Discovery Home & Health

As mothers and mothers-to-be, we know or have heard that labour is in fact the most trying part of our pregnancy because it can go on for days and we soon realise that we are on our own in this.

This is correct in one sense. Because we, as women, cannot delegate our labouring to someone else. However, we can be helped and supported throughout it. And, with better training and preparation we can determine a better outcome or reward from it.

I bring this up, because we tend not to deal with labour until the last minute, or until we are 30+ weeks when we start our antenatal classes.

And FEAR is our biggest enemy.

Our different lifestyles and issues that are incased within them can (from the posts that I read) carry us away from preparing.

But do you know, that by preparing long before 30 weeks, you build confidence and are more likely impowered to be in control when it happens?

PLEASE! DON'T IGNORE THIS POST!! Get the best in advice and education to help you. And what you get here, you will not get at any antenatal class.

I would like to hear from mothers who have had experiences.

Stay blessed.

Hi

Do you have a personal email addy?

Debbie & Baby Lauren

hi, i am 38 weeks tomorrow and was just wondering what a "show" looks like...... i have a darker discharge (sorry for tmi) but its not as i expect it, so was just wondering as i expect it to be jelly like.....is that the case???????

Its my first baby by the way if you hadn't already guessed.....

Thanks
x

Hi Magic and Maz.P.

Congratulations on your pregnancies.

A show is a jellylike substance that is also known as the 'plug'.

When your cervix is starting to soften (and this can start from 38wks) the show starts to come away from the cervix. It can either be yellowish clear, or with a bit of blood in it. Your show, can continue for hours whilst in labour, slowly coming away. So if you see a little now, don't expect it to finish.

If you see blood, please do not be alarmed, it is the capillaries (little veins) in the cervix which are popping due to the cervix stretching. Contact your midwfe if the bleeding is like a nose bleed where it is red and fresh.

When in labour as the cervix dilates it can become a clot of congealed blood. And that is just more blood with more jelly.

If any of the above is not what your discharge looks like, then contact your midwife and see what they say.

You can view my website: www.yourcomforter.org.
Stay blessed

Yourcomforter - Unfortunately my Midwife has been next to useless and I have no idea what to expect with labour or anything else for that matter.

I did think about a homebirth as I had an awful experience at the hospital some time ago and really would not put my trust in their staff.

My DH asked the Midwife if it was very safe for baby and I to be at home and she said there are two Midwifes there at the birth and said nothing else and certainly did not compramise with changing hospitals.

I really don't know whether I will hack the pain whilst being in labour and initially thought about having an epidural but still no advise from the Midwife about that or reassurance about the Hospital.

This is my first baby and I feel completely clueless for the events ahead.

I really hope you can help a little

Jen 19+2

Hi J.


Congratulations first of all.

There are many reasons why midwives do not have the time to sit with you. And the first one is resources and lack of midwives.

I would like to help as best as I can.

You are in your 2nd trimester (split the 9 mths into three parts). Which is a good time to investigate and question what you want to do.

Ask yourself first of all 'what kind of birth do I want?'
- Homebirth?
- Hospital birth, but in a birth centre?
- Waterbirth in a birth centre (in hospital or at home)?
Then investigate, go onto the net and look into it.

PLUS
- Pregnancy/Yoga classes - to help with breathing
- Aquanatal classes - swimming for pregnant women (bit cold now).
- Acupuncture/Reflexology/Aromatherapy massage for pregnant women.

HOMEBIRTH
If a an expectant mother's pregnancy has been trouble free, then there is a greater chance of her having a homebirth. However, due to 'if anything happens' syndrome the hospital would rather you be there than at home.

When labouring at home, you are in control of your environment, you can do what you like with no restrictions. With good support throughout the labour, you can be carried right to the end. The midwives would arrive nearer the time of your delivery if that is what the mother wanted. Most midwives do prefer homebirths, but they have been indoctrinated into thinking that things will go wrong.

The hospital will always make sure there is back up of support if there is an emergency.

You will hear (if not already) other women saying homebirth is dangerous, you might hear stories that may instill fear into you. What you have to realise with all of this is that YOUR PREGNANCY IS UNIQUE TO YOU. No one will have your labour, your experience. AND IT MAY NOT HAPPEN TO YOU!!

I have a mother right now, who is having her first child at home, she is due 16th Jan. She is confident, and empowered with the decision shee has made. Her reason? She is petrified of hospitals and wants to have a natural birth.

By getting enough info, and questioning it, it helps you to build a framework in your mind over the months to what kind of labour you desire, where you want to be, and who you would like with you. Speak to the midwives more about this.

Sorry to have carried on, but I really want to empower you ok? Go onto my website and if you have any questions email or call me.

Speak to you soon.

YourComforter - You have really made me feel alot more confident about homebirths.

I originally thought of having a birthing bath at home and been told that you can have a gas and air kit and also pefodine as I really don't know whether I will be able to cope with the pain.

I really think a home birth would be alot more personal than having it in a hospital and I hate the fact I would have to stay there for a while without DH but he is still not keen as his mother had a home birth and the baby became stressed after 10 hours of labour but all was fine in the end when they reached the hospital.

I'm sure I will make a definate decision at some point!

Jen x [:X]

YourComforter - You have really made me feel alot more confident about homebirths.

I originally thought of having a birthing bath at home and been told that you can have a gas and air kit and also pefodine as I really don't know whether I will be able to cope with the pain.

I really think a home birth would be alot more personal than having it in a hospital and I hate the fact I would have to stay there for a while without DH but he is still not keen as his mother had a home birth and the baby became stressed after 10 hours of labour but all was fine in the end when they reached the hospital.

I think I am quite sure about Home Birth but very worried

Jen x [:X]

J,

If your pregnancy has been a trying one, then I would suggest birthing in hospital.

If your pregnancy has been a good one, then you have the opportunity to birth at home.

Here are few things to do so you and your husbnad can feel more at ease with it.

- Check with the midwives of your comuunity group who do homebirths. Speak to them and really get as much info as possible.

Find out what their procedures are for an emergency.

When I am with women in labour, the first thing I get them to understand is that, the enviroment plays a big part in how they labour. If you are labouring in fear, and with tension, there is a great chance that things may not go necessairly to plan. And could cause more distress and trauma to you and baby.

And to balance things out for you and your husband, you can also look at whether your hospital has a birth centre. They call it HOME FROM HOME.

This centre tries to replicate your home. The environment is calm, warm and there is a birthing pool that you can use for pain relief (or deliver your baby in), plus gas and air is there for you too. You would labour there, with no interruptions.

You can bring in your CD's to play, drink, food, electric oil burner and your own pillow to feel more comfortable. They will have bean bags, birthing ball, birthing stool The midwife will be on hand to check if things are fine. As a bonus, the midwives who work in that environment are very much more considerate and caring. They have more of a community spirit, than a medical one. Their aim would be to keep you as comfortable as possible, and encourage you to success. They would listen in on baby once in a while.

Your husband can be with you throughout and support you.

Please find out about the centre as well.

It is natural for labours to be long and for baby to be a bit distressed. However, this does not have to happen to you, rememebr YOUR PREGNANCY AND LABOUR IS UNIQUE TO YOU. You must not compare yourself to any other. You have got to stay positive and aim for success.

A lot of mothers have been more relaxed and open in the birth centre. However, this can only happen if your pregnancy is problem free. So while you are planning - keep happy, rest and eat well and talk to baby. This is something to achieve.

You have plenty of time to plan, use it wisely. Any questions you have, I am happy to answer them for you ok?

Let me know how you get on.

Stay blessed

YourComforter - Thank you so much for your advise, the birthing centre sounds very good and I have a feeling they have one at the hospital.

I went to a Sure Start nursery opening a month ago and met a Midwife who offered her help as my Midwife has not been very helpful.

It does make sense that there are lack of rescources and lack of Midwifes.

Thank you so much for your advise.

Jen x [:X]

My pleasure J.

A blooming New Year to you and your family.

Stay blessed