Last night I was off at Bangkokian H’s birthday party and within a half hour of getting there was chatting away to S (not my S) who is due on Dec 5 and having her baby at the same hospital as us. Small world.
She was huge – I guess as she was quite a bit shorter than S the baby was more prominent, but really gave me an idea of how big my S really is.
That morning we’d gone for our check-up at Samitivej and while the Doc said S was well and baby fine he also said the bubster has given no indications of wanting to move out.
We were a bit disappointed about that as today was official full-term day.
S also had a bit of a teary time with the doctor — she had wanted to have acupuncture done during the labour and he over-ruled her saying “No way”. To be honest, as much as I’m a total acupuncture convert, I’ve got to agree with him as the idea of having needles stuck in you while being in labour didn’t strike me as a great idea.
S didn’t take it well and we had a prolonged teary session afterwards before heading off for her acupuncture session. Her acupuncturist said not to worry, that she’d have a way to work around our doctor’s blanket ban.
S came home with a half dozen magnetic tiny little balls stuck in the ear and felt much better.
S to be honest with you…whilst yo are in labour the thought of someone touching you is irritating let alone having tiny needles stuck in you….you maybe different, but really you are in a very self consumed state at the time and you kind of need your space and strange as it may seem you need air….people being within your space is not want you want. You may be very different, and if it works for you – fantastic. But dont be held up on an idea and be shocked if you tell someone to get the hell out of there.
Absolutely I agree M. You really don’t know whether you are going to be a screamer or a grunter or want to move around or not move until you are in the actual event. I myself ended up being extremely quiet and very polite – lots of pleases and thank yous to the midwives – I was afraid I would swear my head off!
When I tried moving into different positions when in labour with Maddie, after a huge contraction I collapsed backwards to lie back and have a brief breather and as I had been kneeling on the end of the bed I almost fell of the bed but Mum and the midwife caught me (although they must have nearly broken their back as I was pretty heavy!).
And on the suggestion that I sit on the toilet during a contraction (as it is meant to help do something or other)all that served to do was be even more painful and a shadowy fear that the baby would get flushed away!
So my point is, take a birth plan but be prepared to throw it all out the window at a moment’s notice.
Oh, and I think that S (the non pregnant) should keep lots of cold washers handy to wipe S (the pregant) on the forehead and back of neck. I found that extremely good.
Also, don’t be afraid of a mirror, it really did help me.
And I think M is also right in saying you are in a self consumed state – I guess it must be like in the movies when a pitcher is about to pitch a really important ball and the crowd becomes a hazy hum as he focuses on striking out the little guy on first base. All he can see is the little guy in the distance, the rest is just white noise.
Think of the contractions as the white noise – and the baby as that batsman on first base. And I know you will hit a home run. How corny!