Met and failing to progress in labor

Wombatonthego · 06-18-2008, 08:30 AM

I had a 29 hour labor followed by an emergency c-section when bub started to show signs of distress. The thing I'm trying to figure out is, could Met have had anything to do with me not dilating? After about 17 hrs of active labor with contractions off the chart (every two and a half mins lasting just over a minute), I had only dilated 1cm, by the time I had the c-section, I'd only dilated 4.5 cms...I know it's an odd connection to make, but my mom (who labored for 2 hrs with my brother, and 1.5 hrs with me) asked me if I thought the met could have caused my hormones to somehow not let me dilate. Did anyone else on Met have a similar experience? Thanks for taking the time to read.

Purple_monkfish · 06-18-2008, 09:39 AM

I doubt it, I failed to progress as well and needed to be induced. Stopped taking met at 13 weeks so there was none in my system. I think sometimes our bodies just don't quite know what they're doing or how to react to a situation, stupid female bodies.

Hope you recover quickly though, and congrats on your little one!

Wombatonthego · 06-18-2008, 10:10 PM

Thanks for your response, I know it's an odd connection...just trying to make some sense of it all I guess. I think you're more on track with our bodies not knowing what to do! My little guy is 8 months old now and all is well so that's all that matters. Thanks again.

kalico24 · 06-19-2008, 03:29 AM

I would be looking more at the positions you were in when you labored, were you induced? Did you go into labor on your own? How far along were you at the start of labor? Did you use gravity to get the baby pressed onto your cervix to help dialation? How many other drugs did you take (narcotics, epidural) that may have prevented your position changes?

THese are just thoughts. I wasn't there so I don't know. I am new to PCOS and Met so I have no knowledge there. But I have birthed 3 babies and my easist and fastest labors were the ones I stayed mobile and did intervention free.

But the thing to remember is that you and your baby are heappy and healthy. There is some value in trying to find out "why", in an effort to change your next birth or to heal from your last emotionally. Either way I wish you well in your journey to understand!

Wombatonthego · 06-19-2008, 08:30 AM

Thanks Jen for your thoughts. I wasn't induced, went into labor with the hope of going the distance drug free...Labored at home for most of it, stayed mobile through all of the contractions, used a birthing ball, dh used accupressure to help me deal with the pain, ended up going 26 hours drug free before exhaustion got the better of me and the midwife convinced me to have pethidine(never againthe worst part of the whole experience). I really had the best attitude I could have thought possible about birth and was 100% sure I'd never have a c-section...maybe that's part of my problem now, I wasn't prepared for it, I even chose my ob because he's known for his non intervention stance on birth, his mantra is "let nature take it's course". Well, at the end of the day you're right, I can learn from it and hopefully be as positive if we are lucky enough to have another little one in the future!

kalico24 · 06-19-2008, 03:46 PM

Wow! You really did everything "right" to avoid the c/s. Don't beat yourself up for it. That is why medical interventionis available to us. To help us out when Nature just doesn't work right. And 26 hours med free. Dang girl you deserve a medal. My labors were are fairly quick. Even the one that was long-ish was only 16 hrs and 9 of that was with an epidural. My med free labors were 5 1/2 hrs and 3 hrs.

All I can say is learn from it, heal from it, and hope and prepare for all the possibilities next time! But know that YOU DID THE VERY BEST YOU COULD! Congrats on your little one and I hope you get blessed with another one!

DewDrops · 06-19-2008, 04:48 PM

were you on met up until you gave birth?

Wombatonthego · 06-20-2008, 12:11 AM

Dew Drops, yes I was on Met until birth and still am. Aafter much research regarding Met and breastfeeding I decided I was comfortable with the studies that say the amount of Met in breast milk is barely detectable, and decided to stay on it for good.

isabellesarmy · 06-20-2008, 10:28 AM

I am at 37 weeks right now - have been on met for entire pregnancy - but now midwife is recommending I go off the met to hopefully not create problems with baby's blood sugar at birth & to not have too much in breastmilk in initial weeks -- did your dr. talk to you about any of this? I'm afraid to go off of it, noone seems to know how to go off of it safely, and no one here wants me to stay on it. Did you take your usual dose during labor? did you ever go off of it at all? I am desperate for information! thanks!

Wombatonthego · 06-21-2008, 08:20 AM

Isabellesarmy, I stayed on Met throughout pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding (my son is now 8 months old and still breastfeeding). I did have alot of milk initially, but many of the mums in my mothers group had a low supply and that caused them more probs than my over supply caused me (although I did have to sleep on a towel to avoid soaking through to the mattress some nights...). I've never heard of Met causing probs with bubs blood sugar levels at birth, but if I were you I'd do some online googling and see if you find any legitimate studies on that. Actually, as I recall I did stop Met for two days after DS was born as I was recovering from an emergency C-section and pretty much forgot to take it - I then took half a dose on the third day and on the forth resumed normal dosage with no probs at all. Have you ever missed a day? If so did you have any hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic episodes? Good luck finding the info you need, don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision until you have all the facts. Another thing I think might be worth mentioning is that I discussed staying on Met at length with the head of IVF in Australia (he specializes in pcos) and he was adament I should stay on Met throught pregnancy, birth and breatfeeding. This man is at the top of his field and has alot of info on the latest studies, just wondering if your midwife is as well informed? it might be worth you searching out some more info, for your own peace of mind if nothing else.
Good luck!