh, I was the same way. I was so scared of where my water was going to break! Like you, I didn't have to experience it in some awkward place. I bet it will go faster with this one, being your second. I'm no expert but that's what I'm hoping for you! :)
Or, (if you're like me...) your water will NEVER break and the doctor will kindly take care of it once you reach 10 cms and it's time to push! (Yes, this happened twice!) Then, you don't have to worry about cleaning it up or awkwardly running away. The only thing you'll have to worry about is how to best apologize to the saintly nurse who's changing the towels.
If you would like more stress...I was concerned about #2 because of Travis not being allowed in the delivery and wanting my mom there as well as figuring out where Leoni would go. I found there were other things to worry about & though people say their deliveries have a pattern, it is not so. #1-24 hours of contractions before close enough for hospital and then 12 more hours before delivery #2-less than 2 hours from first noticed contraction to delivery...didn't make it to the hospital. Yes, homebirth, though unplanned as such. Freaked out yet? If it is of any comfort, you stop caring and go into some kind of survival mode when you have to.
Oh, on the bright side, Travis was definitely there for the birth.
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