Labor

kitomd21 · Jul 2, 2009

I agree - don't expect things to go as planned! They tell you to develop a birth plan, but it should be more along the lines of "birth plans"! Many women think they'll have a natural childbirth experience but allow themselves the option of epidural. Don't torture yourself to prove a point that you can go without pain relief! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I was fortunate to go through natural childbirth with both of my children. Each labor was 3 - 4 hours total with 2 pushes until they were born - an exception to most labor/delivery, especially with a first child.

I knew I didn't want any medications of any kind - as a matter of fact, the labor team laughed at me when I told them I didn't want anything. The doctor (whom I had never met before) stated "hmppff, we'll see..." That certainly wasn't very encouraging! I, myself, feared side effects of medications and slowing down the labor/delivery process...risks to the baby...prolonged numbness...difficult breathing, etc. Though I am exceedingly stubborn and have an intense "stick-to-it-tiveness", I left the option for pain relief open in the back of my mind. Perhaps that's what made it an "easier" labor experience.

I was able to psyche myself into handling the pain by telling myself that each contraction was a mere fraction of what labor pains would become...in so doing, I coped with each contraction by making myself believe it would soon be a lot worse...it never got to that "worse" status (not sure if that made any sense to you whatsoever).

After my essay of a response (grin), I absolutely loved delivering my children naturally and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's not to say that I wasn't blessed with an easier delivery than some....everybody is different...but, had I labored longer, perhaps I would have accepted medication...again, I gave myself the option, if need be.

Best of luck!

kitomd21 · Jul 2, 2009

I agree - don't expect things to go as planned! They tell you to develop a birth plan, but it should be more along the lines of "birth plans"! Many women think they'll have a natural childbirth experience but allow themselves the option of epidural. Don't torture yourself to prove a point that you can go without pain relief! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I was fortunate to go through natural childbirth with both of my children. Each labor was 3 - 4 hours total with 2 pushes until they were born - an exception to most labor/delivery, especially with a first child.

I knew I didn't want any medications of any kind - as a matter of fact, the labor team laughed at me when I told them I didn't want anything. The doctor (whom I had never met before) stated "hmppff, we'll see..." That certainly wasn't very encouraging! I, myself, feared side effects of medications and slowing down the labor/delivery process...risks to the baby...prolonged numbness...difficult breathing, etc. Though I am exceedingly stubborn and have an intense "stick-to-it-tiveness", I left the option for pain relief open in the back of my mind. Perhaps that's what made it an "easier" labor experience.

I was able to psyche myself into handling the pain by telling myself that each contraction was a mere fraction of what labor pains would become...in so doing, I coped with each contraction by making myself believe it would soon be a lot worse...it never got to that "worse" status (not sure if that made any sense to you whatsoever).

After my essay of a response (grin), I absolutely loved delivering my children naturally and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's not to say that I wasn't blessed with an easier delivery than some....everybody is different...but, had I labored longer, perhaps I would have accepted medication...again, I gave myself the option, if need be.

Best of luck!

kitomd21 · Jul 2, 2009

I agree - don't expect things to go as planned! They tell you to develop a birth plan, but it should be more along the lines of "birth plans"! Many women think they'll have a natural childbirth experience but allow themselves the option of epidural. Don't torture yourself to prove a point that you can go without pain relief! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I was fortunate to go through natural childbirth with both of my children. Each labor was 3 - 4 hours total with 2 pushes until they were born - an exception to most labor/delivery, especially with a first child.

I knew I didn't want any medications of any kind - as a matter of fact, the labor team laughed at me when I told them I didn't want anything. The doctor (whom I had never met before) stated "hmppff, we'll see..." That certainly wasn't very encouraging! I, myself, feared side effects of medications and slowing down the labor/delivery process...risks to the baby...prolonged numbness...difficult breathing, etc. Though I am exceedingly stubborn and have an intense "stick-to-it-tiveness", I left the option for pain relief open in the back of my mind. Perhaps that's what made it an "easier" labor experience.

I was able to psyche myself into handling the pain by telling myself that each contraction was a mere fraction of what labor pains would become...in so doing, I coped with each contraction by making myself believe it would soon be a lot worse...it never got to that "worse" status (not sure if that made any sense to you whatsoever).

After my essay of a response (grin), I absolutely loved delivering my children naturally and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's not to say that I wasn't blessed with an easier delivery than some....everybody is different...but, had I labored longer, perhaps I would have accepted medication...again, I gave myself the option, if need be.

Best of luck!

kitomd21 · Jul 2, 2009

I agree - don't expect things to go as planned! They tell you to develop a birth plan, but it should be more along the lines of "birth plans"! Many women think they'll have a natural childbirth experience but allow themselves the option of epidural. Don't torture yourself to prove a point that you can go without pain relief! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I was fortunate to go through natural childbirth with both of my children. Each labor was 3 - 4 hours total with 2 pushes until they were born - an exception to most labor/delivery, especially with a first child.

I knew I didn't want any medications of any kind - as a matter of fact, the labor team laughed at me when I told them I didn't want anything. The doctor (whom I had never met before) stated "hmppff, we'll see..." That certainly wasn't very encouraging! I, myself, feared side effects of medications and slowing down the labor/delivery process...risks to the baby...prolonged numbness...difficult breathing, etc. Though I am exceedingly stubborn and have an intense "stick-to-it-tiveness", I left the option for pain relief open in the back of my mind. Perhaps that's what made it an "easier" labor experience.

I was able to psyche myself into handling the pain by telling myself that each contraction was a mere fraction of what labor pains would become...in so doing, I coped with each contraction by making myself believe it would soon be a lot worse...it never got to that "worse" status (not sure if that made any sense to you whatsoever).

After my essay of a response (grin), I absolutely loved delivering my children naturally and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's not to say that I wasn't blessed with an easier delivery than some....everybody is different...but, had I labored longer, perhaps I would have accepted medication...again, I gave myself the option, if need be.

Best of luck!

kitomd21 · Jul 2, 2009

I agree - don't expect things to go as planned! They tell you to develop a birth plan, but it should be more along the lines of "birth plans"! Many women think they'll have a natural childbirth experience but allow themselves the option of epidural. Don't torture yourself to prove a point that you can go without pain relief! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I was fortunate to go through natural childbirth with both of my children. Each labor was 3 - 4 hours total with 2 pushes until they were born - an exception to most labor/delivery, especially with a first child.
 
 I knew I didn't want any medications of any kind - as a matter of fact, the labor team laughed at me when I told them I didn't want anything. The doctor (whom I had never met before) stated "hmppff, we'll see..." That certainly wasn't very encouraging! I, myself, feared side effects of medications and slowing down the labor/delivery process...risks to the baby...prolonged numbness...difficult breathing, etc. Though I am exceedingly stubborn and have an intense "stick-to-it-tiveness", I left the option for pain relief open in the back of my mind. Perhaps that's what made it an "easier" labor experience.
 
 I was able to psyche myself into handling the pain by telling myself that each contraction was a mere fraction of what labor pains would become...in so doing, I coped with each contraction by making myself believe it would soon be a lot worse...it never got to that "worse" status (not sure if that made any sense to you whatsoever).
 
 After my essay of a response (grin), I absolutely loved delivering my children naturally and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's not to say that I wasn't blessed with an easier delivery than some....everybody is different...but, had I labored longer, perhaps I would have accepted medication...again, I gave myself the option, if need be.
 
 Best of luck!

Jeana · Jul 2, 2009

The other ladies had great advice, so I won't add much. Since I had an epidural, I will tell you a pro and a con I noticed. The pro was that I was induced at about 7 pm, began the epidural at 11 pm and then went to sleep until 8 am, when the baby began crowning. The con was that the epidural made me numb so far up that I had trouble coughing. Have your breathing treatments and vest/person to do CPT available and O2.

The pushing was the worst for me. I pushed for 3 hours and then because I was losing ground instead of gaining, they helped me out with the forceps.

Anyhow, that was my experience and I'm glad I had the epidural and that they helped me out with forceps. Good luck with all the decisions you make! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Jeana · Jul 2, 2009

The other ladies had great advice, so I won't add much. Since I had an epidural, I will tell you a pro and a con I noticed. The pro was that I was induced at about 7 pm, began the epidural at 11 pm and then went to sleep until 8 am, when the baby began crowning. The con was that the epidural made me numb so far up that I had trouble coughing. Have your breathing treatments and vest/person to do CPT available and O2.

The pushing was the worst for me. I pushed for 3 hours and then because I was losing ground instead of gaining, they helped me out with the forceps.

Anyhow, that was my experience and I'm glad I had the epidural and that they helped me out with forceps. Good luck with all the decisions you make! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Jeana · Jul 2, 2009

The other ladies had great advice, so I won't add much. Since I had an epidural, I will tell you a pro and a con I noticed. The pro was that I was induced at about 7 pm, began the epidural at 11 pm and then went to sleep until 8 am, when the baby began crowning. The con was that the epidural made me numb so far up that I had trouble coughing. Have your breathing treatments and vest/person to do CPT available and O2.

The pushing was the worst for me. I pushed for 3 hours and then because I was losing ground instead of gaining, they helped me out with the forceps.

Anyhow, that was my experience and I'm glad I had the epidural and that they helped me out with forceps. Good luck with all the decisions you make! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Jeana · Jul 2, 2009

The other ladies had great advice, so I won't add much. Since I had an epidural, I will tell you a pro and a con I noticed. The pro was that I was induced at about 7 pm, began the epidural at 11 pm and then went to sleep until 8 am, when the baby began crowning. The con was that the epidural made me numb so far up that I had trouble coughing. Have your breathing treatments and vest/person to do CPT available and O2.

The pushing was the worst for me. I pushed for 3 hours and then because I was losing ground instead of gaining, they helped me out with the forceps.

Anyhow, that was my experience and I'm glad I had the epidural and that they helped me out with forceps. Good luck with all the decisions you make! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Jeana · Jul 2, 2009

The other ladies had great advice, so I won't add much. Since I had an epidural, I will tell you a pro and a con I noticed. The pro was that I was induced at about 7 pm, began the epidural at 11 pm and then went to sleep until 8 am, when the baby began crowning. The con was that the epidural made me numb so far up that I had trouble coughing. Have your breathing treatments and vest/person to do CPT available and O2.
 
 The pushing was the worst for me. I pushed for 3 hours and then because I was losing ground instead of gaining, they helped me out with the forceps.
 
 Anyhow, that was my experience and I'm glad I had the epidural and that they helped me out with forceps. Good luck with all the decisions you make! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Melissa75 · Jul 6, 2009

My first labor was 16 hours and I eventually asked for an epidural. You can ask for a minimal "dose" to be dripped into your back. My doctor and nurses thought it was a silly idea once they had gone through all the trouble to place the epidural, but I didn't give in. I could feel a lot on one side and a moderate amount on the other. I pushed for an hour, then they turned it off completely and I pushed for another hour. I think that if I had had a full strength epidural I would have ended up with a C-section. He was big and I am not. I really had to use all my force. Even when the baby crowned (TMI warning) half his head was covered in my skin and I had a big episiotomy/tear. I was bitter about the episiotomy for a while, but by then the doctor can't gauge if the baby is in distress (they did not place those head clips to monitor him). And I REALLY wanted him out. He had been almost crowning and then sliding back for about a half hour.

One other thing, I think the first vaginal delivery is almost always harder than subsequent ones if you go on to have more children--as long as the baby isn't malpositioned of course. I literally coughed my second one out after an hour of painful contractions and no meds. The third was larger and more complicated and I had to push harder and got an epidural at the very end...like he's crowning, but don't move the needle is in place-late.

Bet you didn't want to hear all that

______________
Melissa, 34, bronchiectasis (no cf)

Melissa75 · Jul 6, 2009

My first labor was 16 hours and I eventually asked for an epidural. You can ask for a minimal "dose" to be dripped into your back. My doctor and nurses thought it was a silly idea once they had gone through all the trouble to place the epidural, but I didn't give in. I could feel a lot on one side and a moderate amount on the other. I pushed for an hour, then they turned it off completely and I pushed for another hour. I think that if I had had a full strength epidural I would have ended up with a C-section. He was big and I am not. I really had to use all my force. Even when the baby crowned (TMI warning) half his head was covered in my skin and I had a big episiotomy/tear. I was bitter about the episiotomy for a while, but by then the doctor can't gauge if the baby is in distress (they did not place those head clips to monitor him). And I REALLY wanted him out. He had been almost crowning and then sliding back for about a half hour.

One other thing, I think the first vaginal delivery is almost always harder than subsequent ones if you go on to have more children--as long as the baby isn't malpositioned of course. I literally coughed my second one out after an hour of painful contractions and no meds. The third was larger and more complicated and I had to push harder and got an epidural at the very end...like he's crowning, but don't move the needle is in place-late.

Bet you didn't want to hear all that

______________
Melissa, 34, bronchiectasis (no cf)

Melissa75 · Jul 6, 2009

My first labor was 16 hours and I eventually asked for an epidural. You can ask for a minimal "dose" to be dripped into your back. My doctor and nurses thought it was a silly idea once they had gone through all the trouble to place the epidural, but I didn't give in. I could feel a lot on one side and a moderate amount on the other. I pushed for an hour, then they turned it off completely and I pushed for another hour. I think that if I had had a full strength epidural I would have ended up with a C-section. He was big and I am not. I really had to use all my force. Even when the baby crowned (TMI warning) half his head was covered in my skin and I had a big episiotomy/tear. I was bitter about the episiotomy for a while, but by then the doctor can't gauge if the baby is in distress (they did not place those head clips to monitor him). And I REALLY wanted him out. He had been almost crowning and then sliding back for about a half hour.

One other thing, I think the first vaginal delivery is almost always harder than subsequent ones if you go on to have more children--as long as the baby isn't malpositioned of course. I literally coughed my second one out after an hour of painful contractions and no meds. The third was larger and more complicated and I had to push harder and got an epidural at the very end...like he's crowning, but don't move the needle is in place-late.

Bet you didn't want to hear all that

______________
Melissa, 34, bronchiectasis (no cf)

Melissa75 · Jul 6, 2009

My first labor was 16 hours and I eventually asked for an epidural. You can ask for a minimal "dose" to be dripped into your back. My doctor and nurses thought it was a silly idea once they had gone through all the trouble to place the epidural, but I didn't give in. I could feel a lot on one side and a moderate amount on the other. I pushed for an hour, then they turned it off completely and I pushed for another hour. I think that if I had had a full strength epidural I would have ended up with a C-section. He was big and I am not. I really had to use all my force. Even when the baby crowned (TMI warning) half his head was covered in my skin and I had a big episiotomy/tear. I was bitter about the episiotomy for a while, but by then the doctor can't gauge if the baby is in distress (they did not place those head clips to monitor him). And I REALLY wanted him out. He had been almost crowning and then sliding back for about a half hour.

One other thing, I think the first vaginal delivery is almost always harder than subsequent ones if you go on to have more children--as long as the baby isn't malpositioned of course. I literally coughed my second one out after an hour of painful contractions and no meds. The third was larger and more complicated and I had to push harder and got an epidural at the very end...like he's crowning, but don't move the needle is in place-late.

Bet you didn't want to hear all that

______________
Melissa, 34, bronchiectasis (no cf)

Melissa75 · Jul 6, 2009

My first labor was 16 hours and I eventually asked for an epidural. You can ask for a minimal "dose" to be dripped into your back. My doctor and nurses thought it was a silly idea once they had gone through all the trouble to place the epidural, but I didn't give in. I could feel a lot on one side and a moderate amount on the other. I pushed for an hour, then they turned it off completely and I pushed for another hour. I think that if I had had a full strength epidural I would have ended up with a C-section. He was big and I am not. I really had to use all my force. Even when the baby crowned (TMI warning) half his head was covered in my skin and I had a big episiotomy/tear. I was bitter about the episiotomy for a while, but by then the doctor can't gauge if the baby is in distress (they did not place those head clips to monitor him). And I REALLY wanted him out. He had been almost crowning and then sliding back for about a half hour.
 
 One other thing, I think the first vaginal delivery is almost always harder than subsequent ones if you go on to have more children--as long as the baby isn't malpositioned of course. I literally coughed my second one out after an hour of painful contractions and no meds. The third was larger and more complicated and I had to push harder and got an epidural at the very end...like he's crowning, but don't move the needle is in place-late.
 
 Bet you didn't want to hear all that

______________
 Melissa, 34, bronchiectasis (no cf)

HollyCatheryn · Jul 6, 2009

If you haven't already looked, there is tons of information on www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama about birthing with CF.

Things to keep in mind about meds are that they all have side effects and you can't anticipate ahead of time if you or your baby will suffer and to what degree. For that reason, it is best to avoid them unless it is IMPERATIVE that you have them. That said, if you don't really educate yourself (Thinking Woman's Guide mentioned earlier is great, so are Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and the Sears' Birth Book) then you don't know if it is imperative or not and most hospital staff have so little experience with natural birth that they don't either. A doula or labor assistant is a wonderful support for both you and dad. Education and a good labor assistant will help you to be knowledgeable about non-drug pain management.

The other thing to consider is making sure that you can move about through labor and change positions during delivery to being upright. The back and side-lying positions that most people assume for birth compress your lungs and cause you to have to work against gravity. The nurses or doctors may discourage this because they are unfamiliar with it, but you are the one giving birth and you can not allow them to dictate. In addition, this can potentially prevent your baby from experiencing distress, while side- and back-lying positions promote distress by compressing the large artery that runs along the spine and reducing the blood flow to the placenta and uterus.

Also, keep juice and light snacks available to maintain your energy blood sugar levels. This prevents fatigue and post-partum exhaustion.

I also highly recommend taking a Bradley birth class. It will help educate you about many of these things as well as teaching you and your husband how to recognize your needs and meet them and how to maximize your prenatal nutrition which has a significant influence over the health of your pregnancy, birth and post-partum period.

As a side note, we had our daughter at home with a midwife, no medications and things went wonderfully. I would also encourage you to consider breastfeeding. It can take some work to learn to do it well, but the benefits to you and baby almost always FAR outweigh and any negatives. Again, education is key, because CF teams know very little about their moms breastfeeding and it may be intimidating to them, but more and more of us are succeeding. Check out llli.org to find a La Leche League breastfeeding support group in your area before birth, so that if you need help, it is already at your fingertips.

Congratulations! And my prayers will be with you.

HollyCatheryn · Jul 6, 2009

If you haven't already looked, there is tons of information on www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama about birthing with CF.

Things to keep in mind about meds are that they all have side effects and you can't anticipate ahead of time if you or your baby will suffer and to what degree. For that reason, it is best to avoid them unless it is IMPERATIVE that you have them. That said, if you don't really educate yourself (Thinking Woman's Guide mentioned earlier is great, so are Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and the Sears' Birth Book) then you don't know if it is imperative or not and most hospital staff have so little experience with natural birth that they don't either. A doula or labor assistant is a wonderful support for both you and dad. Education and a good labor assistant will help you to be knowledgeable about non-drug pain management.

The other thing to consider is making sure that you can move about through labor and change positions during delivery to being upright. The back and side-lying positions that most people assume for birth compress your lungs and cause you to have to work against gravity. The nurses or doctors may discourage this because they are unfamiliar with it, but you are the one giving birth and you can not allow them to dictate. In addition, this can potentially prevent your baby from experiencing distress, while side- and back-lying positions promote distress by compressing the large artery that runs along the spine and reducing the blood flow to the placenta and uterus.

Also, keep juice and light snacks available to maintain your energy blood sugar levels. This prevents fatigue and post-partum exhaustion.

I also highly recommend taking a Bradley birth class. It will help educate you about many of these things as well as teaching you and your husband how to recognize your needs and meet them and how to maximize your prenatal nutrition which has a significant influence over the health of your pregnancy, birth and post-partum period.

As a side note, we had our daughter at home with a midwife, no medications and things went wonderfully. I would also encourage you to consider breastfeeding. It can take some work to learn to do it well, but the benefits to you and baby almost always FAR outweigh and any negatives. Again, education is key, because CF teams know very little about their moms breastfeeding and it may be intimidating to them, but more and more of us are succeeding. Check out llli.org to find a La Leche League breastfeeding support group in your area before birth, so that if you need help, it is already at your fingertips.

Congratulations! And my prayers will be with you.

HollyCatheryn · Jul 6, 2009

If you haven't already looked, there is tons of information on www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama about birthing with CF.

Things to keep in mind about meds are that they all have side effects and you can't anticipate ahead of time if you or your baby will suffer and to what degree. For that reason, it is best to avoid them unless it is IMPERATIVE that you have them. That said, if you don't really educate yourself (Thinking Woman's Guide mentioned earlier is great, so are Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and the Sears' Birth Book) then you don't know if it is imperative or not and most hospital staff have so little experience with natural birth that they don't either. A doula or labor assistant is a wonderful support for both you and dad. Education and a good labor assistant will help you to be knowledgeable about non-drug pain management.

The other thing to consider is making sure that you can move about through labor and change positions during delivery to being upright. The back and side-lying positions that most people assume for birth compress your lungs and cause you to have to work against gravity. The nurses or doctors may discourage this because they are unfamiliar with it, but you are the one giving birth and you can not allow them to dictate. In addition, this can potentially prevent your baby from experiencing distress, while side- and back-lying positions promote distress by compressing the large artery that runs along the spine and reducing the blood flow to the placenta and uterus.

Also, keep juice and light snacks available to maintain your energy blood sugar levels. This prevents fatigue and post-partum exhaustion.

I also highly recommend taking a Bradley birth class. It will help educate you about many of these things as well as teaching you and your husband how to recognize your needs and meet them and how to maximize your prenatal nutrition which has a significant influence over the health of your pregnancy, birth and post-partum period.

As a side note, we had our daughter at home with a midwife, no medications and things went wonderfully. I would also encourage you to consider breastfeeding. It can take some work to learn to do it well, but the benefits to you and baby almost always FAR outweigh and any negatives. Again, education is key, because CF teams know very little about their moms breastfeeding and it may be intimidating to them, but more and more of us are succeeding. Check out llli.org to find a La Leche League breastfeeding support group in your area before birth, so that if you need help, it is already at your fingertips.

Congratulations! And my prayers will be with you.

HollyCatheryn · Jul 6, 2009

If you haven't already looked, there is tons of information on www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama about birthing with CF.

Things to keep in mind about meds are that they all have side effects and you can't anticipate ahead of time if you or your baby will suffer and to what degree. For that reason, it is best to avoid them unless it is IMPERATIVE that you have them. That said, if you don't really educate yourself (Thinking Woman's Guide mentioned earlier is great, so are Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and the Sears' Birth Book) then you don't know if it is imperative or not and most hospital staff have so little experience with natural birth that they don't either. A doula or labor assistant is a wonderful support for both you and dad. Education and a good labor assistant will help you to be knowledgeable about non-drug pain management.

The other thing to consider is making sure that you can move about through labor and change positions during delivery to being upright. The back and side-lying positions that most people assume for birth compress your lungs and cause you to have to work against gravity. The nurses or doctors may discourage this because they are unfamiliar with it, but you are the one giving birth and you can not allow them to dictate. In addition, this can potentially prevent your baby from experiencing distress, while side- and back-lying positions promote distress by compressing the large artery that runs along the spine and reducing the blood flow to the placenta and uterus.

Also, keep juice and light snacks available to maintain your energy blood sugar levels. This prevents fatigue and post-partum exhaustion.

I also highly recommend taking a Bradley birth class. It will help educate you about many of these things as well as teaching you and your husband how to recognize your needs and meet them and how to maximize your prenatal nutrition which has a significant influence over the health of your pregnancy, birth and post-partum period.

As a side note, we had our daughter at home with a midwife, no medications and things went wonderfully. I would also encourage you to consider breastfeeding. It can take some work to learn to do it well, but the benefits to you and baby almost always FAR outweigh and any negatives. Again, education is key, because CF teams know very little about their moms breastfeeding and it may be intimidating to them, but more and more of us are succeeding. Check out llli.org to find a La Leche League breastfeeding support group in your area before birth, so that if you need help, it is already at your fingertips.

Congratulations! And my prayers will be with you.

HollyCatheryn · Jul 6, 2009

If you haven't already looked, there is tons of information on www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama about birthing with CF.
 
 Things to keep in mind about meds are that they all have side effects and you can't anticipate ahead of time if you or your baby will suffer and to what degree. For that reason, it is best to avoid them unless it is IMPERATIVE that you have them. That said, if you don't really educate yourself (Thinking Woman's Guide mentioned earlier is great, so are Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and the Sears' Birth Book) then you don't know if it is imperative or not and most hospital staff have so little experience with natural birth that they don't either. A doula or labor assistant is a wonderful support for both you and dad. Education and a good labor assistant will help you to be knowledgeable about non-drug pain management.
 
 The other thing to consider is making sure that you can move about through labor and change positions during delivery to being upright. The back and side-lying positions that most people assume for birth compress your lungs and cause you to have to work against gravity. The nurses or doctors may discourage this because they are unfamiliar with it, but you are the one giving birth and you can not allow them to dictate. In addition, this can potentially prevent your baby from experiencing distress, while side- and back-lying positions promote distress by compressing the large artery that runs along the spine and reducing the blood flow to the placenta and uterus.
 
 Also, keep juice and light snacks available to maintain your energy blood sugar levels. This prevents fatigue and post-partum exhaustion.
 
 I also highly recommend taking a Bradley birth class. It will help educate you about many of these things as well as teaching you and your husband how to recognize your needs and meet them and how to maximize your prenatal nutrition which has a significant influence over the health of your pregnancy, birth and post-partum period.
 
 As a side note, we had our daughter at home with a midwife, no medications and things went wonderfully. I would also encourage you to consider breastfeeding. It can take some work to learn to do it well, but the benefits to you and baby almost always FAR outweigh and any negatives. Again, education is key, because CF teams know very little about their moms breastfeeding and it may be intimidating to them, but more and more of us are succeeding. Check out llli.org to find a La Leche League breastfeeding support group in your area before birth, so that if you need help, it is already at your fingertips.
 
 Congratulations! And my prayers will be with you.

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