Questions for Moms

[Happy Bunny]

As I approach delivery, I've got a few questions and I'm sure that other ladies do as well. Perhaps we can use this as a Q & A thread.

1) What happens after the baby comes out...
A) How long, difficult and painful is the delivery of the placenta? Does doing so interfere with seeing the baby?
B) How long does it take for them to take the baby to the warmer and clean them up before they bring the baby back?

2) At the hospital, do you only dress your baby when it's time to leave? Or do you need to bring clothing for a few days?

[MamaBoo]

I did a planned C-section, so I cannot tell you anything about after a vaginal delivery. Everyone in the OR got to hold Boo before I did. I didn't get to hold him until they were ready to take me to recovery.

However, as for clothes, we mostly had him in tee shirts and diapers until we left. However, the picture lady came and I was glad I had something to dress him in for his pics.

[Riley baby maybe]

Hi Barbara! I had a Baby Princess last October so I'll fill you in on my experience.

1. You cry, your husband cries, it goes FAST! Princess had poo'ed a little bit so they brought the NICU team into our room, which I'm sure made our experience a little bit different. I had an easy, breezy induction and labor. I went from a 1 to a 3 in two hours, two hours later I was a 9 and she let me 'labor down' which essentially meant lay there a bit longer. I pushed with a few contractions and she came right out. I had a very small episiotomy that was painless at the time (thank you, epidural) and they whisked her over to the warmer. My husband went over with herwhile they suctioned and cleaned her up (seemed like a short time) while I delivered the placenta and got stitched up, which I have NO recollection of. Too much was happening. I was asking DH from across the room what she looked like, was she ok, and sobbing uncontrollably! We had my Dad come in as soon as he was able, aka...my crotch was put together and under covers...and it was all pretty quick. I truly don't think it was that long before they brought her back to me. After we got to see her and have all of our family come in they took her to the nursery to do tests and clean her up and ten they brought her back to us as soon as we got to the recovery room.

2. Clothes - I brought TONS of stuff and the truth is, you need an outfit for pics and one to take her home in...nothing else. It's just more for DH to carry to the car afterwards. Trust me, it felt like we were moving!

Also, just my PERSONAL opinion...take an epidural. I refused all pain meds because I didn't want to be 'foggy'. I wanted to remember every detail of that day. However, I was only a 1 and they allowed me the epidural. When it got so bad I started to cry in pain, I knew that wasn't how I wanted to remember this experience. After I only ever took Motrin from them for the same reason and I didn't really need it. I was sore and tender, but ok. Again, this is a very personal decision, I just wanted to share my expereience. People still comment on how nice I was throughout my labor! HA!!

Tidbits:

Your first pee after you deliver is weird. You don't even know you're peeing, but it's flowing out like a river!

Babies sneeze...alot. Don't worry.

I tried to bf, but my milk didn't come in. Don't sweat it, but have a back up plan. Think...baby crying, mommy crying, daddy panicking! Have a back up plan.

Make a list of questions to take to her 4 day old appointment. You'll have a million. I spent my appointment crying, I just knew my ped would call child protective services when we left....lol. Which brings me to my last point. Ask for meds if you think you may need them. I should've taken pp meds, I was crying like crazy. It was such a happy time, but I cried alot.

Good luck to those of you who haven't delivered yet. The last 7 months have been the greatest of my life. Being a Momma is hard, but worth it!

<3

[karenvancouverisland]

hi there... well for me, delivering the placenta was a rude surprise- how uncomfortable it was. once i birthed my son, i thought it was all over. but the placenta was hard for me. it ddidn't last long though.

my son was immediately placed on my chest, where the dr. checked him. even though he was 5 wks early, he was allowed to stay on me for about 5 mins, as the dr. checked him out, before they took him away. here in BC Canada, it's standard for them to give you as much direct, immediate contact as you desire. they only took DS away as he was preemie. most babies don't need a warmer... you are their warmer and unless they have complications/preemie, they regulate their own temp quite well... my son never needed a warmer (lucky for a preemie).

while you're there, they supply sleepers, but you need your own outfit to take them home in. around here, staying for more than 1 night is very unusual. they send you home asap.

i had a natural delivery, and i'm considering having an epidural next time. it did hurt. i asked for one with DS, but i was already 8cm dilated and it was too late.
i think answers to your questions about contact and clothes, may best be gotten from someone's who's had experience at your local hospital.. i think each community can be quite different.. best of luck!!

[karenvancouverisland]

hi there... well for me, delivering the placenta was a rude surprise- how uncomfortable it was. once i birthed my son, i thought it was all over. but the placenta was hard for me. it ddidn't last long though.

my son was immediately placed on my chest, where the dr. checked him. even though he was 5 wks early, he was allowed to stay on me for about 5 mins, as the dr. checked him out, before they took him away. here in BC Canada, it's standard for them to give you as much direct, immediate contact as you desire. they only took DS away as he was preemie. most babies don't need a warmer... you are their warmer and unless they have complications/preemie, they regulate their own temp quite well... my son never needed a warmer (lucky for a preemie).

while you're there, they supply sleepers, but you need your own outfit to take them home in. around here, staying for more than 1 night is very unusual. they send you home asap.

i had a natural delivery, and i'm considering having an epidural next time. it did hurt. i asked for one with DS, but i was already 8cm dilated and it was too late.
i think answers to your questions about contact and clothes, may best be gotten from someone's who's had experience at your local hospital.. i think each community can be quite different.. best of luck!!

[Happy Bunny]

Awesome info ladies! Thank you very much.

Here's another:

How dark should an infants room be for sleep during the day? We have just a valance drape and a vertical blind - personally, I couldn't sleep in there but will our little one need it darker?

[karenvancouverisland]

barbara, that should be fine for the first 6 months, but after that they start to become more alert (i think moreso around 8 months) and distraction will become a reason to stay awake...

[sorcet]

1) What happens after the baby comes out...
At my hospital they put the baby directly on your chest and rub them around a little bit they then take the baby to the warmer clean them off weigh them bunt them up and give them back to you.
A) How long, difficult and painful is the delivery of the placenta? Does doing so interfere with seeing the baby?
I did not have a epidural it took maybe 20 minutes after the baby came out it didnt hurt at all just felt kind of a dropping sensation. i didnt get the baby back until after the placenta was out but i did have her even while they stitched me and it wasnt that bad at all
B) How long does it take for them to take the baby to the warmer and clean them up before they bring the baby back?
i think it took about 25 minutes maybe less

2) At the hospital, do you only dress your baby when it's time to leave? Or do you need to bring clothing for a few days?
i brought no clothing except for the outfit she went home in and took her picture in. I wouldnt bring clothes believe me dressing them is the last thing youre going to do !

[deftonesmo]

1) What happens after the baby comes out...
I was in a daze, so relieved that she was out! They took her away to clean her and check her out (she was 3 weeks early, so I they didn't put her on my chest . . . kinda bummed about that . . .) I did get to hold her briefly before they whisked her away for a bath.


A) How long, difficult and painful is the delivery of the placenta? Does doing so interfere with seeing the baby?
Really quick . . . not difficult, no painful . . . didn't interfere at all . . .

B) How long does it take for them to take the baby to the warmer and clean them up before they bring the baby back?
maybe a few minutes . . . again, I was in such a daze that it didn't seem all that long . . .

2) At the hospital, do you only dress your baby when it's time to leave? Or do you need to bring clothing for a few days?
bring a change of clothes to leave the hospital in . . . they will take care of everything there . . .


Labor was not as bad as had thought it was going to be . . . yes, it is painful at times, but not as horrible as I had thought . . . can;t wait to do it again! =) Good luck =)

[Happy Bunny]

There's no non-TMI way to put this, so I'll just have to ask...

I've been getting stabbing pains in what feels like my cervix and/or vagina. The pains come on like lightening and disappear just as quickly. It almost feels like the baby is clawing at or punching my cervix. It's the kind of feeling that nearly causes me to grab my crotch when they happen in public.

How long before labor do these pains happen? Is it a sign that I'm close or can I expect to have the pains for several weeks? Also, any clue what they are caused by?

[deftonesmo]

Happy: How far along are you? it sounds like maybe the baby's head is putting pressure on your cervix . . . when he turns his head from side to side, it kind of grinds and jars the area . . . gotta love growing pains! You can always double check with your OB . . . heard about it from lots of mamas . . . sounds like a 2nd/3rd trimester problem as the baby grows . . .

Good luck =)

[MamaBoo]

Happy Bunny: those pains could very well be a well placed kick or punch. Probably nothing at all to do with labor. I had them myself for months. I never did go into "real" labor. I had a c-section at 40 weeks.

Also, as far as delivery goes: do whatever is best for you and your little one. Don't feel pushed into all natural child birth or an epidural and don't feel guilty about it later. Being a mother has nothing whatsoever to do with how you conceived or how you delivered your little one. That was something I had to sort out my feelings about after I had my son. However, there is no doubt I am his mommy and he loves me the same no matter what.

[Linda Albert]

This Information very scary for me.. why because am pregnant. but i hope I will overcome this pains for my baby