Comments on: An Update and Some Thoughts (catchy, huh?) http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/ online mother Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:38:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Birth Plans | Seagull Fountain http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-2/#comment-59616 Birth Plans | Seagull Fountain Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:31:08 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-59616 [...] I don’t think I was ever positive before my three other births, but as an example of how much I relinquished responsibility, it’s possible that I was positive but wasn’t told or didn’t give it any thought [...] [...] I don’t think I was ever positive before my three other births, but as an example of how much I relinquished responsibility, it’s possible that I was positive but wasn’t told or didn’t give it any thought [...]

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-52864 Jane Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:38:47 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-52864 Stacy! Now I totally remember this conversation. (Someone named Liz I think also recommended these midwives). But also, I didn't know/realize your married name was Yarrington. It was good to see you today, and I am glad to read back through this conversation and know that you had such a good experience with the midwives, now that I have started going to them myself. Stacy! Now I totally remember this conversation. (Someone named Liz I think also recommended these midwives). But also, I didn’t know/realize your married name was Yarrington.

It was good to see you today, and I am glad to read back through this conversation and know that you had such a good experience with the midwives, now that I have started going to them myself.

]]> By: Tiffany http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-2/#comment-50009 Tiffany Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:30:28 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-50009 Don't we all love to weigh in when it involves labor and delivery? I know I do. =) I have five kids. Three of my labors were with epidurals and two were completely unmedicated. My first delivery (epidural, induction) was AWFUL and painful and hard. The epidural didn't work and I couldn't cope with the pain. The second was fine. I had an epidural which worked well and I was also induced. My third was my best experience. I went into labor naturally and it went very quickly--about 5 hours. #4 was also natural--but it was stressful for me because I expected it to go faster than it did. My last birth-just a few months ago- I asked to be induced for many reasons and consequently, had an epidural. My epidural did not work very well, just enough to take the edge off the pain. The only way I coped with it was to go very deep inside myself and focus on the downward pressure I felt. This gave me the strength to focus on the actual delivery which went smoothly. My anesthesiologist told me that my spine is atypical and that adminstering a really effective epidural for me was very difficult. I'm inclined to agree with him, given my previous experiences with epidurals. Anyhow, if I choose to have another child, I will not ask for an epidural, because what is the point of not being able to move around if you don't have good pain relief? I know I have the strength and tenacity to do fine durig labor. However, if I have back labor, just shoot me and get it over with. Don’t we all love to weigh in when it involves labor and delivery? I know I do. =) I have five kids. Three of my labors were with epidurals and two were completely unmedicated. My first delivery (epidural, induction) was AWFUL and painful and hard. The epidural didn’t work and I couldn’t cope with the pain. The second was fine. I had an epidural which worked well and I was also induced. My third was my best experience. I went into labor naturally and it went very quickly–about 5 hours. #4 was also natural–but it was stressful for me because I expected it to go faster than it did. My last birth-just a few months ago- I asked to be induced for many reasons and consequently, had an epidural. My epidural did not work very well, just enough to take the edge off the pain. The only way I coped with it was to go very deep inside myself and focus on the downward pressure I felt. This gave me the strength to focus on the actual delivery which went smoothly. My anesthesiologist told me that my spine is atypical and that adminstering a really effective epidural for me was very difficult. I’m inclined to agree with him, given my previous experiences with epidurals.

Anyhow, if I choose to have another child, I will not ask for an epidural, because what is the point of not being able to move around if you don’t have good pain relief? I know I have the strength and tenacity to do fine durig labor. However, if I have back labor, just shoot me and get it over with.

]]> By: Heather http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49506 Heather Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:25:25 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49506 I'd love to be there too. Funny, Karin in July, Jane in August, and me in September. Karin - Jane and I can carpool, and since I know your kids well I can also help out with them. If that's okay, of course... Since I don't think I'll ever have a home birth, I'd love participate - even on a babysitting level. :) And Jane - you're welcome to come to mine. Considering my first 2, I might still have the baby before you do. haha I’d love to be there too. Funny, Karin in July, Jane in August, and me in September. Karin – Jane and I can carpool, and since I know your kids well I can also help out with them. If that’s okay, of course… Since I don’t think I’ll ever have a home birth, I’d love participate – even on a babysitting level. :)

And Jane – you’re welcome to come to mine. Considering my first 2, I might still have the baby before you do. haha

]]> By: Stacy Yarrington http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49330 Stacy Yarrington Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:20:44 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49330 I hope you like them. This was my fourth baby and the only one that was late! I also was induced because I didn't feel her very much and my fluid was low. I even had hurried to the hospital one night because I hadn't felt her in over 8 hours. As soon as they hooked me up to the machine, though, she started moving, so they sent me home. I was a nervous wreck by the time I was induced. Although as soon as I got to the hospital to be induced I started having hard contractions on my own for the first time. I hope you like them. This was my fourth baby and the only one that was late! I also was induced because I didn’t feel her very much and my fluid was low. I even had hurried to the hospital one night because I hadn’t felt her in over 8 hours. As soon as they hooked me up to the machine, though, she started moving, so they sent me home. I was a nervous wreck by the time I was induced. Although as soon as I got to the hospital to be induced I started having hard contractions on my own for the first time.

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49324 Jane Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:14:15 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49324 Interestingly (or not), it was my mom's conviction that I have a much lower pain threshold than she does (she had 3 natural births) that was one convincing factor for me to demand an epidural asap. Interestingly (or not), it was my mom’s conviction that I have a much lower pain threshold than she does (she had 3 natural births) that was one convincing factor for me to demand an epidural asap.

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49323 Jane Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:12:05 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49323 My experience with doctors/hospitals has been too positive to ever think of doing it at home (my dad is a fp doctor who used to deliver babies). My experience with doctors/hospitals has been too positive to ever think of doing it at home (my dad is a fp doctor who used to deliver babies).

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49322 Jane Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:10:57 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49322 Yay! They are on my list (at least two of the midwives are). I'm going to try them out. Wow -- my first was 9 days late, and I was happy to be induced. Felt like she hadn't been moving much, and they decided my amniotic fluid was low, but it prob. wasn't really necessary. Part of saying I won't be induced this time stems from my certainty (hopefully) that a 4th kid wouldn't try to be that late (though I know some people object to "late" before 42 weeks). Would require such patience! Yay! They are on my list (at least two of the midwives are). I’m going to try them out.

Wow — my first was 9 days late, and I was happy to be induced. Felt like she hadn’t been moving much, and they decided my amniotic fluid was low, but it prob. wasn’t really necessary. Part of saying I won’t be induced this time stems from my certainty (hopefully) that a 4th kid wouldn’t try to be that late (though I know some people object to “late” before 42 weeks). Would require such patience!

]]> By: rixa http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49201 rixa Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:09:08 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49201 You'd probably enjoy revisiting the post about "what does giving birth feel like" on my blog. I get periodic new comments on that one, and you'll get really detailed descriptions of what you might expect to feel when laboring without an epidural. You’d probably enjoy revisiting the post about “what does giving birth feel like” on my blog. I get periodic new comments on that one, and you’ll get really detailed descriptions of what you might expect to feel when laboring without an epidural.

]]> By: Charlotte http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49115 Charlotte Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:04:19 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49115 You just reminded me of my first baby (which I had in Utah). I was completely medicated and ripped pretty bad. When the doctor went to stitch me up he cleaned me out with cold water which made me jump. They were so used to epidural births they had forgotten I could feel the temperature. When I was telling the story today at the dinner table (right after describing pelvic changed during pregnancy) my husband dryly pointed out it was a good thing the cold water reminded them, otherwise he might have forgotten the lidocaine. It is sort of sad the nonepidural births are that uncommon. Although this was 13 years ago and there wasn't the focus on it like there is now. Hows that for a good anecdote? I always found the story rather humorous myself. You just reminded me of my first baby (which I had in Utah). I was completely medicated and ripped pretty bad. When the doctor went to stitch me up he cleaned me out with cold water which made me jump. They were so used to epidural births they had forgotten I could feel the temperature. When I was telling the story today at the dinner table (right after describing pelvic changed during pregnancy) my husband dryly pointed out it was a good thing the cold water reminded them, otherwise he might have forgotten the lidocaine.

It is sort of sad the nonepidural births are that uncommon. Although this was 13 years ago and there wasn’t the focus on it like there is now. Hows that for a good anecdote? I always found the story rather humorous myself.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49110 Sarah Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:18:35 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49110 Well, there are some things that can be studied. For example, they have studied the length of labor with and with out epidurals (there is no difference, on average). I just have a hard time when someone says, "Well, my mom..." or "my friend..." and that's their whole basis for their knowledge. There are very sophisticated studies out there, we just need to know how to sort through the muck. I am not pro-epidural nor pro-unmedicated. I just want the mothers to have what they want. If she wants to go unmedicated, I will help her as much as I can, and visa versa. I know there are nurses out there that have a hard time with unmedicated patients - and that probably stems from some past patients who are unwilling to comply with policies that we must follow as RNs. I do think in Utah epidurals are more common and the nurses are more used to that. I will admit - patients with epidurals are easier, happier, more compliant (in general) so I think that's why patients get that impression. Okay, here I go... sorry. I did have an epidural with my first - because I knew labor and pushing is much longer with the first baby. But I do plan on trying unmediated with my next. And yes, I am pro-hospital. We see the bad side of the home births - the really bad sides. I just don't know why people would sacrifice the safety of their baby and them for the comfort of being in their home. Well, there are some things that can be studied. For example, they have studied the length of labor with and with out epidurals (there is no difference, on average). I just have a hard time when someone says, “Well, my mom…” or “my friend…” and that’s their whole basis for their knowledge. There are very sophisticated studies out there, we just need to know how to sort through the muck.
I am not pro-epidural nor pro-unmedicated. I just want the mothers to have what they want. If she wants to go unmedicated, I will help her as much as I can, and visa versa. I know there are nurses out there that have a hard time with unmedicated patients – and that probably stems from some past patients who are unwilling to comply with policies that we must follow as RNs. I do think in Utah epidurals are more common and the nurses are more used to that. I will admit – patients with epidurals are easier, happier, more compliant (in general) so I think that’s why patients get that impression. Okay, here I go… sorry. I did have an epidural with my first – because I knew labor and pushing is much longer with the first baby. But I do plan on trying unmediated with my next.
And yes, I am pro-hospital. We see the bad side of the home births – the really bad sides. I just don’t know why people would sacrifice the safety of their baby and them for the comfort of being in their home.

]]> By: Stacy Yarrington http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49107 Stacy Yarrington Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:21:50 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49107 My friend went to those midwives in Orem and didn't love them. She ended up switching to this clinic up in Pleasant Grove even though it's a good 40 minute drive from down here in Spanish Fork. Here's the website for the clinic: http://www.mtwhc.com/ You would probably search under the doctor's names to see if your insurance covers them. It's billed through them, even though you only see the midwives. My friend delivered all natural and the midwife there was with her the entire time rubbing her back and talking her through it. I did find out when my baby was 9 days late that they're not too interested in doing things like stripping membranes to induce labor. My friend went to those midwives in Orem and didn’t love them. She ended up switching to this clinic up in Pleasant Grove even though it’s a good 40 minute drive from down here in Spanish Fork.
Here’s the website for the clinic: http://www.mtwhc.com/
You would probably search under the doctor’s names to see if your insurance covers them. It’s billed through them, even though you only see the midwives. My friend delivered all natural and the midwife there was with her the entire time rubbing her back and talking her through it.
I did find out when my baby was 9 days late that they’re not too interested in doing things like stripping membranes to induce labor.

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49100 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:56:16 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49100 Whoa. That is a roller coaster. I'm surprised she's still sane. (just kidding). For me it really is more about being informed and prepared rather than taking a bloodoath to avoid the demon medication. :P Whoa. That is a roller coaster. I’m surprised she’s still sane. (just kidding).

For me it really is more about being informed and prepared rather than taking a bloodoath to avoid the demon medication. :P

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49099 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:55:06 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49099 The one thing I am certain about (as certain as can be) is that I will not get induced. For sure. The one thing I am certain about (as certain as can be) is that I will not get induced. For sure.

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49098 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:54:16 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49098 Well, part of the problem with childbirth is that it's all anecdote-based. You can amass databases and statistics of how things go, and devise evidence-based best practices, but you can't conduct a double-blind research experiment, so I don't know how you'd ever know how much of any one person's experience is self-selecting or determined by any of a million variables, etc. When you say you are biased because you work in L&D, I assume you're . . . pro-epidural? Why? Now if you said you were pro-hospital over homebirth, I would hope so, working in a hospital :P Well, part of the problem with childbirth is that it’s all anecdote-based. You can amass databases and statistics of how things go, and devise evidence-based best practices, but you can’t conduct a double-blind research experiment, so I don’t know how you’d ever know how much of any one person’s experience is self-selecting or determined by any of a million variables, etc.

When you say you are biased because you work in L&D, I assume you’re . . . pro-epidural? Why?

Now if you said you were pro-hospital over homebirth, I would hope so, working in a hospital :P

]]> By: Jordan http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49097 Jordan Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:53:52 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49097 I wasn't exactly watching them, but I'm pretty sure they injected the local anesthesia (why on earth do I want to use the Commonwealth spelling for that?!) at the perineum before the episiotomy. So far, labor has started on its own for me. My mom had FOUR water-break-in-the-middle-of-the-night-or-Homemaking, made-for-TV, I-want-an-epidural-too-late-PUSH births. Go figure. Oh, and I always thought it was weird that my mom would say "It doesn't hurt <em>that</em> bad" when women screamed during contractions on birthing shows. But I never felt like screaming in pain when I went natural, and I have a much lower pain threshold than my mother. I wasn’t exactly watching them, but I’m pretty sure they injected the local anesthesia (why on earth do I want to use the Commonwealth spelling for that?!) at the perineum before the episiotomy.

So far, labor has started on its own for me. My mom had FOUR water-break-in-the-middle-of-the-night-or-Homemaking, made-for-TV, I-want-an-epidural-too-late-PUSH births. Go figure.

Oh, and I always thought it was weird that my mom would say “It doesn’t hurt that bad” when women screamed during contractions on birthing shows. But I never felt like screaming in pain when I went natural, and I have a much lower pain threshold than my mother.

]]> By: Karin http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49096 Karin Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:53:12 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49096 I think that might be a really good idea. :-) It would be a long drive for you, but I would be happy to have you there as long as you are supportive of the "birthnest" ;-) Through blogstalking, I feel like we know each other, even though it's cyber-knowing. However, I'm not sure we've ever met in real life and I think I'd like to do that before you came over... :-) I think that might be a really good idea. :-) It would be a long drive for you, but I would be happy to have you there as long as you are supportive of the “birthnest” ;-) Through blogstalking, I feel like we know each other, even though it’s cyber-knowing. However, I’m not sure we’ve ever met in real life and I think I’d like to do that before you came over… :-)

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49095 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:49:05 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49095 Can you get morphine in childbirth? Because that seems an acceptable substitute for an epidural. :P Can you get morphine in childbirth? Because that seems an acceptable substitute for an epidural. :P

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49094 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:48:26 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49094 I want to talk to you more, Andrea (and see your baby!). I think it's interesting how our plans/expectations are so shaped by previous experience. While now, because I am a wimp, I don't want to rule out an epidural or demerol or SOMETHING, I am determined to not have an induction. For sure. (Unless the baby needs it, of course). And so fascinating what you say about being self-centered at the moment of birth -- I've never heard anyone say that, but I have heard people talk about focusing inward or being almost in a trance, or retreating to someplace, and each of those seem not newborn-focused, just expressed differently. I honestly don't remember the moment of birth for Callie or Lucy, but I do for Avery (my first). I remember my legs were shaking so hard, and I held her and couldn't stop crying (happy tears). I want to talk to you more, Andrea (and see your baby!). I think it’s interesting how our plans/expectations are so shaped by previous experience. While now, because I am a wimp, I don’t want to rule out an epidural or demerol or SOMETHING, I am determined to not have an induction. For sure. (Unless the baby needs it, of course).

And so fascinating what you say about being self-centered at the moment of birth — I’ve never heard anyone say that, but I have heard people talk about focusing inward or being almost in a trance, or retreating to someplace, and each of those seem not newborn-focused, just expressed differently.

I honestly don’t remember the moment of birth for Callie or Lucy, but I do for Avery (my first). I remember my legs were shaking so hard, and I held her and couldn’t stop crying (happy tears).

]]> By: Jane http://www.seagullfountain.com/2010/01/24/an-update-and-some-thoughts-catchy-huh/comment-page-1/#comment-49093 Jane Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:43:49 +0000 http://www.seagullfountain.com/?p=4209#comment-49093 Yes, pitocin is of the devil. Unless, you know, it saves you from a hysterectomy or something. Yes, pitocin is of the devil. Unless, you know, it saves you from a hysterectomy or something.

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