BTDT Labor question

I've always wanted to have a natural birth. I really wanted it in a birthing center, but with my blood clotting issues it's probably better to be in a hospital. My husband really feels more comfortable with me at a hospital too.

So my question is how does L&D work there? I know I could be in labor for over 24 hours...do I not go to the hospital right away?

If I'm there for over 24 hours in labor am I sharing a room with someone else while we are in pain and having contractions?

Can I walk around, squat, use a bouncy ball, sit, etc to help move on the natural birth?

Can I listen to music to help relax me?

Anyone want to share their natural birth experience in a hospital setting?

Re: BTDT Labor question

I don't know about natural birth, but as far as L&D in a hospital goes-

I know I could be in labor for over 24 hours...do I not go to the hospital right away? Most likely your dr will tell you to go to the hospital when your contractions are close (I think it is 7 min- I forgot) and lasting for 1 minute or your water breaks.

If I'm there for over 24 hours in labor am I sharing a room with someone else while we are in pain and having contractions? I was at LIJ and the delivery rooms are private- just you and DH while you are in labor. After you deliver you can end up in a room with a roomy.

Can I walk around, squat, use a bouncy ball, sit, etc to help move on the natural birth? You may have an IV going, so I am not sure about walking and moving around too much.

Can I listen to music to help relax me? You can brink your ipod, a book, portable dvd player...whatever helps and makes the time pass

Re: BTDT Labor question

at most hospital the labor and delivery rooms are singles - they are made to look less like hospital rooms and more like a living room - usually called birthing rooms- alot of the machines are behind cabinetry - it is not a new idea - St/ Charles built one in 1979 and i was the first born in it

yes you can bring in music - some have ipod docks

moving around is usually allowed but may be limited by monitors so that you may want to discuss with your doc

definetly take a tour of your hospital they will answer a lot of your questions and seeing the layout will help take some anxiety away

Re: BTDT Labor question

Re: BTDT Labor question

I was glad that I spent so much time at home, b/c they would not let me walk around once I got there.

Re: BTDT Labor question

My Dr said to call him once I was having contractions every 6 min lasting 1 min OR if water broke.

I had 2 Natural Births
For my 1st baby my water did not break so I stayed home until the contractions were close enough then called Dr & they said OK head to hospital. We got to hospital at 3:30am & DD was born at 6:30am.

For my 2nd baby my water DID break & Dr said to head to head to hospital. Water broke at 4:15am, We arrived at hospital around 5:30am & DS was born at 8:00am.

For both when in L&D I was in a private room with my DH.

I was allowed to get up & walk around but my babies came so fast I never did.

Good Luck to you !!

Re: BTDT Labor question

I would take a tour of the hospital, it will maybe ease your concerns seeing the rooms you can better envision how it will be.

I labored at home for 7 hrs, my water broke at 9pm, stayed home until contractions were 2-3 mins apart, was 7cm dilated once I got there, had the baby at 9am. At the hospital I HAD to walk around, do yoga positions, I walked the hallways this was my only way of coping with the pain of contractions. They did NOT want me to do this, they tried to hook me up to monitors but I would have no part of it. I was a crazy woman during labor lol...all in all everything was ok, so I was "allowed" to but if there were any complications I'm sure they would of made me be hooked up to monitor the progress.

Re: BTDT Labor question

I called the doctor when my contractions were 5 minutes apart...he told me to go to L&D
I was in L&D for about 24 hours
I got up and walked around for a little bit in the beginning, but the pain was getting too unbearable so I went back to bed
no sharing of rooms, definitely not for L&D
you can bring your IPOD...but what I basically did the whole time was get shots of demerol while waiting for my epidural and shaking the bed during each contraction lol...I watched a little tv though
you can do whatever you want!! (well not whatever, but definitely a bouncy ball and stuff like that!)

Message edited 2/17/2011 10:41:21 PM.