The birth
Giving birth with broken and bruised ribs
Jeppie
Hi,
I'm currently about 37 weeks pregnant. On Monday, I had my check-up with the OB-GYN, and everything looked very promising: some dilation, the baby was descending nicely and centered. The doctor estimated another ten days or so. I was over the moon! Aside from very swollen feet, I had no other complaints and was really looking forward to giving birth.
However, yesterday I fell. Stupidly, inside the house, tripped over the dog, maybe in combination with low blood pressure because the distance between where I tripped and where I actually fell was quite large. I tried to grab onto something several times, but it didn't work. "Fortunately," I fell on my left side and not on my belly. The pain afterwards was terrible. But I felt the baby still moving, so I was actually relieved.
Until the pain got worse. Unbearable, really. So we went to the ER this morning. After an ultrasound, instead of an X-ray, the following was diagnosed: 1 broken rib and 2 bruised ribs. A solid diagnosis.
At the ER, they got a bit panicked that I might give birth like this. A planned C-section seemed like a solution.
They did a blood test, monitoring, and an ultrasound of the baby. Fortunately, everything is fine there. The baby hasn't suffered any damage. I do already have mild contractions.
The gynecologist decided to wait. No planned C-section then. But epidural anesthesia and a C-section if necessary, but only after labor starts spontaneously.
I am allowed to take Dalfalgan Forte every six hours, but I was also told that this won't work optimally.
I feel helpless, desperate, and in excruciating pain. I can no longer take care of my daughter, take her to school, drive the car, do the shopping, stand up alone from bed or the chair... I don't see giving birth anymore. I'm scared...
Do you have any advice for me?
By the way, how long does it take for the pain in my ribs to become bearable?
Can I do anything else besides resting and taking Dalfalgan?
Should I worry about the delivery? Is a C-section possible once labor has already started, or is that automatically an emergency C-section (under general anesthesia and without dad nearby)?
What are the chances that I'll have even more damage to my ribs after giving birth and won't be mobile at all when the baby is born?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
A pregnant woman who can't see it anymore????
I'm currently about 37 weeks pregnant. On Monday, I had my check-up with the OB-GYN, and everything looked very promising: some dilation, the baby was descending nicely and centered. The doctor estimated another ten days or so. I was over the moon! Aside from very swollen feet, I had no other complaints and was really looking forward to giving birth.
However, yesterday I fell. Stupidly, inside the house, tripped over the dog, maybe in combination with low blood pressure because the distance between where I tripped and where I actually fell was quite large. I tried to grab onto something several times, but it didn't work. "Fortunately," I fell on my left side and not on my belly. The pain afterwards was terrible. But I felt the baby still moving, so I was actually relieved.
Until the pain got worse. Unbearable, really. So we went to the ER this morning. After an ultrasound, instead of an X-ray, the following was diagnosed: 1 broken rib and 2 bruised ribs. A solid diagnosis.
At the ER, they got a bit panicked that I might give birth like this. A planned C-section seemed like a solution.
They did a blood test, monitoring, and an ultrasound of the baby. Fortunately, everything is fine there. The baby hasn't suffered any damage. I do already have mild contractions.
The gynecologist decided to wait. No planned C-section then. But epidural anesthesia and a C-section if necessary, but only after labor starts spontaneously.
I am allowed to take Dalfalgan Forte every six hours, but I was also told that this won't work optimally.
I feel helpless, desperate, and in excruciating pain. I can no longer take care of my daughter, take her to school, drive the car, do the shopping, stand up alone from bed or the chair... I don't see giving birth anymore. I'm scared...
Do you have any advice for me?
By the way, how long does it take for the pain in my ribs to become bearable?
Can I do anything else besides resting and taking Dalfalgan?
Should I worry about the delivery? Is a C-section possible once labor has already started, or is that automatically an emergency C-section (under general anesthesia and without dad nearby)?
What are the chances that I'll have even more damage to my ribs after giving birth and won't be mobile at all when the baby is born?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
A pregnant woman who can't see it anymore????
Replies
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Hartje #2
Ah, what a nuisance, right at the last minute according to your feelings. Super painful! And sad that care for your other child isn't working out right now. Most of your questions are best asked to your gynecologist, who determines the approach.
It's logical that you don't see it clearly right now, but you want too much at once. The current situation, your delivery and your recovery... Nobody knows and I think you should do it bit by bit: make sure you get through the delivery time as comfortably as possible for yourself.
Then your delivery. Did you know that every delivery can become an emergency C-section? In your case, it seems to me that the chance that dad and you are present is much greater than in that case! Seems to me that they would rather plan it a bit, but that's really a question for your gyn.
Regarding your recovery afterwards, take it easy, then you usually have the least trouble afterwards. But you just don't know how you're going to feel then.. It will definitely work out! Everyone will guide you as well as possible, maternity care etc.
Extra good luck with the last bits and before you know it you can enjoy the most beautiful baby you've ever seen
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Puck #3
Most C-sections are done with a spinal block, even if labor has already started. You only go under general anesthesia if the spinal doesn't work or if you or the baby are in danger. I wouldn't worry about that. -
Anonymous Guest #4
How did it go, sweetie?
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