Uh-Oh

So Chris and I took the labor and delivery hospital tour tonight ... and I nearly passed out in the middle of it.

We were all in one of the labor and delivery rooms and the nurse was talking about what to expect, and the epidural, and various needles, and a catheter, and I was standing at the foot of the bed looking at those stirrups .... and before I knew what was happening I broke out into a cold sweat and got all shaky and the voices around me got really muffled and the corners of my vision clouded over. Luckily Chris could tell something was wrong and wrapped his arm around me, and the nurse spotted me just before I hit the ground.

So the whole ‘class’ of pregnant women and their spouses stared at me as I sat down on the delivery bed (where I clearly DO NOT really want to be!) and the nurse ran for some ice chips. It was horrible, yet funny.

As soon as everyone left the room and I had some ice water, I felt better. I turned to Chris and said, “You’re in for a bumpy ride, my friend.”

I don’t know what I’m gonna do when the time comes to actually bring forth this babe into the world. I’m honestly not scared of the pain -- it’s the damn IV that has me all knotted up inside, and unless I give birth at home in my bathtub (which is actually my older sister Kielynn's suggestion) there ain't no gettin' around that damn needle.

I have to find a way to get over this needle phobia. And I only have 12 weeks to do it. Unless, of course, I go into labor early like my mom did with all three of us girls, and my younger sister did with her two ... in which case I have a little over two months.

ACK!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh dear. And I bet you've now put the fear of God into all of the other pregnant women in the class who where thinking "Okay, I can do this..." right before you hit the floor. :)

You're overthinking it. I know for a fact you've had blood drawn a million times during the pregnancy. The IV is no worse than that. If you decide to have the epidural, that's definitely more noticeable, but you never actually see the needle, so you can't freak out too much.

Besides, you're going to have so many other things to focus on while you're in the hospital: those breathing techniques, the labor pains, the excitement over meeting that cute little fella....that the needles will fall into the background.

Don't worry about it, kid.

Anonymous said...

Coincidentally, we're touring labor and delivery tonight. I'm not too worried about the needles part, but I think that fear and periodic freak outs are just a normal part of the process at this stage (poor Dave). For instance when I met my cousin's new baby I was actually terrified. "Ahh, one of those things is coming to live at my house!" Reliable sources tell me, however, that once you're in the thick of it instinct and eagerness to get to the finish line get you through it.

Anonymous said...

i have read about the IV situation on different pregnancy websites, and depending on the situation, you may not have to have an IV. they are not REQUIRED in all instances. why don't you inquire about that...and don't let them force it on you!

Anonymous said...

I have to do the plug - you knew I would.

Homebirths are more than 20% less likely to end in cesarean section, have less than half the infant mortality rate of hospital births and require far, far fewer medical interventions (which means few or no needles). On average, women who give birth at home report the experience as 4 points higher on a 1 - 10 scale, with 0 being the most emotionally traumatic and 10 being the most joyful, than women who give birth in a hospital. Home birthed babies experience less after-birth complications including up to a 60% less likelihood of infection in some geographic areas. Homebirth families report much higher rates of successful breastfeeding and easier transitions of sleeping cycles. Women who homebirth report an average of 30% quicker recovery time. Homebirth parents even note higher values on a 1 - 10 scale focused on parent/baby bonding for both mothers and fathers. For mothers the numbers even out at about the four month mark, but for Dads the scales never equalize in the charted first year.


I do know of course, that there are women with complications/conditions which require medical supervision. However, for the majority of women pregnancy, labor and delivering in and of themselves are not medical conditions that need to be overseen by a surgeon. I know that my son's birth would have been much less traumatic for both of us if I had followed my heart and delivered him at home. If we are blessed with a second pregnancy the hospital will be a planned emergency back-up that I hope to get no where near.

I might however show up on Robyn and Chris' front step, they do have the most awesome tub just ready and waiting for a homebirth!

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Anonymous said...

As I said last night, you are not the only one that has almost past out when we are overwelmed by what actually has to happen to deliver the baby.

Maybe your labor and delivery will go so fast that they won't have time to put in the IV or do any bloodwork.

Hank says it's just a little tube in the arm, don't worry, you won't even notice it.

No matter what you will do great. and yes just keep thinking of holding baby Kostyn in your arms and it is worth everything you go through.

Robyn said...

Thanks guys, for all the good wishes and advice. I'm sure I'll be fine. (I'm sure I'll be fine, I'm sure I'll be fine, I'm sure.....)

Heather said...

Robyn- You're going to do great! Like Bridget says, once you're in the thick of it, instinct will kick in. Whenever I've been given an IV, I always looked away, held my breath and turned my mind to something else (i.e. getting out of the hospital). You're one of the strongest people I know. You'll do great.

Anonymous said...

Since I was home during foofoo's labor, I'm sort of glad she chose the hospital. :) But I know either way, Kostyn will receive the best care possible. I'm sure you and Chris are more than strong enough to handle anything that comes your way. A little needle won't even phase you.

You're almost done with your second trimester. Any pictures of your pregnancy bliss??

Robyn said...

I'm actually in my third trimester! I start my 30th week on Friday. Crazy fast.

I don't know if I'm brave enough to post pics. Tell ya what - If I get at least five more requests for pics (from five different people, of course) on this blog post thread, I'll do it. ;)

Anonymous said...

post pics!!!

Anonymous said...

We want pics!

Anonymous said...

We wanna see new pics.

Anonymous said...

WOW!! That was a quick response! Thanks ladies! Can someone contact Bridget? And I'll talk to foofoo tomorrow. We can meet this picture challenge.
Robyn, get those pictures ready...

Anonymous said...

...Beware the Ides of March, for it appears you will show pictures before the week is through. Ha Ha!
(I thought I'd never get a real chance to use that phrase.)

Heather said...

Robyn- Post pics!!!! C'mon. I've seen you; You look beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm late, I tried to post right after Joe told me about this but I guess the service we were using at the hotel wouldn't let me. Anyway, I vote for pics!

Anonymous said...

"pi...peas...Ra.. Chhrrr..myew..dru...ffffdow...ffffdow."

"Pictures please Nina Robyn and Nino Chris plays music and drums. First Down Penn State! First Down Penn State!"

Obviously Tesher wants to see pictures posted as well. I believe that makes more than five!

Anonymous said...

We vote for pics. We hear Kostyn has been in a change mode this week.

Robyn said...

Well aren't you all just adorably curious to see my ever-expanding belly.

OK, you're not going to possibly believe this, but we can't seem to find the camera. (Stop rolling your eyes.) We searched around yesterday with no luck. But it's gotta be here somewhere. I will find it and I WILL post some pictures very soon. (Believe me, at the rate my waist is growing, I WANT to do it sooner rather than later....)

Stay tuned........

Robyn said...

OK, so we've searched high and low, and still no camera. I am so pissed. It's a really cool camera! I don't know if it was stolen out of our car one day, or if it's just still misplaced.

Y'all might have to wait until after next weekend, when I'll be in NY for my baby shower (yay!) and I'm sure tons of pics will be taken of me then. I will upload a few so everyone can gawk at the belly.

Sorry folks......I'm tryin' to keep my promise!

Anonymous said...

We all know you'll keep your promise. We're just anxious to see you and your belly, because we don't know how long after Kostyn is born until you're pregnant again. :)

Robyn said...

Bite your tongue, boy!!