The first time around I went into labor around 8:30 and I got to the hospital around 10. She was born at 11:45 the following night, so over 24 hours of active labor. I actually think they did have me eat during labor. They had a fridge stocked with “labor friendly” foods in the hallway outside my room, things that counted as “liquids” like apple juice, jello, bananas, etc. I ate occasionally but honestly didn’t want to. I also faint when I’m low on food and my blood sugar usually drops super low if I do anything active at all without eating every 2-3 hours.
The second time around I was induced and when I showed up at the hospital they made me order lunch and eat a full meal before they started the pitocin. After they started the meds I had access to the same little kitchenette with snacks as before. This was at St Joes in Denver.
I do not run(like ever if possible) but I do get faint when I don’t eat or drink. I was one of the people who threw up a lot both labors. My hospital did allow food if you didn’t yet have an epidural but no food once you did. I was too busy throwing up to want food before the epidural.
If that ends up being you my best advice is to make sure you can get some really good food once baby is out. First baby was born at 12:30 am(just after midnight) so the cafeteria was not open and most delivery places were also not open. My husband had a pizza delivery order ready to go for when she was born and that was the best damn pizza I have ever eaten in my life. Apparently I ate nearly half a large pizza. At that point I hadnt really eaten in about 36 hours and had thrown up a lot.
Oooh yes, I think the rule for my labors was just no food after epidural. Both times I waited to have an epidural until I was too tired, and then it was time to push within an hour of getting the epidural, so it seems like I was able to eat the whole time.
That’s actually a good piece of advice - an epidural helps relax your body. Both times I approached labor open-minded about an epidural but wanting to make as far as I could without. The pain itself never got bad enough that I wanted one, but eventually I was SO TIRED each time that I just wanted to lay down and relax so I got one. Then my body relaxed and my “stalling” labor (with maxed out pitocin) went straight to 10 and it was time to push within an hour. Who knows how long it would have taken if I hadn’t gotten the epidural.
Yes! That’s why I got the epidural the first time. There is some talk that epidurals can stall labor but if you are exhausted and epidural can help a lot. First time around I had an epidural for 10 hours before the dag kid was finally born…
Yes! My labor and delivery class said that epidurals increase your chances of a c-section because they can stall the labor to the point that a c-section becomes necessary. So I was open-minded but pretty biased against getting one and I waited waaaay too long to get one.
I vomited after labour and that was terrifying because i nearly choked. I recommend packing all the food and includ things that are super easy to vomit as well as whatever you’d normally use as quick comfort/ exercise food because better to be overprepared. I liked taking a sip of juice and spitting it out - even though i couldnt swallow it made a huge difference.
I won’t be able to have my first OB appointment (unless someone cancels) until I’m 14 weeks pregnant wtf. Imagine if I wasn’t coming from a fertility clinic.
Luckily my MFM referral for my whole sequential scan is its own thing so I should hopefully be able to get that scan at the appropriate time.
Round ligament pain is kicking my ass today. I get up too fast or cough and I feel like I’m gonna pull a muscle. Also my hips and legs and butt just hurt.
I still have a pretty small belly so she was worried about a growth restriction. All worry was for not. Baby is 5lbs 13oz and has already dropped!!
I am currently 1cm dilated and this little guy has A TON OF HAIR. Measuring around 2cm of hair length!!!
I can feel the dropping - I can breathe so much better and go on much faster walks, but I need to pee alllll of the time.
Next week is full term so we could be meeting this guy at anytime.
I also asked the doc about my fuel plan and she said all of my wants will be honored. They don’t want people coming in and having a huge protein/fat heavy meal because 1 - increases likelihood of vomiting 2 - increases risks if emergencies occur 3 - your digestive system slows down majorly during labor so you won’t be able to digest foods that are not ready for digestion. Gels/Gummy/Electrolyte drinks that are mostly carbs are all allowed. She said because I have experience with them while running without stomach issues they should be safe for labor too because your digestion also slows down during long endurance events.
Overall a very happy Ginja today. Can’t wait to meet this little dude.
I think it’s so cool how you’re able to prep for your labor based on your deep knowledge of endurance events! Taking notes, even though I am not nearly as prepared for an endurance event as you are!
I have nothing else to compare to and this could all be wrong! I’ll let you know results after hahahaha.
Who would have known how much I would appreciate this. lol
LOL maybe I will want to know in a few weeks!! I was reading and it seems like being 1cm dilated means basically nothing other than my body is getting ready. Could be a couple days or a few weeks before we meet this kiddo.
I am so happy that I am feeling excited nerves instead of panic nerves. I feel like I know about what the process will look like, what some of my options are, and that I shouldn’t make too much of a plan because everything can change anyways.
We told my family about our preferences of who we want at the hospital and while I know they are bummed we want it to be just the two of us they were really understanding and kind about it.
Did I already say here that this was the best thing I ever did? I said it somewhere recently. You will not regret this. I’m so glad your families are accepting your preferences. That bodes well for the future!
No, but I have heard so many people who have loved the COVID changes. Our hospital only allows 2 people in the room during delivery and people cant hang in the waiting areas. After the baby only 2 visitors at a time. It is so nice that the policy aligns with the preferences but our families were joking about tailgating in the parking lot so it felt good to say “hey I hope that is just a joke because we actually want it to be just the two of us” and they said “well it wasn’t totally a joke because we want to be there but also it isn’t our decision and we will respect yours, just please send us updates every few hours as you’re able to”. A compromise we can agree on!
Do you have experience doing it both ways? What was incredible about it being just the two of you?
I have experience both ways and both were good and magical! But for the delivery they were just in the family room for an unknown nber of hours and I dwlivered at 8, did my goldeb hour, had a quick hello with loved ones and then they were gone for 14 hours, brought breakfast, left, visited for 2h the bext evening and that was it.
The aecond was birn under covid rules and much earliwr in the day so maybe I woukd bot have wanted visitors. Tyling under baby, sorry!
The first kid was pre-covid so they very much expected to be there until we firmly let them know that they were welcome to visit when we got home. There are so many interruptions in the hospital (nurses, doctors, pediatricians, this test for your newborn, that test for your newborn), that there is very little real rest. I also was in more pain afterwards than I expected. I was ready for labor pain, but I didn’t really realize that my crotch would be on fire and it would hurt to move or sit. On top of that I was trying to learn to breastfeed which can bring up feelings if it’s important to you (and keep your boob out 90% of the time). It was just super nice not to have anyone there except my husband and supportive medical staff.
The second kid was post covid, but I realllllly wanted to be home with my older child and I was feeling great, so we bounced at exactly the 24 hour mark (after the last test). Family expectations had already been set, and they happily came to visit us at home.
wtf. Imagine if I wasn’t coming from a fertility clinic.