Midwifery Today Community

marie:

My dh and I are both a little nervous about this delivery because I experienced PPH with my last one.  I am trying to do whatever I can to avoid it happening again this time around.  My midwife told me that there is a 25% increased risk of it happening again.

i hope everything goes well for you...

i had Grade I placental abruption with my last (probably due to a short umbilical cord) and even though we had the best possible outcome i'm terrified of the 15% chance that it will happen again...

Marie and borndoula, I've had one severe postpartum hemorrhage and 3 mild hemorrhages with my full term deliveries. I also had moderate hemorrhages with 4 of my miscarriages. I tend to be an optimist :) When I hear 25% and 15% my mind immediately thinks: 75% and 85%...the "chance" that you WON'T hemorrhage again :) Make sure you let your fears motivate you, and not cripple you. Be proactive, take excellent care of yourself, eat blood-building foods, take all-natural supplements that are high (but balanced) in minerals, do whatever it takes to optimize for the best possible outcome. Beyond that, all is in the hands of Providence...we need to find peace there in the midst of circumstances and anxieties. We'll still feel anxious and afraid but making sure those feelings don't dictate our actions or hinder our joy is imperative to our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being :) I've had recurrent miscarriages (9 of them) but I've never let myself go into a pregnancy with the mindset that I'm going to miscarry. Sure, the fear and anxiety is there but moment by moment I release them to God and immediately there is inner peace (that doesn't mean the feelings go away...just that there is a prevailing joy). Taking one day, one moment, at a time and finding peace and joy in the midst of difficulties and circumstances has gotten me through the last four pregnancies (one full term, two miscarriages, and I'm currently in the third trimester of pg) without succumbing to depression or extreme anxiety. Praying all goes well for both of you! As for recommendations, other than avoiding sugar and refined grains and eating a diet high in protein, veggies (especially leafy greens), and whole grains I do recommend the Polly-Jean formula as well as liquid chlorophyll (1T in a quart of water per day), I-X by Nature's Sunshine, and Floradix liquid iron+herbs supplement. If short cords are an issue (they have been for me) then I would talk to the midwife about delivering baby as close to your body as possible without any pulling on the cord. I usually drink a quart of red raspberry leaf tea per day in my last trimester...it's a uterine tonic. I believe these measure have really reduced the amount of bleeding I've had and helped me to better tolerate the blood loss. I continue the chlorophyll and tea for a couple of weeks post partum. Take Care! PS I really do understand the fear!! Hope it doesn't sound like I'm minimizing how each of you feel...definitely not!! Just want to be encouraging...I've been blessed to be surrounded by strong, encouraging women in my life and have always appreciated their words of wisdom...hoping to pass it along :)

getting desperate, ready to go the extra mile so ladies please forward all you old wive's tales, baby making tricks, mojo and juju, scientifically based or otherwise advice on getting pregnant at 40

I've been TTC since july 2009, not very long I know but er ummm I'm swifty approaching 40 and hubby and I would like to add 1-2 more brilliant beings of abundant light to our family

We are not interest in Clomid, as I feel confident that I am still cosnsitently ovulating, or IVF related treatments. We just want to baby dance and make it happen. We are open to herbs, vitamins, headstands, tricks, meditations, additional affirmations, moon energy etc....

I will reluctantly begin charting and temping if my menses returns in Feb.. I frequently check my cervical mucas already but I usually just make a mental note. I will also be cleaning up my diet and getting back into Yoga and some oter orm of exercise on a consistent basis.

Just over 60 days until the big 40 and I so want this to happen. I'm gonna up my prayers and work on a gratitude and attribute lsit. Maybe my little one is lurking in the heavenlies making sure I'm sure so....

Thanks!

Just wanted to let you know that she is here!!  She was born Tuesday, Jan 26, 10:10 PM.  9 lb 2 oz, 21.5 inches and beautiful!!  Her name is Jewel and she is precious.  I'll type my story when I have time.  Thanks for all your good birthing thoughts.  The labor was my hardest, but quite remarkable in many ways. 

LifeAgift, soy isoflavones in place of clomid 5 days a month can work similarly to clomid.  I used it the month I conceived Jewel.  :-)  Google it, and you'll get a lot.

congrats, RobsGirl! i can't wait to read Jewel's birth story! :)

 Congrats RobsGirl!!!

Jewel is a lovely name and thanks for the advice

Congratulations Robsgirl!  And welcome little Jewel.  I can't wait to read all about it :)

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a wonderful announcement! She has such a lovely name...absolutely beautiful! So happy for you Robsgirl! Praying your postpartum is going well (((HUGS)))!! Thank you so much for sharing the news :) Makes me very excited to have my little one! I'm approaching the home stretch...10wks and 5 days to my due date. I'm starting to feel big now and not particularly comfortable :) My iron levels must be coming up because I'm definitely feeling more alert...still need a nap or at least some rest in the afternoon though. I had an appt with my midwife scheduled for the 3rd but cancelled it due to A LOT of activity this week and one more thing would have been too overwhelming. My appt is rescheduled for the 17th (I requested it be after the 15th sometime due to a hectic schedule). I'm supposed to go every two weeks but am going to talk with my midwife about waiting 4 because my life is just busy right now. We'll be wrapping school up March 30th and after that I don't mind going in for the weekly appts :) I had to see my regular dr for a "health screen" for my insurance company and found out I have high total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides (my HDL is good and my ratio to LDL is actually very good so I'm not concerned). I have had high total cholesterol and triglycerides before so I'm wondering if it may be due to my thyroid since it was low in November (it's normal now but maybe my body hasn't entirely caught up??). Anyway, it runs in my family so it's not a big surprise...there's nothing I could do differently in regards to diet and exercise...I've been taking precautions against it my entire adult life knowing my family propensity for heart disease. My dr wants it retested in 3mos and meds started if it hasn't dropped but I don't plan on taking meds...the numbers actually aren't all that terrible and I don't live a lifestyle that will exacerbate the problem. I don't mind regular testing though and will probably just opt for "close monitoring" :) Makes me look forward to being able to run again...I'll probably start garlic supplements after the baby is born but am choosing not to right now because my iron is a bit low. LOL, with the heartburn, ulcer, anemia, low thyroid, and now high lipids I'm beginning to feel old :D But all in all, I feel quite well! Take Care!

Thank you, everyone!!!  Postpartum is going very well.  I feel really great, albeit a little overwhelmed with having 4 children (including a busy toddler and newborn), but physically very very well.  It makes such a difference having very little healing to do and a minimal blood loss.  I don't feel weak and depleted like I did last time, and the small tear I had healed within 5 days.  The family adjustment is the biggest thing so far, and it is going well.  We have our ups and downs, but I know all these things will pass.  I have a bit of trepidation right now as my husband is going back to work this week Wed and I'll be on my own after having him here for almost 4 weeks.  People are still bringing food so that really helps, except for the waistline with all the baked goods people are also bringing.  :-)

I did have an unexpected "complication".  My varicose veins became really inflamed and painful within 24 hours of giving birth.  The redness an heat have subsided, but they are really hard, swollen, and sensitive now (whereas they were soft and would drain when I elevated my feet before).  Even mild pressure on them, or brushing against something accidentally really hurts, like a nasty bruise.  I really have to get them looked at. 

LifeAgift, I would also recommend acupuncture to help boost your fertility.  I really think it can help.  I did a lot of research, found some reputable people for treatments, and then conceived within two months of a single acupuncture treatment (did that make sense?  I had two acupuncture treatments, two years apart and conceived within two months of each one).  I have other tricks I learned in my years of TTC.  I will try to "download" them as I think of them and get some time.  :-)

Kelly, your last post the day I was in labor and didn't really know it yet really encouraged me.  Thank you so much.  I did try the nipple stimulation for a few minutes (when the kids weren't looking), and actually that's when the contractions turned "laborish" again.  I think the caulophyllum also may have helped kick me over the edge too.  It was good.  The slow and steady labor I had was hard and I was beginning to get discouraged towards the end, but the baby and I both had the least wear and tear of all my my births (the others were so fast and furious).  So I think slow and steady wins.  :-)   About your lipids...aren't lipids naturally out of whack while pregnant?  Could that be a factor?  Sounds like you're very on top of it, though.  You are definitely not old.  Your womb is full of new life, so you are the picture of youth and newness.  Besides, I don't think you're even 30 yet are you????

Robsgirl, so glad to hear postpartum is going well! How did you do your first week "solo"? How are your varicosities...praying they're healing well! Just had an appt with my midwife today and it went well. Heart rate was 130, BP was 96/52, urine was neg, gained 5lbs in 4wks (at this point in pg two of those pounds probably are the baby's :D), and fundal height is on the small side but good (28cm at 31wks). She said baby is probably just low but if I don't have a 2-4cm growth with my next two visits we'll probably have an u/s done to check on things. She talked a bit about L/D...that I'll have a saline hep/lock when I get there and be given pitocin immediately following baby's delivery to prevent my usual pph (which is what I requested). She also gave me an outline to indicate my L/D preferences and the phone number to call to pre-register with the hospital. I really struggled over the weekend with not having a home birth but am feeling much more peaceful once again :) I have episodes of disappointment every once in a while but know it's the right thing for us. Hope everyone is doing well! Take Care!

I think i've got your baby's growth Kelly - if you compare fundal height with belly button i'm bang on, but if you use an actual tape i was measuring 29cm at 24 weeks!  We decided not to write it down!

When does the 3rd trimester begin again?  I have back ache and heartburn, so i'm guessing soon! lol.

I'm getting big now, and the baby's wee feet can just about squirm at the very bottom of my ribs, which is nice.  My whole belly tents and jiggles when s/he's rocking and rolling in there.  It's a sweet time just now.

We moved house successfully and aside from a few behavioural things (which i think are also developmental/growth surge related) with DD everything has been good. :)

I feel guilty to admit it, but i am so ready to have this baby already.  I can't believe i've got 3.5months to go!

 Ok we are going to do it hubby's way this month.

Starting tonight, smooches every night for 15 nights in a row. Where he got that number from I don't know but we'll try it his way since my timing hasn't work thus far.

I use o flow with the full moon but in the alst two months my cycle has shifted amking me late and thinking I was pregnant ... so this month I had faint spotting on 1/10 at night and full flow around 1/13 - 1/14 with the NEW MOON!

 

Hopefully this is a good sign.

Also has anyone ever heard of having peak months within a year.  For instance all my children have been borrn between 12/9 and 3/11 ( 6 pregnancies and 5 births) over the years in a near 90day date span for conception. Which make my peak fertility Mar til June. Hope I'm explaining this clearly enough.

So I feel very optomisitc about the next few cycles. Even took a break from grad school so I can have mroe energy for smooches instead of staying up late writing papers all night.

 

Corss your toes for me ladies

XOXOXO

I will cross everything but my legs for you hun (dodgy pelvis/sacrum not liking the crossed legs!).

I'm not sure about peak months, but my mother had her first 3 boys in 3 years on 20th July, 20th June and 20th May.  None of them came on their due date and in fact the 3rd came at 36+3.  My sister then came on 26th November 4 years later, but SHE was born at 44weeks, and 11/26 was my MOTHER'S birthday too.  That was a toughie, 96 hour OP labour.  The other 2 (my brother an I) were born on the 24th and the 17th but we were both cs, him at 31 weeks for abrupted placenta praevia and me and 37+4 "elective" - no VBAC then.

DD was due the 22nd march and she was born April 1st.  This time due date is june 1st and i'm wondering if he'll come that day, and give me another little number one :)

Worstfriend, Haha! Maybe *that's* where my fundal height is then...glad it's going for a good cause but wow, I sure hope you're able to stay comfortable!! Yeah, I was feeling a bit ready to be done around the 25wk mark but perked up this last month after some added iron supplement, focus on more sleep (naps during the day instead of a cup of coffee :D), and limiting/omitting all unnecessary activities. Sounds like your little one is doing well!! As far as when the 3rd trimester starts...each trimester is 13wks 21/3 days so about 26wks 42/3 days :D I think though it's generally recognized that by 27wks you've officially arrived at the 3rd trimester :) So glad to hear the move went well! Praying your daughter adjusts soon...moves can be tough especially at certain ages...not to mention she's also facing the arrival of a new sib soon. I'm sure she's going through quite a bit (((HUGS))) for you both! I'm down to 8wks left...it's really gone by fast! My next appt is in two weeks (I made it for a week later than I'm supposed to because I have too much going on the week before!). I had a rough patch this week though. I felt like I had a mild flu-bug over the weekend but felt like superwoman on Monday and most of Tuesday! Around 3pm on Tuesday though I started to have chest pain. By evening I had developed a fever, cough, and felt positively horrible. I called my midwife in the morning and she suggested I go to urgent care with suspected bronchitis. They sent me to ER though for further evaluation when my labs came back. I was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and given a double dose of antibiotics. I'm feeling much better today after another dose but still extremely fatigued, short of breath, and nasty cough. I'm thinking recovery may take a little while...I'm so worn out! My poor kids...two of them are recovering from chicken pox (they're just about done with them), and the rest of them including my husband all had the flu for 3-5days each at varying degrees. Even the two who have chicken pox came down with the flu!! So they're really not feeling up to par either. They've been so wonderful and understanding though...helping wherever/whenever they're able! Our family has really pulled together the last couple of weeks by God's grace through all of this sickness and it's been simply amazing! I'm glad we're getting all of this yuck over with before the baby is born :) I'll be starting my 5wk herbs in only 3 more weeks! They arrived earlier this week and I'm so excited to start them...I have had almost no braxton hicks contractions this pg that I've noticed. Normally I have so many I can hardly bend over to tie my shoes without having one! I've only had a handful that I've noticed (and usually they're very noticeable from 20wks on increasing in strength and frequency). Not sure what that means but I'm very glad I'll be taking the herbs this time...wondering if my uterus is going to need the extra oomph. I'm ordering my red raspberry leaf tea next week also (I had it ordered for last month but it didn't come in with my co-op order for some reason). Going to order it from the same company I bought my 5wk herbs from...wish I would have done that to begin with :D Well, I better go lay down :) Take Care everyone! Lifeagift, praying for you!!!

Wow, yet another blip in my week :) I started spotting this morning and called my midwife. It wasn't much and I assumed it was because I've been coughing so hard. She had me go to L/D though to have baby monitored and an u/s to determine placental position. Thankfully baby is doing just fine and my placenta is in a good location :) So she prescribed codeine for my cough (as a cough suppressant) and so I can get some rest. I'll be taking it shortly and looking very forward to the opportunity to get some much needed sleep!!