Sense to Save: Other Blog

20-week update and stuff

Just got back from my 20-week appointment (well, I’m 20 weeks tomorrow). My weight is still hovering around where it was, and there was a note in my file to watch it. BUT the midwife today said that since Johnny recently weaned, that could be part of it.

With him, I didn’t really start gaining weight until toward the third trimester. It will come!

I got to ask a few questions about my previous birth and the one that’s coming up:

First, the Cervidil I had to augment my labor with Johnny supposedly made my contractions more frequent and more intense than they would have been otherwise. I did notice they were frequent!

Then, the magnesium sulfate I had for the pre-ecclampsia worked to relax my muscles and make it that much harder to have effective contractions, and possibly to push.

The combination of the two drugs likely made my labor much harder than it would have been otherwise. I did notice that once the IV of mag sulf. started, I was zapped of my energy and it was just hard to get comfortable. Plus, I was stuck in the bed.

And I got through it anyway! So this time will be even better.

As far as my birthing requests go…

She said I didn’t HAVE to wear the hospital gown, that there wasn’t any rule saying I needed to. I just needed to make sure they had access to me and stuff. Good.

The heplock/IV won’t be needed unless I need any type of drug (of course) including an antibiotic if I am positive for Group B Strep. She said they don’t do the Hibiclens instead of an antibiotic. Hmm. I need to think more about this one. I was negative with Johnny but it doesn’t mean I won’t be this time. For more interesting things on Group B Strep, read here: http://enjoybirth.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/group-b-strep-what-are-your-options/ . (Sorry I can’t hyperlink…this blog’s settings are doing weird things).

For eating/drinking — she said just bring some stuff and don’t ask/don’t tell if I’m eating or drinking . Haha. She said especially since I would decline the IV, I would need to keep hydrated.

She said the labor nurses sort of self-select and I may get a nurse that is friendly to natural childbirth, or I might not. It’s sort of the luck of the draw and might depend on how busy it is that night. I will just keep on praying for a nurse that will put up with me!

Lastly, she said she’s seen good things from moms who use Hypnobabies/Hypnobirthing. She didn’t seem to know the difference between the two, but when I said the Hypnobabies has CDs, that ringed a bell for her. She said the moms seem much more relaxed. Cool.

I’m feeling a tiny bit better about another hospital birth but there’s still some anxiety. It’ll be ok, though!

Oh, and I’m already feeling the Braxton-Hicks contractions. I love these! I think of them as my uterus getting some exercise (cuz it is). As long as they aren’t too frequent, we’re good. Plus, once I actually start my Hypnobabies course, I can use each one as a reminder to practice my techniques.