Preferences for my labour tomorrow

Right, so probably about time I got to this. I'm going to be induced tomorrow due to pre-eclampsia knocking on my door.

I'm not one for Birth Plans as such. If I had to do a plan, it probably wouldn't include medication for blood pressure, protein in my wee, pre-eclampsia or induction! But here we are anyway so I'm all for making the best of it.

In no particular order, here are the thoughts in my head:

- No drip... I'd prefer to have my waters broken and see where that takes me. I'm Strep B negative so no problems with leaving me to be. I'm already 2-3 cm dilated so I reckon it won't take much to get labour going.

- Monitoring... For babies sake I appreciate that due to my PE some form of monitoring is necessary. However last time the straps on my belly kept dislodging and I kept having to get back on the bed so they could monitor. I think we tried the mobile monitor for a little while but they couldn't get a reading on that. My OB suggested a scalp monitor for the baby but Dr Googles makes me think that's a bit invasive for the bub... What are people's thoughts here?

- Pain relief... No gas or pethadine. I'm a big spewer and they are both likely to make me either chuck or make me feel out of it. If pain relief is required then I'd prefer an epidural.

- Midwives... Last time the midwives left me to it a bit. This time I'd appreciate a few more suggestions on positions for labour and things for DH to do to relieve the pain.

- Internals... Only if my OB thinks its necessary. I trust her and know she won't do any that are unnecessary.

- Hypnobirthing... All the way. I LOVED it last time and will definitely be listening to my track again. I even bought better headphones that sit across my head so that the buds won't fall out of my ear.

- Tearing... I'd rather tear than have an episiotomy. I'd rather not tear in the first place!

- Delivery... I'd like to pull the baby out. This means no vacuum.

- Pushing... I found coaching my breathing and pushing through the 3rd stage very helpful last time, so yes please.

- Skin to skin... Just chuck the baby up on my chest please. The injections etc can wait.

- 4th stage... Injection to bring on the placenta is fine.

OK, they seem to be the main things for me. Anything else I've forgotten?

Cheers,
Fiona

GL

-Use the shower when/if you can
-TENS machine. Put it on at the start
-Delayed cord clamping. Injection after cord has stopped pulsing.
- episiomotomy only if you're tearing forward

Just wanted to pop in to wish you all the very best Fiona :)

I look forward to reading a birth announcement soon!

Take care x

PS It sounds like you have it pretty well covered (although, I am no expert!)

Sounds like you've had a think about things which is great.

What about who's cutting the cord?

I'm not sure about scalp monitoring sorry!

All the best..! Look forward to reading your BA!

I agree with the scalp monitoring, dd had a cut on her head that took forever to heal. Ask if they can do hourly monitoring so you can move about and have a shower if you feel like you need to.

With the tearing make sure you feel like you are ready to push, my midwife was able to move the cervix out of the way before I pushed with Ds and I didn't tear, but with dd it was so fast I probably wasn't fully dilated before I was pushing.

Sounds like you are calm and ready for this baby!

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I agree with the scalp monitoring, dd had a cut on her head that took forever to heal. Ask if they can do hourly monitoring so you can move about and have a shower if you feel like you need to.

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DS got a cut on his head too, from when they broke my waters. Took forever to heal which surprised me!

Sounds like u have it all covered. Hope it goes well tomorrow :D

With the monitoring, because you are "pre term" and being induced i think u will find they will insist you have constant monitoring anyway. Dont let them push you around though, if you want things and its safe to do so, stand your ground with them. Im a high risk pregnancy and had to be induced with #7 because of GD, they broke my waters and left me to see if i went on my own cos i was 3cm when i went in.........luckily i did, theres no guarantees this will happen but definitely no harm in giving it a go. They let me get up straight away and go in the shower with the portable monitor on, that was awesome. They were very hands off, but never left my side. I also had delayed cord clamping. So if all goes to plan, theres no reason why these things cant be achieved. Just have to be prepared for things to change if situations arise.

My DD had a scalp monitor and had a scar/scab for almost 2 months.

Do you want bub to have the Hep B vaccination at birth?

Do you want bub to have Vit K injection? under what circumstances?

Sounds like a good plan, nice and flexible but you have thought about lots of possibilities depending on circumstances. I agree with PP's that given your gestation you may be asked to have constant monitoring. Of course it is up to you if you accept this or not, but if you do you could ask for a mobile monitor or even a break to monitoring (for example 20 minutes off every hour so you can step in the shower).

Do you know the sex already or have you given thoughts to if you want this announced to you, or to discover it for yourself?
Also who do you want to cut the cord, and are you happy to have this done as soon as the baby is born or would you like to wait until the cord stops pulsating? They will most likely cut it pretty quickly with a managed 3th stage so you would have to verbalise if you want the injection but to wait until the cord stops pulsating first.

Good luck for tomorrow! I'm excited to read you BA when it arrives :)

Thanks for the thoughts.

I think my gut on scalp monitoring is no. Hourly monitoring sounds like a plan.

Cutting the cord... DH goes white at the thought. He was offered last time and declined. From memory my OB generally leaves it a bit as there wasn't any rush last time. I'm happy to play that one by ear.

Gender... I'm having another wee man so no surprises there. Unless it's a girl, in which case it will definitely be a surprise!

Injections... Yes to all of the above, but not straight away.

I guess I am reasonably calm. Whilst I'm not particularly looking forward to the pain in labour part, I know it's all part of the job and all things being even I won't be in labour that long. Last time I spent so much time preparing for my labour that I had no clue about parenting. Now I'm completely clued into the fact that labour is the 'easy' part and the sleepless nights, establishing feeding and getting to know the ins and outs of this new person is much, much harder than labour.

Now for the important things, like washing my hair. My PIL just left with my DS so I can get a good nights sleep prior to tomorrow. Last time I spent the night before my labour in the birth suite as my BP was so high so it will be lovely to sleep in my own bed.

Sounds like you've thought it all through - hope everything goes wonderfully for you guys tomorrow.

Only other thing I'd suggest is having some special loving time with your partner :)

No suggestions for the birth. Just stopping by to wish you good luck tomorrow.

Washing your hair....... may I suggest a long relaxing bath with some candles and calming music. It might be a while before you next get a chance to enjoy a leisurely bath.

We actually did the 'special loving time' thing yesterday morning... Which prompted reasonably uncomfortable contractions straight after until I went to sleep at around 2.30 pm. They were 5 mins apart and about 30 - 40 sec duration. They didn't reappear after my nap.

He's now in the lounge watching the footy and I have washing to hang out. How's that for romance!

Interestingly the contractions were in my back again, making me think that this bub like his brother is posterior. Super... not... Lots of time sitting forward on the fit ball tonight me thinks.

I have no idea but just wanted to wish you all the luck in the world for tomorrow! Can't wait to see your BA:)

Good luck for tomorrow Fiona. Can't wait to hear the BA!

sounds like you've got pretty much everything covered (well, in my limited experience!). wishing you all the best for tomorrow :)

Good luck!! I hope your birth goes exactly how you would like it to go. Will be waiting to hear the news! :)

Good luck!! Can't wait to hear the news!!