Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Lori,
    
    I had no warning at all, really.  I had a lot of Braxton-Hicks
    throughout my pregnancy so I thought it was normal when I kept
    getting them.  Also, I didn't expect to be early (which I was).
    All I know is that my water broke (and like a dam breaking, too!)
    at 5 am and I wasn't having any contractions at all - or so I thought.
    When I felt what I thought what was my first contraction, it was
    6:10 am.  I left for the hospital, arrived at 6:40 and had my baby
    8:40.  I may have been having contractions for days before that,
    but I certainly didn't feel them.
    
    I think you should definately call your doctor.  Good luck
    
    - Kathryn
    

    
    Lori,
         My sister-in-law just had her 1st baby last thursday. She had
    previously gone into false labor 8 weeks before her due date. She lost
    her mucus plug 1 week prior to her due date also. And she called the
    doctor because where she had complications earlier, she thoughgt he
    should know.  Anyway, maybe it wouldn't hurt to call your doctor just
    so he knows, Even though chances are not much is going to happen that
    quickly. My childbirth instuctor told us that if that is the first sign 
    of the oncoming labor, don't bother your doctor with it, chances are
    that nothing is going o happen that quickly. Like I was saying before 
    my sister-in-law lost hers on a sunday and the next thursday (the day
    before her due date) she gave birth. So it took her a week before she
    actually went into labor. But as the saying go's NO TWO PREGNANCIES ARE
    ALIKE!
    
    
    Good luck, hope everything goes well for you.
    
    
    Sandy (6 weeks to go, and can't wait!)
    

    I had Katie a week earlier than my due date.  If your feeling cramping
    that could possibly be a sign, it was for me.  I woke up at like 3-4
    in the a.m. feeling cramps (sorta like period cramps) got up 1-2 times
    to go to the bathroom (thinking it was something I ate), last time I
    lost the plug.  At around 5:00 a.m. I started to actually pay attention
    to when the pains came and sure enough it was mild labor.  I woke my
    husband around 7:00 said "you won't be going to work today" and
    got ready to go.  I wasn't really sure if it was real because my water
    barely broke.   I delivered at 1:40 p.m. same day.  Sooooo. I'ld say
    better safe than sorry, give the doctor a call.
    
    GOOD LUCK.     Karen Agule
            

    For me, the first sign of the labor was bleeding.  I started 
    bleeding on Friday night, followed by mild and irregular
    contractions.  I saw the doctor Saturday morning and was 
    sent home to wait.  The contractions didn't become strong and regular
    until Monday night.  And my son was born on Tuesday 2:00pm.
    
    I am due in 10 weeks.  Hopefully, I will have a shorter labor
    this time.
    
    Good luck, Wendy

    O.k., here's the scoop.  I had bad contractions last evening, but they
    were too far apart for me to really worry about them (20 - 30 minutes). 
    I had an appointment this morning anyway, so I figured I'd just wait
    and see what the doctor had to say.  While I was hooked up to the
    non-stress test, I had two contractions within about 15 minutes.  The
    nurse said she would get the doctor to come in and do an internal. 
    Well, I'm 2 cm dialated, so she said to go to work and do as much as
    possible to possibly activate the labor.
    
    Well, if there's no more replies to this note from me, you'll know what
    happened. :-)
    
    Lori B.

    Wow!   I can't even imagine going to work in labor.  You're a 
    real trooper, Lori!!
    
    cj/

    Good luck, Lori!  This does sound like the real thing.  
    
    Generally if you feel something, even if it isn't painful, at
    fairly regular intervals when your due date's getting near, that's
    something to be kept track of. 20-30 minutes isn't really that far
    apart, though it's not worth rushing off to the doctor for,
    either.  I'd have done the same thing in your situation.  
    
    I remember with my first labor, I had regular 'sort of' pains,
    mostly just feeling tight and not quite right, for 18 or 20 hours
    before I even went in to the hospital (and then only because there 
    was a blizzard expected and I didn't want to get caught at home). 
    I didn't feel anything worse than a menstrual cramp until I was
    7-8 cm. dilated. 
    
    --bonnie

    
    Lori - best of luck to you!  If you're handling it this well so
    far it sounds to me like this'll be a piece of cake for you!!!
    
    I was only in labor for about 1-2 hours with both of my girls. 
    My water broke and they ended up having to induce me both times
    since I wouldn't start actual labor on my own.  As a result I had
    much shorter, however more intense labor.  But, I still made it
    without any medication.
    
    In any case, the only thing I felt which I'd like to share with
    you (and I'm sure you've heard before) is that during the transition
    phase of labor (the last and most intense part) I got extremly
    confused, rather grumpy (although some of the women in the ward
    were more than "grumpy") and I lost all confidence.  I guess this
    is completly normal, just hang in there and try to remember that
    it'll be over shortly!  And you'll be holding your brand new baby!
    
    Wow!  I'm so excited for you!  Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine!
    
    
    jean

    Just thought I'd let everyone know that I'm still here, but boy is my
    back killing me!!!
    
    Lori B.

    Lori, I thought for sure you'd have had that baby.  Here's my quick
    labor story.
    
    Lost plug on Sunday around 6:00 pm.  Bled quite a bit through out the
    night.  Woke up at 6:45 am on Monday to say goodbye to my husband
    who was leaving for work.  Felt what was like menstrual cramps at
    that time.  Felt what was worse than menstrual cramps by 7:00 am. - and
    which kept coming until I called doctor's office at 10:30 and could 
    not stand up when the pains came (every 5-11 minutes). 
    
    Admitted to the hospital around 11:30 at 4 cm dilated.  Pains
    were coming fast and furiously.  Had beautiful 10 lb 2 oz baby boy
    at 3:09 pm.  It was a fairly quick first labor so the pains never
    gave me much time to rest in between.  
    
    If your back is killing you, maybe that's another sign labor is 
    happening.
    
    GOOD LUCK.                                           
    
    Donna
     

    Your Back hurting could be a sign. I remember running around shopping
    when I was overdue thinking the activity would stimulate labor. All
    that would happen is I would get lots of Braxton-Hicks and a backache.
    I kept waiting for the day I would feel that "general" crumbiness that
    you hear about but nothing. The day I had my daugher I was feeling
    energetic. I started to have a lot of trouble with the baby sitting on
    my nerves then the menstrual type cramps that were very irregular. I
    called a friend at the office to be sure I was in labor because it didn't
    sound like anything they described in the class. But when I reached
    hard labor there was no doubt. It was the worse pain I had ever felt
    but I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything.
    
    I'm excited for you! Think happy thoughts.

    I don't know if this is true or not (it did not happen to me), but
    we were told in our childbirth class that women often get diarrhea
    shortly before going into labor.
    
    cj/

    re: .12
    
    Yes, that happened on Monday, but nothing since.  I was reading my
    book "What to Expect When You're Expecting", the chapter on labor and
    it said that a few of the signs were: backache, indigestion, diarrhea,
    bloody-show, and some others (I think) that I'm not sure of.  They said
    that you could have one or all of them to be in labor.  So far I've had
    them all except the bloody-show since Monday.  I feel worse today than
    I've felt all week.  When I'm walking around I feel as though someone
    has strapped a very tight girdle around my abdomen.  My back hurts
    constantly and the contractions come and go, but they're still not
    regular.  My doctor did suggest a few things that could start labor,
    but I'm too tired.  The burst of energy that everyone talks about came
    over the weekend, but now it's gone.  I keep saying to myself "when I
    get home from work tonight I'm going to clean the whole house and get
    it ready" and I go home and start to do it but then I feel lousy and
    stop.  Last night I went home and made dinner, cleaned the living room,
    emptied all the trash and watered all the plants and then decided I had
    done enough, so I stopped, I could have done more, but I thought I was
    really pushing myself.  We'll see if I have any energy to do anything
    tonight.  Right now I say "no way"!
    
    Well, if there's not another note in here from me tomorrow, you'll all
    know what happened! :-)  It's really depressing waking up in the
    morning and saying to myself, "Well I didn't go into labor last night,
    so I guess I'll go to work".
    
    Lori B.

    re:.12  (Carol)
    
    I've heard the same thing, as well and while it didn't happen
    to me (everthing was just too quick) it's been the case with
    many of my friends.
    
    - Kathryn
    

    re: .13
    
    Lori,
    
    Please take it easy.   I know that you want to get your labor going
    but bear in mind that these next few days may be the last time you
    get a decent nights sleep and the opportunity to rest for a good
    couple of months.   Labor will begin when it is ready....that little
    guy is just happy where he is, for now!
    
    Good luck and positive energy,
    Carol

    re: .13
    
    Lori, my daughter was born three days after Christmas, so I was
    busy busy busy for the week before, not with the intent of
    starting labor but with all the work of the holidays.  And of
    course there was the cleaning up afterwards.  I spent the 27th
    mopping floors and vacuuming.  Finished about midafternoon,
    collapsed with relief and put my feet up to read --
    
    And labor started after about three hours of rest.  
    
    It still took another day and a half before Kat was born, but it
    seemed like labor wouldn't start until I sat down to rest. 
    
    --bonnie

    I am writing this for my sister Lori who is unable to enter it 
    from the delivery room in the hospital.
    
    She wants everyone to know that her water finally broke at 4:30 a.m.
    this morning.  As of right now, 9:30 a.m. she is still in mild labor
    (2 cm dialated, contractions about 10 minutes apart).
    
    I will be not be able to enter a note tomorrow but if she has the
    baby before I leave today I will let you all know.  Otherwise I
    will let everyone know what we have on Monday.
   
    

    Lori,
    
    The mucus plug is the bloody show (at least I always thought it
    was).  I think they're just two different names for the same thing.
    And the mucus plug doesn't always have to be bloody.
    
    Donna
    

    Finally after 18 hours of labor, Lori had a beautiful baby boy!
    He was born on Friday, July 27th at 8:09 a.m.  The little sucker
    didn't want to come out so they took him by 'C' section.  He weighs
    7 lbs. 5 1/2 oz. and is 22 1/2 inches long.  We'll probably give
    him the nickname STRETCH!  His real name is Shane Louis and he has
    a full head of black hair and beautiful baby blue eyes.
    
    I'm not sure if anyone knew Lori had Gestational Diabetes during
    her pregnancy and had a terrible time with it, but thank God neither
    one of them have it now!!!
    
    If anyone would like to send Lori mail, you can send it to my account
    and I will print it off for her.  It will be a while before she
    returns to work.
    
    I'm so excited!!!  I'm an auntie!!!  :-)
    

    I know Lori won't read this for a while,  (Congratulation to you!)  but
    I'd like to add something to this note.  My son was two week over his
    due date.  Every day I got up thinking this will be the day.  Every
    night I went to bed thinking this will be the night.  Everyone in my
    anti natel class,  who was due after me, were having their babies.  I
    was still waiting,  like a beach whale! I sat on my bed and cried every
    time I heard of another birth. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't be
    born.  It is a depresion that it is hard to understand.  You build up
    to the big day,  even though you know it may be late.  Phone calls
    every day to see if you are still there.  There is nothing anyone can
    say to make you feel better,  every twinge you wonder if this is it. 
                                                               
    It still makes me sad when I think about those two weeks.  I'm glad
    it's over for you now Lori,  have lots of fun,
    Angela           
                          

    Hi,
    
    This is Lori.  No, I haven't returned to work! :-)  I'm visiting
    my sister and decided to get into notes and put in a reply to let
    everyone know how I'm doing.
    
    Well, Shane is now 11 days old!  It's hard to believe it's been
    that long.  He's absolutely beautiful!  (A little conceited, don'tcha
    think?)
    
    Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered.  Today was
    the first day I had the car, so I'm taking advantage of being able
    to get out of the house.
    
    Well, I gotta run, things are getting a little hectic in my sister's
    office.  If anyone wants to get in touch with me, please send mail
    to this account and my sister will make sure I get it.
    
    I miss this notes file!!!
    
    Lori B.

    Hi everyone!!!
    
    I'm back to work.  Shane is now 5 1/2 weeks old and growing rapidly.  I
    feel great, but hate the fact that I had to come back to work so soon. 
    If anyone would like to send me mail, please do so at this account (I
    don't think I'll be getting an account in my name).
    
    Lori B.

    Hello everyone,
    
    I am only 4 weeks away from my due date and have a question for all you
    moms out there.  This is my first child and I was wondering how many of
    you went into labor early, late or on time.  How long did your labor
    last and when did you go to the hospital?  I am getting a little
    nervous and hearing some of your stories would help me alot, I think.
    
    Thanks for any and all info.
    Joanne
    

    Joanne,
    
    here's a (hopefully) encouraging example to offset some of the horror
    stories.
    
    My wife gave birth to our first child approx 3 weeks *after* her
    due date (as calculated from the ultrasounds). Her water broke at
    8:30 in the evening, we were admitted to the hospital at approx 9:00,
    and Nick was born at approx 11:10 p.m., weighing in at 9 lbs.
    
    Kathy had been having mild cramps all afternoon, but they were so minor
    that we never considered that it could be the beginning of her labor,
    so we don't count that period of time. Of the approx 2 hours of
    hospital labor, Kathy had 'only' approx 45 minutes of hard labor.
    
    Since subsequent labors are said usually to be quicker and easier,
    the nurses were joking that we'd have to move closer to the hospital
    before we have another baby (either that, or I should buy a pickup
    truck in case we get stuck in traffic on the way to the hospital!)
    
    We, too, had heard all of the horror stories about being in labor for
    24hrs or 36hrs or 3 weeks ;^), but we tried to ignore them as much as
    possible, knowing that every situation is different. When we went to
    the hospital, I was packing enough support gear for a long labor;
    luckily we never needed most of the stuff.
    
    I hope things go well...Good luck!
    
    Freddie  
    
     

    First child...... first noticable labor pain Saturday morning at 3:00,
    6.1 lb son delivered at 9:19 Sunday morning..... 30 1/2 hours later....
    9 hours of hard labor, he was coming shoulder first, my doctor was a
    jerk who I never went back to..... Brent was also 12 days early (2 days
    before, the Dr. told me not to expect to deliver early, or on time...
    but to expect to be at least 2-3 weeks late)  Total time in hospital,
    counting from Saturday night at midnight, 3 days....
    
    
    Second child..... developed toxemia... put in hospital for 8 days...
    doctors sub sent me home.... doctor readmitted me on my due date (3
    days later),
    induced labor, next day induced again, next day gave me a break, next
    day induced again.... finally decided to see what would happen if they
    just let is go... did 2nd ultra sound, only to find the head was 9.5
    cms.... scheduled c-section for following Sunday.... Friday at 1:15
    water broke, at 1:30 had first contractoin, at 3:02 delivered 7.11 lbs. 
    daughter.... Total time in hospital, for both visits, 19 days (17 before
    she was born, and 2 after)  1 hr and 32 minutes of labor, all hard....
    
    My son was 12 days early, Daughter was 11 days late... she made up his
    time, plus she has been "late" ever since......

    First contraction at 7:00 a.m.
    Painful and frequent enough to call doctor at 10:30 a.m.
    Admitted to hospital at 11:30 a.m.
    Beautiful 10 lb 2 oz baby boy born at 3:09 p.m.
    
    Maybe 45 minutes of hard labor, 40 minutes pushing.
    
    Total = 8 hours.
    
    Not bad at all!
    
    Donna
    

    I love talking about this...
    
    Water broke 5:00 am
    First contraction 6:10 am roughly 3 min. apart
    Got to hospital 6:40 am
    Baby girl born at 8:40 am - pushed twice
    
    Total labor and delivery: 2.5 hours (first baby)
    
    - K

    1st child - boy	8 days late
    Water broke:  1pm
    Hospital arrival: 1:45 - 2 min. apart
    Delivered at:  3:30
    
    TOTAL Labor:  2.5 hours
    
    2nd child - girl	9 days late
    Induced 
    Started Pitocin (sp?) at 4pm for stress test
    Decided to induce and turned the pitocin up at 6pm
    Delivered at:  8pm
    
    TOTAL Labor:  2 hours
    
    USED NUBANE drugs both times.   LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
    

    My first pregnancy last year went like this:
    
    Water broke 6 p.m., 2 days early.  (while in the bathroom - pretty
    handy :-)).  Some blood so OB said to go to the hospital.  No labor at
    all.  After a full night's sleep in the hospital, they started inducing
    me at 9 a.m.  It started getting rough after a couple of hours, so I
    got some Nubain.  I started pushing about 1 p.m. and Marc was born at
    1:45.
    
    I really liked being able to leisurely drive to the hospital, get a
    full night's sleep (my husband slept in the room also), knowing we
    would be having a baby the next day!
    

    First child a son - six weeks early. Started with a stomach ache after
    just returning from doctors - sent to hospital in premature labor where
    they tried to stop it. Hooked up in belts and watched that clock from
    5:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. All I remember was one strong pain and being
    wheeled down the hallway and knocked out on I don't know what. To no
    knowledge of mine I delivered a 5lb. 2oz. son at 6:55 a.m.
    
    Second child a daughter - five days late. Up since midnight with mild
    contraction every hour. Didn't bother to wake hubby. Sent him to work
    and ended up calling him as soon as he got there. Arrived at doctors
    9:30 a.m. and he said it would be awhile. Determined not to lay in
    hospital we went to the store for books and to walk in the park. As
    soon as hubby could pry my fingers from the tree we went to the
    hospital at 1:00 and delivered at 3:45. With no meds! I don't believe I
    did it. 
    
    Third child a son - three days early. Super bowl Sunday! Was not
    feeling right all day. Started with mild contractions about 6:00 p.m. Left
    shortly after for hospital when Mom showed up on doorstep with
    overnight bag (she just had an inkling, besides she didn't want to miss
    the game) and delivered at 10:00 p.m. No meds either! 
     
    All in all it always started with a stomach ache.
    
    

    6 days late.
    Started with mild contractions at 5:45 a.m..  First few were 45 minutes
    apart.  Went from 45 minutes to 15 minutes between noon and 1:30.  2
    minutes apart by 3:00 but still mild.  Went to hospital but was sent
    home (only 2 centimeters).  At 5:00 p.m. contractions got hard, painful
    and still 2 minutes apart.  Back to hospital.  Still only 3
    centimeters.
    
    Spent 2 hours in shower (from about 7 to 9).  Went from 3 centimeters
    to 8 centimeters while in shower! (My midwife swears by showers.) 
    Transition (constant contractions) from 11 to 11:30 p.m.  Pushing from
    11:30 to midnight.  Daughter born at 12:01.
    
    Total labor:  18 hours.  Hard labor:  7 hours.

    Seeing as how I started this topic, I thought I'd reply as to exactly
    what happened from the day I put in the original note.
    
    July 23rd (Monday) I didn't feel right all day.  I had back pain and
    cramping (like I said in my original note, I had lost my mucus plug the
    previous Thursday).  The back pain started to get worse, and the cramps
    stayed the same.  The following day I had a little more energy, but
    still didn't feel right.  I called the Doctor and she said it would be
    soon but to wait until I had definate labor pains that were spaced
    evenly apart.  On Wednesday I woke up feeling quite good but had a
    weird feeling that things were going to begin to happen.  I went to
    work knowing that this was it.  I felt awfully energetic all day.  When
    I got home, I cleaned the whole house.  I finally sat down at about
    8:00 p.m.  At 8:20 I started to have mild contractions and they were
    about 10 - 15 minutes apart.  At 9:00 I called my boyfriend at work and
    asked him how quick did he think he could get home.  He was there at
    9:15 and we were at the hospital at 10:00.  I was in mild labor.  My
    contractions were 7 minutes apart but I was only 1 cm dialated.  They
    sent me home at midnight with a sleeping pill that they told me to take
    as soon as I got there.  I got home and took the pill at 1:00 a.m. and by
    1:30 a.m. I was out cold.  At 4:30 a.m. something woke me up.  I sat up
    thinking something weird was about to happen and then my water broke.  
    I called the hospital and they said to come in.  I got to the hospital
    at about 6:00 a.m. (I took my time because I knew they baby wasn't
    coming anytime soon) I was still only 2 cm dialated but 100 % effaced. 
    At about noon I started hard labor.  The contractions were 2 minutes
    apart and fierce, but I was still only about 2 1/2 cm dialated.  They
    decided to give me pitocin to see if it would help me to dialate.  By
    5:00 p.m. I was still only about 3 1/2 cm dialated, but I insisted on
    an epidural (It was either that I was going to kill somebody!).  They
    gave me the epidural and I was able to get some sleep.  I slept on and
    off all night but never dialated more than 6 cm.  At 6:00 the following
    morning the doctor decided that I probably wouldn't dialate any more so
    they were going to take the baby c-section.  The nurses came in and
    prepped me for surgery.  My epidural was topped off again (for the
    third time) and my son was finally born on Friday, July 27th at 8:09
    a.m.  Total labor time = 37 hours 50 minutes (not counting the three
    days before of back pain and cramps).
    
    Lori B.

    Labor had to be induced, as I was 2 weeks late. Arrived at the hospital
    at 7:30am. They started the Pitocin at 8:30. Mild contractions started
    about 11:30am. At noon time my doctor didn't know if he was going to
    admit me that night or send me home for a few days. Dilation had not
    begun yet. At 3:30 the hard labor started. The doctor was called in
    around 4:30 and I was 9 cm dilated!! My water broke while he was doing
    the internal exam. Daniel Francis Donahue was born at 5:11pm.

    Total time of labor = 5 1/2 hours. Pushed for about 20 minutes.
    Not bad for first time around!!

    
    2 1/2 weeks before my due date, DR told me I was 3 cm dialated so it
    wouldn't be long - I'd never make it to my due date.
    
    Next week I was back for my appt. and was 4 cm dialated and 90%
    effaced.  Couldn't believe I was still there, and he'd probably see
    over the weekend.  
    
    The day before my next appointment my water started leaking.  I didn't
    know what it was at first.  I'd never had any problems with
    incontinence during the entire prognancy, so I thought maybe it was
    just catching up with me.  After 1/2 day of that, I figured maybe it
    was my water leaking.  Called the Dr, and she said comee on in and
    we'll look at you.
    
    Husband came home from work, I showered and we arrived at the hospital
    around 7:30 pm.  Nurse examined me and my water broke.  We walked
    around for 1/2 hour (after answering those 100 questions!) and still
    nothing.  Dr came in and used the hook to break my water again.  Walked
    some more, and Dr said we may have to use pitocin.  Of course I'm
    terrified of needles, so the mere mention of an IV needle and 2 minutes
    later contractions started (around 9:00 pm)  at first no pain, I could
    only tell I was contracting because the water gushed everywhere each
    time I had one.
    
    After that the back labor started.  I did have one shot of Demerol,
    started pushing around 1:00 am, and at 2:38 am Stephanie emerged.
    
    total pain time: 5 1/2 hours (plus the 2 weeks it took the episiotomy
    resulting form a 9 lb 4 oz baby to heal ;-)
    
    Bev

Ah, I can't resist.  I love to tell my story.

I was in bed for the last 5 weeks of pregnancy, due to high blood pressure. My
due date was December 2, 1990 and I thought I had at least one more week in bed,
minimum.  My bag wasn't even packed yet.

On Saturday, Nov 24, at exactly 2:47AM, I woke up with cramping in my lower 
abdomen.  I had felt very light cramping (I wouldn't even call it cramping)
for a couple days and there were increased Braxton-Hicks contractions in the 
last week, but nothing stellar.  At my weekly appointment on Friday, I had
mentioned this to the midwife and she just nodded. I had been 1-2 CM dilated
and 70% effaced for a couple weeks by then.

So, once awake, I just waited to see if there was another cramp.  Yep, 4 minutes
later.  They kept coming, so I woke my husband about 3:15.  We discussed it
for a while and decided maybe we should wake up the midwife. After calling the
midwife at about 3:45, he packed my bag and I tried to get dressed. It took me 
a half-hour just to put clothes on; boy, are they right about laboring women 
moving slowly.

We have about a 45 minute drive to the hospital.  We never worried about that
since first labors are supposed to take a while. In retrospect, I did most of 
my active labor in the car.  My husband had to stop for gas - he was sure 
there was fuel, but the gauge said empty.  I couldn't believe it!  And I kept
making him open the windows (too hot) and then turn up the heat (too cold).
The pains were getting stronger, and I started moaning to see if that helped.
(He says when I started that, he drove faster).  Moaning helps.

We got to the hospital at 5:10, and after changing and such, found I was 7CM 
dilated at 5:30AM.  By 5:50, I really wanted to push - the midwife checked and
told me to go for it.  Four pushes later, at 6:10AM, my daughter was born -
6lbs 4 oz.  (I remember the midwife saying, "Push that baby out!"  Then a second
later, saying, "Pant! Pant! Stop pushing!").  A small episiotomy, since there 
was no time to allow for stretching.

Didn't have any drugs; I never thought of it and they weren't offered (at 
my request).  I was alert the whole time and able to chat between contractions.
My husband almost missed it (he had to step into the bathroom); when he got
back I was pushing.

One of the big advantages of a fast labor is that there is very little time for
the "routine" procedures.  (A disadvantage, certainly, if things aren't going
well).  There was no time to hook up the contraction detecting part of the
fetal monitor, so they relied on me to tell them what was happening.  This 
definitely helped me feel I was having a baby, rather than being delivered.

The obstetrician (who was not in the room, but was available due to my blood
pressure problem) insisted on an internal monitor and
an IV; the midwife tried to tell him the baby was only minutes away, but he 
insisted. (She told me later she agreed so he would not come in barreling in 
and take over - one of my biggest fears was to have medical technology take 
over without my consent).  My last laugh is that the monitor came off the
baby when I pushed a minute later, and the push after that, Elise was born.

In retrospect, I am very happy with having chosen midwives instead of doctors.
I felt they did a good job of counseling medical safety while still respecting
my wishes.  And, I'll trade 5 weeks in bed for 3-1/2 hours of labor anytime.

Earlier replies to this note helped me realize the possibilities are 
infinite.  Now for my version.

Week 35 - Start STD early because 80% effaced, 1 cm dialated and 
          head full presented.  I had expected to be a couple weeks 
          late (first baby, etc.) so this got me to pack my suitcase.

Week 37 -

Friday 7:00 am - Started noticing occasional trickle of fluid
      11:00 am - Called Dr's office, told to come in for check
      11:30 am - Water broke while I was on the phone with hubby
                 "I'm going to the office for a check, I call and let 
                  you know what they say. ... You better meet me there!"
       1:00 pm - Admitted to birthing center 100% effaced, 2cm dialated, 
                 inconsistent contractions (I couldn't even feel them)
       5:00 pm - Still only 2 cm, contractions now noticeable
       6:00 pm - Started pitocin, contractions intensify
       9:00 pm - 4 cm dialated, pain still manageable
       
Saturday 1:00 am - Feel urge to push, fully dialated to nurse's surprise
         3:12 am - Healthy 7 lb 2� oz boy and an episiotomy

The best part was having a supportive husband and a healthy baby.  
I found that standing during contractions helped because I could 
feel the head pressing down on the cervix.  I had some back labor 
and having hubby massage the small of my back helped me handle the pain.  

At the time I was unhappy about having to use pitocin because I was 
afraid the doctor was trying to rush thinkgs and if it didn't work I 
would have to have a C-section.  In retrospect it worked out well 
because I don't know if I would have had the energy for a long labor.  
I had not eaten since early morning and I general ate 6 medium meals a day.  

I also had heavy bleeding after delivery so they opened the valve on 
the pitocin to get things quickly under control.  

I was more tired from lack of sleep and food than from the exertions 
of labor.  I was verrrrrryyyyy glad to see a full breakfast tray when 
I got to post-partum.

    
    Might as well add my story to the list, seeing as I read every single
    one of these when I was pregnant. 
    
    Due date: Nov 1
    
    Tues Oct 15: Had been experiencing small contractions all night, mainly
    		 when in a sitting position, coming 5 mins apart, but would 
    		 lessen while laying down. Had lost my mucas plug the week
    		 before.  Called the doctors office, and they sent me into
    		 the hospital to be checked out. They hooked me up to the 
    		 monitors, but sent me home 1 hour later. Told me I wasn't
    		 even diatlated yet, but the head was in place. That this
    		 was "pre-labor". Went home pretty discouraged and feeling
    		 a bit silly. Tried to ignore the pains from then on in.
    		 They told me that when it is REAL labor, that the 
    		 contractions would not ease up wether I was lying down, or 	
    		 standing, or whatever.
    
    Weds Oct 16: Strong strong pressure in my groin, felt like the head was
    		 going to come out. The slight contractions had eased up,
    		 but I was still very uncomfortable with the pressure, but
    		 not enough to keep me in bed. Went to my dr's appt, where 
    		 they told me I still wasn't dialated yet, and started
    		 talking about a possible c-sec, telling me I was carrying
    		 a BIG baby, at least 9-10 lbs. Scheduled me for an ultra
    		 sound to determine size, etc. 
    
    Thurs Oct 17: The big day!
    
    Woke up with hubby at 6am, and bid him good bye. Went back to bed and 
    couldn't get comfortable (whats new!). Laid on one side, got a cramp. 
    Laid on the other side, got a cramp. Figured I'd go out to the couch
    and lie on my back and see if it was more comfortable. Laid down out
    there and got another cramp. Then it started to dawn on me that this
    might be "it". Started timing them and doing different things (ie:
    standing, sitting, walking, etc). And they still kept coming about 7
    mins apart. 7am I realised this was definatly maybe "it", and started
    to panic a bit because I knew my husband wasn't going to call until
    12noon and could not be reached until then. (We had 2 beepers but
    neither would reach him over Mt Wachusett). Actually I was alot calmer
    than I thought I would be. I called my Dad, to make sure someone would
    be there for me during the delivery if steve didn't make it, and let
    him know what was going on. (But because of the false alarm the day
    before it wasn't a big deal. Then I called a friend and talked to her a
    bit, then she came over. Attempted to call Steve at his bosses house
    and LUCKED OUT because they just happened to be there to pick up stock.
    
    Then the fun began: 10-11am   Our Labor Party!
    
    My girlfriend and her 2 yr old came over to be with me till hubby got
    home, another girlfriend and her 4 mos old came over, and then hubby
    came over and we all had a labor party!  The 3 of them sat with me all
    day.  It was kind of funny. One of them would time them, one would
    breath with me, and the other was writing them down. We'd all sit there
    and talk a bit between them, I'd stop and have my contraction, then
    we'd start again. They made sandwiches and everything (not for me).
    They had me walking around outside, and I'd make it from one corner of
    the house to the next between contractions. I had this way of going for
    something to hold onto and closing my eyes, so they would be saying
    "she's going for the house, time her, time her". Now that I think back,
    it was kind of funnny. And I think it helped tremendously. They kept me
    cool, breathed with me, and kept me from losing it. And I think having
    my 2 friends there made me stronger than if it was just me and hubby,
    cause I didn't want to look like a "baby", or start crying in front of
    them. 
    
    3:30pm
    Finally when they were about 2-3 min apart, and real hard, they talked
    me into going to the hospital (I waited till the last min cause I
    didn't want to get sent home again).  Hospital was only about 5 mins
    away, and hubby breathed with me all the way. (Funny sitting at a light
    doing Pant and Blow with everyone staring. :-) )  
    Got inside and and I was only 1 cm diatlated (what!? after all that!)
    They made me walk around , told me I wouldn't go until midnight or so.
    After another hour I was only "2" cm dialted...(what!) 
    Didn't like walking around, so laid back down. They gave me something
    to relax me between contractions (?? not pain killers). Then the
    contractions started coming really hard, and I broke my water somewhere
    around 5-6pm right there in the bad (yuck!). Then they gave me a shot
    of demerol without me even asking. At one point, my father showed up
    and had brought Steve a burger to eat, and the smell made me scream for
    him to "get out of the room!". he ate, and my stepmom stayed with me
    while steve ate, and brushed him teeth (my request!). My Mom showed up
    at about 6:30. So it was Mom in the labor room with hubby and me, and
    Dad, stepmom, 3 sisters, and girlfriend out in the lobby.
    
    After that it just started coming
    fast and hard. I told the nurse I could feel the head, and I wanted to
    push, but she just shrugged me off and told me that it just felt that
    way, that I still had a long way to go. (she last checked and I was
    only 2-3 cm).  She said "Would you feel better if I checked?" I of 
    course said "yes", she did, and I had gone from 2-6 or 7 in say 20
    mins. So, she immediatly called the doctor, while I tried to "not"
    push. It was funny, I didn't beleive that she called the doctor, kept
    telling hubby.."She didn't call, I know it, she just said that to shut
    me up"...  She heard me, and reassured me that she had.  Next thing I
    knew it was coming fast and hard. They had me breathing into a brown
    bag because I was hyperventlating, which was aggravating more than
    anything. And then gave me oxygen.  I guess at one point they were
    worried about my blood pressure (too high), but I didn't notice. My
    eyes were shut and I was numb to everything else in the room but the
    pain.The doctor arrived, and I think I pushed about 4-5 times, 20 mins or 
    so. They had to tell me to "stop" pushing at one point when the head
    came out cause I almost sent the baby flying across the room! I
    remember thinking, and saying "I'm going to die!". 
    
    Next thing I knew he was out...and everyone was saying "7:20, 7:20" ??
    I remember thinking "yeah, so, WHAT IS IT?". Then they told me it was a 
    boy!   ya hoo! (we had been hoping for a boy, and so was everyone else
    in my family). 
    
    As I said in another reply, I didn't feel the after birth, but the
    stitches were almost as bad as the delivery. Because he came out so
    fast, I had ripped my cervix and had layers of stitches. 			 
    
     Hubby was great, he was by my side the whole time, urging me on and
    watching it all. I couldn't look, my eyes were closed due to the pain.
    I was suprised I didn't "lose it" with him. I thought I'd be one of
    those women telling my husband "this was all his fault". My mom had
    just stayed in the background, and took a few pix as I had asked. 
    
    Needless to say everyone was thrilled he was a boy, and I felt really
    special knowing me whole family was there (inside the room and out) for
    me.  
    
    2 hours after his birth, I was eating a Quarter Pounder w cheese and
    French Fries in bed!  Boy was I hungry! Best burger I ever had!
    
    I still can't beleive I did it!  
    
    Chris
    

    
    I forgot to add....
    
    He (Michael) was in fine health when he was delivered (2 weeks early).
    He had quite a bit of vernex (white stuff) on him though, being early
    and all.... And was only 6lbs, 14oz. (the doctor said just the day
    before that he was 9-10 lbs!) Shows how wrong they can be sometimes.
    
    10 fingers 10 toes, and a good set of lungs!
    
    Chris
    

    
        One thing that happened to me during labor which was completely
    unexpected was that once I had been in induced labor for 8 hours, the
    midwife decided to break my water with that long crochet hook that we
    saw in childbirth class. It is not supposed to hurt, everyone who has
    had their water broken says that it does not hurt.
    
    	Well, unfortunately. my midwife misjudged and caught the hook on
    the lip of my cervix and ripped the cervix instead of the water bag.
    Boy did that hurt! Those were the first of my tears during childbirth.
    
    	I had actually forgotten about that (as I seem to have forgotten
    about a lot of things during delivery) and only remembered when I read
    Chris' account of her water breaking in bed.
    	
    
    			Wendy

    I too had the misfortune of having the "hook" catch the cervix, and
    ripping it..... then the idiot Dr. realized the baby was coming
    shoulder first!  He, or the nurses, had only done 3 internals... one
    when I first got to the hospital (1 cm., 40% effaced) at 12:05 AM, one
    at 4:30 (4 cm., 80%) and one at 9:00 when he broke my water....

    He then had to reach up and turn the baby..... this guy did NOT have
    small hands either.....  Brent was born at 9:19 AM.  I had been having
    contractions lasting 2-4 minutes long, and 2-5 minutes apart.... and
    had been pushing for over 3 hours..... yet nobody bothered to check to
    see if there was anything wrong!

    I saw that Dr. for the last time at my 6 week checkup... and when my
    daughter was born 2 yrs later, I had none of the same problems!

    I had stitches inside, and the last stitch outside was where my leg and
    my buttocks meet, you know, that little crease... boy did that one hurt
    to walk with.. I was glad when it finally fell out.

    M-L

    PS... this is the same Dr. who so casually broke the news to me that
    Brent would be staying in the hospital because his bilirubin was so
    high that he could die... and then walked out of the room!  Leaving me
    to myself and not waiting for any questions!  JERK!!!!!!!  

    BTW, Brent is now 5'10", 135# and 18 1/2 yrs old!  And healthy as a
    horse!!!!

    Having experienced labor for the first with my second baby (first was
    emergency C-section during the first stage of labor) I will never
    forget it.
    
    Due Date November 1, 1991
    
    October 25, I lost my mucus plug and got the flu in the same day.  I
    thought maybe I was going to go into labor when the first flu cramps
    hit me but after the flu was in full fource and I had a temp I knew I
    was just sick.
    
    October 31, (Halloween day)
    
    12:00 Noon I took a long walk (2miles), and picked up my daughter at
    daycare.  Went to four stores looking for orange make up for Alicia's
    costume.  Met up with two friends and many strangers who asked me when
    I was due.  They all seemed shocked when I said tomorrow.
    
    2:00  Pulled up in front of my house from shopping.  I had my first
    true contraction.  I never forget thinking to myself "This feels
    different".
    
    5:00  I finally finished Alicias costume and made dinner.  The
    contractions were getting stronger but they were not timeable, 8 min,
    10 min, 5 min, 12 min.  
    
    7:00 - 9:00  Passed out halloween candy to kids.  The contractions were
    getting more and more painful -- still not timeable.
    
    9:00 Finally packed my bag for the hospital with my mother's help (talk
    about procrastation).
    
    11:00 Called hospital and told them about pain and untimeable
    contractions.  They told me not to come in till the contracts were 1-2
    minutes apart and timeable.  I told my husband to go to work, he was on
    midnight shift.  The pains were about 9 to 15 min apart.  I tried to go
    to bed but I would wake with every contraction.
    
    Nov 1
    
    2:00am Called my husband and told him to come home.  The pains were 8 to
    2 minutes apart and hurt like hell (I had to use the first level of
    lamaze breathing to get through them.
    
    3:30 am.  Left for hospital.  We stopped at McDonald's so Ron could get
    something to eat.  We were in line for 15 minutes.  (I was b*tching the
    whole time).  When we got to the hospital I was only four centimeters.
    and the contractions were 6 to 1 minute apart.
    
    7:00 am.  4 centimeters still 3 to 1 minutes apart.
    
    10:00 am.  5 centimeters 3 to 1 minute apart.  I was given Stadol(sp?).
    to take the edge off the pain.  Doctor said the baby was face up.  She
    told me to lean over the bed to help turn it.
    
    2:00 pm.  6 centimeters.  In extreme pain.  More drugs given (and i was
    positive I would not take anything).
    
    4:00 pm.  6 centimeters.  Had one contraction after another. The doctor
    made me kneel on the bed with my front on a pillow and butt up in air 
    (very bare and I could have cared less).  The baby finally did turn. 
    It's a good thing because I could not kneel any longer. (asked for more
    drugs -- given small dose).  The Dr broke my water in bed.
    
    4:30 pm.  Still 6 centimeters.  I was ready to kill the next person 
    who told me it would not last much longer.  Asked for epidural. Dr oked
    it.  I enjoyed the break. The baby had started decending down the canal 
    at this point and her oxygen was slightly cut off because of her position 
    so the doctor  spend the next half hour pushing her back so she could 
    get oxygen.
    
    5:00 pm.  Started to feel pain again.  I began to panic..  Started to
    beg for another C section.  Because the baby was not decending
    correctly the Dr had been considering it.  She informed the surgerical
    staff to stick around during their last surgery.  I turned to my husband 
    and said I'm sorry I can't make it even though I had come so far.  He was 
    so supportive and told me I could go on. The doctor heard this and told 
    me since I had reached 9 cm to try to push.  My first couple pushes hurt 
    so bad because I was wearing off from the epi.  I would pretend I didn't
    notice a contraction so my husband and the nurse would not make me
    push. Once the epi wore off I began to push correctly.  I was
    overwhelmed by the feeling of pushing.  It didn't hurt and it felt so
    undescribably incredible.  I was able to push her out with the help of
    a vaccum extractor at 6:05 pm.  One thing I think is funny is that
    while she was coming out her shoulders got stuck so the doctor had the
    nurses push my feet above my head to pull her out.  I wish I had a
    camara.  I needed and episiotomy but I could not feel it.  I did also 
    feel the afterbirth.  I'll never forget this experience and would do it 
    again in a minute, however I think two children will be enough.
    
    Jessica weighed in at 7 lbs 15 ozs. Sorry I was so long winded.