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Scared to give birth

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With my first child 11 years ago I had an emergency c section I am now 36 weeks and considered high risk pregnancy (asthma and previous abruption of placenta) but I am able to have a VBAC which I am highly grateful that my previous OB took good care and allowed the incision to not affect my future births Nevertheless I am scared with the whole process of giving birth I am worried about everything from natural delivery vs epidural anxieties over difficulties during the delivery but I rather be awake and see the actual delivery than to be put to sleep like my first child Unfortunately the time frame in finding out about my allowance to have a VBAC was just given and all the child birth preparation classes are filled Can you suggest either videos and/or reading material that could relieve me of some of my anxieties Thank you soo much for any support you might offer

Expert Post Viewd: 2 Posted: 5/7/08 10:50 am Posted by: Replies: 0

spotting

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I'm a first time mother and I have recently had some spotting especially after intercourse I was not concerned until I experienced cramping along with it

Could this be a sign of early labor

Expert Post Viewd: 2 Posted: 4/27/08 10:12 pm Posted by: Replies: 0

AFD level 2 58

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My Dr says my child has ntd I'm afraid and she wants me to get an anmiocetes done I'm 24 weeks the test was taken at 22 weeks The Dr could not tell me the seriousness of this matter has reffered me to get counseling and reffered me to another ob/gyn please give me some insight while getting numerous ultrasounds at various labs they have always told me everyrhing is fine Could there be a problem with his spine

Expert Post Viewd: 59 Posted: 4/25/08 12:15 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

Traumatic birth

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Dear Jill

I delivered my daughter 6 months ago and I am slowly processing what turned out to be a somewhat traumatic and disappointing labor/birth experience I am at the point now of wondering if the interventions that I received were truly necessary or simply hospital protocol I went into labor 1 day before my due date My water broke at home and I labored there for about 2 3 hours Once I arrived to the birthing center triage at my local hospital I feel I was immediately judged (in a negative way) because I planned on having my baby (my first) without an epidural or any other routine medical interventions including an IV placement The nurses were not supportive (perhaps they were ill prepared to support a woman experiening labor w/o drugs) When my daughter's heart rate dropped to the 60 70bpm range I was immediately given IV fluids oxygen and an internal fetal monitor was placed The IV and monitor stayed in place until she was born This of course limited my range of movement (which was a technique I planned on using to help me during my labor) I felt trapped in my bed unable to move and sadly my CNM did not offer many suggestions to assist me through the contractions When it came time to push I was so exhausted and felt like I no longer had any say in my labor or birth When I screamed my CNM told me to "stop it " I never felt the urge to push I was put in a semi reclined position and was instructed (by about 8 staff members ) when to push At this time my daughter's heart rate dropped again and the OBG on call came into the room and told me that I either had to have an emergency c section or delivery by forceps I choose the forceps and pushed my baby out in less than 20 minutes I had significant tearing The doc tried to stitch me up there in the room but it was very painful So they gave me morphine which of course made me so drowsy that I didn't get to experience my beautiful baby in the state I had hoped for Sadly the tears were back very far so I was told that I had to go to the OR to be sedated and stitched up there I was away from my precious baby for the first hour of her life I don't feel like I'll every truly get over that I was so excited about my birth before this experience I cried for weeks aftewards even thinking about how it had turned out I want my next birth to be different (I plan on having a doula present to start ) Anyways thank you so much for this online service And again I'm wondering if all of the interventions that took place were truly necessary for the safety of my baby

Expert Post Viewd: 94 Posted: 4/23/08 3:49 pm Posted by: Replies: 4

elevated afd levels NTD

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I received a test from my Dr when I was 22 weeks about 2 weeks ago the Afd levels were elevated and were 2 58 My Dr says i'm positive for ntds and requests I get an aminocetes done How serious is this/ I've taken numerous ultrasounds and the tech has never seen anything unusal with tthe spine or any anomolies please givew me insight on what i'm facing here

Expert Post Viewd: 5 Posted: 4/25/08 1:59 am Posted by: Replies: 0

Mucous Plug and cramping

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Hi I am expecting my third child and my due date is in five days I have dropped and am dialated to a 3 Yesterday after walking for an hour I experienced cramps and then I believe I lost my mucous plug and it was tinged light pink I thought for sure I would go into labor last night but no such luck This morning I am feeling fine Is this any indication that I will go into labor soon I was late with my last one which was horrible I am doing eveything I can to be early or on time this time around

Thanks for your help

Expert Post Viewd: 79 Posted: 4/17/08 11:46 am Posted by: Replies: 1

6 months pregnant strange discharge

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I'm in my 26th week with first child and this morning i had a clear mucous like discharge I'm slightly worried Any ideas

Expert Post Viewd: 40 Posted: 4/17/08 6:13 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

painful hemroids

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I've tried everything for hemroids From witch hazel prep h soaking in the tub laying down eating fiber and drinking plenty of water My hemroids don't itch they are very painful Any suggestions PLEASE HELP

Expert Post Viewd: 58 Posted: 4/16/08 12:54 am Posted by: Replies: 1

Tell me about Vacuum delivery

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I am 34 years old I gave birth to my 1st born in 2006/10/25 I had a very difficult labour and my baby was born after 12 hours of labour by vacuum delivery When he was born I could not hold him immediately as he was taken to be put in an incubator immediately He was born weighing 3 9kg He was monitored but the doctors found out that he was healthy and there was nothing wrong with him We were both released from hospital after 24 hours Now he is almost 18 months and is a beautiful active and happy baby Although his health is excellent in general that birth experience has worried me I often wonder if he won't have any side effects later on in life because he was born that way I don't know anything about vacuum delivery

Thanks

Expert Post Viewd: 74 Posted: 4/10/08 12:01 pm Posted by: Replies: 2

Spotting

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I am currently 38 weeks prgnant with my first child and i have been experiencing some spotting not enough to fill a pad On Saturday I was concerned because the spotting was very bright I didnt call my doctor because i wanted to see if it continued and thank God it didnt Could this be a sign that i am dialating or i will be going into labor soon

Expert Post Viewd: 48 Posted: 4/8/08 4:51 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

about me and baby

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how much dilated do i have o be to know that its time also how many weeks am i if my dueate is may 20th

Expert Post Viewd: 45 Posted: 4/12/08 3:33 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

about my pregnancy

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around what week is it safe to give birth and how do i know that the baby is on the way if i didnt feel any pains with my other two babies

Expert Post Viewd: 29 Posted: 4/12/08 3:26 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

are these signs that my body is getting ready for labor

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ok for the past 4days ive had the following happen i had a lot of abdomanal pain and contractions that were very painful and would wake me up when i did finaly fall asleep then the baby has dropped and is lower then before i can breath now and ive been in the bathroom a lot more haveing to pee and had a lot of loose stools the last 3 days witch isnt normal for me and ive had pains in my vagina and back that make it hard to walk or move this is my 2nd pregnancy but my first one was far from normal i had preeclampsia and hellps and my son was born at 29 weeks so being 34 weeks and 4 days i dont know what is normal and all thanks for any help

Expert Post Viewd: 99 Posted: 4/2/08 5:12 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

epidural

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my doc explained that having an epidural may actually decrease chances of a c section because it allows the mom to relax and possibly progress faster because she is relaxed Is this true

Also if you are given and pitocin does that cause swelling in your body The first time i gave birth I looked like a puff ball afterwards Or was that from the pushing

Expert Post Viewd: 133 Posted: 2/28/08 2:09 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

BABY

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IS IT SAVE TO LET THE BABY LISTING TO MUSIC AND CD WITH LEARNING THINGS ON IT LIKE ABC AND 123 WILD IT'S STILL IN THE BELLY

Expert Post Viewd: 65 Posted: 3/17/08 1:59 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

baby breech

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Hi I am 33 weeks I am due 4/11/08 I went to the doctor today and she said the baby is breech

She said not to worry this might change However I am worried Can I do anything to change the babies

postition

Expert Post Viewd: 139 Posted: 2/13/08 8:52 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

Ready for labor

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I am ready for labor is there a safe way to speed up going into labor

Expert Post Viewd: 215 Posted: 1/6/08 10:03 pm Posted by: Replies: 2

Cervix length and Cerclage

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I am currently pg with triplets and was originally told that I would need a cerclage due to a second trimester miscarriage last year and my history At 18 weeks my cervix was still holding strong at 4 5 but an u/s today showed my cervix had already shortened to 3 0 I am 20 21 weeks currently I will talk to my OB about this but my appt is not for another 4 days so I am doing as much research as I can I do see a perintologist butI live 365 miles away from him and have to fly there to see him Any insight would be great Thanks

Expert Post Viewd: 144 Posted: 1/22/08 2:59 am Posted by: Replies: 1

38 weeks and ready to go

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I was due a couple days ago and my son has not arrived yet I think I am just anxious for him to get here But I am also ready to drop the load Is there anything I can do to make him come My doctor is talking about inducing when I dialate I really don't want that to happen But he says that my baby is growing and he doesn't want to deliver a 10 pound baby The way that sounds it kind of scares me

Expert Post Viewd: 254 Posted: 12/13/07 9:28 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

stomach cramps

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i am 39 weeks pregnant and i am having stomach cramps that feel like i am starting my period is this normal

Expert Post Viewd: 187 Posted: 12/14/07 2:14 am Posted by: Replies: 1

i need to know about dialating and mucus plugs

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Hi this is my 1st child a girl and am 38 weeks and 4 days The some doctors say my due date is the 24th others say the 14th However I had a dr s appointment this week and I was told that I dilated 1 cm In lamens terms please tell me around how long and how far do I have to dialate to be ready I was told this over and over but for some reason I tend to get side tracked on some pain or another PLEASE HELP FAST

Expert Post Viewd: 230 Posted: 12/8/07 4:37 am Posted by: Replies: 1

Please Help Me

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Hi I am 30 weeks pregnant and I don't go throu pregnency easily I am 24 years old and I feel missriable I feel heavy fat ugly my back is killing me and I wish everything was over But dosen't matter with that My question is how will I know what to do during labor or when to go to hospital I am poor and I don't have money for child birth classes Maybe you can tell me some sighns of labor being started I know you have pains like menstrual ones etc I have read it on internet But maybe you can be more spoecific And besides that I am afrraid that something will go wrong The doctor said that my baby is very big but we will try natural birth prabobly I am afraid that we will start natural and baby will be stuck in canal and then what Besides I had only one USG done around 22 week I don't know why the doctor don't order more Sopously the baby stomack is 2 weeks biger then the rest and he doesn't seems to care and I am scared for the baby Please help

Expert Post Viewd: 162 Posted: 11/30/07 7:44 pm Posted by: Replies: 3

triple screen

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HI MY NAME IS KIYONNA I AM 28 YEARS OLD AND HAVE TWO DAUGHTER 5 AND 8 WITH KNOW KIND OF HEALTH PROBLEM I GOT MY TRIPLE SCREEN OR QUID SCREEN LAST WEEK SOMETHING MAYBE WRONG DO U THINK EVERY THING IS OK ME NOR THE FATHER HAS A HISTORY OR BIRTH PROBLEM HELP HELP

Expert Post Viewd: 150 Posted: 11/25/07 11:39 am Posted by: Replies: 3

working

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I am currently 34 weeks and still working full time I work 12 hr shifts and I am on my feet for about 3 4 hrs at a time then take 5 10 min breaks in between with 1/2 hr lunch I am having a hard time at work Im getting slower & slower and have lots of hip and pelvic pain after a few hrs when I walk My Dr said it is up to me if i feel i need to work shorter shifts or take my leave early but everyone at work keeps telling me that people work up until their due date now as long as they dont have complications and I dont have much longer to go so i should just put up with it until then I dont want to upset my boss or co workers for requesting shorter shifts and I dont think they will accomodate that so i will probably have to take an early maternity leave so what do you recommend

Expert Post Viewd: 150 Posted: 11/19/07 7:35 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

Could labor be soon Also

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I am 35 weeks and have recently lost my mucous plug I am also having braxton hicks contractions Last night they lasted for about an hour Also if she were to be born now what are the chances of her being able to come home with us

Expert Post Viewd: 150 Posted: 11/24/07 9:11 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

health care for conceiving

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I wanted to know if any special health care is required to conceive I have arthritis problem

Thanks

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Expert Post Viewd: 98 Posted: 11/21/07 7:14 pm Posted by: Replies: 1

VBAC

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I am 26 wks pregnant with my second baby My first was two weeks late and after a stressful/disasterous attempt at induction I ended up with a c section I have to admit I was already very agitated about being "late" and found myself feeling impatient and not in touch with my body After the c section I felt like such a failure for not being able to give birth naturally and I still feel like I have unanswered questions about why I didn't go into labor on my own and why the induction didn't work Although I have to admit I recovered very well/quickly and did not have any problems breastfeeding And my baby was very healthy so all my unanswered questions were brushed aside and remained unanswered until now

So now with this pregnancy I want to know how much of an indicator is my first experience for what will happen this time My doctor recommended a scheduled c section 2 weeks before the due date I told him I want to try a VBAC and he was fine with that but said he recommended only going to 41 weeks And induction is not an option In my heart I believe a big part of my not going into the labor on my own was because stress/fear What can I do to help ease my tensions this time And what are my odds for having a successful natural labor the second time around

Thank you Rebecca

Expert Post Viewd: 100 Posted: 11/25/07 1:06 am Posted by: Replies: 0

Just Curious

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I am exactly 31wks pregnant and i'm trying to figure out exactly why I hurt so much with this baby cause with my other child that is now 12 yrs old i didn't feel this way when i was carrying her and now i'm hurting very badly and i just feel very tired and drained all the time is there anything that i can do to try to make myself least feel bck to normal while these pains are hurting me everyday

Expert Post Viewd: 200 Posted: 8/27/07 9:29 pm Posted by: Replies: 3

Labor after lose mucus plug/small baby

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Hi there

I am 37 5 weeks along and lost my mucus plug about 3 weeks ago So far I am being told my baby will be small most likley around 6 pounds (my first was 5lbs 10 oz) I am concerned that since I lost the mucus plug so early I won't go a full 40 weeks and the baby could be around 4 5 pounds Is it possible to lost the mucus plug around 35 weeks and still go to 40 weeks Anything I can do to help keep the baby around longer or help him grow larger I am already having a serious decline in my appetite Thanks very much

Expert Post Viewd: 129 Posted: 11/19/07 11:36 pm Posted by: Replies: 0

Types of birthing processes

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I am not currently expecting but I may become pregnant soon I had a question about the birthing processes Which methods are better Epidural vs no drugs Scientology type (non talking calm) vs natural home birth vs hospital birth etc

Thank you

Expert Post Viewd: 184 Posted: 11/5/07 12:24 am Posted by: Replies: 1