Tell me your good birth stories..

[youlookbeautifultonight]

Please share your positive birth stories with me, I am getting myself worked up but I know there must be very many births that go smoothly to plan. I would absolutely love a water birth and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Both my births were wonderful. Neither were exactly according to plan. One had quite a bit of intervention. They were still brilliant experiences.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Sorry, posted too soon.
If you can make your plans, but still be accepting of changes which might have to happen, then I strongly feel that you are less likely to grieve for the birth you didn't have and value the birth you did have.
Best of luck.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Sorry, posted too soon.
If you can make your plans, but still be accepting of changes which might have to happen, then I strongly feel that you are less likely to grieve for the birth you didn't have and value the birth you did have.
Best of luck.

[Fruityflapjack]

My labour and delivery did not go to plan, not that I really had a definitive one but like you I really wanted a water birth.

Things started well but did become tricky. I won't bore you with it but I will say the following;
My birth was by no means easy, but you handle it, you find the strength, determination and energy to just do it. Looking back, I have no idea how, but I did. I had two fabulous and amazing birth partners who were there every step of the way who undoubtedly helped me all the way through. I kind of went in myself and just, well did it.

Please, please try not to worry (easy to say I know) but whatever happens, you will do it and it will be fine.

There will be lots of lovely posters who will tell you about their lovely uncomplicated births. Gain strength from them by know that whatever happens, you will do it and by God, you will feel super human..it's an axing feeling

Good luck

[Fruityflapjack]

knowing amazing

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

Although my birth didn't go at all to plan, I had a great birth. It wasn't at all the kind of birth you seem to be hoping for, but I share it with you by means of re-assurance that when things don't go as hoped, you can STILL have a positive experience.

My DD was born 16 days overdue. We reluctantly went to hospital for induction on day 13, had a course of gel, nothing happened. Luckily we were at St. Thomas' hospital in London and therefore there was lots of sight seeing opportunities at our doorstep to pass the time. 2nd course of gel 12 hours later (on day 14) and still nothing…. At St. Thomas' you turn into a pumpkin at 14 days overdue and I was transferred from the home from home unit to the labour unit as I was now technically "high risk". However I didn't really notice any difference, still had birthing balls etc at my disposal and midwives were lovely about supporting my birth choices.

In the very early hours of day 15, I was dilated enough to have my waters broken. Later that day I started to feel mild period pains, but nothing that a bit of paracetamol couldn't fix. Still very little progress…

They finally decided to put me on the syntocin drip. They offered me a mobile epidural straight away which I was a bit baffled about as I wasn't even in established labour and not in any pain at all, but they assured me it wouldn't make a difference to my progress (seeing as I had little progress to speak of thus far) and that the drip can make the contractions come on much strong that if they come naturally. I therefore accepted.

Up until that point we had been happily entertaining ourself taking walks along the Southbank, enjoying a drink in the sun (it was July), and pottering about. I was worried that having the epidural would limit my mobility but actually I was able to walk around fine in the room, sit on a ball, go to the loo etc. And still, I never experienced a single bit of pain over and above a period like pain. I napped / slept for much of my labour.

I made it to 6cm but then "failed to progress", and I had been on the drip for over 12 hours and so an EMCS was recommended. Good news was that baby was showing no signs of distressed. Bad news was that I had been "NCTed" into absolute fear over the prospect of a c-section and I couldn't help but cry at that point that it had all come to this, which I never expected.

Soon enough however we had our happy ending: a healthy baby girl AND much to my surprise, a super easy c-section recovery (no pain, walking about as soon as the epidural ran out, recovered faster than many friends who delivered vaginally at the same time). I still to this day have no idea what it feels like to be 'in labour'... although I may find out in a few weeks as I'm 38 weeks and planning a VBAC. However I'm much more open minded this time, and whichever way it goes I just hope to have as positive an experience as the first time. :)

[stargirl1701]

DD's birth was lovely.

I woke up at 2am with normal period pains. I rested in bed and played on my phone until 6am. I was then overcome with hunger and went downstairs to eat 3 giant bowls of cereal and half a loaf of toast

2 paracetamol at 7am and into the bath. DH put the TENs machine on at 8am and watched a movie snuggled up in bed. At 11am the contractions were more intense so I used my birth ball in various positions and the breathing I learned in ante-natal yoga with visualisations.

At 3pm we called the hospital and they said to pop in the local midwife unit to see if I was more than 5cm. I was 8cm! So, we stayed at the local unit and I popped into the birth pool at 4pm. DD was born at 8pm.

Lovely

[PotteringAlong]

Didn't go to plan - I wanted a water birth, ended up induced at 42 weeks but it was still fine!

[GeordieMama]

I had an induction and was dreading it but it was actually a really good birth.
It was long, I laboured for 3 days and ended up with the drip and an epidural which wasn't at all what I had planned. I was worried about needing further intervention but managed to give birth after an hour of pushing and DS was put straight onto my chest for skin to skin which was amazing.

I think the thing that made it such a good birth was how supportive DH was, he was incredible and I don't think I could've done it without him.

Things often don't go as planned but having a good birth partner makes all the difference.

[atthestrokeoftwelve]

Went into hopital at 9am, pain bearable, laboured for two hours with some lovely midwives supporting me , I was upright, mobile, crouching. Baby born three hours later, just gas and air. No intervention, no cuts tears or stitches.
Home by 3pm, OH picked up Chinese takeaway and my 2 year old and a bottle of champagne- just a tiny glass for me- spent the evening cuddling and breastfeeding my baby.

Next day OH was back to work, I drove to Tesco to do a weekly shop with toddler and baby, did a full shop went back to cook dinner,, missed the midwife who came to visit!

[FamiliesShareGerms]

Into hospital at 2pm after a bacon sarnie and two paracetamol. DS born 3 hours later after a very straight forward delivery with no pain relief or intervention. No stitches needed.

[MaxsMummy2012]

Ds, first baby, birth was fine. I was to be induced at 41 weeks but was 2cm dilated so they broke my waters instead (didn't hurt - actually didn't feel a thing) felt weird having all this warm liquid pouring out and then everytime I moved more came out ha ha. Wasn't allowed in birth pool due to possible pre eclampsia so had to be monitored (although I didn't actually have a birth plan because I didnt want to be disappointed if things had to change) but actually that was ok. Progressed fairly quickly, used gas and air which really helped me focus on my breathing and zoning out (we chose not to go to ante natal classes - as sometimes I think too much knowledge can be scary ). Had to have an episiotomy as was pushing for quite a while but they did it during a contraction so I didn't feel it and out he came. My labour wasn't as bad as some people said it would be. I did read, while pregnant, that being scared of labour can make labour more painful and that women who are relaxed about labour tend to have better births, now whether this is true is another thing but I kept it in mind and tried to stay really relaxed about it all. Good luck and just keep picture your gorgeous baby arriving.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

First time mum to 8 week old: Waters broke 9pm. Went to hosp 10pm. Sent home about midnight (2cm dilated, irregular contractions). By the time I got home, found myself pushing. Back to hosp. DS born at 2am. No pain relief and apart from the shuttling back-and-forth was v straightforward (quite glad it wasn't rush-hour!). Had one stitch and was home by 7am.

People with "stories" to tell are normally the scary ones. Try not to worry. Good luck.

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

I've had two emcs. The first wasn't so positive because I wanted a home water birth and was disappointed in the extreme. I learnt the hard way that labour and delivery is about luck and the positivity comes from embracing your circumstances, not 'achieving' something out of your control. Second cs was a joy. I laughed and smiled throughout.

[homeaway]

As others have said sometimes births do not go to plan but that does not mean that they were bad births. If you have a plan I think that you have to be aware that things might have to change through no fault of your own and it is how you and others around you deal with those changes that affect your experience. A calm birth partner can make all the difference. Good luck op.

[mummy2pickle]

I had very mild contractions at 4am Thursday morning. booked in for stretch and sweep at 11 the same morning but waters broke when arrived. sent to hospital to check and sent home at 6p.m. as contractions were too far apart. pain only became too much at midnight so hubby rang maternity ward and I went in at 2am Friday. when arrived felt I was pushing with contractions which were still 8 mins apart. when examined found I was fully dilated. on birth plan I stated wanted pool birth so was in pool by 3.30am. water was relaxing and you get left to it more. I unfortunately had to come out of pool as contractions weren't progressing. so came out of pool and baby was born 11 minutes later! first time for me but went smoothly.

[Squeakyheart]

Waters trickling at 6am went in to the triage clinic and 1-2cm dilated so sent home to wait to be inducted the next day. Mild pains all day that got gradually stronger and more frequent but just like stomach cramps trapped wind feeling. This was actually very boring!

At 1pm had a bloody show and pains every 2-3 mins so called hospital and they said come in, all very excited at this point! MW checked me and said only 2-3 cms and contractions too quick and not strong enough, suggested I go home and wait and then come back in am for induction. Gave me codeine and sent me home at 2am, had a mini meltdown in the car park saying "I can't do this, if this isn't labour I can't cope!" Apparently everyone I know said they can't do this at some point and then do!

Got home and pains started to feel different and became irregularso did birth ball as DD was back to back but hated it so went to sleep for a bit. Woke up needing the toilet as still really wanting to pass trapped wind, had a contraction on toilet and baby started crowning! Paramedics made it in 10 mins and offered me gas and air which i politely declined but then tried anyway, 5 puffs later one push and she came on the bathroom floor! Two hours since I had got home!

Went into the unit to see lovely but surprised MW who did all the aftercare as I needed stitches and home later that day.

[Squeakyheart]

Sorry meant to say on my already really long post! DH was great and felt the private antenatal class we went on was really useful. Birth plan out the window obviously but just went with the flow and the endorphins and excitement of meeting the baby were really amazing!

[heronsfly]

DD2, mild regular pains about 5pm arrived at hospital at 5.50pm dd born at 6.30pm, home in my own bed by 10

[Solasum]

On Christmas Eve I was having dinner with my family with regular contractions but not bad enough that anyone else noticed. Dinner over, we went home. Into hospital at 1am on Christmas Day, everything progressed well, pain had just got to unbearable point when it was time to push. DS born at 10am. I planned to hypnobirth and had been working for months on visualisations. It worked for me and was visualising right through.

Between pushes I put my hand down and could feel the hair on DS's head.

It was amazing, and I really did feel in touch with Nature (not something I ever imagined)

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

Hypnobirthing is lovely. It won't help you have a natural labour, that is down to luck. I used hypnobirthing and it helped enormously during my emergency caesareans. The circumstances of labour and delivery are what they are and you can't choose or control them. But empowering yourself through knowledge and support can help with the way you feel in retrospect. Knowing what an intervention entails and knowing how you might handle it and exercise choice within it can mean that an intervention-heavy delivery or a cs can be a lovely experience and not a failure or the enemy.

[notadoctor]

I have two very different - but both positive - birth stories.

DD1 was a water birth. I began contracting at around 4am, stayed active and mobile until things got moving, breathed through the pain and went to hospital around 6pm. I got in the birthing pool and DD arrived at 11pm. No pain relief beyond the water. I felt in control and calm. I was amazed by what my body could do! And I had a beautiful daughter at the end of it.

With DS I was DESPERATE for a water birth again but he had other ideas. Waters broke but had no contractions. Went to the hospital to be checked and DS was in some distress so they decided to induce me with a chemical drip. DS needed to be on a heart monitor so I was flat on a bed. The drip meant when the contractions came they were fast and furious. It was a very different, much more medical experience and not at all the birth I'd hoped for BUT I was still able to use the breathing I'd learnt and the brilliant midwife's and my even more brilliant DH helped me stay calm and in control. I was amazed by what my body can do! And at the end of it I had my beautiful son.

Your body is going to do something amazing - one way or another. You can't plan how it will happen, but you can stay open minded and positive. You'll find energy you never knew you had - and at the end of it you'll have your beautiful baby.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Waters went just after midnight. Felt the first contraction at 2am, and had them (at the same, strong intensity) every 45 seconds, each lasting 45 seconds from there on in. Put the tens on and took 2 paracetamol at 3am. Paced around and sang(!) until 6am then went to the birth centre. Was examined and found to be 7cm. Leapt in the pool at 7.30am (amazing for pain relief) and DD arrived just after 9am. Had no directed pushing and was a lovely calm experience.
Was intense, and a little scary (as it was my first), but a lot less painful than I expected. I would do it again tomorrow, and said that at the time.
I know I was lucky to get a relatively quick, easy birth, but they do happen, so whilst you should be prepared for anything you can also be hopeful and positive that there is a good chance a water birth can be yours.

[Cariad007]

Started having contractions on Monday night and they went on til Tuesday night. I took the whole "stay at home as long as possible" a little too literally as when I finally did go to hospital, after dealing with the contractions with just breathing and a TENS machine, the midwife was surprised to find out that I was already 5 centimetres dilated and she could feel the head! I went to the birth centre, got in the pool and DS arrived within 90 minutes. Actually giving birth was a breeze compared to the 24 hours of contractions! I was very lucky that everything went according to my birth plan and it was nothing like the horror stories I'd heard about giving birth. I had a second degree tear which was stitched up so meticulously that I never really had much pain from it and healed within a couple of weeks.

[Roxie85]

Started labour on the friday afternoon but thought it was braxton hicks. Finally got very uncomfortable and slightly painful on monday night and had no sleep. Tuesday 9am waters went and contractions were very bad. By 10am found i was already 6cm. Baby born at 10:49am with water birth and gas and air. Had third degree tear so had to be transferred for surgery, but went home the next day and within 3 weeks had healed very well. Everything was perfect except having the tear but all is fine now and it just means something to think about for my next baby (it has not put me off at all)