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IVs During Labor

The birth of my first child was in a labor and delivery unit in my local hospital. I arrived at the hospital after doing 2 hours of pre-labor with the bloody show at home. I began actively labor shortly during my time in the triage room where they observing the change in my cervix in an hour before determine whether to admit me. I was admitted because labor was starting. At 3 cm, I requested an epidural. I was given 1.5-2 bags of IV before I could receive an epidural. After 5 hours of active labor, I pushed out an 8 lb. 2 oz. baby.

My last appointment with my 2nd pregnancy, I was 4 cm dilated, 100% effaced and my obstetrician stripped my membranes saying he would see me soon. It was my first unmedicated birth, in the waiting room of labor and delivery. I delivered unassisted as I waited to be admitted into labor and delivery doors  with my spouse and our toddler. I was in active labor for a total of 1.5 hours and had another 8 lb. and 2 oz. baby.

Both of my labor and delivery stories for the birth of my first and second child are very different, but more unusual than my children both having the same blood type and weighing the same at birth is my first lost 12% of her body weight, which her pediatrician said was too much. She went from 8 lb. 2 oz. to around 7 lbs. They weren’t sure she was getting enough breast milk and pushed for supplements. She also had a poor latch.  I did try to supplement for a few days before I decided I needed to work on breastfeeding, not using supplements. I am happy to say I nursed her to 30 months with help from my aunt a nurse practioner-midwife and determination. My second never lost any birth weight. Never struggled with breastfeeding despite having a lip tie, I was unaware of until pointed out by my friend (a midwife) at the time when my 2nd was 6 months. My pediatrician had either failed to notice or failed to mention it. In some cases the lip ties can affect breastfeeding.

Sometime after having my first, I came across this blog post about water weight from IVs and how they affect birth weight and it pondered me to consider doing an unmedicated birth with my second and declining IVs. Everything the post described, seemed to match what happened during my first birth. Later, I found more articles describing the same thing.




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