I'm being induced on monday morning, if I haven't had the baby by then, and I just had a few questions. I know its going to hurt, so I'm not going to ask how much since that will probably just add to the anxiety. Also, if you have any answers, even if its just for one question, I would love to hear them.

Is there any way that you found that made the pain a bit more bearable?

Were you allowed to walk around the hospital after they broke your water?

If you had back labor, was there anything you found to help with it?

Were you allowed to eat after they broke your water?

What should I make sure I do before going into the hospital? (i.e eating or whatever)

Anyways, if anyone can answer any of these I would love to hear, since not everyone's labor is the same, so the more suggestions I get the more helpful it is. Thanks in advance.

First of all, congrats. on having your baby Monday. Please let us know how you and the baby are doing when you get back home.


Is there any way that you found that made the pain a bit more bearable? What helped me the most was having my best friend rub my lower back during each contraction. Having another female (who has had a baby) to see to your needs, helps. If its allowed, a very warm shower. It helped me a lot, by taking my mind off the pain by doing something so normal and soothing.

Were you allowed to walk around the hospital after they broke your water? No, but some hospitals do.

If you had back labor, was there anything you found to help with it? The only thing that helped was an epidural.

Were you allowed to eat after they broke your water? The only thing I was allowed was ice chips.

What should I make sure I do before going into the hospital? (i.e eating or whatever) If your allowed to eat, only eat something light on your stomach. Make sure to bring some comforts from home, like a fave. pillow or nightgown. I would also bring a radio if you like music, it really helps to get your mind off the pain.

Best of luck to you!

How exciting it is that you know your babe will be here tomorrow. I too, was induced for my first two boys. So, I will try to give you a little advice:

Is there any way that you found that made the pain a bit more bearable?

For me, I used the Lamaze Breathing Method - very Strictly, and it really helped me. Start doing breathing as soon as you feel the slightest contraction. Also, don't allow alot of people into your room, cause you will be really cacooning,(in your mind) while you do the birth thing. Tell your hubby, he cannot leave you for anyreason, and he should just be quiet, and comfort you.

Were you allowed to walk around the hospital after they broke your water?

Um, for me, I had iv's in both wrists, and a fetal monitor inserted up my Va Jay Jay, attached to baby's head, so it was not recommended that I walk, anywhere.

If you had back labor, was there anything you found to help with it?

Yes, I had back labor, and my husband had a massaging ball with him, and he rubbed my back. Tell your hubby, that he needs to rub downwards, not up towards your head, cause it gives you a better piece of mind, that he rubs ball downwards, and is helping push baby downwards. If he rubs upwards, it caused conflicting feelings for me, or maybe I was in the Transition phase, but I snapped at my hubby, when he rubbed upwards.

Also, pack a heating pad, cause this will help, to have on your back, during back labor. Also pack some warm socks, because your feet get really cold, during the birthing process.

Were you allowed to eat after they broke your water?

Well, for me, once they broke the water, the baby was coming out in the "slip and slide". No way, not for me, could I eat anything. You will only be allowed to eat Ice Chips, while you are being induced - at least that was how it was for me.

What should I make sure I do before going into the hospital? (i.e eating or whatever)
Make sure you: Tell hubby, that you expect that he picks up after himself while you are in the hospital. Tell hubby, to go buy you a new pack of Grannie Panties, White cotton ones, to bring to the hospital.
Pack your makeup,Mirror, body wash and blowdrier,you want to look beautiful in the pictures people take. Pack a bathrobe, slippers.

Pack a book or two, and take your laptop, if they allow it. Ipod with music. Pack a few Granny Smith Apples, it will help with any stomach upset, and hospitals here, do not provide Fresh Fruit to patients, unbelievably, you need to have family bring it in for you.

***************Also, I just want to say, for my third son, while in labor, I ended up walking to the bathroom, and I just stayed there for a loooooooooooooooooong time, sitting there, by myself, dealing with the breathing techniques, and when I finally walked back to the bed, He was Crowning, Whoa, I had done most of the work right there, on the toilet seat, they moved me immediately, broke my water, and out he came.

If you need an epidural, ask for it, don't feel like you have to do it au naturalle, with only breathing technique. Do whatever you need to do, to make it the best for you! There is nothing more humbling than having a baby - but also memorable, satisfying, and the biggest relief, once its over. Good luck tomorrow, I will be thinking of you.

- Genevra

Hi, just to answer on of you questions about back pain,

Depending on where you are you'll have to find out if it is available to you, but when I was in labour I used a T.E.N.S machine www.motherinc.com.au/magazine/pregnancy-and-birth/birth/15-birth/253-labour-tens which is fantastic for back pain, this mean that no one needs to rub your bad and you can control how much pain relief you have. I used it all the way through the labour and delivery and didn't experience any pain when it was turned on.
I hope this helps

Stephanie

Congratulations pouse!!!
I was induced with two of my four. This is only my take tho.

Is there any way that you found that made the pain a bit more bearable? Yes...brething, in thru your nose, out thru your mouth...deep cleansing breaths. Have a photo of someone or something to use as a focal point. Concentrate on it during your pains to help you focus on anything during a contraction.

Were you allowed to walk around the hospital after they broke your water? I wasn't.

If you had back labor, was there anything you found to help with it?
Yes, my husband rubbed my back. I laid on my sides as much as I was allowed, and hot packs on the back are good too.

Were you allowed to eat after they broke your water? Again, I wasn't. They usually only allow ice chips, since you never know if you will have to go in for a c-section, so no eating.

What should I make sure I do before going into the hospital? (i.e eating or whatever) Take a shower, pack your picture(the focal point) get a couple of sour suckers. This helps with dry mouth. The sour ones help water your mouth better. Have breath mints ready for your husband/coach...as they are in yur face telling you to breath and their breath is bad, it can really annoy you, so pack gum or breath mints for them. (lol) I even packed him a few snacks and drinks so he did not have to leave me.

Also, during pushing time, my daughter found having hot towels placed on her groin area helped her a lot, so that was my job, rushing back and forth to the sink heating up towel for her.

Anyway, I hope this helps somewhat. Best of luck to you and yours.
Susie

Is there any way that you found that made the pain a bit more bearable?
HOT WATER, thats my main form of pain relief in labour, and walking around help it move faster or bouncing on a YOGA ball

Were you allowed to walk around the hospital after they broke your water?
not with my 1st, but with #2 & 3 yes and it was encouraged, it feels awful but if u have a good thick pad that should buy u 10 minutes of walking time

If you had back labor, was there anything you found to help with it?
a T.E.N.S. machine, its a device that stick oto ur back and stimulates the nerves and REALLY heps with back pain, my daughter was posterior so i used one then
massage and hot shower aimed at ur lower back..

Were you allowed to eat after they broke your water?
if ur planning on happy gas then i wouldnt advise a meal, maybe a small snack , but with my 2nd i ate McDonalds, and saw it again everytime i sucked the gas..LOL

What should I make sure I do before going into the hospital? (i.e eating or whatever)
like i sed have snacks, nothing too big, never tastes too good the second or third time around, try and keep active, and keep up ur pevic floor excersizes..
oh and maybe try a pedicure, it often helps bring on labour wich can only help u at this point, and even if it doesnt u wil have gorgeous toes!!
and a hot bath, it broke my waters #2 and failing that, u could use a relaxing bath...


best of luck for monday,
i will be waiting to hear all the news once ur home..

Seaason