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?

I had two ELCS and I LOVED them. Never felt so much as a contraction, the whole thing was a bit achey and uncomfortable, but I was never in any actual pain. They were both so calm and stress free and my doctor talked me through the whole process both times while I asked loads of questions. It was so interesting!

The second time around was even better because the anesthetist noticed I was a bit nervous and put "a little something" in my drip to relax me and it was amaaaazing. I was so blissed out and happy.

Birth 1: Ok, I had a long labour and was exhausted and very shell shocked when DD1 was born. Had an episiotomy and needed stitches. Birth was fine, the 24 hours on the ward following were utterly horrendous though.

Birth 2: Water birth, it was amazing!!! Arrived at hospital around 4am and DD2 born at 6:30am. I was in the pool on gas and air, I felt calm and relaxed and was cracking jokes with midwives. Being the first to touch and hold DD2, lifting her up out of the water and onto my chest was just magical. I was home just after lunch time so I didn’t even have to spend a night in hospital on the dreaded ward.

Birth 3: Planned induction and whilst it certainly wasn’t awful it was my hardest and most painful labour. I thought I would be fine on gas and air as I had been previously but I totally underestimated the intensity of contractions on the induction drip, it’s so not the same as regular contractions. I regret not requesting an epidural at the start of induction, I did ask during labour but I was too far gone to have it by then.

Birth 4: Triggering story of loss so won’t go into detail, but didn’t feel right not mentioning him either.

Birth 5: Twins via planned C Section. I had always wanted to avoid a C Section with previous births, but after my previous loss and given it was twins I decided on having the Section. I was apprehensive and very worried but it ended up being a wonderful and calm experience. The worst bit was having to sit hunched over and sit very still for the spinal, I had twin 2 stuck up in my ribs and twin 1 on my bladder so it was stupidly painful having to hold that position. Staff were amazing, twins were born doing well and I was on the table cuddled up with them on my chest whilst I was stitched up. An hour later we were in recovery and the babies were breastfeeding like champs, I had been so worried we would struggle given the surgery and the twins being early. We were home just 24 hours later, so was very lucky.

If you ever want a career change OP you sound like you would make an amazing doula especially for first time mums

Funnily enough I am looking to retrain.

Two elective sections and I can honestly say I did enjoy them. I was incredibly lucky and had no pain during or after, very minimal blood loss and speedy recoveries. I know this isn't the case for everyone so I do feel lucky to have enjoyed my experience both times.

I've had wonderful births and felt really proud of myself afterwards.

Baby 1 - wonderful midwife, pethidine was amazing, short pushing stage. 7 hrs in total
Baby 2 - same wonderful midwife, had pethidine again (I could have done without it but I really enjoyed it the first time) 3 hours in total
Baby 3 - contracted an hour or so at home before going to hospital. Delivered 15 mins after admission. That one smarted a bit but overall quick and easy.
Baby 4 - huge back to back baby. Had lovely pethidine again. Took 4 hours

They are annoying teenagers now so it was nice to reminisce on the births I had. I was very lucky.

Yes. Mine was great, but you can’t say that to people really, can you?
Multiple pregnancy losses, then not being able to get pg at all for years, too old for IVF, we’d given up.

Lovely, calm, happy pg - once we accepted that this one was going to stick.

Waters broke at 8pm, contractions started immediately. Easy labour, we were sent home from hospital around 10.30 through - they didn’t believe I was actually in labour bc I was too calm apparently. I had a paracetamol for pain relief. It was pressure rather than pain. Beautiful healthy son born at home just before 2am, in our bathroom, with my husband on the phone to 999. Just us. Absolutely magical. Terrifying for my husband but I felt like I’d conquered the world. Ambulance turned up about 5 minutes later and took us all to hospital to get checked out. We were all fine, went back home after 5 hours.

It was easily my greatest achievement.

Haha I just came on to say just that…

No.

No.
Second birth was a bit less traumatic than the first.. still begged to be killed at one point...
you've given me hope tho lol. Due my third in Jan and hoping for a homebirth.. would love to feel it was empowering like you say.