oh, and the milk thing- you will have colostrum available for baby at the time of delivery (and may actually leak colostrum for a few weeks before delivery as well).

It took anywhere from 5 days to 2.5 for my milk to come in after delivery. The 2.5 is early I believe, but that was also the child we nicknamed "vampirita", or 'little vampire' in Spanish She was very focused on getting a full meal apparently!

I totally forgot about this point. Being able to move around and try different positions was absolutely critical for me - no way I would have been able to handle labor laying on my back. I gave birth to DD on my hands and knees.



I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that before! I always figured the recovery from major abdominal surgery would be much worse overall. Labor pains seem to recede from memory - did that happen for you with your recovery experience?

southernmd - sounds like you've got a great match with your OB! With the doula thing, I didn't actually mean hiring one for the delivery. She just taught our childbirth class and happened to offer a private in-home lesson as an option. But with finances tight, doesn't sound like a good plan for you. I would definitely recommend reading up on L&D though, from a variety of viewpoints - of course you can never be 100% prepared, but I think it would help you to have a good idea of what you might expect. And remember, just like with planning pregnancy in the first place, expect the unexpected!

Bottom line, it is scary, but you will deliver your baby one way or the other and that's what matters!

Sharing my elation...

Just met with academics today at school, and since I'll be so new post-birth (likely 5-6 days post-birth) taking our 5.5 hour test for the block - they are putting me in a separate, private room with unrestricted access for my husband to hand me the baby to breastfeed whenever he is hungry (husband will just wait during the test and bring baby to me when needed), and they said to bring a note from my doctor requesting extra time for me. They will give me extended time! This is SOO great. She also is going to work out when I need to take a practical part of the exam around when my baby breastfeeds - likely right after the first feeding.

I'm so elated things are being handled this way!

I know it is weird I would say that about c/s, but I think it comes from knowing what to expect and not having the uncertainty that labor comes with- it just fits better with my personality. Plus I don't have a vaginal birth recovery to compare to, just the awful contractions from pitocin.

The first c/s recovery, after laboring forever with pit, was hard- I felt like I got hit by a truck for weeks. The second and third were a breeze- yes, sore around the incision for a week or two, but truly, I would prefer that to tearing and a repair. Maybe I am just chicken, but that strikes me as infinitely more painful, harder to care for, and more prone to infection. Especially with the 10 pound babies I grow.

Plus, you get four days in the hospital to recover, so a little more sleep, great nursing staff helping you out, and my milk came in the last two times before we left. You also can't underrate being able to pick up the phone and requesting a fresh fruit plate and having it magically appear 3 days post-birth

But again, I have HUGE babies, and don't have the vaginal birth to compare to. One of my friends has also said the same (prefers c/s over vaginal delivery), except she delivered her 1st vaginally and the next two by c/s. She had big babies too- 9.5+ lb, and I would bet she needs heels to make 5'4" and maybe weighs 100 pounds not pregnant.

Southern- glad they are being accommodating (although I wonder why not push up/back the exam- did they consider that?). I have to say my school rocks as well- I emailed admin as to what is going on with me, and asking what to do if I happen to be hospitalized for our first exam, 9/3. They sent out an email to the course directors and testing services with me cc'd basically telling them that I will take the exam when physically able to do so, which may or may not be on their scheduled retake day, and to take care of myself/baby.

I <3 my school!

Yeah....not an option unless I am literally delivering right on top of the exam or just before. However, I am excited they are being this accomodating.

Honestly - SW to MD - your school rocks. Wherever you go - I have been wanting to go there since you started talking on here about how great they were. Seriously. You are so blessed!

Southern-that seems like a pretty cool arrangement for exams!!

About breastfeeding-feed baby right after birth-the more the baby suckles, the faster your milk will come in, and baby will get all of that great colostrum.

In terms of labor, I tell my patients to do the best they can, for as long as they can. We offer all kinds of support-doulas are complimentary, we have a tub (ostensibly for laboring-we aren't supposed to deliver babies in there, but if they happen to 'come out'..LOL, whatever..)massage, aromatherapy, music, etc. I feel that labor is a natural process and the more I intervene, the more interventions will likely be needed-i.e. pit leads to epidural, or epidural leads to pit....
however, sometimes epis are a godsend.
I had 'natural labor' with my first-a birthing plan, everything. She was direct OP and I had a vacuum. Of all of my births, that one was the most traumatic mentally and my worst experience. I had a 45 min repair and was so traumatized I couldn't even hold her right away. With my second I ';chickened out' and got an epidural. I didn't like that I couldn't move, but I basically laughed her out. Awesome birth. With my third i had a pit induction and did great until the cx were 1-2 min apart. Begged for an epidural-NEVER have a baby at a teaching institution in July-the resident came in to ask all of the questions and I was like, just give it to me!!! As I got it, I went to fully and had her about ten min later, but I was happy with the experience. So, it depends.

All I can say is, try to keep an open mind-in OB, it is always 'the best laid plans'.

@SW-so sorry about the pre-e! that sucks-one experience I haven't had, fortunately. Good for you for 'scaring' DH LOL. I loved the idea of a PPoint presentation-I read that to my DH and he was like'poor guy'-he is non medical as well...

Docmomof3 - too bad I can't deliver at your fabulous-sounding center instead of my teaching hospital! Thankfully - I am seeing a doctor who doesn't utilize residents nor students in the hospital - they do not see his patients - so I am safe from your epi situation happening.

But just in case I have to have a c-section where he MIGHT use a resident to assist - you better believe I am happy it is not July! No offense meant - one day I will be that resident in July myself, but you know....I know how it is!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

baby #1 - stayed home for 12 hours, got to the hospital at 7cm, took the epidural. No pitocin, no ROM until 10 cm. Baby born 5 hours later, no problem. No pain, lots of gain! I remember thinking "am I having a contraction right now? Really? This is awesome!" Also, it was really as "natural" as it gets other than the pain relief (how does that make anything unnatural, by the way?)

baby #2 - 37 and 0/7, 5cm, bulging membranes, no contractions. Sent me to hospital for pit. No pain at all until they broke my water. Then 2 hours of hell. Epidural 1 hour into it that had exactly zero effect. Baby was OP too. I would have traded all 13 hours with my first against just 20 minutes of pain relief from the second.

but true, as soon as they're born, it's all forgotten. but if I have another baby, I'm getting the epidural as soon as they offer it! I just was much more in control with the first one, and got to enjoy the birth and participate more fully. With the second, all I remember was "get this kid out of me NOW!". With the first, it was all "we're having a baby TODAY!" excitement. With the second, I looked at my husband with "you're the cause of all this pain, you're never touching me again" angry eyes. With the first "what a godly man to have a baby with, look at me how fortunate I am". LOL. I have great respect for women who choose to endure the pain, but I'm not doing it!

PS most OBs roll their eyes at extensive birth plans. It's fine to have preferences, but when women arrive with 3 pages long plans, do they really think anyone reads them? You're better off with short, to-the-point messages.

If I were you, I would just say:
1- as little interventions as possible
2- do not offer me pain relief, I will ask if I want it
3- skin to skin with my baby

Also, I thought most hospitals encouraged skin to skin anyway. Where I gave birth, at my med school, where I train now, they give the baby to mom for maybe 30 seconds, then take baby for drying/stimulating/suctioning if necessary, Apgars, diaper, wrapping, and back to mom within minutes for breastfeeding/bonding. They do all this assessment right next to your bed, never take the baby away.