Tell me your labour/birth experiences??

[AprilIce]

I am due in two weeks with first baby and wanting to know other people's experiences as a whole??

Your warning signs of labour?
What made you go into the hospital?
Type of birth?
Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
How long you were in labour for?
Highs and lows?
What happened after the birth?
Any complications?
What you would have done differently if you could?
Any advice?

Thanks!!!

[reetgood]

It sounds still fresh, I like talking about it!

Your warning signs of labour?
Not any I can remember - waters went early, before labour got really established, was very stop start (there’s a reason for that which I’ll go into in a later question)

What made you go into the hospital?
Meconium, was aiming for home birth if we could (first baby) but meconium was a straight in. We’re 15 mins drive but it was fairly stressful. It was 30 hours post my waters going.

Type of birth?
C section

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
Got up to 9cm on tens machine and paracetamol. Then epidural for the c section. I was very attached to the tens machine. It’s not so much pain relief as a way of dealing with contractions. It worked enough that I didn’t think of getting anything else. Epidural was pretty amazing after that.

How long you were in labour for?
36 hours, it was stop start (not contracting whole time!)

Highs and lows?
High: dancing (well shuffling really)round the birth suite with iPhone on shuffle and Marilyn Manson came on. Had been on a bit of a lull but it made me laugh. Feeling like a badass with my tens machine. Low: meconium and the drive in. The moment when at 9cm they realised what everyone thought was a head was a bum and he was undiagnosed breech... but only for a minute! They gave me the choice of carrying on or c section. I took the section.

What happened after the birth?
They stitched me up and the consultant told me she thought it was a good call.He latched on really quickly. Born New Year’s Day and it was really quiet in the ward. They looked after me really well. Stayed 24 hrs then home

Any complications?
Undiagnosed breech

What you would have done differently if you could?
Nothing

Any advice?
Don’t be attached to any one way of your baby arriving. On paper my birth sounds difficult, but it felt positive. I had good care and I was determined to not get attached to ithaopening a certain way.

[GummyGoddess]

You'll get a whole range of different answers, my idea of a great birth will be different to other people's.

In answer to your questions:

Horrible upset stomach, followed by waters breaking about 4 hours later. Went back to bed as it was the middle of the night.

I had a home birth, I sent DH to the gym in the morning on the basis that he wasn't going to go again for a while after he helped me stick the TENS on. Midwives appeared to check on me in the early afternoon.

DC was born in the bathroom instead of the nice pool we hired for him.

Pain relief was TENS and then pool, but nothing for the actual birth as I had to get out of the pool because I refused to move around enough. I thought the pool was excellent pain relief, but I wouldn't say it particularly hurt, it was more intense pressure. I didn't like the sound of the gas and air so didn't use it despite it being offered.

From waters breaking to baby was about 20 hours, but was asleep for some of that. Would have been shorter if DC wasn't back to back and if I had moved around.

High was that I avoided the hospital as they scare me as well as avoiding any stitches. I can't think of any lows, I think I had a really good experience. Even DC not being born in the pool turned out to be for the best as his cord was so short he wouldn't have cleared the waterline and I would have had to be hauled out quickly with him or stood up immediately.

After birth we had the afterbirth Placenta being delivered made me laugh as it felt funny and tickly and strange. After that I cut the cord and was helped to get up off of the bathroom floor, tucked into bed while DC was checked over by midwives and cuddled by DH. DH then brought me food and drink and I fell asleep. DH was waiting for this and tucked DC into his crib before getting into bed and also going to sleep.

No complications.

Nothing I would have done differently, I'm 32 weeks with DC2 and planning another home birth. This time I am trying hypnobirthing to see what it's like, but even if it doesn't work I know I can cope.

Advice would be don't lay down in labour, keep moving about or you'll just prolong it like I did. If you must sit down, sit leaning forwards or upright, don't lean back. Doing that will take baby's head off of your cervix and potentially slow down dilation. Dilation is the uncomfortable bit, the pushing I found enjoyable except for the crowning which stung a bit. Would suggest that you try and prolong the stinging of crowning as it lets your skin stretch and can help prevent any tears.

[AprilIce]

Thank you for sharing it's nice to hear other people's experiences!

[rubyroot]

Are you sure you want to ask this q?
You might get some horrid and scary stories and wish you'd never asked.

I know it scared the shit out of me when people shared their awful birth stories without me inviting them to.

[umberellaonesie]

1St labour niggly for a few days, show then couldn't sleep through contractions so got up at about midnight and had something to eat watched some telly. Then got in the bath. In and out the bath till morning. Good breakfast. Went into hospital at 8 am.
No analgesics, laboured on birthing ball, up right delivered on bed on my side at 12:30.
Had a PPH (post partum haemorrhage) emergency buzzer pulled lost about 1500mls. Catheter in for 24 hours, stayed in hospital for 4 days as was a bit woozy from blood loss.

Labour 2
Went in at midnight ish could have stayed at home but was carrying a very big baby and had been in and out of hospital for weeks with various aches and pains and false starts. I was miserable and ready to take all the drugs.
laboured upright, no analgesics, delivered 8am. No problems stayed in hospital 24 hours.

Labour 3. Waters went at 9.30pm headed in to hospital at 10.30pm, gas and air and wouldn't let midwife near me.
Delivered a face presentation with hand on his cheek at 11:59pm on my hands and knees.
It was the worst of my labours far to fast.
No tears though which I was very lucky considering his presentation

[windchimesabotage]

I did not go into labour naturally sadly and was very overdue so dont know the signs of labour!
Went into hospital as was booked in for induction on that date.
Induction with a pessary and then the hormone drip. Was in stirrups and constantly monitored however I did manage to avoid forceps and pushed baby out in the end after 36 hours.
I started off with a bath which did nothing then had pethadine which did nothing except make me extremely sick so then I had to be hooked up to IV fluids which made my legs swell up. Had an epidural which was AMAZING.
The high was probably when the epidural was put in and I got a bit of let up from the pain. Also I found soothing music helped far more than I ever thought it would.
The low was the length of time I was in labour, the pain and my psychological state. I suffered brief psychosis where I did not recognise anyone or realise that the baby was mine or real (thought it was made of rubber and I was on a tv show) That was really really frightening. Lasted a couple of days. The after care ward was horrific as well... really busy which obviously was not great for me as I was seriously terrified and just screaming.
Went on to develop PND. Got infection in my stitches which did not help matters. Couldnt walk for some time or even sit down for a few months. Just had to lie there.
However my son was born completely healthy and I made a complete recovery after around six months. The wound I had completely healed and I have no pain from it now at all. I did bond with my son in the end and love him more than anything. My PND went away and I came off the antidepressants and have not been on them for years now.
So overall it turned out okay in the end.
Im pregnant again and a lot less scared this time because I know that even when things seem really bad the human mind and body is something that can often cope even if it seems impossible.
Im aiming for a home birth this time around because I think being in a strange environment contributed massively to the mental health issues I suffered. Hopefully I will go into labour naturally this time and not be induced.
I did not buy into any of what I though was 'woolly new age stuff' last time but this time im really embracing it because when I was actually in labour I found that weirdly the things that did help the most were music and lighting. The pethadine did nothing but make me ill and feel vulnerable and confused.

Im not sure what advice id give because labour is SO different for every woman. I guess the only advice you can give is to keep an open mind about what might happen and what you might end up needing and to remember that however awful it seems it will not last forever. You CAN do this!!!

[BarryTheKestrel]

Your warning signs of labour? I'd had a sweep at lunch time, felt a bit weird, woke up at midnight with mild contractions.


What made you go into the hospital? I'd been timing my contractions for 24 hours, they were now getting very close together very quickly and my tens machine was no longer helping.

Type of birth? Assisted delivery in theatre with a spinal, episiotomy and forceps.

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
Tens machine, gas and air. Until I was taken to theatre for a spinal.
Honestly I would have taken anything I was given by my 12th hour in hospital but I was unable to talk by then and nothing was offered.

How long you were in labour for? From first contraction to birth, 39 hours. From waters being broken manually to birth, 7 hours.


Highs and lows? Highs, the spinal! And being able to watch the birth in the theatre light (probably shouldn't have watched but I did!)
Lows, crying a lot. Having jammy toast dropped on me by DH. Not communicating my wishes with DH properly meaning he was unable to advocate for me in the way I would have liked.


What happened after the birth? DD was showing signs of infection due to swallowing muconium so we had to stay in for a few days. Within 7 hours of birth she was vomiting bile and we were almost air lifted to another hospital but it was decided against at the last minute. As soon as her infection markers were down I discharged us both as I couldn't stand being in hospital a second longer, neither of us were resting well.


Any complications? As above. Things didn't go to plan at all.


What you would have done differently if you could? Made sure DH was aware of my wishes. Been more assurtive in how my treatment was handled. Now allowed myself to be bullied by midwives withholding gas and air because I 'wasn't cooperating' ( DD was actually stuck and I couldn't have pushed her out if I tried!)

Any advice?
Make sure you can stand up for yourself and have someone to advocate for you if you can't. Make sure they know exactly what you want in all scenarios. Ignore any birth plan you have. Chances are it won't go to plan unless your plan is 'just do it however it happens'.


Also, if you want to, take the drugs! There are no medals for doing it without!

[Anna2006]

@Aprillce

I think sometimes it’s good to share to hear good & bad. And to be prepared for what could be to come!

Your warning signs of labour?

Had a sweep at 40+4 although midwife couldn’t reach cervix as was far too posterior so didn’t actually do one. Started getting browny bloody discharge soon after even though it was unsuccessful which was my show. Contractions started late that evening. (So shocked the MW as she thought I had days to go before labour)

What made you go into hospital?

I had been having contractions for 24 hours ranging anywhere from 5 mins to 10 mins apart. They started coming every 3 minutes so went in to be checked to be told only 1-2cm. Went back home for another 5 hours and went back again due to contractions being almost on top of each other which is when I was 3cm. (Baby was back to back though so caused irractic contractions. Not the usual pattern)

Type of birth?
Ended up with assisted forcep delivery. Spent 12 hours on midwifery led unit. Spent hours in birthing pool. But slow dilation so eventually got sent across to delivery to manually break waters & start on syntocin drip to speed things up. Baby was back to back and tried to come down birth canal sideways. So got stuck and wedged in my pelvis. Hence the forceps delivery as I pushed for two hours an in the end they had to intervene.

Pain relief used? Good/bad?

Tens machine - used this at home and until 5cm in hospital. Helped majorly with back labour due to DDs positioning.
Pethidine - gave me a double dose and knocked me out so I slept (which I majorly needed after having contraction pains for well over 48 hours by this point)
Birth pool - used this for four hours. Good pain relief. Helped to ease it somewhat. Felt I was in control more. Can imagine it is even better with gas & air but I was refused this as was only 5cm dilated 🤔 (didn’t like that midwife)
Epidural - finally after 48 hours I had an epidural when they put me on syntocin drip. Was only on this for four hours before DD was born.


How long were you in labour?
Active labour was recorded as 16 hours (from 4cm to 10cm)
But from first twinge to baby being born was 56 hours. I had a very long latent phase an dilation was 1cm every 4 hours for me. It was a long hard slog!

Highs/lows?
Highs - DD being born obv. Realising labour had started. When I realised I could go to midwifery unit an maybe have my water birth (was high risk but they decided I could go once arrived. Obv the water birth never worked out but was nice whilst I was there at least)
Lows - frustration at such slow progress. slightly traumatic right at the end of the birth. Recovery process had been way longer than I anticipated due to my complications post birth.

Any complications?
Due to forcep assisted delivery & awkward baby position. DD turned on way out & resulted in me having 3rd degree tear. So was taken straight to theatre for 2 hours for surgery to fix it. Longer recovery for it to all heal and I hope for no long term problems involving incontinence.

Any advice?

My only advice would be to take on board peoples comments and stories but to not dwell on them. Every birth is different but maybe be prepared for it be not go as expected. Or maybe just go in with no expectations.

I wanted a natural relaxed water birth. Ultimately I ended up with entirely what I did not want - epidural, syntocin drip and assisted delivery. But... DD was born safe and ultimately I did it regardless!

Good luck OP! Hope this was helpful

[YoohooDorothy]

Your warning signs of labour?
Woke up at 37+5 with a strange feeling but nothing to put my finger on. Went to work as normal. Felt small gush like a heavy period and when i checked it was pink tinged water.

What made you go into the hospital?
Rang midwife for advice and was told to come in to be checked. Told i was not in labour but may as well go home and rest (lunchtime). Contractions started while i was waiting for DH to collect me. Had a bath etc and finally was admitted at 1am at 5cm dilated.

Type of birth?
VBac

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
Gas and air- good until they broke my waters, then not enough
Epidural- wonderful. Not totally numb so could still feel contractions but very mild. Was able to have a shower on my own and walk to post natal ward about an hour after DS was born.

How long you were in labour for?
From 'the gush' to DS being born was about 33 hours. Proper labour, probably about 28 hours.

Highs and lows?
Highs- when i finally got some sleep!!! Not being overdue and having time to get scared. Not pooing
Lows- Exhaustion. Needed stitches. Yanking my cannula out because i was so desperate to have the epidural that i couldn't wait for them to move the drip
What happened after the birth?
Parents and inlaws came and i slept!

Any complications?
Slight tear. All fine now. Cervix got to 5cm and then didn't progress for hours so needed the hormone drip and waters broken.

What you would have done differently if you could?
Nothing. Would have liked to move around more but i couldn't due to the equipment. Also meant to ask for a a water birth but didn't get round to it as was too knackered. Maybe should have tried to sleep during the early hours but i was expecting him to come during the morning, so was more bothered about bouncing on the ball to move him down.

Any advice?
Stay at home as long as you can. Try to get some sleep when the contractions are still bearable. Black leggings and vests were a good clothing choice.

[thecatspyjamass]

I was back and forth last few weeks to hospital to monitor bp with my first, I got contractions on/off days before, I went to hospital that afternoon for checkup.

We were going to go a walk but changed our minds and got back in car to go home, I got in, lay on bed and waters broke around 6pm, contractions started straight after and came straight after the other, I went to maternity unit and had to be strapped to bed for monitoring.

I tried has & air but it made me sick, 6 hours later baby arrived. I was 18 and terrified about labour, once it actually started it wasn't as bad as I imagined and was told.

No.2 & no.3 were inductions, zero signs and failed sweeps. No.2 was my quickest and best labour. She was the biggest, back to back and born in her sac. Induction only took one pessary and contractions started around an hour later. Contractions again came straight after the other, I was sent down to labour ward and she came 20 minutes later with no time for pain relief.

No.3 took two pessary's, contractions started after 2nd was put in and came every 1-2 minutes until he arrived 6 hours later with gas & air last hour. I assumed he would be quickest and easiest as he was the third. This was also longest recovery for me too.

All my births have been pretty straight forward with no complications, I became very dehydrated with no.3 and needed drip put in as I kept being sick when drinking and it was causing heart rate to go sky high but it levelled out after few bags. Don't think I would have done anything differently as if went well.

Good luck op, every birth experience is different. Keep calm. Hope everything goes smoothly for you 🙂

[RoryHatesCoffee]

Your warning signs of labour?

Waters broke in dramatic fashion! Contractions started 8 hours later.


What made you go into the hospital?

The dramatic gush!

Type of birth?

Natural


Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?

Tens machine- great
Shot of pethidin- helped me rest for 2 hours in early labour
Gas & air- great


How long you were in labour for?

10 hours after contractions started


Highs and lows?

Entirely positive experience. Hypnobirthing made all the difference. Relax your body as much as you can and don't fight against contractions, it's way less uncomfortable.

What happened after the birth?

A few stitches. Two nights in hospital learning to feed and getting to grips with having a small person. Sore for a couple of weeks. Dealing with a baby is way worse than giving birth!

Any complications?

Baby was prem but no issues.

What you would have done differently if you could?
Any advice?

Prepared more for life with a baby not just labour!

[TammySwansonTwo]

Never had a single contraction.

When I was 35 weeks exactly, I couldn’t tell if I was leaking pee or fluid. But it stopped so I went to bed. During the night I felt so ill. Ended up downstairs on the couch and felt so strange - heart racing, headache and it felt like my head was too big for my body which I realise makes no sense.

My midwife was due round the next day so I waited. She said it was probably nothing but sent me in to get checked out. When they put me on a monitor one of the twins had a static heart rate and I realised I couldn’t feel him moving.

They took me through to the labour ward, did a scan and put in a cannula, then told me he hadn’t been moving for a while and I was taken straight to theatre.

The spinal was a disaster but after that it was fine. Both boys were taken straight to nicu and I didn’t get to see them until the next day. Not how you want things to go but they’re both here so that’s the main thing.

[blinkineckmum]

I've had 3.
1st - started with backache. Then diarrhoea. Backache got unbearable, then worse in waves. Went to midwife unit. Stayed 12 hours, in and out the pool, gas and air, waters broken by midwife examining me, had diamorphine but it still hurt and made me worry how much worse it'd be once worn off. Only got to 3cm in 12 hours despite contractions 1m apart all that time. Indescribable pain. Transferred to hospital for drip, epidural (unbelievable relief!), eventually born with help of episiotomy and ventouse after 1 hour of pushing. He was born back-to-back.

2nd - waters went. Waited for things to start. Period pains gradually getting worse but coped at home with exercise ball and tens machine for 3.5 hours. Suddenly got unbearable. Drove to midwife unit yelling my head off. 10cm once there. 45mins pushing with gas and air. Unbelievable pain. Baby fine.

3rd - similar start to 2nd but no waters, and slower to get going. About 12 hours of period pains. Very manageable. Used tens and got to midwife unit earlier. 8pm. Ready to push by 9.30pm. Unbearable pain and couldn't shift baby. 1.5hours pushing using gas and air. Thought I'd never get her out. Eventually did it, causing 3rd degree tear. Hardest thing I've ever done.

I don't think I was designed for this!

[blinkineckmum]

Advice: have an epidural!

[WhingyNinja]

My early signs were moderate period-like pains and tightenings, they disappeared as I went to bed but I woke up at 2am to an intense contraction and they didn't stop or slow down! I was sick when I woke up too, which was unexpected!

My labour was 13 hours in total and intense from the start, I got very little respite and most of the pain was in my lower back which again was unexpected and really bloody painful.

I had gas and air and paracetamol when I was finally admitted at 6cm (I went to the hospital at 3cm and was turned away but after a waddle round the park outside the hospital for an hour I progressed and was admitted to the MLU.

My waters didn't break until I started pushing, and I only pushed for 20 mins or so, all in the pool in a whole manner of weird and wonderful positions, my midwife was impressed with my imagination and flexibility 😂

I had a nasty tear from my enthusiastic pushing and had to go to theatre so had a spinal block then which was lovely and calm after a rather fast and furious labour!

My advice would be to not be overly rigid in your birth plan and expectations and to listen to the midwife when they tell you 'little pushes, and breathe like you're trying to blow out a candle.' I didn't listen and paid the price. Ouch!

[Acorncat]

warning signs of labour?

• back pain
  

What made you go into the hospital?

• contractions every 3 minutes, fully dilated upon arrival
  

Type of birth?

• natural
  

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?

• none
  

How long you were in labour for?

• dc1 12hrs and dc2 4hrs
  

Highs and lows?

• no lows other than crowning - that stung!
  

What happened after the birth?

• cuddling, feeding and toast
  

Any complications?

• both had cord wrapped round neck and get stuck needing episiotomy
  

What you would have done differently if you could?

• nothing
  

Any advice?

• stay calm! Panicking makes everything worse and hurt more.

[Leighanndancer]

Hi @Aprillce

My daughter is 8 now but we are TTC #2 currently.
I remember #1 to the detail ... certainly didn’t put me off trying again.....


Your warning signs of labour?
None! Woke up and felt rough is all

What made you go into the hospital?
My waters broke as I got out of bed at 9am. No fluid at the time but weird pop which I thought might have been them.
Had a shower, washed my hair, shaved my legs (as much as I could lol!)
And started to feel tightening around middle but hadn’t a clue they were contractions 😂

Type of birth?
Natural

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
Gas and air

How long you were in labour for?
4 hours!!!!!

Highs and lows?
Highs - my hubby face when they said it’s a girl! 😭😭😭💖💖💖
Lows - vomiting in the waiting room

What happened after the birth?
I got to have a shower while grandparents all came in

Any complications?
None

What you would have done differently if you could?
Not at all

Any advice?
If you get a good midwife, listen to her/him. Mine was amazing and I felt totally at ease and im control throughout.

I was amazed at how quick and not painless but not as bad as I’d been told it would be.

Everyone is different

Good luck cx

[Leighanndancer]

And I forgot to add....
that first cup of tea and the toast were the best thing ever!!!

[Natsku]

Your warning signs of labour?
None really, just a "feeling" it was going to happen

What made you go into the hospital?
Waters broke (well leaked really), in the middle of the night. Wish I had gone back to sleep though for a bit instead of going straight to the hospital!

Type of birth?
Vaginal

Pain relief you did/didn't use and why it was good/bad?
Used tens for the drive to the hospital (long drive, hour and a half) which was good but took it off when I went for a shower in the hospital and forgot to put it back on again. Then used gas and air which is great, gives you something to focus on and makes you care less about the pain. Then had a single dose epidural which made me horribly shaky but did get rid of the pain for an hour. Had a top-up but it failed. Next top-up failed too. Then got a new one put in which worked but not as well as the first (but no shakiness which was good) and a top-up which slightly worked. Also had a para-cervical block at some point, which may be the reason I didn't get the ring of fire when pushing so pushing was actually the best bit though it was very tiring.

How long you were in labour for?
Gave birth 25 hours after waters broke but wasn't really in labour for all of it, the whole thing had to be induced with oxytocin drip starting a few hours after my waters went.

Highs and lows?
High was getting the very welcome news half way through that my brother had won his court case. Lows was pretty much everything else but the pushing part wasn't so bad.

What happened after the birth?
My memory is still fuzzy about that, they put baby on my chest and I fed him and cuddled him and then they brought me some food, and I was supposed to eat while they weighed and measured him etc. but I just couldn't, lost all my appetite and felt too weak to sit up to eat. Then they gave baby to my OH for skin to skin while I was supposed to go to shower but I couldn't stand up. After that it all went a bit crazy as I haemorrhaged.

Any complications?
I haemorrhaged and they had to put the drip back on and press on my uterus and use an in and out catheter a few times but they gave me back the gas and air so it was all a bit far away from me (as I used it constantly rather than spaced out like in labour so was very very high). Eventually I was taken to the post-natal ward on a bed and slept.

What you would have done differently if you could?
Wouldn't have gone in straight away, though I suppose I was right to do so because there was meconium in my waters but I think going in before labour got going was why it went so badly. I had to be in bed the whole time as I was on the drip for oxytocin and antibiotics (I had an infection apparently) and on the monitor so I couldn't walk around to help things progress.

Any advice?
If things start in the night try to sleep if you can. After that walk as much as possible!