Contractions and the effects on bladder

[anniepie1976]

Hi I am about 36 weeks pregnant now and nearing the end of this. I was wondering if there is anyone out there that can help me with this question. I am really nervous about what to expect as far as contractions go when I am in labor. The way I can tell that I am getting the false contractions is the feeling of pressure on my bladder increasing (and it has been a huge symptom of IC for me as it is). I precede to feeling around my belly and sure enough it feels balled up tighter. Now, I have been told that contractions when in labor feels like you have to have a bowel movement. I don't get that feeling from the false ones. I am really scared of when these contractions are harder what it will do to my bladder. Why is that where I feel them? What are they supposed to feel like? It doesn't seem to be a common place to feel them. Is it worse on the bladder when they are true labor contractions? I would really like to hear others experiences. I'm pretty scared about labor and delivery to my bladder. Thanks, Ann

[anniepie1976]

I also want to add that I will be getting induced. Is it true that the contractions are harder and more painful when being induced? I have been told that by some and told that everyone's experiences are different from others.

[icnmgrjill]

Ummm.... I haven't had a baby with my IC... but I can report that many patients have found labor a breeze mostly because you've experienced IC... and, well, if you can handle the IC... you can handle the labor.

Had a hysterical story of a good IC friend who had gone into labor. She kept calling her hospital.... and they kept saying "you're not ready... you're not ready." She finally drove to the hospital when the contractions were just minutes apart. When she got there, they were stunned that she was so close to delivery. It turns out that, atleast at this hospital, they listen to the "hystericalness" of women calling... to help determine how close they were to delivery. She was so calm on the phone that they didn't really believe she was in labor. After the fact she said that having had IC flares really helped her prepare for it labor ... and handle it as well as she did!!!

Soo... not that that directly answers your question... but I hope it gives you some encouragement.

Jill :)

[vm]

When I was pregnant (didn't have IC either time) when I had the "real" contractions it felt like horrible, horrible menstrual cramps. I had had the Braxton Hicks ones prior to really going into labor - and they felt like you described: a tightening up. But the real deal ones were unmistakeably "real". LOL

I was induced with my first baby and was always told the labor contractions come on faster and harder that way. BUT, although the contractions stink and it is hard, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The feeling of holding that precious baby in your arms makes it ALL worth it.

[KeeKee]

Hi Ann,

I know you're nervous about the delivery, but you're almost there and it will be over before you know it.

I replied to another post about my experience with being induced (prior to IC). To recap, here's what I wrote: "It was not bad at all. I remember feeling something like a pin prick, but it was very quick and then I felt the woosh of the water (didn't hurt at all--just felt weird) and then I started feeling contractions and they gave me an epidural soon thereafter. "

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The contractions did come on fast and hard after I was induced, but they quickly gave me the epidural and I was only in labor for 3 hours. When I felt the contractions they were like very, very strong menstrual cramps. When they tell you to push, they say "push like you're having a bowel movement". Apparently pushing that way helps to get the baby out.

I know there will be some pressure on the bladder, but the way I look at it, you've had pressure there for 9 months, so this will be a way of relieving the pressure. I've always read that although birthing makes the bladder sore temporarily, it will heal back to it's "normal" state prior to pregnancy.

Hope this helps a bit and maybe some others will post their experience at having a baby with IC.

Take care,

[Dixiefireball]

I think i had IC with my last baby he is now seven years old. I was also induced with all three of my children.
Now i know we are all diff. but the way it felt to me. My stomach would get hard as a rock I could feel the tightest all the way around into my back with cramping like feeling. When it got time for the baby to come out that is when i felt the feeling i had to have a bowel movment and felt great pressure down below. a feeling like i just had to push and nothing in this earth could stop me.
all and all i believe if i had been dx with IC before i had alex and knew as much as I do know about the disease i do believe labor would had been easier on both of us.
I wish you lots of luck with the delievery. Please let us know when you have your Baby.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[Sherry5]

It definately depends on how you are induced. It is worth talking to your doctor about. I was induced with my first one (pregnant with my 4th) and it was hell. In fact, I feel like that is what started my IC. But now I know they did it all wrong. They started by inserting gel to thin my cervix, then I went hours and hours before they broke my water. Then hours more before they gave me an epidural. Also, my baby had a huge head, and my tailbone is in a weird place. I was in labor for 26 hours, pushed for three hours, and my baby had a vaccuum on her head for a full hour. On top of that, my epidural didn't work. Needless to say, that is not normal.

Someone wrote that they broke her water to start labor. Now that is the way to go. If your doctor will do it that way, give you a little pitocin, and a really good epidural quickly, it will be a piece of cake. I cannot exaggerate the effects of a good epidural. I had one with my second baby and promptly fell asleep until it was time to push her out. It was amazing. Your tailbone is probably in the right place, and your baby probably has a normal sized head that will fold properly during delivery.

Knowledge is power. Talk to your doctor about his method of induction. If he will break your water and start your epidural right away, you will be just fine, like the woman that posted above. Your contractions may be stronger, but if you have an epidural you won't care.

Congratulations on being so close to the end! You will be fine, and you will enjoy your new baby!

[Sherry5]

Oh, by the way, this is my first post IC diagnosis pregnancy, and I always feel my contractions on my bladder. In fact, every time I stand up I have a contraction, and I immediately bend over and run to the bathroom. It's better than constant bladder pain, I figure.

Hey, my 4 year old just walked in and I have my shirt pulled up a little on my belly trying to cool off. He just said, "Mom, um, your belly button didn't look like that yesterday" :kissing: He is referring to my outie that used to be an innie, of course. One of the joys of pregnancy.

[gloriabono68]

Annie , trust me ,,,,,,, you will know the difference.......I just had my baby five weeks ago and i too was like you but when REAL labor finally started,,,,,it was a feeling like none other before. I felt like i was literally going to split into the pain and the pressure was almost to the point i thought i couldn't take it and then my water broke ......so i went on to the hospital.....i would consider an epidural .......it was the best thing for me. I know everyone is different.......but i know you will know the difference i worried myself sick with that and in the end what everyone kept telling me about how i would know when to go ........and i did. So try not to worry too much about it ..........
email me anytime if you wanna talk........gloriabono@yahoo.com

Kristi