new to group... just saying HI!

T

tinamarie4685

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>hbollotte</b></i>

hey tina. let me just tell you pushing during birth was way easier than a pft...lol. i gave birth to my daughter morgan 8 weeks ago and let me tell you it was a breeze. i thought i was going to cough the whole time and need oxygen. well i pushed for about 20 minutes and didn't cough one time.



i'm sure you will be fine. i admire caroline for doing a homebirth and going natural, but there is no way in hell i would ever go without an epidural.



also, i watched all of the baby stories and special delivery stories on the discovery channel. i'm still addicted, during morgan's morning feeding we watch the discovery channel.



so when is your due date? and where do you live?</end quote></div>

I hope it's easier than a PFT (which I am doing this Tuesday).... I usually cough my butt off during those so if I don't even cough much during labor, that will be AWESOMEEEE!

I didn't even think of coughing after having a C-section, that will probably be horrible pain and I am def going to try and have the baby vaginally if I am able to.

I am due on June 1st, and I live on Long Island.. I actually went onto YouTube a few weeks ago and watched videos of women giving birth and it scared the crap out of me..... some of them looked VERY VERY painful!

Where do you live? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
T

tinamarie4685

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>hbollotte</b></i>

hey tina. let me just tell you pushing during birth was way easier than a pft...lol. i gave birth to my daughter morgan 8 weeks ago and let me tell you it was a breeze. i thought i was going to cough the whole time and need oxygen. well i pushed for about 20 minutes and didn't cough one time.



i'm sure you will be fine. i admire caroline for doing a homebirth and going natural, but there is no way in hell i would ever go without an epidural.



also, i watched all of the baby stories and special delivery stories on the discovery channel. i'm still addicted, during morgan's morning feeding we watch the discovery channel.



so when is your due date? and where do you live?</end quote></div>

I hope it's easier than a PFT (which I am doing this Tuesday).... I usually cough my butt off during those so if I don't even cough much during labor, that will be AWESOMEEEE!

I didn't even think of coughing after having a C-section, that will probably be horrible pain and I am def going to try and have the baby vaginally if I am able to.

I am due on June 1st, and I live on Long Island.. I actually went onto YouTube a few weeks ago and watched videos of women giving birth and it scared the crap out of me..... some of them looked VERY VERY painful!

Where do you live? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
T

tinamarie4685

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>hbollotte</b></i>

hey tina. let me just tell you pushing during birth was way easier than a pft...lol. i gave birth to my daughter morgan 8 weeks ago and let me tell you it was a breeze. i thought i was going to cough the whole time and need oxygen. well i pushed for about 20 minutes and didn't cough one time.



i'm sure you will be fine. i admire caroline for doing a homebirth and going natural, but there is no way in hell i would ever go without an epidural.



also, i watched all of the baby stories and special delivery stories on the discovery channel. i'm still addicted, during morgan's morning feeding we watch the discovery channel.



so when is your due date? and where do you live?</end quote></div>

I hope it's easier than a PFT (which I am doing this Tuesday).... I usually cough my butt off during those so if I don't even cough much during labor, that will be AWESOMEEEE!

I didn't even think of coughing after having a C-section, that will probably be horrible pain and I am def going to try and have the baby vaginally if I am able to.

I am due on June 1st, and I live on Long Island.. I actually went onto YouTube a few weeks ago and watched videos of women giving birth and it scared the crap out of me..... some of them looked VERY VERY painful!

Where do you live? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
T

tinamarie4685

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>hbollotte</b></i>

hey tina. let me just tell you pushing during birth was way easier than a pft...lol. i gave birth to my daughter morgan 8 weeks ago and let me tell you it was a breeze. i thought i was going to cough the whole time and need oxygen. well i pushed for about 20 minutes and didn't cough one time.



i'm sure you will be fine. i admire caroline for doing a homebirth and going natural, but there is no way in hell i would ever go without an epidural.



also, i watched all of the baby stories and special delivery stories on the discovery channel. i'm still addicted, during morgan's morning feeding we watch the discovery channel.



so when is your due date? and where do you live?</end quote>

I hope it's easier than a PFT (which I am doing this Tuesday).... I usually cough my butt off during those so if I don't even cough much during labor, that will be AWESOMEEEE!

I didn't even think of coughing after having a C-section, that will probably be horrible pain and I am def going to try and have the baby vaginally if I am able to.

I am due on June 1st, and I live on Long Island.. I actually went onto YouTube a few weeks ago and watched videos of women giving birth and it scared the crap out of me..... some of them looked VERY VERY painful!

Where do you live? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
T

tinamarie4685

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>hbollotte</b></i>

hey tina. let me just tell you pushing during birth was way easier than a pft...lol. i gave birth to my daughter morgan 8 weeks ago and let me tell you it was a breeze. i thought i was going to cough the whole time and need oxygen. well i pushed for about 20 minutes and didn't cough one time.



i'm sure you will be fine. i admire caroline for doing a homebirth and going natural, but there is no way in hell i would ever go without an epidural.



also, i watched all of the baby stories and special delivery stories on the discovery channel. i'm still addicted, during morgan's morning feeding we watch the discovery channel.



so when is your due date? and where do you live?</end quote>

I hope it's easier than a PFT (which I am doing this Tuesday).... I usually cough my butt off during those so if I don't even cough much during labor, that will be AWESOMEEEE!

I didn't even think of coughing after having a C-section, that will probably be horrible pain and I am def going to try and have the baby vaginally if I am able to.

I am due on June 1st, and I live on Long Island.. I actually went onto YouTube a few weeks ago and watched videos of women giving birth and it scared the crap out of me..... some of them looked VERY VERY painful!

Where do you live? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
E

EJ

New member
Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).

I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!
 
E

EJ

New member
Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).

I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!
 
E

EJ

New member
Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).

I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!
 
E

EJ

New member
Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).

I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!
 
E

EJ

New member
Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).

I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
EJ

There is a common misconception that labor is 15 hours of a contraction. In reality, contractions, for most of labor, last around 45-60 seconds and are spaced many minutes apart - and they are not immediately intense either. So you have to concentrate for about a minute and then you have several minutes of break till the next one. They become most intense during transition (generally going from about 8-10 cm). Once you feel the urge to push your body will generally take over and if you don't have an epidural (sometimes even if you do) you won't even need to actively push because your body will do it for you. When I had the urge to push I couldn't NOT push. There is evidence to support that "purple pushing", ie laying on your back with your legs held up or in stirrups and being yelled at to push to the count of 10, is actually not the best way to go about it. It can lessen your pelvic outlet by up to 30% and causes undue fatigue.

Your best bet to not exert yourself too much is either to be fully prepared to handle the contractions through hypnosis, breathing techniques, relaxation, etc or to get an epidural. For most of my labor I tried to zone out during the contractions so I wasn't actually exerting myself all that much. I felt the most exertion during the pushing phase but I was in the position I described above though I wasn't being yelled at to push. This next time I plan to deliver upright and let my body and gravity do the work - either on hands and knees or in a squatting position (preferably in water). Those are actually the best for delivering a baby even though we are culturally "icked" out by it because we don't see it as normal. The women you see on TV screaming, writhing in pain, tensing up their bodies, are women who weren't prepared for the intensity of labor. Tensing up your body, a natural reaction to pain, is counter productive in labor. The uterus contracts to open the cervix around the baby's head. If you are tense, you are holding the cervix tighter and the contractions have to be that much stronger to get the cervix open (this was all explained during my childbirth class at the hospital, taught by my doula, and can be found in several books). Relaxation is the key. Every time I would show tension on my face my doula would remind me to relax and breathe.

Ok last comment - hire a doula! Studies have shown that having a doula present lowers the risk of a c-section and other interventions. My doula was worth every penny and if I was going to have another hospital birth I wouldn't do it without a doula. My midwife will play a doula role for my homebirth but should I transfer to the hospital she will come with and be my doula there even though she wouldn't be the one attending my birth.

Sorry for the novel. Birth is something I became obsessed with after having Logan and I spent months reading every book and study I could get my hands on. I have lots more to say but I'll stop for now <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
EJ

There is a common misconception that labor is 15 hours of a contraction. In reality, contractions, for most of labor, last around 45-60 seconds and are spaced many minutes apart - and they are not immediately intense either. So you have to concentrate for about a minute and then you have several minutes of break till the next one. They become most intense during transition (generally going from about 8-10 cm). Once you feel the urge to push your body will generally take over and if you don't have an epidural (sometimes even if you do) you won't even need to actively push because your body will do it for you. When I had the urge to push I couldn't NOT push. There is evidence to support that "purple pushing", ie laying on your back with your legs held up or in stirrups and being yelled at to push to the count of 10, is actually not the best way to go about it. It can lessen your pelvic outlet by up to 30% and causes undue fatigue.

Your best bet to not exert yourself too much is either to be fully prepared to handle the contractions through hypnosis, breathing techniques, relaxation, etc or to get an epidural. For most of my labor I tried to zone out during the contractions so I wasn't actually exerting myself all that much. I felt the most exertion during the pushing phase but I was in the position I described above though I wasn't being yelled at to push. This next time I plan to deliver upright and let my body and gravity do the work - either on hands and knees or in a squatting position (preferably in water). Those are actually the best for delivering a baby even though we are culturally "icked" out by it because we don't see it as normal. The women you see on TV screaming, writhing in pain, tensing up their bodies, are women who weren't prepared for the intensity of labor. Tensing up your body, a natural reaction to pain, is counter productive in labor. The uterus contracts to open the cervix around the baby's head. If you are tense, you are holding the cervix tighter and the contractions have to be that much stronger to get the cervix open (this was all explained during my childbirth class at the hospital, taught by my doula, and can be found in several books). Relaxation is the key. Every time I would show tension on my face my doula would remind me to relax and breathe.

Ok last comment - hire a doula! Studies have shown that having a doula present lowers the risk of a c-section and other interventions. My doula was worth every penny and if I was going to have another hospital birth I wouldn't do it without a doula. My midwife will play a doula role for my homebirth but should I transfer to the hospital she will come with and be my doula there even though she wouldn't be the one attending my birth.

Sorry for the novel. Birth is something I became obsessed with after having Logan and I spent months reading every book and study I could get my hands on. I have lots more to say but I'll stop for now <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
EJ

There is a common misconception that labor is 15 hours of a contraction. In reality, contractions, for most of labor, last around 45-60 seconds and are spaced many minutes apart - and they are not immediately intense either. So you have to concentrate for about a minute and then you have several minutes of break till the next one. They become most intense during transition (generally going from about 8-10 cm). Once you feel the urge to push your body will generally take over and if you don't have an epidural (sometimes even if you do) you won't even need to actively push because your body will do it for you. When I had the urge to push I couldn't NOT push. There is evidence to support that "purple pushing", ie laying on your back with your legs held up or in stirrups and being yelled at to push to the count of 10, is actually not the best way to go about it. It can lessen your pelvic outlet by up to 30% and causes undue fatigue.

Your best bet to not exert yourself too much is either to be fully prepared to handle the contractions through hypnosis, breathing techniques, relaxation, etc or to get an epidural. For most of my labor I tried to zone out during the contractions so I wasn't actually exerting myself all that much. I felt the most exertion during the pushing phase but I was in the position I described above though I wasn't being yelled at to push. This next time I plan to deliver upright and let my body and gravity do the work - either on hands and knees or in a squatting position (preferably in water). Those are actually the best for delivering a baby even though we are culturally "icked" out by it because we don't see it as normal. The women you see on TV screaming, writhing in pain, tensing up their bodies, are women who weren't prepared for the intensity of labor. Tensing up your body, a natural reaction to pain, is counter productive in labor. The uterus contracts to open the cervix around the baby's head. If you are tense, you are holding the cervix tighter and the contractions have to be that much stronger to get the cervix open (this was all explained during my childbirth class at the hospital, taught by my doula, and can be found in several books). Relaxation is the key. Every time I would show tension on my face my doula would remind me to relax and breathe.

Ok last comment - hire a doula! Studies have shown that having a doula present lowers the risk of a c-section and other interventions. My doula was worth every penny and if I was going to have another hospital birth I wouldn't do it without a doula. My midwife will play a doula role for my homebirth but should I transfer to the hospital she will come with and be my doula there even though she wouldn't be the one attending my birth.

Sorry for the novel. Birth is something I became obsessed with after having Logan and I spent months reading every book and study I could get my hands on. I have lots more to say but I'll stop for now <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
EJ

There is a common misconception that labor is 15 hours of a contraction. In reality, contractions, for most of labor, last around 45-60 seconds and are spaced many minutes apart - and they are not immediately intense either. So you have to concentrate for about a minute and then you have several minutes of break till the next one. They become most intense during transition (generally going from about 8-10 cm). Once you feel the urge to push your body will generally take over and if you don't have an epidural (sometimes even if you do) you won't even need to actively push because your body will do it for you. When I had the urge to push I couldn't NOT push. There is evidence to support that "purple pushing", ie laying on your back with your legs held up or in stirrups and being yelled at to push to the count of 10, is actually not the best way to go about it. It can lessen your pelvic outlet by up to 30% and causes undue fatigue.

Your best bet to not exert yourself too much is either to be fully prepared to handle the contractions through hypnosis, breathing techniques, relaxation, etc or to get an epidural. For most of my labor I tried to zone out during the contractions so I wasn't actually exerting myself all that much. I felt the most exertion during the pushing phase but I was in the position I described above though I wasn't being yelled at to push. This next time I plan to deliver upright and let my body and gravity do the work - either on hands and knees or in a squatting position (preferably in water). Those are actually the best for delivering a baby even though we are culturally "icked" out by it because we don't see it as normal. The women you see on TV screaming, writhing in pain, tensing up their bodies, are women who weren't prepared for the intensity of labor. Tensing up your body, a natural reaction to pain, is counter productive in labor. The uterus contracts to open the cervix around the baby's head. If you are tense, you are holding the cervix tighter and the contractions have to be that much stronger to get the cervix open (this was all explained during my childbirth class at the hospital, taught by my doula, and can be found in several books). Relaxation is the key. Every time I would show tension on my face my doula would remind me to relax and breathe.

Ok last comment - hire a doula! Studies have shown that having a doula present lowers the risk of a c-section and other interventions. My doula was worth every penny and if I was going to have another hospital birth I wouldn't do it without a doula. My midwife will play a doula role for my homebirth but should I transfer to the hospital she will come with and be my doula there even though she wouldn't be the one attending my birth.

Sorry for the novel. Birth is something I became obsessed with after having Logan and I spent months reading every book and study I could get my hands on. I have lots more to say but I'll stop for now <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
EJ

There is a common misconception that labor is 15 hours of a contraction. In reality, contractions, for most of labor, last around 45-60 seconds and are spaced many minutes apart - and they are not immediately intense either. So you have to concentrate for about a minute and then you have several minutes of break till the next one. They become most intense during transition (generally going from about 8-10 cm). Once you feel the urge to push your body will generally take over and if you don't have an epidural (sometimes even if you do) you won't even need to actively push because your body will do it for you. When I had the urge to push I couldn't NOT push. There is evidence to support that "purple pushing", ie laying on your back with your legs held up or in stirrups and being yelled at to push to the count of 10, is actually not the best way to go about it. It can lessen your pelvic outlet by up to 30% and causes undue fatigue.

Your best bet to not exert yourself too much is either to be fully prepared to handle the contractions through hypnosis, breathing techniques, relaxation, etc or to get an epidural. For most of my labor I tried to zone out during the contractions so I wasn't actually exerting myself all that much. I felt the most exertion during the pushing phase but I was in the position I described above though I wasn't being yelled at to push. This next time I plan to deliver upright and let my body and gravity do the work - either on hands and knees or in a squatting position (preferably in water). Those are actually the best for delivering a baby even though we are culturally "icked" out by it because we don't see it as normal. The women you see on TV screaming, writhing in pain, tensing up their bodies, are women who weren't prepared for the intensity of labor. Tensing up your body, a natural reaction to pain, is counter productive in labor. The uterus contracts to open the cervix around the baby's head. If you are tense, you are holding the cervix tighter and the contractions have to be that much stronger to get the cervix open (this was all explained during my childbirth class at the hospital, taught by my doula, and can be found in several books). Relaxation is the key. Every time I would show tension on my face my doula would remind me to relax and breathe.

Ok last comment - hire a doula! Studies have shown that having a doula present lowers the risk of a c-section and other interventions. My doula was worth every penny and if I was going to have another hospital birth I wouldn't do it without a doula. My midwife will play a doula role for my homebirth but should I transfer to the hospital she will come with and be my doula there even though she wouldn't be the one attending my birth.

Sorry for the novel. Birth is something I became obsessed with after having Logan and I spent months reading every book and study I could get my hands on. I have lots more to say but I'll stop for now <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>EJ</b></i>

Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).



I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!</end quote></div>

You concerns are completely normal. Alot of doctors make us feel that labor will really not be possible for us to handle-so thats why we can feel like our bodies won't be able to handle it. I'm sure the docs do it out of concern, or to prepare us just in case.

The fact is EJ, its not 15 hours of 'huffing and puffing'. Labor is NOT what you see in the movies. Its not the sweaty screaming crazy woman huffing and puffing with her face purple. Labor is calm and is a natural thing that a woman's body was made to be able to handle.
I didn't cough once during my labor or pushing. Most times, and this is according to my OB who specializes in cf womens births, adrenaline hormones take over and suppress that. Adrenaline acts like a steroid-prednisone or advair anyone?-and keeps us fine.
Surprisingly, it is the anesthesia and epidural that can actually interfere with our breathing. While these complications are unusual, they are much more common than having any cf related issues during labor.
I got very tired right before pushing. I was in labor for 24 hrs. I actually fell asleep during transition-(OK, don't throw your computers at me!!!!) Its a very rare thing for a woman to do. I don't remember it, but I saw the video! Anyway, I was so tired so the OB decided to give me iv fluids and a little oxygen to give me strength. That got me all pumped up and ready to push.
Believe me-after hours of labor, when that doc tells you to push, those hormones flow, you want to see that baby, and nothing stops you from pushing. Nothing. Its a wonderful feeling to push the baby out.
And by the way-towards the end of my pregnancy, (though I started out with high pfts), my fev1 was 58%. So don't be intimidated by a lower pft.

I LOVEEEEEEEE what Caroline/keepercjr said above about natural birth. It is entirely a mindset. Relaxation is key. Preparation is key-we took classes for 10 weeks before birth, I did my relaxation exercises for 30 mins every night, I have amazing supportive women with me during birth. My birth pain was as real as anyone-but through relaxation and preparation I learned how to block pain out and control it.
Just like an athlete who goes to play a football game- they could go into it saying, 'well there's a chance we may not win, we're playing against a really hard team, so we'll see what happens...' No, they go into it believing they will win and that they can do it and there's no ifs ands or buts. And they train beforehand. Its a mindset.
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>EJ</b></i>

Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).



I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!</end quote></div>

You concerns are completely normal. Alot of doctors make us feel that labor will really not be possible for us to handle-so thats why we can feel like our bodies won't be able to handle it. I'm sure the docs do it out of concern, or to prepare us just in case.

The fact is EJ, its not 15 hours of 'huffing and puffing'. Labor is NOT what you see in the movies. Its not the sweaty screaming crazy woman huffing and puffing with her face purple. Labor is calm and is a natural thing that a woman's body was made to be able to handle.
I didn't cough once during my labor or pushing. Most times, and this is according to my OB who specializes in cf womens births, adrenaline hormones take over and suppress that. Adrenaline acts like a steroid-prednisone or advair anyone?-and keeps us fine.
Surprisingly, it is the anesthesia and epidural that can actually interfere with our breathing. While these complications are unusual, they are much more common than having any cf related issues during labor.
I got very tired right before pushing. I was in labor for 24 hrs. I actually fell asleep during transition-(OK, don't throw your computers at me!!!!) Its a very rare thing for a woman to do. I don't remember it, but I saw the video! Anyway, I was so tired so the OB decided to give me iv fluids and a little oxygen to give me strength. That got me all pumped up and ready to push.
Believe me-after hours of labor, when that doc tells you to push, those hormones flow, you want to see that baby, and nothing stops you from pushing. Nothing. Its a wonderful feeling to push the baby out.
And by the way-towards the end of my pregnancy, (though I started out with high pfts), my fev1 was 58%. So don't be intimidated by a lower pft.

I LOVEEEEEEEE what Caroline/keepercjr said above about natural birth. It is entirely a mindset. Relaxation is key. Preparation is key-we took classes for 10 weeks before birth, I did my relaxation exercises for 30 mins every night, I have amazing supportive women with me during birth. My birth pain was as real as anyone-but through relaxation and preparation I learned how to block pain out and control it.
Just like an athlete who goes to play a football game- they could go into it saying, 'well there's a chance we may not win, we're playing against a really hard team, so we'll see what happens...' No, they go into it believing they will win and that they can do it and there's no ifs ands or buts. And they train beforehand. Its a mindset.
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>EJ</b></i>

Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).



I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!</end quote></div>

You concerns are completely normal. Alot of doctors make us feel that labor will really not be possible for us to handle-so thats why we can feel like our bodies won't be able to handle it. I'm sure the docs do it out of concern, or to prepare us just in case.

The fact is EJ, its not 15 hours of 'huffing and puffing'. Labor is NOT what you see in the movies. Its not the sweaty screaming crazy woman huffing and puffing with her face purple. Labor is calm and is a natural thing that a woman's body was made to be able to handle.
I didn't cough once during my labor or pushing. Most times, and this is according to my OB who specializes in cf womens births, adrenaline hormones take over and suppress that. Adrenaline acts like a steroid-prednisone or advair anyone?-and keeps us fine.
Surprisingly, it is the anesthesia and epidural that can actually interfere with our breathing. While these complications are unusual, they are much more common than having any cf related issues during labor.
I got very tired right before pushing. I was in labor for 24 hrs. I actually fell asleep during transition-(OK, don't throw your computers at me!!!!) Its a very rare thing for a woman to do. I don't remember it, but I saw the video! Anyway, I was so tired so the OB decided to give me iv fluids and a little oxygen to give me strength. That got me all pumped up and ready to push.
Believe me-after hours of labor, when that doc tells you to push, those hormones flow, you want to see that baby, and nothing stops you from pushing. Nothing. Its a wonderful feeling to push the baby out.
And by the way-towards the end of my pregnancy, (though I started out with high pfts), my fev1 was 58%. So don't be intimidated by a lower pft.

I LOVEEEEEEEE what Caroline/keepercjr said above about natural birth. It is entirely a mindset. Relaxation is key. Preparation is key-we took classes for 10 weeks before birth, I did my relaxation exercises for 30 mins every night, I have amazing supportive women with me during birth. My birth pain was as real as anyone-but through relaxation and preparation I learned how to block pain out and control it.
Just like an athlete who goes to play a football game- they could go into it saying, 'well there's a chance we may not win, we're playing against a really hard team, so we'll see what happens...' No, they go into it believing they will win and that they can do it and there's no ifs ands or buts. And they train beforehand. Its a mindset.
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>EJ</b></i>

Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).



I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!</end quote>

You concerns are completely normal. Alot of doctors make us feel that labor will really not be possible for us to handle-so thats why we can feel like our bodies won't be able to handle it. I'm sure the docs do it out of concern, or to prepare us just in case.

The fact is EJ, its not 15 hours of 'huffing and puffing'. Labor is NOT what you see in the movies. Its not the sweaty screaming crazy woman huffing and puffing with her face purple. Labor is calm and is a natural thing that a woman's body was made to be able to handle.
I didn't cough once during my labor or pushing. Most times, and this is according to my OB who specializes in cf womens births, adrenaline hormones take over and suppress that. Adrenaline acts like a steroid-prednisone or advair anyone?-and keeps us fine.
Surprisingly, it is the anesthesia and epidural that can actually interfere with our breathing. While these complications are unusual, they are much more common than having any cf related issues during labor.
I got very tired right before pushing. I was in labor for 24 hrs. I actually fell asleep during transition-(OK, don't throw your computers at me!!!!) Its a very rare thing for a woman to do. I don't remember it, but I saw the video! Anyway, I was so tired so the OB decided to give me iv fluids and a little oxygen to give me strength. That got me all pumped up and ready to push.
Believe me-after hours of labor, when that doc tells you to push, those hormones flow, you want to see that baby, and nothing stops you from pushing. Nothing. Its a wonderful feeling to push the baby out.
And by the way-towards the end of my pregnancy, (though I started out with high pfts), my fev1 was 58%. So don't be intimidated by a lower pft.

I LOVEEEEEEEE what Caroline/keepercjr said above about natural birth. It is entirely a mindset. Relaxation is key. Preparation is key-we took classes for 10 weeks before birth, I did my relaxation exercises for 30 mins every night, I have amazing supportive women with me during birth. My birth pain was as real as anyone-but through relaxation and preparation I learned how to block pain out and control it.
Just like an athlete who goes to play a football game- they could go into it saying, 'well there's a chance we may not win, we're playing against a really hard team, so we'll see what happens...' No, they go into it believing they will win and that they can do it and there's no ifs ands or buts. And they train beforehand. Its a mindset.
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>EJ</b></i>

Hi, I've got a question about giving birth for all those experienced Mommies out there! I am hoping to have a baby and my team have given me their full support, however my lung function is much lower than most of the ladies here seem to have (a little under 50%). I had assumed that I would be adivsed to have a C-section because I couldn't get through 15 hours of huffing and puffing (I'd be knackered after 1 hour I think!) But now I can completely understand what you are all saying about why a vaginal delivery is better for CF people (and would be my preferred choice too).



I guess my question is, would I be able to have a labour that didn't exert my lungs too much or is that just impossible? I wouldn't want to be so exhausted and ill afterwards that I couldn't even look after the baby!</end quote>

You concerns are completely normal. Alot of doctors make us feel that labor will really not be possible for us to handle-so thats why we can feel like our bodies won't be able to handle it. I'm sure the docs do it out of concern, or to prepare us just in case.

The fact is EJ, its not 15 hours of 'huffing and puffing'. Labor is NOT what you see in the movies. Its not the sweaty screaming crazy woman huffing and puffing with her face purple. Labor is calm and is a natural thing that a woman's body was made to be able to handle.
I didn't cough once during my labor or pushing. Most times, and this is according to my OB who specializes in cf womens births, adrenaline hormones take over and suppress that. Adrenaline acts like a steroid-prednisone or advair anyone?-and keeps us fine.
Surprisingly, it is the anesthesia and epidural that can actually interfere with our breathing. While these complications are unusual, they are much more common than having any cf related issues during labor.
I got very tired right before pushing. I was in labor for 24 hrs. I actually fell asleep during transition-(OK, don't throw your computers at me!!!!) Its a very rare thing for a woman to do. I don't remember it, but I saw the video! Anyway, I was so tired so the OB decided to give me iv fluids and a little oxygen to give me strength. That got me all pumped up and ready to push.
Believe me-after hours of labor, when that doc tells you to push, those hormones flow, you want to see that baby, and nothing stops you from pushing. Nothing. Its a wonderful feeling to push the baby out.
And by the way-towards the end of my pregnancy, (though I started out with high pfts), my fev1 was 58%. So don't be intimidated by a lower pft.

I LOVEEEEEEEE what Caroline/keepercjr said above about natural birth. It is entirely a mindset. Relaxation is key. Preparation is key-we took classes for 10 weeks before birth, I did my relaxation exercises for 30 mins every night, I have amazing supportive women with me during birth. My birth pain was as real as anyone-but through relaxation and preparation I learned how to block pain out and control it.
Just like an athlete who goes to play a football game- they could go into it saying, 'well there's a chance we may not win, we're playing against a really hard team, so we'll see what happens...' No, they go into it believing they will win and that they can do it and there's no ifs ands or buts. And they train beforehand. Its a mindset.
 
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