Update on the grandchild

[MissMillie]

or should I say lack thereof?

My DIL is in her 43rd hour of labor and is dilated only 4cm. She has had 2 epidurals w/ little effect.

They have talked to the doctor who is firm on not doing a c-section unless it's a medical emergency.

My son is beside himself. He doesn't know how to make his wife comfortable. (He's saying he's going to schedule a vasectomy as soon as they are out of the hospital--that he doesn't want to put his wife through this ever again.)

I can't help but wonder 2 things:

1) She has had very little sleep in the last 3 nights and has been in labor for a very long time. If she gets too tired, what happens when it comes time for her to deliver? Is it possible the doc will have to do a section anyway because my DIL has no energy left?

2) If a woman has the right to terminate a pregnancy w/ an abortion (a right I firmly believe in) doesn't she have the right to terminate her pregnancy w/ a c-section? She's ready to not be pregnant and to go home w/ her baby.


Sorry for rambling, it's just that I feel helpless too. I can't go hold my son's hand because of this stupid cold.

[mainer]

1. OMG 43 hours?!!!!

Your poor DIL. And I thought 16 hours of labor was awful when I had my son.

I understand her OB's position, but geez, have some pity on the poor patient.

[lark]

2. Hope this is resolved by now

and mom and baby are doing well.

[3catwoman3]

3. A very common reason for a C-section is what is called...

..."failure to progress."

Here is a link:

http://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/prolonged-labor-failure-progress/

How frustrating for all of you.

[Ohiogal]

4. When I had my first son

I was in intense labor for almost two days, so I know what she's going through! Poor thing!

I think her doctor should consider her exhaustion and do a c-section. But that's just my opinion. Back then I would have insisted on it if I knew then what I know now. But my regular obstetrician was out of town when I went into labor, and it was my first kid, so I knew nothing, NOTHING about any of it.

All too often the needs of the mother are cast aside in these types of cases, unfortunately.

I hope by now she has delivered a healthy baby by any means necessary! I surely know what she's going through! I am sending all the good karma I can muster!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. She is going to be too tired to deliver! Hope something

changes in her favor soon!

[VMA131Marine]

6. The doctor is a sadistic bastard

There is no reason not to just do the C-section at this point.

[MissMillie]

7. I've been using the term "bonehead"

but "sadistic bastard" is a good one!

[onecaliberal]

8. Wow. There is a possibility she wont progress. Is he going to wait until DILs life or the life

the baby is in jeopardy when he could have done a safe C Section? I’m sorry. They should ask for another doctor. ASAP. None of this is good for the mother or baby.

[Frustratedlady]

9. I thought 24 hours was bad, but over 40? Hmmmm!

To show how tired I was after delivery, I slept for over 24 hours after the birth. They surely aren't letting her suffer hard labor for that long. I'm not a doctor, but I should think the doctor would explain things more thoroughly and, since the couple is in full agreement to a C-section, he does one.

Keep us up to date on this. In the meantime, work hard on getting well so you can hold that little one when it is born. Cyber hugs.

[NNadir]

10. My mom did 52 hours with me.

She never actually let me forget it.

My wife did close to 40 with my first son. He was a C-section ultimately.

For reasons I won't discuss further however, she should have had another doctor to do it.

Everybody's fine 23 years later, but that was a terrifying night for this then very tired Dad, but a far more tired and wounded mother.

[3catwoman3]

11. A thought for your son.

If your DIL ends up with a C-section, he might want to hold off on his very loving thought about the vasectomy. One usually has the option for a repeat C-section after you have had the first one, and you can pick the day. My first son was delivered by C/S for a medical reason. I had the choice with the second son, and, knowing that the medical situation could have recurred during labor, I unhesitatingly chose to go for a second C/S. We end up as mom's either way.

Is this their first child?

[MissMillie]

12. It is their first

and I told him to hold off for a while as well. His wife might not want him to have one. They should let things settle down before they make such a big decision.

[Laffy Kat]

13. Yes, because, usually, as soon as the first baby starts walking...

Moms start thinking about another. Just saying.