I have now had 7 children, all of whom were inductions (3 ROM, 3 complications, last one just too far postdates, plus my OB of choice was in labor!) I have had epidurals with all of them, (I always get stuck at 5-6 cm and don't progress without the epidural) but not all the epidurals worked, so I can comment from both sides for inductions.

I found that I really enjoyed the delivery of my children when I had a "light" epidural. The ones where I couldn't feel anything were more like being a spectator. The ones that were "light", I had no pain but could feel when contracting and could feel the baby moving down and out. Those deliveries I enjoyed being part of, and was able to control the pushing so that I did not tear. An added bonus was not feeling the afterbirth contractions for a couple of hours--I took advantage of that time to nurse as much as possible and do a whole bunch of uterine massage to get as clamped down as possible before the pain relief wore off.

The ones where the epidural didn't work (or didn't have time), I was so absorbed with the pain and the urge to push that the baby was born before I realized what was going on. I felt like I missed out on the delivery itself.

I do wonder what it would be like to have a natural labor. I have a very high pain tolerance, and think I would probably handle it better if the pain increased gradually. I've also heard that the contractions are not as strong in general, and being able to move around would probably help. However, I wonder how similar transition/delivery are in each situation, and whether I would experience the same "lost in pain" feeling with a natural transition/delivery.

BTW--when I was a resident, delivering at my own hospital, my husband posted a big sign on the door "no residents and no students". This last delivery, when I needed someone in between when my doctor went into labor and her partner arrived, they staff was kind enough to send in one of the midwives who was on call, rather than a resident, even without my asking.

Well I had two natural vaginal births. Hmmm. Overrated! If I had another I would go in nice and early, get the epidural!

The first time he was OP and I had back labor. Pushed for four and a half hours. But, when he (finally!) came out, he looked great so he went right to my belly for bonding while the cord was being cut. No hurry to take him away, I got to hold him as long as I wanted. Could even have BF right then except I was flat on my back having a tear repaired. He got his Vitamin K shot and EES eyedrops right by my side then was given his little hat and blankie and came right back to me to nurse. I did not feel there was any interference during this important time. Once you lay eyes on that baby, it does not matter how many other people are in the room, it is like you, your DH, and baby are the only ones in the world!

The second time, I decided to have a non-interventional delivery as the first one had gone so well. So, I arrived at the hospital announcing, no IV, no epidural, no uncomfortable monitor around my waist. Well, the intermittent monitoring showed his heart rate dropped to 60 and was not coming back up so I landed up being an emergent delivery! The anesthesiologist they called (they were going to go with general anesthesia for an emergent c/s) was NOT pleased to find I had no IV. Well, it turned out he was so low they were able to get him out by vacuum extraction with pitocin augmentation and NO EPIDURAL! All I will say is I do not recommend this mode of delivery. I was praying for general anesthesia at this point. Well the poor little guy was fine when he came out (thank god) and was checked out by the NICU team briefly before coming to me. He was so mad though he had no interest in BF then (probably had a headache). I felt bad that I had no interest in the baby's welfare as my own pain was so bad. Not fun.

Well I hate to share these stories with all you expecting moms - just remember though that every delivery is different! To address southern's concerns, though, even with my emergent NICU Code B/ OB Code White delivery, the baby was right next to me while being checked by the NICU team and came right to me after just a few minutes. Of course, a baby with respiratory distress or other problems may need to go right to NICU without the initial bonding, for his own safety.

Well, had my 36/37 week OB appt today- BP looked good, and I have two more appts scheduled before the big date.

First exam Friday, and so NOT ready for it- I am going to be studying nonstop between now and then.

After Friday at noon, I am totally fine with this little one making her appearance. The sooner the better- we hit 37 weeks Saturday. I thought I would be somewhat nostalgic knowing this will be our last. So not the case. Love my children, hate pregnancy.

Spicy food and lots of walking scheduled for this weekend Hey, what else am I going to do with a whole three days of nothing to study!

Glad to hear things are going well. I hear ya on the hate pregnancy, love the children thing-I am a miserable b*tch pregnant!!

Great news on the appointment! Good luck on your exam! You will have to let us know if you think any of your spicy food etc. ends up helping things along. I'll be taking notes for my own right-up-against-Pulm test situation. My perfect time for my baby to come is over Thanksgiving (right at 39 weeks). I'll be wanting to eat my own buffet of spicy food! LOL

And I agree - I've not enjoyed pregnancy since I became pregnant. Husband and I are planning to wait about 7 years before our second, so I will be ENJOYING the time. Although I already love my little boy too! I wish MEN could carry the babies!

EXAM IS DONE!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

So this little one can make her appearance anytime now- 37 and 4/7 as of today, so she is good to go!

Bring on the spicy food, walking, walking, and more walking, and anything else that will get my body going!

Of course, my OB could just be wonderful and tell me tomorrow that I am done and being admitted. Hey, stranger things have happened!

On another bright note, we were finally offered a 3 bedroom apartment through student family housing- so we will now have ~1100 sq ft for six people instead of 900/2 bedrooms. Lease doesn't start until after our little one will arrive, but DH is off, and we have lots of family/friends willing to help, so I can feel less guilty about not doing anything

So at most, 8.5 days until the little one arrives- I can't wait to meet her!!!!!

Excellent-congrats....I was overdue with my last one and made DH take one for the team, so to speak LOL!! It may help!

Yup, that is another item on my list It's funny to see the "really, 6 weeks?" pout on DH!

SW to MD - that is so exciting! I wish I were where you are!

I got to go to OB assessment at my hospital yesterday due to persistent pain and cramping. Definitely not preterm labor, but for some reason I had enough insane blood pressure drops and symptomatic hypotensive episodes that I got an IV. And a freaked out husband! I don't think I've ever seen him so worried, because I am never really that ill. Doctor still doesn't know why I'm in "pelvic discomfort" as he put it. Turns out this just may be par for the course for the remainder of my pregnancy. Yay. At least my baby isn't trying to come. I'm 27 and 4 today, so hopefully time will fly by until I am counting down the moments til he is to come!

Now on to two days of testing and then a restful weekend before my Cardiology block starts!