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Childbirth

Best part of childbirth

121 replies

Thefoxsbrush · 05/07/2011 22:45

I've just been reading the 'ring of fire' thread! Yikes! Feel like we should re-dress the balance and share our favourite parts of giving birth.

For me with ds1 it was being able to have the natural waterbirth I wanted and it being everything I imagined it to be. With dd1 it is the memory of her being delivered by my husband (didn't make it to hospital) and with ds2 it was special as the midwife had also delivered ds1 and she remembered me. It was lovely to share that bond.

So come on, what were your best bits?

OP posts:
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buttonmoon78 · 05/07/2011 22:49

The bit at the end where you get to meet your little person and they look so lovely and you forget all about all the crap you've just been through.

And you feel like superwoman and about twelve feet tall!

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2tired2bewitty · 05/07/2011 22:53

The moment the epidural went in, beautiful and cool, bringing some calm back to the whole procedure. And meeting DD obviously Grin

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ThatllDoPig · 05/07/2011 22:55

You feel so damn proud afterwards! Look what you've grown and given birth too! Women are bloody amazing!

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ThatllDoPig · 05/07/2011 22:55

to. I mean

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thisisyesterday · 05/07/2011 22:56

either the moment they're born and you just think "i did it" and you get that lovely squidgy little thing

or first feed. all snug and warm and just lovely.

god, brings a tear to my eye

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Cutelittlecatlover · 05/07/2011 22:57

Being given a gorgeous little squidgy new baby.

And gas and air of course Grin

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PhyllisDiller · 06/07/2011 00:24

The excitement of the beginning, before the really really painful contractions kick in but the point at which you know 'this is it, we're off'.

Then the last bit when the baby arrives and you can all lie and cuddle while the MW's sort out whatever it is they sort out afterwards.

...and the bit when you have had a shower and climb into clean sheets and sleep with your baby next to you.

...and the bit when the grandparents arrive.

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lostintransition · 06/07/2011 00:50

The bit when you realise your in labour.
That lovely slippy feeling of their bodies being born.
Seeing your babies face.
The relief when your placenta comes out having not realised how uncomfortable you were.
The feeling that you are capable of anything.
Endorphins and the way it makes everything bright and sparkly afterwards.
Lovely snuggly baby at your boob.
Oh, and their fusty newborn smell. Mmmmmm.

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Secondtimelucky · 06/07/2011 07:49

Oher than the 'meeting my gorgeous daughter' bit, my favourite part was realising I was pushing (and that it didn't hurt!). Until that point we'd all thought I was fairly early on as my contractions were irregular - and I hadn't had any internals yet. The feeling of achievement was amazing!

That was DD2. DD1, I would have to go with meeting her, because overall it wasn't a great birth.

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Georgimama · 06/07/2011 07:52

When it's over.

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Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 06/07/2011 07:54

Oh, I loved transition. When the contractions changed their nature from just endless grinding one-after-another and transformed into this feeling of...spiralling power. Total power rush to the head, like some amazing drug had just kicked in, and although until then I'd been labouring silently (my husband was asleep in the same room, after almost two straight days of supporting me in labour, so I didn't want to wake him) I couldn't help but vocalise at that point. The body just took over, there was no thinking involved at all, it was all primal and powerful and astounding and completely woo. So. Much. Fun.

Well, and obviously having my daughter placed on my chest, and looking at her, and realising that she was exactly who she was supposed to be and couldn't have been anyone else.

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fraktious · 06/07/2011 07:55

Going from horrific transition to being high on G&A Grin

Just after the local went in before being stitched up

And of course the baby!

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JollySergeantJackrum · 06/07/2011 07:58

The gas and air.

Being told I was 10cm.

The spinal block kicking in.

How soft DS was when he was put on my chest.

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spudulika · 06/07/2011 08:02

Loving this thread.

Also love the early stages of labour - so exciting. And getting started on the gas and air. Don't think I've ever laughed so much.

And the feeling of a hot, damp baby in your arms. Will never forget reaching down and lifting ds3 off the bed. The first kisses. Sigh.

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MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 06/07/2011 09:12

The "is this it?" excitement...

Growing strength and confidence as i realised i could cope with the pain, and therefore anything in the world (with a bit of gas and air of course!)

Madly, and perhaps in hindsight, the sting of crowning and realising that was it, the baby is here!

The flobbery feeling as their little body spills out.

Snuggley first feed. Letting them reconnect with your body. Grin

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msbuggywinkle · 06/07/2011 10:18

Getting into the pool, lovely floatiness.

Someone shoving hard on my back with posterior DD2.

Yes to the feeling of their body being born, its great.

Skin to skin and first feed.

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mousymouse · 06/07/2011 10:28

skin to skin
when ds started to breathe and cry - what a relief
the tea and toast afterwards
oh, and the g&a

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BellaBearisWideAwake · 06/07/2011 10:34

With DS2 that feeling of 'that's my BABY and I LOVE him' hard to write down because it was a feeling rather than a thought if that makes sense.

DS1, holding this little surprised thing. And the tea and toast of course.

Bloody toaster was broken for DS2, the midwives were very apologetic. Cheap white bread is yuck but cheap white toast is lush.

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Bumpsadaisie · 06/07/2011 10:45

When DD was out and I felt like I knew her well already, just that I hadnt yet seen her yet. I was expecting to feel totally emotionally overwrought, but actually I just felt calm, serene, happy, proud and totally au fait with her. I was expecting to think "Christ, a baby, help!" but not at all. It didn't seem odd to suddenly have a baby.

Which was lovely!!

As was the pile of NHS toast, best thing I've ever eaten!

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recklesspixie · 06/07/2011 10:50

Thanks for starting this thread! Am 29 weeks with DC1 and the other thread about the worst things about giving birth made me cry. Nice to know there are some positives in the whole ordeal !!

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CareyHunt · 06/07/2011 10:50

This beautiful thread has made me cry!

The smell of a new baby, when they are first laid on your chest.

Looking at DH's face after they were born, and seeing this mixture of pride and concern and total love, and feeling so grateful that I was in some way responsible for that.

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Tuppenyrice · 06/07/2011 10:51

It's the rush afterwards. After DS1 born I felt high as a kite (gas & air may have contributed)
After DD it wasn't a high feeling more soppy. My DP was away with work so it was all women in my bedroom (homebirth). It was quite a surreal but beautiful moment - much as it wouldve been years ago I imagine, no men etc.
After DS2 it was the joy of it being over (fast & furious birth) and my DP being there to see how frickin' amazing women are. Wink

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Georgimama · 06/07/2011 10:51

Yes I have to agree the tea and toast afterwards was so much better than any Michelin starred restaurant food.

I remember feeling it really weird that there was suddenly a whole new person in the room who (sort of) hadn't been there before. And I did feel like I knew him.

But mostly the whole "being over" part was the best bit.

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Tuppenyrice · 06/07/2011 10:52

Oh yeah the tea and toast afterwards are great! Grin

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saffy85 · 06/07/2011 10:56

Holding my breath waiting for that first cry and then disssolving into happy tears when baby let out a lovely loud shriek Smile best feeling in the world!

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