Good Pregnancy - Bad Labour?

[Expectantmum]

Do any of you think there is any truth in the old wives' tale - if you have a good pregnancy, then it is more than likely you'll have a bad labour? I am 35 wks pg and so far (touch wood) have had a fabulous pregnancy with absolutely no problems, morning sickness or anything, in fact if my DB wasn't so lively inside, I would have to remind myself that I am actually pregnant!! Am just interested by everyone elses views

[jessicasmummy]

i was opposite... and seems the same this time too - bad pregnancy, easy labour! Sorry, i know thats not what you want to hear!

[Toothache]

EM - Good pregnancy 1st time... ending in high BP (thankfully didn't progress onto pre-eclampsia) - Had a Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery at 39+2 wks, 7 hr labour, no complications

2nd pregnancy - Not as good, had mild SPD, high BP mid-pregnancy, was fine at the end. - Had a Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery at 39+2 wks, 1hr of full labour, no complications.

So, no I don't think there's any truth in it. Don't worry!

[acnebride]

I bristle madly if anyone even mentions the word 'easy' in connection with my labour - but in fact that's what I had. I prefer 'straightforward' I had a completely straightforward pregnancy apart from a bit of insomnia, and an unbelievably straightforward labour that started at 4 pm and ended at 11.14 pm. No pain relief, largely because by the time I was in pain there wasn't any time. Anyway, enough! I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was some statistical truth in the old wives' tales but nothing is a given in childbirth.

[Expectantmum]

No, not at all, am first time mum so have absolutely no idea what to expect anyway!! I must admit to feeling really intrigued though, it doesn't matter what people tell you, I am intrigued to experience labour - hope that does make me a freak ! Have just resigned myself to the fact that this is something I have to go through in order to cuddle my wee DB for the first time - can't wait!

[acnebride]

sorry, when i say no pain relief, i had tens, pool, g&a. i just mean no major opiates.

[Toothache]

Thats the best attitude Expectantmum.... and I am one of those freaks who actually looked forward to labour the 2nd time around!!

[Expectantmum]

Yeah, see, I always thought that the thought of labour the second time round would be worse in some respects, as you already know what to expect, if that makes sense! I have also had some really funny looks off people when I explain that although I can't wait to become a mum, I'll also miss being pregnant, have to admit that, for me, and I know not everyone can be that lucky, its been the best experience in the world.

[hotmama]

Expectantmum - I wouldn't worry about this as it is going to come sooner or later!

However, horrendous the birth is the body does heal, you seem to forget how bad it was and you do eventually have sex.

I too had a good pregnancy with no morning sickness etc although I had loads of water retention towards the end - though I think this has more to do with being 8 months pregnant in August.

I was 9 days late, was in labour for 3 days with little progression and that eventually had a lovely forceps delivery as dd was in foetal distress - I then lost 4 pints of blood!

There is no point in you being told that birth is always an easy experience BUT for many it is. I have loads of friends who had relatively good experiences so whatever will be will be IYSWIM.

Get in some paracetemol, some lovely gel pack things that you can put in your pants (the closest to Nirvana I have ever experienced) and take some Arnica as it helps reduce any bruising and swelling.

Hopefully, you'll post in a few weeks time that you have a lovely dd/ds and that you can't understand what all the fuss is about!

[Expectantmum]

Paracetamol and gel packs????? I thought a case of wine would be the best cure to get over child birth???? he he he

[beansprout]

Haven't heard of this before but definitely true for me. Sailed through the whole thing. Ds was very, very late. Disasterous labour that resulted in a c-section but would do it all again tomorrow as he is beautiful! (and that's the main thing).

Hope things go well for you and that this old wives tale is a pile of poo!

[suzywong]

do you just want stats on this thread?

ds1 easy easy PG spontaneous labour on due date, dilated to 8cm then em C

ds2 easy again, spontaneous labour on due date, dilated to 9.5cm, yes count 'em 9.5cm, then another hatchet job

[fastasleep]

I had a bloomin awful pregnancy with DS 1 and labour was lovely in comparison!! I actually enjoyed it.... this preg's been pretty rough but not as bad as last time so far - I wonder if there is any truth to the old wive's tale

[Expectantmum]

Fastasleep I guess we'll find out soon enough !

[Chuffed]

Easy pregnancy, awful labour - I fit the stats perfectly.
Somebody said (well something along the lines of) to me at about 8mths pregnant (she had 4 children too) after I said I had had a great pregnancy.
Well no matter what happens with labour it is only a matter of hours in comparison to the great number of months you've been healthy, happy and comfortable and keep telling yourself this during labour. (it did help a little I suppose)

[Rhubarb]

When is labour ever not bad? I mean, you have 9 months to get used to the inconveniences of pregnancy, but just a few hours to adjust to the complete agony of labour.

I had bloody awful pregnancies and bloody awful labours!

[smellymelly]

I totally agree... ds1 was a great pregnancy and his labour was very long and hard, but he was my first.

Dd1 was a tough pregnancy, and her birth was bloody fantastic!! (with an epidural though)

Dts, really really, hard pregnancy, really short labour (2.5hours) but needed help to get them out as I was so knackered from the previous 9 months I think. But apart from a panic with dt2, the labour was ok...

[expatinscotland]

I had an awful pregnancy. And the labour and delivery were even worse. But the baby was an 'angel' baby who is still calm and mellow.

[Fio2]

yes fully dilated and emergency section

[TracyK]

easy peasy pregnancy and easy (straightforward) labour. At work Friday, shopping in Tescos sat. lunchtime, went home with food poisoning type sore tummy, had a poo, went to hospital already 6cms dilated, ds born at 9.30pm.
It was all so easy that I'm scared to tempt fate again and have another!

[beansmum]

I think it's just an old wives tale, I had a really easy pregnancy, no sickness, no swelling, put on a lot of weight but just because I ate too much. My labour was really easy too, 7 hrs and only painful for about 15 mins of it.

[Expectantmum]

I guess it just depends on the individual. My friend had her DD last weekend, was induced at 2.45pm and DD was born at 5.30pm, both really well. Now THAT I think I could handle!!! I am just gonna try and go in with an open mind, haven't made any decisions on pain relief, my partner and my mum are going to be with me, and will just take it a step at a time......... but hey, still got another five weeks to worry about it yet!!

[zubb]

I had 2 very easy pregnancies, and two very quick easy labours, so not true at all IME. Now half way through another easy pregnancy so hope that it holds for me!

[spilla]

I have to say that I probably agree with this old wives tale. I had a brilliant pregnancy and couldn't believe my luck when I went into labour a week early. After a previous c-section I wanted to try a natural birth, 17½ hours later I had to give in and have a ventouse delivery, not bearly as bad as a c-section but was pretty horrendous, I just had no strength to push after a long labour and several top-ups of the epidural. Also baby was in fantastic position when I started in labour only to turn half way through and give me horrendous back pain labour!!!

All I can say is wait until after, then tell us whether you believe the old wives tale, Good Luck!