Normal Discomforts

Throughout pregnancy, your body is changing as your baby grows. These changes can cause many discomforts that, under normal circumstances, might be something to be concerned about, but are quite normal for pregnancy.

Round ligament pain
The round ligaments are several thick ligaments that surround and support the uterus. As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the ligaments are stretched and can cause pain in the lower abdominal and groin areas. It is usually a sharp sudden pain and can be very uncomfortable, but will go away relatively soon. Sudden movements are the most likely to cause it to occur, such as sneezing, turning quickly, coughing, laughing and rolling over. Doing things slowly is the best way to avoid this discomfort, but there are times when it is unavoidable. When you feel it, just stop for a moment and wait for it to subside.

Mild Cramping
As your uterus grows with a growing baby, it will often times cramp a little here and there. This can also happen after having intercourse or doing strenuous exercise. As long as there is no bleeding or worsening of the cramps, this is normal and part of the expected discomforts of pregnancy. Drink lots of water and if it is bothersome, use mild heat to help alleviate the feeling.

Sciatic Pain
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body that provides sensory and motor function to the lower part of the body. This is some of the worst pain during pregnancy that can be quite normal. You feel it at the top of the gluts and it often radiates down the leg(s). It is sharp and stabbing. This nerve can easily be pinched as the baby grows and moves around causing this pain to happen. The best way to alleviate the pain is to lie on your side opposite where you feel the pain. If it gets worse or you are unable to get comfort from the pain, notify your provider. Generally speaking, this pain is short lasting like round ligament.

Mild Swelling
Later on in the pregnancy, you may notice mild swelling in your hands and/or feet. As your body fluid increases, it can be challenging for your blood vessels to hold it all and some fluid will seep into the intercostal space causing swelling. The best thing you can do for swelling is drink water and put your feet up. If the swelling becomes severe and effects more than just hands and feet it could be a sign of high blood pressure and that should be checked out by your provider.

What mild discomforts have you dealt with?

Is Vaginal Pain and Pressure Something to Be Concerned About?

This question comes from a friend who was experiencing this.

There are a lot of new feelings and sensations that can come from being pregnant. It is not unusual to have twinges of pain or pressure in the vagina throughout pregnancy. Toward the end of pregnancy pressure will increase as the baby puts more pressure into vaginal canal, especially as the baby drops. Often being up on your feet all day can also increase the amount of pressure you feel and can even cause sharp pains. Try lying down. If it begins to subside it is normal. As the baby moves pains can come as the baby hits different areas, particularly the cervix. When the baby hits the cervix it often feels like a sharp stab that lasts for only a moment. All of this is normal and is not anything to be concerned about.

If vaginal pain is accompanied by bleeding call your doctor immediately and get checked out. If pain is not resolved after lying down I also recommend calling your doctor and get their recommendation. If it is not during office hours and you are concerned you can go to the hospital to get evaluated.

Have you experienced vaginal pain or pressure?

Tyler's Birth

The Saturday Tyler was born, I woke up at about 1 am to my first ‘strong’ contraction.  I thought, “Hm.  That was a contraction,” And went back to sleep.  30 minutes later, I woke up again – same thing.  So this time, I got up and messed around on my computer for a little bit.  I continued to have some irregular contractions, but eventually went back to bed and my hubby and I slept until about 9 am.  Then, we got up, had breakfast and for “some reason,” we decided to clean the ENTIRE house.  I mean, mop the floors, vacuum, clean the bathrooms.  Everything!  Around 11 or noon, I was still having contractions, but nothing that was difficult for me to manage.  I decided to get in the shower.  I was also starting to notice some light spotting, but I really didn’t think too much about it. (Silly pregnant lady – my nurse-self never did kick in!!)  Meanwhile, my husband decided to get some exercise in!  After my shower, I started timing my contractions and laboring on the birth ball.  My husband got a call from an old college friend, and I encouraged him to take the call.  I still wasn’t completely convinced I was actually laboring.  I was even texting Lori (my friend and coworker, who Emmie also worked with).  I even have the dialogue saved on my computer (I typed it up after the fact because I thought it was so funny!!).  I told Lori I was having contractions every 3-12 minutes (I was waiting for them to get more regular!!) and that I was having some bloody show.  

Then, literally, about 2 minutes later, my water broke at 1:15.  I immediately texted Lori again, “WATER BROKE!”  I ran to the bathroom, and a HUGE gush of water went in the toilet!  I don’t know HOW I made it to the bathroom without a drop of water on the floor.  Feeling my water break was so cool to me.  I felt it in the front of my belly.  It felt like curtains being pulled open from the middle.  It didn’t hurt at all.  I just felt a little pop, then the separation.  Anyway, I yelled at my husband that my water broke, get off the phone and get a shower!!  He swears it only took him 9 minutes to shower and grab the remainder of our things for the hospital bag, but to me, it felt like forever!  I called the answering service for them to page my midwife.  They asked me how far apart my contractions were.  I think they were probably every 1-2 minutes then, but I said, “I DON’T KNOW!  MY WATER BROKE!!”  She insisted she needed a number to give to the midwife, so I just blurted out, “5 minutes!”  I  think I texted my mom and sister that we were headed to the hospital.  I called the hospital on my way to let them know I was coming and that Lori was going to be my nurse.  For some reason, I ended up calling the hospital 3 or 4 times!  Ms. Debbie finally started answering with, “Yes, baby?” because she recognized my phone number!!  The last time I called, I said, “I’m so sorry!  I didn't mean to call!  I just accidentally hit the button!”  but Ms. Debbie asked if I needed a wheelchair when I got there and I puffed out, “yes!!”  My contractions were coming fast and furious in the car.  I’d take a big breath in and blow it out, and as my contraction was on the downward slope, I’d breathe out, “It’s ok… It’s ok… It’s ok…”  Other than that, I really don’t remember the ride at all.  I do remember, as we were heading out the door to the car, my husband asked if we should eat lunch (HA!  Are you kidding me?!), and asking me which route I wanted him to take on the way there (I didn’t care!).  

We got to the hospital around 2 or 2:30.  I remember Ms. Debbie and one other person (a tech, but I can’t remember who!) sitting outside, waiting for me with a wheelchair.  I put my towel in the chair and they whisked me off to the labor room.  Darla met me in the room, helped me get undressed and into the hospital gown.  I don’t remember getting in the bed.  The next person I remember was Wendy coming in to place my IV, and I remember smiling and saying, “Hi Wendy!”  All these silly little details always make me laugh, especially because I just really don’t remember very much – just little bits here and there.  I was having a hard time getting comfortable in the bed.  I didn’t know if I wanted to sit up or lay down.  I couldn’t think straight.  I don’t remember feeling pain.  I just remember feeling very intense.  That was the only word I could use to describe it.  Intense.  Just intense. Eventually, I felt like I was starting to get some coherence back, and I noticed the monitor was showing my contractions every 1-2 minutes (or maybe someone showed me after I got my epidural?!).  I couldn’t believe it!  My awesome midwife, Amanda, came in to check me.  I was 4 cm, and SO excited to hear that I was not 1 or 2 cm!!  Next thing I knew, they were getting me positioned for my epidural – I never even asked for it, but I was planning to get one.  My contractions slowed down, but still continued pretty consistently at about 3-4 minutes apart.  At 5:30, Amanda came in to check me again.  I had been feeling some discomfort down in my hip, and Wendy had put in a catheter to drain my bladder.  In retrospect, I wondered if she felt some resistance (if Tyler had been very low), or if it was just signs on the fetal monitor that prompted Amanda to come back when she did.  At any rate, I was completely dilated and Tyler was quite low.  Six pushes later, he was out at 5:58 pm, 8 pounds 2 ounces.  I am that lady that everybody loves to hate.  I loved my pregnancy – I loved being pregnant, I loved wearing my maternity clothes!  And I LOVED my labor and my delivery.

~Shared by Lauren K

What Should I Put In My Birth Plan?

This is completely up to you. I have seen very detailed birth plans with very specific instructions for any and all circumstances and those that have the bare minimum. From what I've seen I would discourage the overly detailed birth plan and if you are going to take the time to write one be thoughtful and do not write one that would just cover standard practice.

So what should you include?

If you are not wanting any medication, write that you do not want to be asked about pain medication and that you will let them know if you need something. Know that they have to tell you your options, so allow them to tell you your options, but then you can nicely say, "Thank you for letting me know, I will tell you if you need anything."

If you do not want an episiotomy, make that clear.

Feel free to list your room preferences such as lighting, music, temperature, etc.

If you have strong feelings on induction or breaking water include them in your birth plan.

Write down any preferences for what you would like to do during labor and pushing.

Include anything for newborn care that is different than what is standard practice, such as not wanting them to have they eye ointment or the vitamin K shot.

Write if you are wanting them to breastfeed only or desiring formula.

Write if you want your baby boy circumcised or not.

These are the basic things you can include. As with other things be kind and gracious in how you approach it and know that things can go differently than expected.

Here and here you can find two types of check off birth plans. If you have any good resources for these please share them below.

What do you put on your birth plans?

What Is A Birth Plan? Do I Need One?

A birth plan is a document that tells your healthcare providers what your preferences for labor, delivery and newborn care are. You can pull check off lists from the internet. Two different ones I have found are here and here. There are many out there and sometimes the hospital you are delivering at will give you a generic one to fill out if you so desire.

You can also write your own after deciding what your preferences are. If you decide to write your own be gracious in how you write it.

This document is not legally binding and will not hold up in court if something is done outside of your birth plan.

It is up to you if you want to write one or not. Some people find this helpful to communicate what their expectations are to others. You may find it easier to stick to your plan if it is written down. This is not needed, but can be beneficial.

Do you write out a birth plan?

Advocating for Yourself in Labor

I want to delve a little more into advocating for yourself. Today I want to discuss advocating for yourself during labor.

First off to be able to advocate for yourself you need to be educated. You need to know generally what you want and be familiar with things that can go different as planned. Clearly you cannot know everything, but basic information and prayer can help you prepare.

There are times you may end up with a nurse or a provider that may not agree with your decisions and possibly pressure you into making a decision you are not comfortable with. There are clearly times when things need to be different, but I'm talking about when you are pressured to get medication or have interventions taken or might even be refused medication for some reason.

I want to be clear, you are the only one who can give consent to have medical treatment done unless it is a life or death situation. You are your own advocate. You can have others there to help you make decisions, but only you can make the call. Again, be polite and gracious, but do not be afraid to be firm in your decisions.

You can refuse medications and interventions.
You can ask for medications and interventions.
You can ask to be checked.
You can ask to be left alone.

This can be difficult in labor, but it is still your job. So pray, be prepared, have a plan, make sure your husband is on board with your plan and be ready to stand on your decision no matter what pressures come.

Have you had to advocate for yourself? Did your plans ever have to change?

How Do You Advocate For Yourself?

This question came from one of my friends that I wanted to answer on here. The question relates specifically to going to labor and delivery when not in labor as discussed yesterday.

So, you are having pain that is unexplained and is not seeming to go away, you cannot get to the doctor's office and you are concerned, so you head over to the hospital to see if you can get some answers. What do you do from there?

They will put you on the monitor to check the baby and see if you are having contractions, but sometimes that is all that will happen if there is nothing evident. Throughout pregnancy there are weird pains and twinges that are often unexplainable, and usually if everything looks good there will be no need to do more. It is also possible that the doctor may not come by if everything looks normal.

If you are not comfortable with this and and wish for further evaluation, ask. Remember to be polite and gracious, knowing that sometimes things maybe refused or you may have to wait awhile to see the doctor on call. If your nurse is not working with you, you can ask to speak with the charge nurse, but please only do this in extreme circumstances.

The biggest thing is to not be afraid to ask. You can ask to see your doctor. If you are far enough along and are unsure if what your feeling could be labor related, you can asked to be checked. You can ask for medication. You can ask for anything. Again, be polite and gracious and be willing to listen in case they must refuse your request. This is the best way to advocate for yourself. Also pray for wisdom and peace throughout this time. God is the One ultimately in control and He knows what is going on.