I had a vaginal birth...but they did have to use a vacuum to get Hope
out. I labored for 18.5 hours and was just to tired to push after about
45 minutes of pushing I was done.

Our joke around here is if they hadn't used the vacuum I'd still be
pushing.

I can honestly say that I was most scared about giving birth and while I
didn't have an easy labor..it certainly wasn't as bad as I thought and I
would do it again.

melissa (who has no plans for more children)

Amy asked: Those of you with RA....did you deliever or have a
c-section...info on
the internet says c-section is most likely.

Hmmm. Interesting. I had 4 vaginal deliveries. The only one I had any
real difficulty with was my first. Often, first deliveries are longer
and more difficult than ones that come after. David ended up being a
high forceps delivery after 12 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing.
The other 3 went quickly and smoothly. None of those labors lasted more
than 4 hours, with one lasting only 90 minutes. In my 'real life'
circle, I know a bunch of women with RA and children. All had vaginal
deliveries. None had C-sections. I can't imagine why RA would be a
reason for a C-section unless there's some other complication/condition
precluding a vaginal delivery. I hope that's the case for you. While
labor wasn't fun, I had much quicker, easier recoveries from childbirth
than my sister did (who doesn't have RA) with her 2 C-sections.
  Hope the time flies by til July 10th, Amy. Wishing you an easy
delivery and a beautiful, healthy baby in your arms very soon!
--
Hugs, Patty
Hoping your hills are never too steep.

No RA advice here...Just a hug and a prayer....And this time of year...It is
hot and humid and not a good time to be big and PG....
My second child, Lyssa was born on June 22...So I know a little about heat
and Pregnancy...My first born was Sept 25....So I had the whole summer....
I am excited for you and the girls and hubby too of course...I bet everyone
is so excited...
Hugs Cindy

a big hug and prayers . hope the time passes fast for you Amy!!
janice

I labored 24 hours and then had a c-section. Rachel's head just couldn't
drop through my pelvis. I hope you have better luck.

Kelly C.

Both were vaginal births.

First kid - 26 hours of labor, 20 of which was back labor. Had an epidural
and suddenly dilated (can you say fighting the contractions?). Think I would
have been labeled failure to progress if it'd been a doc instead of a
midwife.

Second kid - took 1 capsule (orally) of Evening Primrose Oil twice a day
from end of week 38. Labor was 1 hour 50 minutes (from waking up with my
water breaking and first contraction to time of delivery). Never even took
my eyeglasses off. It was instant heavy labor, hard to get in synch with.
But over pretty fast.

I think the fast labor was from the evening primrose oil. I do recommend it
to others who embrace herbal medicine. YMMV.

Wishing you good luck and an easy birth. And as is said in traditional
Judaism, "In good time."

Adelle

{{{{{{{{{{{{{Amy}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Yay, glad you were able to get a pred injection and praying that it
brought you great relief!!!   Sending lots of prayers for a smooth
delivery (you're almost there!!!) and a long lasting relief from your
RA.

Hugs!

Donna G