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Q: Complicated pregnancy and early labor
asked by: tumultuous on August 17th, 2008
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I am currently about 38 weeks along, and wondering if I am going into labor. A little bit of background:

I went into labor 3 times already-June 3, July 10, and Aug 3. Each time, I was given medication to stop the labor (the second time, I was given a medication I took daily to stop contractions, though it only helped from the second time time to the third time, less than a month, and I was also given steroids to help the baby's lungs develop faster if I did happen to go into labor and it couldn't be stopped).

I am considered a high risk pregnancy due to IUGR, incompetent cervix, hypoglycemia, and having 5 miscarriages prior to this pregnancy. I was put on bed rest from mid may to just a week ago (my doctor said I should be fine to get up now, since I am far enough along that the baby would be okay). I also had to be put on a high calorie diet, since I had only gained 6 pounds during my first 6 months. Even now I can still fit into my prepregnancy jeans, even with eating 4000 calories a day. The baby's abdominal growth is still behind schedule, so she only weighs 5 lbs 4 oz, even though her height is larger than average. Otherwise, she's pretty healthy, from what the doctors tell me.

Some of my current symptoms are cramping like a menstural period (which I had before), pain around my anal cavity, like I have to go to the bathroom, no movement from the baby for most of the day (once the cramping started, she started moving a bit-not much, but when she does move, it's a bit jerky), pain in my pelvic area (it feels like I am being stabbed in my vagina area, basically), and leaking from my nipples (colostrum, I assume). I lost my mucus plus the day I went into labor the last time.

I would have given birth that time, but they wanted to let me go until I was at least term, because they were worried she would have a problem feeding, especially with the small stomach. I don't have any show at all (the bloody show that is supposed to show up before birth), and the pain I'm feeling isn't regular, but it feels like the contractions I was having before.

I apologize for the long post, but I thought that explaining a bit about my pregnancy would help you all out there give me a more educated opinion. I thank you for your replies. Very Happy
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AyaMiyaki
replied on August 17th, 2008
Especially eHealthy
Menstrual cramping does sound like contractions. Did you time them? Your contractions will start coming at regular intervals - this is how you tell painful braxton hick's from real labor contractions.

The lack of movement from your baby is troubling though. You should try drinking some orange juice or another drink with high sugar content, then laying on your left side. If she doesn't start kicking or moving in an hour, call your doctor. You might want to call your doctor anyway to let him/her know you might be in labor.
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motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 17th, 2008
Moderator
Please keep us updated. It does sound like labor to me as well. It is concerning that little one is not moving as much, however when I went into labor with my son, he did not move as much either. Remember that contractions push down on the baby to bring it into the world. So the baby is losing even more space in the already cramped environment. However, if he/she is not as active as he/she usually is, this can be a sign of fetal distress. Time to call the doctor!
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tumultuous
replied on August 19th, 2008
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She's coming......but oh-so-slowly
It turns out that she is in fact on her way-on Sunday night, I finally went into the hospital, and I was one CM dilated, and 50% effaced. However, 24 hours later, it is still the same. I have another appointment on Thursday to see how much it will have progressed by then, if my water doesn't break by then. Also, if I am not in Active labor by next week, they said they want to induce me, because they don't want to "overtax" the placenta, and don't want me to be dilated for too long without going into labor.

The baby is very healthy, though. Of course, when it wasn't time for her to come out, she was trying her hardest, and now that it's okay, she's trying to stay in there. It figures. haha.

I'll keep you all updated-hopefully, she comes soon!
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tumultuous
replied on August 24th, 2008
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STILL NO BABY!! HELP!!!
So, I've been dilated at 1 cm for over a week now, and the contractions are getting worse every day, but I'm not dilating! I don't know if the medication I was taking to stop contractions might have something to do with it, or if this is normal. My doctor said that if I haven't gone into Stage Two of Labor by Wednesday, he will have to induce me, because my placenta is disintegrating, or something to that effect, plus the strain to my body could put the baby in distress if it goes on too long.

I've tried Spicy foods (which probably wouldn't work, since I am 1/2 mexican and was raised on spicy foods), I've tried sex (much to my husband's obvious pleasure), I've tried walking, vigorous housework (also to my husband's pleasure), nipple stimulation..... I am very reluctant to try Castor Oil, as one of my friends recommended, because I have heard that it makes for a more unpleasant labor. Does anyone have any suggestions?? I would really like to start the labor on my own, as opposed to them doing it with medicine. Please help!! Thanks a ton.
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Lilly Ivy
replied on August 24th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
You're pretty much doing all that you can do naturally.

I've heard nothing but bad things from Castor Oil. It is meant to help you have a BM and it SOMETIMES MAY help labor along.

If your placenta is too 'disintegrated' and you are not laboring on your own, you will HAVE to have medication to help you along. The medication they use to induce is the same thing you produce naturally while in labor, just they give it to you to tell your body it's time!

Good Luck! I hope everything turns out fine!
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Zanny
replied on August 24th, 2008
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If you're having contractions but not dilating they might just use prostaglandin gel on your cervix to soften it & help you dilate. That's what was used on me when I was induced (I wasn't dilated or effaced at all) & after two doses I started dilating very quickly.

Please don't try castor oil.. it just gives you diarrhoea, & that's the last thing you need right now!

Good luck with everything!
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tumultuous
replied on August 25th, 2008
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another question on medicine in labor
Definately not going with Castor Oil, no matter how much my friend thinks it will put me into labor. I'd rather not go into labor like that... haha.

Again, went to the doctor today, for NST and to see how much farther I am along in labor. My water broke first thing this morning, but not a whole lot. In fact, the doctor said he thinks that what happened was that the top of it broke, since he could still feel the sac, and that it may have closed back up (which I believe at this point, since pretty much anything that could delay labor any more, it seems my body is doing). So he still wants to keep to the scheduled inducement on Wednesday (very early in the morning, unfortunately) if I don't go into labor on my own. The contractions are stronger, but not strong enough to work, apparently. I am dilated ALL THE WAY to 1 and a HALF cm. This is quite frustrating.

Luckily, my doctor is all about trying to do things as naturally as possible (such as medicine, episiotomies, etc), and I trust him. However, he did say that because I will be induced, labor will be a whole lot harder, so if I decide to use pain peds, to not feel like I failed. Just thinking about using medication for pain already makes me feel like I failed, though. I don't want her to be drugged up, and I have been through a lot with nothing more than Motrin (since that's all they ever give you in the army). Has anyone gone through an induced labor? If so, do you have any comparisons to regular labor? I know each labor is different, even with the same person, but I'd like to know if it's really that much worse, or if it isn't as bad as some make it out to be.

*whew* That was a bit of a novel... Thanks for all of your support, guys. Smile
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Zanny
replied on August 26th, 2008
Supporter
I don't have a non-induced labour to compare it to, but for me the pain wasn't so unbearable that I needed an epidural. I managed with entonox (gas & air) until the last couple of hours, & then they broke my water which made the contractions a lot stronger, so I asked for pethidine. I don't want that this time round (I'm expecting my second baby in november) because I felt too out of control. It was good pain relief, but it made me less aware of what was happening & I pushed too hard when I shouldn't have done & it probably made my tear worse.

Just remember, you would NOT be a failure if you did want pain relief!
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motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 26th, 2008
Moderator
I have gone through two induced labors. My son I tried to have naturally without medication, other than the pitocin. But after the doctor broke my water, I had the WORST back labor in the world. I asked for stadol (its a type of morphine-like medicine) and it worked for awhile. Unfortunatly, the back labor got worse as my labor progressed. I got an epidural that only worked on one side of my body for some reason, but it was enough to get me through the rest of my labor. Turns out that the reason for my pain was that he had a big head and that he was sunny side up. With my daughter, again I was induced. I needed an epidural because I had to deliver her in the OR. They were not sure if I would need a c-section or not and wanted to be prepared. Both my babies were early and I was induced after trying to keep them in as long as possible. The doctors felt it was best to keep complications from occuring. Do not feel like a failure if you require medication to help with the pain. My son was not affected at all by the stadol or the epidural. Your doctor will know the appropriate time to give you the medication if you do end up wanting it. Your doctor will also know when he is unable to give you medication because it might adversely affect your baby, even if you desire it. But you are not a failure if you choose to have medication. There are natural ways to help relieve pain as well such as gentle pressure with a tennis ball on your lower back. I had my husband gently press the ball I brought with me into my back during my back labor...it relieved the pain for a good while. Breathing slowly and deeply during contractions helps as well. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a happy, healthy delivery.
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tumultuous
replied on August 26th, 2008
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Thank you guys...

Tomorrow morning, I will be induced. So, less than 12 hours before I will be induced, I start having contractions. Right now, they are about 5 minutes apart, and have been going on for almost 2 hours. I'll be going to the hopsital in a bit to see if it's time, or if I'll be waiting until morning. Next time I post, I'll be a mommy!!
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tumultuous
replied on August 29th, 2008
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She's here!!!
And is she beautiful! She came in at 0753 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at 5 lbs, 11 oz, 19 inches. Tiny little thing, but so sweet. I am absolutely in love. Will post more later-she's hungry. Smile

p.s. I did end up having an epidural after all-and it actually sped my labor up, and I got to sleep through 4 hours of it. I wasn't going to, but I was in so much pain that I actually broke the bed rail from gripping it. I am quite glad I got it. Again, will post the whole story later.
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motherofhighspiritedones
replied on August 29th, 2008
Moderator
Congratulations!!! And remember, asking for medicine shows strength as well! It shows you are strong enough to admit your weaknesses. But congratulations on your baby girl!
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