Just a couple questions...I already know I am pregnant!?
I have just a few questions that maybe some other moms can answer or let me know about their experience with certain things.
Do you always lose your mucus plug?
My next doctors appointment is Monday and I will be 37 weeks then, do they usually do an internal exam then or just if I have been having contractions?
I have been seeing the doctor throughout my whole pregnancy and I know it is kind of late to switch to the midwife but I like her style better, Has anyone ever switched to avoid feeling pressure to have an epidural, episiotomy, or c-section?
This is my first pregnancy so I am not against pain relief, but I have done some research and I like what midwifes practice.
What are your experiences with a midwife or doctor? Which did you like better?
Answer:
No you don't always lose your mucus plug in regards to you seeing it( you always lose it but you dont always see it, it can happen in hosp). And only 15% of women experience there waters break.
I think Midwives are more gentle and understanding and have more time for you than the docs. But given that i had a great obs as well.I cannot stress enough to you how important it is to feel comfortable with the person you are seeing. The obs has to see you sometimes though.
Also in the labour ward expect the unexpected and don't set limitations on yourself as to how you think it will go. I did this and ended up really disappointed that it didn't go the way i had expected.
Remember you have no control over the situation so don't go in there with any expectations. It is the most empowering time of your life
Good luck
Perhaps, in order to avoid forgetting your questions (you're paying for the doctor's time so why spend only 5 minutes with him/her?) you should make a list of concerns and questions. But FeelBaby.com is just as good for the personal experience questions you're asking!
Yes, you will lose your plug.
They will probably do a vaginal exam to see if you have dialated any.
Usually, who is on call, whether it be a doctor or a midwife will be the one who delivers your baby.
i had a doctor thru out both my pregnacies and both times i didnt get a epidural or a c-section. i got some pain relief thru my IV but thats it. and you loose your mucus plug when its time to have the baby.
i never lost my mucus plug and from what the nurses told me alot of people don't but if you think you have to have to go in right away because for your baby's safety they like to have him/her out of you within 24 hours i never had an internal exam at the end my doctor said hed give me one but then he put it off and just felt my belly he said he'd do one if i went a week late if not he was just gonna let htings go because i had a good healthy pregnancy i think if your comfortable with changing to a midwife in the middle you should but if you make your views clear to your doctor and your support person you shouldn't be pressured by anyone i sorta though about epidural even though i knew i didn't want it and my hubby told me no you don't want it and i was like you know what your right!! i don't know however if you will be able to get a midwife this late it depends if they have alot of other people due around your time or if they are really busy i know in niagara falls where i live you had to know you are pregnant right away to get one at all if you wait a couple months then they are all ready full my experience with my doctor was that he was there for about 5 minutes once to break my water and the second time to sign the paper work as the nurse had already delivered my son and the doctor had arrived about 5 min too late so if you like to be in control of things you might want to switch but of course i live in canada so if you live in the states it might be a bit different
Either way good luck and get some sleep if you think you feel your contractions starting you'll need it
A doctor saved my first childs life by having high tec equipment. I had the feeling I needed an NST (non stress test) for what reason I do not know, but I asked my dr if I could have one. She said I didn't need one, she just listened to baby's heart and checked me, everything was ok. I insisted on getting one and when they read the stat's my doctor said my baby almost died (heart slowing down, almost stopping spuratically) and sent me to the hospital asap to have my baby. It happened again at the hospital when they had the monitors on me and every doctor flew in my room, gave me an IV, moved my position and gave me oxygen until my baby came around. It was the scariest thing but I think it would of been horiffing if I hadn't been under a doctors care and had that stress test and been in a hospital when it happened again.
I think a Midwife can be a good option if she practices in a hospital where doctors are on call and technology is there if God forbid you need it. Doulas also offer the emotional support you get similar to a midwife and the doctors handle the medical side of it, that might be another option for you. I switched doctors in the middle of my pregnancy and my OB was not happy and told me I could never come back to her office (I did not say anything rude?). Be prepared for that and make sure you like who your switching too and it's in your insurance network/coverage.
My first OB was notorious for giving episiotomys and did, but my second OB did not give me one. Maybe you can find an OB that is better than this dr. that doesn't have time for you?
It's your pregnancy and birth, I hope you find what works best for you. I found meditation really helpfull when delivering mine, and relaxed breathing. Good luck, how exciting for you!
i am currently 39 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) and i just started loosing my mucus plug today (not sure if its all out or not) i have been told that not ALL ladys loose it before they go into the hospital. they should start doing internal exaimes around 36 weeks, mine started at 35 weeks (not sure why) you shouldnt be pressured into anything, if you dont want it stand up to the doctor and tell them you dont want it... but just because you have a midwife doesnt mean that c- section is out of the question... if there is a problem then there is a chance that you could still have one, but you do NOT have to have an epidural or episiotomy... although, i have been told by all three of my doctors that they would rather cut you then you tear because it helps with the healing afterwards and makes the scar not as bad and painful. i havent had a midwife, personally i like the hole doctors thing better... but its different for everyone, some people had good and bad expierences with both.
hello... I think we all forget to ask our questions... lol.. I used to even forget to bring the notes I would write myself to remember to not forget...? hmmmm... lol.. anyway.
1) I think the better way to ask is do we all notice losing the mucus plug... which would be no we do not always notice... but yes.. we always lose it... or in some cases? more than one (if you dilate slowly? they grow back... go figure..)
2)that is a good questions.. I remember having pelvics right toward the end... more than one? I do believe, if I am remembering right? at 37 weeks you might not be getting one... but the dr (or midwife) will want notes on changes internally any thinning, the station the baby is. any dilation. etc... so if not this week? next they will.
3) it is late... might hurt some feelings.. but you have to be comfortable! only switch I did was my last and only because I moved out of state. none of my drs/midwives made me feel pressured to have anything really... I think it was more like I was begging? ;>
4) it is good you are open to pain meds or relief of some sort... never know... midwives practices?
okay.. I have actually had both... first time I had a dr. and midwife... it was great... but she pushed having an epidural... my dr did not? second time, the best midwife ever was with me thru the whole pregnancy... I had another epidural.. dr/midwife had both determined that I had a "sluggish" uterus... which they translated to me as I dilate so slow that as I progress, I also regress? I know.. two steps forward.. one step back. yay me? lol.. no.. it is okay... just listen a little more... third I had two drs.. hated them.. the meanies... and they brought in a midwife halfway thru mine (to their practice) she was very much into every woman who does not do it "natural" is doing a horrible dis-service to herself...lol.. characters out of comedies... alright.. fourth and fifth? my dr who delivered my first! and the midwife who delivered my second! it was great.. but a little discouraging. by now all "experts" had consulted many times.. old drs with new... and back again and my charts read like a book... written in a toddlers scribble... second thru fifth baby were delivered via induction, epidural and more pain than anyone should have (induction hurts man... I no baby. ;) really it does make it crampier...) my fifth though I tried the hardest to fight... I felt they were wrong.. they almost laughed me out of any pride I had left as a woman... I mean how much could I have? ten years.. four babies and I had not gone into REAL, active labor but once. I went preterm first time... and the bedrest/meds caused nothing but latent labor from then on... and a feeling of being inadequete... no.. it is good.. read... my last pregnancy I had midwives at first.. and moved.. thankfully! they already had me scheduled for "my induction" I felt out of control... I moved up here.. and made my appointment with the new dr. since I was "high risk" could not take the chance... but? I asked the dr when he was going over the dr notes from my midwife team (team of four) if we could maybe scratch that and give "ME" one more chance? I was weepy.. I remember... and he was so patient.. kind... I told him no epidural! I said if there is an emergency? sedate me.. I did not care that I am allergic to shellfish... I never wanted that needle in my back again! even though it was a godsend to the pain... it was more to do with the feeling I was failing me, my kids... women everywhere? well.. I asked to not be induced unless I was two plus overdue... I would wait it out! lol... my dr. made me feel confident that the other drs/midwives had jumped the gun and I could.. and even now? I think I was able to.. because of his confidence... oh, I had a shot and a drip that as the nurse said.. it will make you feel like you have had a few shots for a bit.. you will feel the contractions? but you will not care! lol.. she was right.. and they wore off quickly... I had nothing in me during the last hour.. wow.. pain?! fear even.. but worth it... why? I was not induced.. I went into labor on my own three days after my due date.. and four hours of labor only!
alright.. I know I talk and write a lot.. but? I wanted you to understand why I am saying switch if you are want.. if you are not comfortable... I was not comfortable.. I was not even made to feel I could "give birth" without their help.. and? it was both drs and midwives... it was the attitudes.. and not the practices.. and it was not even intentional! I know they were all great dr/midwives... anyway... I liked them all... it was when I found the last guy though, that I got to find a professional who could have been a midwfie (his practices were much like those, he does not do epidurals unles er sit. really) but he was a dr. what is the midwife like? would she allow you more say than the dr? make you feel more in control? and beeter able to handle yourself than the dr? then switch!
it is all personal remember.. it is your day... yours and your baby's!! ;)
good luck... god bless!
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