[Lucydog]

Well Im now nearly 30 weeks prgnant and m starting to thonk about how Im actually going to give birth to the latest family member!!!

So far my medical team have been very relaxed about it which to my mind is good, but I also think they probably dont have too much of an idea of what to expect, and neither do I really.
What concerns me the most is the POSITION Im going to be in during the last part of labour. I definatly definatly dont want to be on a table with my legs in the air!!!! This is absolutly the worst position for my back offering no support at all, and is incredibly painful for me, but I dont have any alternatives so far. Also should I expect it to be more painful with regards to my back area?

Any ladies out there who have experience of giving birth post SCI, Id love to hear from, as I think I could do with a bit of moral suport now as May gets nearer by the day!!! id really like to know what helped you.

cheers and thanks a lot

L.

[Izziwhizzi]

Lucydog, on Feb 18 2007, 08:27 AM, said:

Well Im now nearly 30 weeks prgnant and m starting to thonk about how Im actually going to give birth to the latest family member!!!

So far my medical team have been very relaxed about it which to my mind is good, but I also think they probably dont have too much of an idea of what to expect, and neither do I really.
What concerns me the most is the POSITION Im going to be in during the last part of labour. I definatly definatly dont want to be on a table with my legs in the air!!!! This is absolutly the worst position for my back offering no support at all, and is incredibly painful for me, but I dont have any alternatives so far. Also should I expect it to be more painful with regards to my back area?

Any ladies out there who have experience of giving birth post SCI, Id love to hear from, as I think I could do with a bit of moral suport now as May gets nearer by the day!!! id really like to know what helped you.

cheers and thanks a lot

L.

Positions? I guess will depend a lot on what kind of delivery you get into. I mean I had a forceps delivery with my first baby (not because of my sci but because my baby went into distress getting very cold & they wanted a quick removal) and yes thats on your back with your feet tied into stirrups - careful of them with sores or you hurting yourself on them if your legs jump. They want to keep them in that position too if theres any stitch work required.

My second baby was 2lbs heavier, but I was sitting up at about 45 degrees angle with my legs loosly crossed when she popped out, so I was able to watch her coming out which was amazing. As my midwife here was fantastic too she had listened to me and thought about what I'd said about feeling detached from my first delivery - although with forceps this couldn't be helped - and so she helped me be as involved as possible. Letting me watch was just the best, and me being the first to scream 'its a girl!!' was great.

Plan to spend your contractions time in as comfy a position as possible - take in your own supportive cushions if you use one. To be honest I think your team will put you in as ideal a position for the last bit after you are fully dilated for them & the baby and not for you sorry. A lot of it will depend on the persons who are on duty when you actually go in for the delivery and as always how you get on with them. Although I'd met many of my team I had never met either midwife or any of the registrars on duty the nights I gave birth.

Although not sci ladies, midwives are very used to dealing with sort of paralysed ladies when they have epidurals. My best advice is to make sure your hubby is there and your delivery bag contains food for him to keep him going so he can be your eyes and mouth re your positioning if you can't be!!

Hope that helps a bit.

L xx

[lynne]

Hi Lucy,

I have been thinking about this one for you. Have you thought about a birthing pool . I think some of the maternity hospitals have them but maybe you could check it out. I don't thnk that you have to have any special position for this. It looks and sounds wonderful but don't know if you would be able for that. Just a thought and best wishes to you and yours.

Lynne

[sweetie]

I had my third child lying on my side with my knees curled up I have to admit I was AB at the time but I know if I was pregnant again now as a paraplegic I would chose the same position.
She was the biggest and easiest out of the births. And I am sure it would ease the pressure on your back.
What ever you decide I wish you all the best.

[Joed]

Well, I have absolutely no first-hand experience with any of this....we adopted our son...but one of the first things I thought of was the birthing pool, as mentioned by lynne.

Lucydog....did you see the documentary "Pregnant and Paralyzed?" I can't remember what position she chose. I keep thinking it was nearly upright. (?)

In this case, gravity may be a good thing! *Normally, I detest gravity...but that's another topic*

Anxiously awaiting the new little LucyPup.....