Author Topic: Pregnancy Questions (Read 12888 times)

Coffeechick88 · « **on:** May 22, 2008, 09:50:41 am »

Hi, I just thought I'd ask a few questions. I will pretty soon hit the 38 week mark--and not one bit of sign that I am ready for labor. I had been hearing that first time moms tend to give birth later, though I was hoping I'd be like my cousin, who went 2 weeks early with both children. My doctor doesn't really care about trying to help me along after 38 weeks, and he told me that my appointment next week, he would try stripping my membranes to see if that helped matters any. Has anyone had that done, and if so, did that work? Are there any of those other remedies that work better? I also am trying to convince the father to have sex with me to see if that helps, because I sooo want this baby out! I am a little concerned, because the doctor acted like he could be on the large side, though he did say my pelvis had plenty of capacity for that (I'm still trying my best to not read that as him commenting on how fat I am down there and it didn't help that my co-worker said I had good "child bearing hips"). I also was wondering about the AZT for the baby, my doc acted like it should be fine, but I was wondering how well the babies tolerated and should I be concerned about it causing any bad side effects?

Ann · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:18:52 am »

Hi CC,

My daughter was right on time as far as my own calculations (and intuition) went, but according to the doctor, she was about ten days early.

That membrane stripping thing sounds like an invitation to infection to me. But then again, I'm a firm believer in letting nature take its course where childbirth is concerned. The baby will come when the baby is ready to come. Although having sex to try to convince it that it's time isn't such a bad idea and would be my favoured choice. I hear doggy style is the best position for that.

Having "childbearing" hips has nothing to do with how much fat you carry on your hips, it's to do with the spread of the bones - including the bones in the floor of the pelvis. We get a hormone in our bodies during the last few weeks that enable these bones to spread - they're held together to an extent by ligaments. I ended up with a dislocated hip because of those hormones - thankfully it went back into place on its own without medical intervention. But it hurt like hell! (that wasn't during delivery, it was in my kitchen when I was stretching for a pot that was back in the corner part of the cupboard - you know, the bit in the corner of an L - if you know what I mean)

I can't comment really on the AZT and babies thing - my daughter was born before I was poz. However, I don't recall ever hearing anyone talk about their baby seeming to have side effects from it.

Good luck - you must be pretty close now! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Hugs,
Ann
xxx

Dragonette · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:31:48 am »

hi Coffee, don't know anything about any of that - just wanted to wish you luck

BT65 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2008, 01:48:34 pm »

Coffee, I have no idea what "stripping of the membranes" means. Doesn't sound like much fun, though. I'm with Ann, go for the sex!

My daughter was born right on her due date (by the ultrasound done when I was like 8 weeks along).

My daughter was born pre-me having HIV, so I can't comment on the AZT thing; but I do believe there might be a couple ladies on here who have had children while poz. Maybe they'll chime in.

Good luck and please let us know when the joyous occasion happens!
Luv,
Betty

Victory101 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:03:41 pm »

Hi Coffee

I had o laugh at the "child bearing hips". Where I come from, thats definitely a compliment. Having boyish hips is not considered attractive.

I have had 2 babies after my diagnosis and they had no problem with the AZT. In fact they seemed to love it. To date my lo loves calpol and taking medicine and I am convinced its because of their start in life. They are healthy boys.

The only problem I had and not many people seem to mention this especially with my second one was constipation. This is as a result of giving him formula. He used to cry in such pain (very heartbreaking for me) when he had to go. But it does settle.

All the best.
Victory.

Victory101 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:04:57 pm »

ps both mine were born via elective ceasarian so I have no idea about stripping of the membrane either.

Snowangel · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:44:15 pm »

Congrats Vic-
I have never heard of the "membrane" thing either? My first son was born a month early, naturally and was 8 lbs 7 ounces . I had to work that day and offloaded an 18 wheeler of its pallets with an electric pallet jack so maybe all that vibration got me started?
All 4 of my kids took the AZT and didn't really mind it at all. I would recommend having a nipple put aside just for this because sticking the suction thingy in thier mouths did not work so well, for me anyway.
I used cabbage leaves on my boobs to help with milk back up, that to me hurt more than the delivery and I didn't have any drugs at all the first time, just a shot in the ass and that had worn off by the time I delivered.

Good Luck. Keep us posted on you and the baby are doing.

Snow

Ann · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2008, 06:11:33 pm »

Here's a couple articles on membrane stripping (also called sweeping)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_21_39/ai_n7180132

http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=4374

catwoman · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2008, 04:20:05 am »

Hey Coffee. I'm so not feeling the membrane stripping. I think it's invasive. I'm 31 weeks with my first and I've been doing so much reading and studying. I don't think it's too late to google up Ina May Gaskin and read some of her stuff on childbirth. She is the most popular midwife out there. I tend to think along the lines with the midwives and I refuse to allow my doctors to scare or intimidate me. Also watch, "The Business of Being Born" just so you are informed. Let that little boy come when he's ready.

tendai · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:05:05 am »

Quote from: Coffeechick88 on May 22, 2008, 09:50:41 am

Are there any of those other remedies that work better? I also am trying to convince the father to have sex with me to see if that helps, because I sooo want this baby out!

hi coffee, i just wanted to ask, about that. having sex will make you give birth earlier??

Coffeechick88 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2008, 03:15:03 pm »

Quote from: tendai on May 27, 2008, 11:05:05 am

hi coffee, i just wanted to ask, about that. having sex will make you give birth earlier??

It is possible that sex can help you move along toward labor, even trigger labor. One way is by prostaglandins in semen, which can help ripen the cervix. A similar formula is used in the hospital to help the cervix soften. Another possible way is that orgasm stimulates the release of oxytocin, which is a cousin of pitocin, which is used in the hospital to help induce labor. It doesn't always do the job, but it can, and those are two mechanisms on how it can help you. It is not to say it will start premature labor--sex is okay during all months of pregnancy unless you are told otherwise--it is just a remedy used by women who are close to giving birth, but want to do whatever they can to try to make it happen.

Coffeechick88 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2008, 03:24:00 pm »

Quote from: catwoman on May 27, 2008, 04:20:05 am

Hey Coffee. I'm so not feeling the membrane stripping. I think it's invasive. I'm 31 weeks with my first and I've been doing so much reading and studying. I don't think it's too late to google up Ina May Gaskin and read some of her stuff on childbirth. She is the most popular midwife out there. I tend to think along the lines with the midwives and I refuse to allow my doctors to scare or intimidate me. Also watch, "The Business of Being Born" just so you are informed. Let that little boy come when he's ready.

My doctor hasn't tried to scare me. I was actually the one who tried to see if there was anything he could or would do. I am just sooo uncomfortable and the thought of him getting any bigger kind of freaks me out since he will be coming out of my vagina. Though the doctor has said his size isn't worrisome to him and that he'd tell me if my baby was getting too huge.

Veritee · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2008, 03:37:13 pm »

well it was a long time ago as my daughter is now 18

But I had the 'stripping of the membranes' - sweeping it is called in the UK - and it hurt like hell and did not work

I ended up with a c section anyway and lots of problems and I did at the time feel the 'sweeping' had made this all more likely .

But I can not be sure

And I am not a doctor so do not know.
But good luck - I am sure your baby will come when ready

They did the sweeping on me only to find that when she was born she was too small to be full term so someone had their calculations wrong and I do not think it was me as I told them this.

i was told that sex could bring you to labour but only due to the hormones or something in semen - and if you or he are HIV you do not want to have unprotected sex at that stage or anytime .

I was not HIV then so I tried to get my husband to have sex for that reason but he would not oblige

He said the thought of sex for that reason turned him right off

Good luck with the birth and say hello to the baby from me

Veritee XX

Winiroo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2008, 06:32:39 pm »

I cant tell you anything about the meds and childbirth. They refused to medicate me while I was pregnant with my last child in 1992. I think at the time they may have been doing trials on pregnant women but of course no one told me that.

Anywho.

Both my boys hung out till I was 41 weeks pregnant and I tried everything. Doing squats, walking up and down stairs, sex, ect.
I used castor oil to induce labor both times. Its a laxative so if you take too much you'll regret it. The castor oil since it is a laxative it causes your abdomen to cramp and that can induce labor.

My daughter in law just had a baby and her OB was against her taking castor oil. No clue why.

So its not a suggestion. I'm just saying it worked for me.

I would suggest doing squats and walking. But when you do the squats make sure you have a spotter incase you cant get back up. LOL

Good luck on the birth of your baby.

catwoman · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:01:57 am »

Oh,ok Coffee.

I'll be feeling your frustration in few weeks anyway too. Another old school remedy is nipple stimulation. They say it helps the uterus contract because it helps the body release oxytocin also. For the castor oil, you can take one tablespoon at breakfast. Then take one more tablespoon an hour later if you have to. Good luck and keep us updated.

Coffeechick88 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2008, 12:30:28 pm »

Well an update. Last week, I decided to not get the membrane stripping done. But what really gets me is that I wasn't even dilated any, so I don't know if he would have been able to do it anyway. I was hoping for at least 1-2 cm. Hopefully there will be some change this week. I have tried walking more, squats (with another person around to help me get up), and sex, but with this huge stomach I have, let's just say it was very awkward going, to say the least. I have to hand it to the guy for being willing to help me out, but he actually was kind of turned on, so that helped me in the self-esteem department. Wow, exactly one week until my due date!

Dragonette · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2008, 02:18:31 pm »

Everytime I read the stripping thing I feel like I'm going to pass out. I'm glad you didn't do it though i am not sure what it is but I am not asking (shudders)...

How come other people's pregnancies always seem so short?

Good luck with everything - here's to a quick 'n easy (well, easier) birth!

catwoman · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2008, 11:03:33 am »

Woohooo!!!!! Countdown, countdown, countdown!!!!! Waiting for this bundle of joy!! We can't wait.

Winiroo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2008, 02:39:31 pm »

I know the last month is a total pain in the ass.
I'm glad to hear you are toughing it out and not doing the membrane stripping.
That just sounds so invasive. I'd want to avoid any extra blood exposure during the birthing process.

I wish you the best and hope you have an easy painless delivery.

spicy1 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2008, 09:50:52 am »

Hi coffee

My son took AZT for 6 weeks after birth and suffered no side effects. He is 3 months old now and doing great. About the constipation coz of formular milk, a tea spoon of raw sugar or treacle sugar a day eases the constipation.

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Author Topic: Pregnancy Questions (Read 12888 times)

tendai