Did anyone else enjoy childbirth?

[CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair]

Not a boasting thread at all as I know it’s all in the luck of the draw and j was fortunate to have quick labours (although DS1’s left me a little shell shocked as I wasn’t expecting it). I’ve had DS2 3 months ago and he’ll probably be our last. The thought makes me very sad for lots of reasons including the fact that I feel really upset at the thought of never giving birth again. I found it such a powerful experience even though it was the most pain I’ve ever experienced.

DS2’s birth was lovely but DS1s was everything I didn’t want: induction, coached pushing in stirrups, not listened to and I ended up taking drugs that I haven’t wanted as I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to cope when the pain got worse (it never did despite the midwives keep telling me that I’d be put on the drip to “get things going soon” and failing to believe I was close until they went to put a clip on DS1’s head and found I was fully dilated). DS1 ended up needing oxygen and the room was full of people, bright lights and I felt guilty and in shock.

Despite that I felt really positive going into DS2’s birth as I felt that knowing what was happening would make me feel less panicked and then able to breathe better, relax and be in the moment rather than worrying about what was to come, and that’s what happened. With both once I reached the pushing stage I was fine as I felt the pain was purposeful.

I’ve generally found that women who have given birth tend to almost be in competition to say how awful it was and only one friend told me she actually enjoyed it (even though she had traumatic post-birth complications). Is this reflective of other mum’s experiences and do we not talk about it because we’re worried we’d sound smug?

3 out of 4 births were quite simply amazing (and 2 of these were back to back). Yes, it was bloody painful, but I was so high I didn’t care. I have never taken Class A’s, but if they make you feel anything like I felt after giving birth I see the attraction.

I did have one horrible birth, but on paper it wasn’t really any harder.

I am well aware that this can seem a little smug, and I know that I was simply lucky.

I think I can say that I enjoyed the birth of my 2nd child.

She was very quick, waters went at 2am, got to the hospital at 2.55am and she was born at 3.05am. So, yes it was a shock how quick it was, but there was no opportunity for pain killers or even gas and air. I feel like I kind of went into cavewoman mode and just did what my body told me.

My first was premature and took 7 hrs but they gave me pethadine which was awful (and I found out afterwards they never should have given it to me as the baby was prem).

Absolute nightmare - incredibly painful and I had a 7 litre PPH with DD1.

DD2 was an elective section and I did enjoy that.

Nope. Even though it was a 4 hour labour from start to finish, it was very painful, difficult and scary. I ended up with a episiotomy and suction cup due to baby going into distress.

Straight after birth was amazing though. I had loads of energy and felt quite invincible. I had a pain free and easy recovery.

I did enjoy my second birth for similar reasons to you, less unknown and it was fast. It was also at home which I’d wanted first time but didn’t happen. It was a lot like I’d imagined first birth to be - my body doing the work and me just following for the ride. All very intense but bearable, I didn’t even think about pain relief whereas with my first I needed an epidural to cope. It was wonderful to deliver her at home with lovely midwives and DH cheering me on, then cosy up and all go to bed together.

Id like a third and one of the draws is wanting to be pregnant and give birth again - not enough of a reason alone of course but I really want that chance.

Yes, it was great - scheduled C-section as I didn’t go into labour at all, took 45 minutes, from wheeling me in to being in the recovery suite, utterly painless throughout and healed with no issues afterwards. I was very lucky!

I enjoyed my elective c-section with DD2 very much in comparison to the shit show that was DD1’s vaginal delivery

My first three were not great to be honest. I always have quick labours and they were scary and I felt completely out of control. I felt like a crazed animal. Always too quick for pain relief and ended up with episiotomys and bad tears.

Had number 4 last week and it could not have been more different. Still quick but didn't feel scary at all, I felt at peace and connected to the baby. I had gas and air and the pain felt managable. I spent the whole pregnancy terrified and dreading it but it was really lovely.

I enjoyed 2 of mine out of 5 (first and third). Slow start and then I was in active Labour for 4 hours with dc1 and 2 hours with dc3. With dc3 I was meant to be induced so I was hanging around the hospital all day reading my book. The midwife kept apologising for the delay and offering me more toast and jam. It took so long I went into Labour naturally which was great as I didn't actually want to be induced anyway.

1st child...not nice.

2nd child....painful but I honestly felt such euphoria I can't put it into words. It was like a spiritual experience...sounds a bit mad but that's the only way I can describe it

Yes, I really enjoyed my two. Extremely quick, but gas and air was enough to get through the worst of it.

Going into childbirth, I feared the worst, but my experiences were amazing. No more kids for me though. Not gonna tempting fate!

Yes, I enjoyed all of mine. Tbf they were quick labours. I didn't need any painkillers and didn't find them especially painful unless I lay on my back (which I decided not to do). The last Labour was about 45 minutes from the first twinge to the birth. They were all big babies too - over 9 pounds.

I just felt amazingly powerful and I'd do it again tomorrow if I could. I appreciate a lot of this is luck.

I loved giving birth! People have told me I’m crazy for enjoying it but I’d definitely do it again (had 2 children) except I don’t want another child. I do feel sad when I think about never doing it again

I totally get the euphoria.

With DS1 I had a third degree tear but DS2 didn’t even need a stitch despite being 10lbs. I think partially as I was able to get into a position that felt natural and quite primal.

I recovered really quickly with DS1 though and felt fine, I was very surprised that i found recovery much worse with DS2, incredibly painful trapped wind and I struggled to walk as my PGP got worse, whereas with DS1 it went the second he came out.

I've had four children and all of them were wonderful home births. However, my last two in particular because I knew what to expect, I didn't need any pain relief because I found a way to draw my mind into my body. It's was an amazing and empowering experience. Obviously there was pain but it was manageable and purposeful and mind worked with body to keep calm and focused.

Loved both births, I was very lucky, they were quick and straightforward. The only less delightful bit was transition - I felt cold and distant from what was going on around me, a bit dissociated - but pushing was the most profound experience of my life, I was in awe of myself and my amazing body that was now birthing a baby I'd nurtured. I'm still blown away by it. A colleague told me she'd just laughed all the way through at the sheer audacity of what she was doing. Another friend said that when she'd given birth she knew that she wanted to do it again, and I know I've got birth privilege and I'm really grateful.

First one was induced and was fucking awful, with complications. Second should never have had an epidural, also awful blood loss with ventouse and complications.

Third was better. I felt like I was bossing it. Totally ignored other half who was cowering in a corner not being remotely helpful. I remember thinking I only need myself, DH can fuck off. I declared what position I was taking next and took control. I remember shouting, you can do this, while bouncing on the birthing ball sucking gas. I told the midwife proudly I was going to kneel up and hold the head board. I completely don't know why I did this.

I had one little bit of shit this is fucking awful I can't do it, right before the poo sensation bit when baby's head crowns. They passed him to me via underneath me, nothing like I'd expected. No complications, I was ecstatic.

That's enough for me. I'm definitely done.

First was very difficult but second was wonderful. One of the best experiences of my life and full of joy.

The children I had in hospital the births were shit. Nothing bad happened. It was just the midwifes were rude. I felt like a slab of meant. There was nothing special about it. There were horrible vibes. I had 2 other births in hospital just as shit. My 3rd thru tried to tell me I was not in labour although hos head was coming out I just managed to get on a bed and gave birth on the ward with Just curtains round.

After that I had home births, they are the best ever and it did feel special. No one was rude it was all relaxed and lovely best experience ever.

1st birth wasn’t great, forceps delivery in hospital.

2nd and 3rd were homebirths and totally amazing. Hard, painful, euphoric, empowering. Don’t want another child but would love to give birth again!

Hell no. Induced both times. First time dd was back to back, cord round neck, ventouse failed, then finally forceps. Second time also hellish. I'm always baffled that anyone could enjoy it, even if it were 10 times less bad than mine. I wasn't interested in it being special. I was only interested in the baby, not the process! I would have hated to have a home birth.

Er no. You need to get out more 😀

Neither of my births were straightforward but they were nice experiences and I know what you mean by feeling empowered. I felt like that despite assistance both times. With my first birth though I was so utterly terrified until the actual birth and with the second I just went into a zone, maybe because the labour came on naturally.

My first was premmie so not great but no particularly bad either just not what anyone would chose. My second was amazing, I wouldn't have changed any of it!

No, not at all. First birth DD. I had itching from around 29 weeks and it was hell. Had tests and all came back fine. Had to put up with it until she was born at 42 weeks I was covered from head to toe with a rash. When my DD was born it was all worth it when I held her. My rash disappeared when my DD was 4 weeks old and no scaring.

2nd birth my DS was much the same but I was grateful he was healthy and fine. Born at 40 weeks. Worth it all to hold him.

My 3rd pregnancy and birth was devastating. My healthy DS was born alive at 26 weeks but due to an infection which had gone untreated he was born prematurely. 4 hour labour. He lived for 3 and half hours. I was so blissfully unaware what can go wrong after having two healthy pregnancies but it changed me completely. We had his hands and footprints, memory box but walked out of the hospital without my baby. I had a week long stay due to septicemia and we were heart broken. We were put in touch with Sands and they were an absolute life line. We had his funeral and then appointments to see the consultant. My milk came through which was a reminder of the little one we lost. I got pregnant again but ended in a miscarriage at 8 weeks.

My last pregnancy with my DS I was monitored all the while. I developed another infection but it was caught and treated quickly. I just remembered being on edge all the while, thinking my baby would died. He was fine, 3 hour labour. We never told anyone until I was definitely showing incase we would lose him. I didn't feel excited just worried but when he was born, I was so relieved all was well and we were going to bring him home. I hemorrhage with my DS and I was put on a drip for 9 hours. Luckily all was ok. I was never like my mum or my sister as they had quick and straightforward pregnancies/labour's.