While talking to a pregnant friend the other day the topic of labor came up. I was asked, "What is it like to be in labor?" to which I answered, "I don't know." If we were talking in person, I'm sure I would have gotten a strange look from that comment but instead I just got a, "???"... Yes, I do have two kids but honestly, I don't know. I would never be able to differentiate between real labor and false labor if I were ever to have another child. That's because I was induced for both of my girls. I never went into labor naturally and was put on an epidural before I ever felt any real pain during labor...
My oldest, Alayna, was induced due to me being pre-eclampsic. I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia during the 20th week of my pregnancy, same time I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so I was watched very closely. I was also in the hospital quite a few times due to different issues so my pregnancy with her was very high risk as it was. I went into the hospital when I was 33/34 weeks pregnant and wasn't given a choice. I was having irregular contractions but I was leaking amniotic fluid and my blood pressure was fatally high. They said if I waited any longer I would have had a seizure. So they transferred me to labor and delivery and told me that I was having the baby that night. (Well, 14.5 hours later.) So my tall, skinny, beautiful and extremely smart 7.5 year old was a preemie....an 8lb preemie -- yes, she was the largest baby for the one month she was in the NICU. (Yep, they said if I carried her to full term she would have been 12lbs, probably due to my gestational diabetes.)
My pregnancy with my youngest was such a stark difference from my oldest, I had no issues at all and only gained 20lbs. However my OB/GYN was pregnant at the same time I was and she was due the day after I was due -- Dec. 26th. She had a scheduled induction for the 23rd of Dec. so she scheduled me for the 21st for two reasons...
1. So I would be home with Alayna and Olivia on Christmas2. So she would be able to deliver my baby.
Olivia's labor was only 7 hours and she was here...also 8lbs, nearly full term and no issues.
So no, I don't know what it is like to go into labor naturally but I do hope that I experience that one day. I've been through inductions twice and I'm not really a fan of them, I would rather nature take it's course. One day I'll actually get to know what real labor is like, but that's one day in the far far future.
I don't know why, but one night when I was bored I started watching 16 and Pregnant. All of their labors seem to last under 6 hours, which is completely unfair! Ha! I was in labor with Alayna for 14 and a half hours and only 7 with Olivia. (Which I think is normal for second labors.) It's just so nostalgic watching that, because I remember what I went through with my girls. My pregnancy with Alayna was the worst, I gained 75lbs, I was diabetic, I was pre-eclampsic and had hypertension. I was in the hospital more than I was out of the hospital with my first pregnancy. The night I had Alayna I went into the hospital because I thought my water had broke, it didn't; but I was leaking fluid. They were going to try to keep me on bedrest until I was a little farther along but my blood pressure was record high and they decided to induce early instead of risking my having a seizure because of the high blood pressure. I remember how horrible it was since I also was GBS positive. I had to be put on several different IVs, pitocin, something for the GBS (I know it wasn't amoxicillin since I'm allergic) and the worst of them all, magnesium for the pre-eclampsia. The magnesium was the worst because of the withdrawal off of it. Horrible... Because of the magnesium, I wasn't allowed out of bed for 48 hours. That also meant I wasn't able to see Alayna for two days in the NICU. :( I also had a horrible reaction to the epidural, I believe they gave me too much... I couldn't feel anything at all below my waist. Hardly any contractions, I actually felt like I was paralyzed. Hey, at least I didn't feel any pain... (Oh, did I mention my mom fainted when they administered my epidural? Yeah, she did...)
I remember getting closer to my due date(s) and getting the nursery all ready for the new baby. It seems like it was the longest time ago, but I do remember it very clearly. Distinctly I remember making a list of things that we would need and posting it up as my check list along with a count down of the days I had left to finish that list in! Having a baby is a hectic time, as is bringing home the baby!
1. Get most things done before the baby comes. I thought I had all the time in the world to get things done for my oldest. I was thinking "Oh yeah, I'll have 40 weeks. She'll come late and everything will be ready!" I was wrong. She came 6 weeks early and I did not have all the time in the world. Suddenly, my family was rushing around to get most of the tasks done and I was left worrying that things wouldn't get done in time to bring her home. After all, I wanted my daughter to have the best of everything and to come into a great atmosphere.
2. Do you have a dog or a cat? You want the animal to get used to the baby's scent before you bring him/her home. Have your husband, boyfriend, significant other or any other family member bring a receiving blanket home that has been near the new baby in the hospital. You are going to want to put that blanket near where your dog or cat sleeps and let them sniff that blanket and cuddle with that blanket. They will pick up the baby's scent and know that the new addition also will be a new friend to your pet. You don't want the dog or cat to potentially try to jump at the baby when he/she comes home.
3. Stock up on diapers and wipes! I know this sounds funny and I know most people HATE when people give them diapers and wipes as additions to baby shower gifts. Well, I'm here to tell you that you can NEVER have enough diapers or wipes. Your newborn baby will probably go through close to two packs of diapers per week. If you have coupons and find sales that are good, stock up!! If you can't print anymore of the coupons because of the quota, ask family and friends to print it off for you. You will need both the savings and the diapers and wipes. Believe me.
4. Keep a bottle of Purel in the nursery. I learned this while my daughter was in the NICU. Keep hand sanitizer in your nursery. Actually, keep one in your nursery, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, garage, car... Keep one everywhere. Why? Babies are prone to getting sick more than we are. Their immune systems are just starting to further develop and we don't want them to get sick. We want our babies to be comfortable and happy. If anyone comes in the home to visit, have them sanitize their hands as well. Don't let any unsanitized hands touch or go near your baby. Hell, I even asked strangers to sanitize their hands before going near my baby... Even until she was a year and a half...
5. Take advantage of nap times. This is going to be important until your baby is about 7 years old. (lol) Make sure to nap when your baby naps! You're going to want to take advantage of their nap times so you are able to get in some sleep too. While you think you may be super mom, you're not. Take it from someone who did think that and got so physically exhausted that she actually got sick. You need to take naps during the day for yourself, you're sanity and your significant other's sanity.
6. Wash the clothing before wearing. You're going to want to wash your baby's clothes before you put them on him/her. Wash in a mild detergent that is gentle to a baby's skin like Dreft. Don't use anything harsh like Tide or any of the major known detergents. There are plenty that are specially made for babies.
7. White noise helps. Often babies may get cranky or even colicky. If this happens, white noise is great to sooth the baby. White noise is anything that may be a humming sound. (Any sound that is annoying to us!) It may be a vacuum cleaner going, the sound of a static-y TV or even a heartbeat. Heartbeat bears are available for purchase and they do work. Babies are so used to the noisy atmosphere of being in the womb and coming out into the world is a different experience. We often keep our baby's room quiet so they can sleep, but occasionally they need the familiarity of a more noisy environment.
8. Bottle warmers are great, but often you don't have the time to wait that long until the bottle is warmed. As much as they say you should not use a microwave, it doesn't hurt. It's important to put the bottle in the microwave at low intervals. Microwave until the bottom of the bottle is tepid and the top of the bottle is just room temp. Shake the bottle as much as you can until you feel the temperature be a little warmer than room temp. ALWAYS test formula on your arm first. You don't want to burn your baby.
9. Ask for some help. We know that mothers and mother in laws can be annoying and invasive, but in the first few weeks they may be a Godsend. We spoke earlier about not being super mom and not trying to be super mom. You may need the help, don't be afraid to ask. If you need someone to prepare meals while you're taking care of your baby, ask. Chances are, they will be more than happy to assist.
10. Make sure your car seat is correct. Most fire or police stations do car seat checks for new mom's or pregnant mom's. It's important that your car seat is in correctly and firmly in place so your child is safe. If you are ever unsure about the way you put it in yourself, it's best to get it looked at and installed properly. Better to be safe than sorry.
About Lysol’s Mission for Health: http://lysol.com/mission-for-health
Health matters. To all of us. That's why we've started the Lysol® Mission for Health. With new mom programs, healthy habits initiatives in schools and disaster relief efforts, we are dedicated to doing more for health. Our mission is fueled by passion and backed by our expertise in killing germs. So when you use Lysol® at home, you'll know you're a part of something bigger.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Lysol® Wee Wisdom blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
29 year old single mom of two little girls, blogging her way through life. Lives in New Jersey and is obsessed with going to New York City. Self proclaimed theater geek.
Join our 1,000+ members of our mailing list! Get a weekly round up of our posts, exclusive content only for mailing list members and first access to our giveaways!
