I don’t have an answer for your acid reflux question, but this sounds like something you could ask your OB or general doctor. I’m sure they could ease your fears with this. As to morning sickness/vomitting during pregnancy, it’s quite different for everyone. I have had morning sickness during all of my 1st trimesters, but I rarely threw up. I just felt sick to my stomach quite frequently. I know many women who experienced no morning sickness at all and some who had it quite severe. There are medications that are safe to take during pregancy that can treat morning sickness. Again, this is something you could talk to your doctor about.
What are the odds of ripping/tearing/the doctor cutting you with scissors? Especially 3rd or 4th degree tears. Has anyone had this happen? What was recovery like?
I can tell you that most newer OBs do not perform episiotomies (“cut you”) unless there is a good reason for it. For example, my sister had an episiotomy because the baby had shoulder dystocia and got stuck on her way out - but this situation is fairly rare. I went to an OB who had been practicing for decades and he gave me an episiotomy. Many “older” OBs routinely perform these because they are easier to stitch up than some tears - and that’s what I suspect happened in my case. (My new OB doesn’t do these unless necessary. She let me tear - a 2nd degree - with my 3rd DD and it didn’t take me long to heal. Maybe a week.) Keep in mind that I am generalizing and every doctor will be different. You can always ask address this question to your OB and see what answer you get. If you aren’t happy with his or her view, then find another doctor who better suits you.
I’ll admit, it was not fun to recover from my first episiotomy. It took a few weeks until sitting was comfortable again, but, during labor, it was the least of my concerns. I actually had an epidural so I couldn’t feel much of anything anyway. And many women who labor without pain medication do not comment much on the tearing. As hard as it might be to believe, there isn’t much feeling when this happens. If you are concerned about having an unnecessary episiotomy, you can always write up a birth plan and specify that you would like to avoid this unless it becomes medically necessary.
How likely are you to get post-partum depression?
I imagine this varies quite a bit. I can say that I had a short bout after the first of my 2nd daughter which was aggravated by sleep deprivation. But I have a tendency toward depression. As long as you are aware of the signs and symptoms, have a support system in place (like a caring partner/family), and are willing to seek help/treatment if needed - then you will be well prepared. It’s not an automatic guarantee that this will even be an issue for you, but, if it were, there are treatments and therapies that can help.
Just HOW many needles are you subjected to during the 9 months? I always pass out and cry.
There are blood tests. I get my blood draw every month or two, but I’m hypothyroid and my doctor monitors my thyroid levels closely during pregnancy because my medication often needs to be adjusted. There’s mainly the big blood panel taken during the 1st trimester (I remember 5 or 6 vials being taken, but it was done all at once), the 2nd trimester gestational diabetes screening, and then additional tests are done as needed.
I can tell you that I’ve been reasonably healthy before my pregnancies, and I remain healthy now. I’m pregnant with baby number four. I will say that my body shape has changed a bit (but nothing too dramatic) but the pregnancies have not in any way adversely affected my health.
I hope I’ve helped address some of your concerns. Like others have said, there’s no reason why you should rush into pregnancy until you feel comfortable with it. And try to brush off the comments of family members. Your decision to have a baby is yours and your partner’s alone. It’s no one else’s business.
To answer another question that you had: A midwife is like an OB in that she attends the birth and offers medical guidance. A licensed midwife is a medically trained professional, is familiar with normal birth, and can perform limited medical interventions if needed. They can’t perform surgery - so, if a c-section were necessary, or, if you had medical issues that went beyond their scope of practice, you would be transfered to an OB’s care. A doula, on the other hand, is NOT a medical professional. Her role is to offer the mother support during pregancy and labor. This can be invaluable for a woman who is planning a natural birth and wants support through contractions or to help be an advocate for her birth plan. They also often offer post-partum care for the mother following birth. This is just an “off the top of my head” answer, but I hope it’s helpful.
