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?

My labour with DD lasted 6 days and ended in emergency c section. So no, I did not enjoy it. 😂

First one was a shocker. Second one was great- I was so worried that I’d have to be induced again that I welcomed the very contraction on the basis it meant I was actually in labour. Very quick- my waters didn’t even go. Afterwards I felt like I could have gone out dancing.

3 fairly quick labours, 1 - 4 hours, 2 - 2 hours, 3 - 1 hour.
All thoroughly unenjoyable although I will say that I don’t like being in pain and it was very very painful. Horrible. The burning splitting pain will stay with me forever and I can genuinely say hand on heart that I hated it.

I enjoyed my second child's birth.

I spent early labour in the bathtub overnight, then when the contractions started to ramp up the next morning I had an epidural, lay down to nap for an hour and then when I woke up it was almost time to push.

After an EMCS first time round it was a very positive, healing experience. I'm sad I probably won't get to do it again.

First was desperate ventuouse delivery and alot stitches. I had a 2nd but that was it. Was awful really.

I found giving birth was one of the most horrendous experiences of my life and despite what people say, I didn't forget about it afterwards and still remember it very vividly.

I also hated every second of being pregnant. I had severe morning (and sometimes all day) sickness which started as I was sitting outside the clinic waiting to have my pregnancy test confirmed and finished when my labour started. I had Braxton hicks type contractions from 11 weeks, had awful heartburn all through, and looked like a whale from about 16 weeks. I was 34 when I got pregnant, which was considered quite old in those days, and was persuaded to go to ante natal classes which I found another ordeal.

It was all worth it to have my daughter, but it was the worst nine months of my life! 😆😆

My first was really traumatic and unbelievably painful. Afterwards I felt a lot of anger and resentment at my NCT and hypnobirthing facilitators. I felt like they had lied to me and made me feel guilty for even feeling pain. In fact - eight years on I still feel anger.
As a result I had an elective c-section with my second which was much better. Still painful afterwards but nothing like what I felt first time around.

I had such a fantastic birth with my 2nd, I was completely euphoric. It was easy, quick and painless - and drug free. I honestly felt like superwoman 😂

I was on such a high and for so long, i actually ended up worrying about it and fearing I’d crash at some point. Thankfully, I didn’t. But it really was the best experience of my life.

@Busydayahead I’m so sorry that happened x

I had three horrible births so no I didn't "enjoy" them. I did however enjoy the experience and am glad that I had those experiences.

@Busydayahead sorry for your loss 💐

Yep - I think a lot about my second birth actually (quite a strange amount I think!) I would love to feel those sensations again, the way your body moves to do something so special and then the euphoria afterwards of "I did it". And the special few hours of skin to skin. Just so magical. I feel sad that I won't get to give birth again and also cheated because dd1 birth was awful so although I have my 2 kids I only have 1 good birth experience.

No dd1 27 hour active labour ending EMC
Dd2 17 hour active labour ending in cat 2 emc after an hour or pushing

Thank you x

My experiences sound very very similar to yours. Dc1 was awful, i felt not listened to, ended up on my back with stirrups and interventions etc.

Second time I got the birth I wanted and it was so empowering and healing. I relive it often to remind me how amazing my body and mind is and I would do it again tmrw.

Thank you x

I didn't hate it. Enjoyed might be slightly too strong, but I'm fortunate that neither of them were that bad. Even with DD2 where I was induced was fine.

Yes I enjoyed mine but it’s not something I’d be brave enough to say in real life.

It’s weird how it’s fine to say you really enjoyed breastfeeding, or had an amazing c section experience.

But if you say you had a water birth with no pain relief and it was a really positive experience, people think you’re smug 🤷‍♀️

NO!

As they say on MN, no is a complete sentence 🤣

No, it was a complete nightmare.

Took days, induction, forceps, episiotomy, failed epidural, patronising midwives.

Most degrading experience of my life.

I enjoyed the birth with DS1. 7 hours from first pain to baby, gas and air, episiotomy at the end. I think I was so worked up about how bad it was going to be I was kind of like "oh, I'm doing it, and it's going OK". Got quite in the zone.

DS1 did then go on to spend a month in NICU so I think I partly only feel I can share that the birth went well and I enjoyed it because something else shit happened to our family afterwards! It's a funny world.

I've had three births. The first was quite traumatic, very fast and baby was in distress. The third was induced a bit early and she was back to back and I was quite poorly (that pregnancy triggered an autoimmune disease), it was just agony and I was so so tired.

My second birth was beautiful. It was honestly one of the nicest experiences of my whole life. Yes it hurt, obviously, but I don't really remember that part - I was just totally calm, totally in the zone, I felt great and somehow it was just lovely. It is a really really special memory. I always remember to talk about that one to friends who are pregnant, because you get enough scare stories and it truly can sometimes be nice!

Aah congratulations Moominmoko on your new baby! That’s such a lovely post! So glad you finally experienced a peaceful birth!

My first birth was absolutely amazing. I had no meds and I was on the most unbelievable natural high afterwards. I felt like a warrior goddess.

I'd give birth again any day.

Yeah I enjoyed my second labor used the tens machine and breathing.
Was very quick went in was seen at 9am was in labor for a couple of hours and only pushed for 3 minutes. Felt my body take over and knew what it was doing gave birth on all fours!!