To wonder if anyone has a positive hospital birth experience?

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I had a nightmare first birth in hospital, and every single person I know that has had a baby since then has some sort of horror story to tell about their experience too.

I am determined to have a home birth this time with as little intervention as I can get away with, but am also very aware that this may not be possible nearer the time. So basically, I need to hear some positive stories about how giving birth in hospital can actually be quite nice really (well in the grand scheme of things anyway!).

Anyone care to share - am hoping for once that IABU!!!

I went to an amazing very progressive NHS maternity-led unit for both of mine and was more than happy with my treatment. I actually had the same midwive throughout my second labour, where I had to transfer due to meconium, giving birth with only her help, no issues/stitches/ect, she was a real pro and I still think about how wonderful she was. But I did not want to give birth in one of the large london hospitals, I had terrible prenatal care in them and didn't fancy giving birth in one, so went to a different midwife led unit.

I don't want to give the impression I had a great time, my first birth was horrible, the second much nicer, but I had excellent one-to-one care and someone was always with me which I think is quite rare these days (from watching OBEM!)

Having a baby was the best thing that ever happened to me - hospital experience was the worst. My expectations for care were far too high - one midwife was fantasic the other 10 or so were in the wrong job. In slow painful labour on an induction ward with women in for observation was horrible. Felt totally unprepared when things went wrong. Had an EMCS and left in a lot of pain after 2 days - with DVT that was undiagnosed for a further 2 months.

It would not have put me off having more children. You live and learn; you know what to expect and can make you make your feelings clear. If you had an EMCS you will probably be advised not to have a home birth. Whatever happens it is only a short period of time and you will have a lifetime with your new baby. Good luck

I had two very straightforward births, both in a birthing centre. Just gas and air the second time, stitches both time but all healed well, I don't feel like I carry any scars I can't live with.

I sort of enjoyed the pushing stage - oh the sounds I made.

insert mooing cow icon here

Birth 1, awful (as first births often are).

Birth 2 ? fantastic. Had 2 wonderful midwifes, they totally understood what sort of women I was and how to deal with me. I birthed how I wanted (not on the bed, even for examinations) and just had gas and air. DS was popped on me, then cuddled by DH and wasn?t weighted etc for ages.

Afterwards I had a lie on the bed sending texts to the grandparents and got to suck on some more gas and air while the stitches were done. Chilled out, relaxed and not at all what I was expecting.

Had planned a HB but couldn?t due to this and that. It was quick so the MW?s didn?t go anywhere once they had been ?assigned?. I was lucky too because it was quiet.

Was very worried about ?going back? after the first. As it happened it all worked out wonderfully.

So yes, OP the positive stories are out there?I even have friend who birthed like this first time around cow lucky girl!

I did too. Waters broke but no contractions, advised to go straight in due to GBS, was put on cyntocin and iv anti-b's. Had an epidural 5 hours later due to really struggling. My labour lasted 8.5 hours ish, ds was out in 3 pushes.

I had two MW's the whole night and he main one stayed by her shift to deliver ds. And they both had the same first name, which coincidently is my name also (and it's not a very common name, poor DH lol)

I had a great experience with my dd's hospital birth. The midwives were all fantastic. One of my main concerns when pregnant was that I was going to have post-partum haemorrhage (lose loads of blood). This actually ended up happening, but they dealt with it so well that I hardly cared.

Mine was fairly alright was only in labour 4 hours Induced thought wasnt too nice, I got stitched up and cleaned straight away though. but thats becasue I haemorraghed and they couldn't have left me.

mini hope you're heartened by these positive stories

FWIW I was far more worried about labour with DC2 than with DC1 (ignorance is bliss and all that), even though the birth of DC1 was straightforward and uncomplicated

I had all mine in the pool and would whole-hearetedly encourage anyone to have a waterbirth! Getting into the warm water changed my mentality instantly with all of them, esp DC3 who was a big bugger and was back-to-back. The water really helped me stay calm and focussed, not panic etc. And you can still have the gas&air in there

I wish you all the best!

you will hear more horror stories as research has shown for many things not just childbirth (restaurants etc)if someone has bad experience on average they tell 11 people and if a good experience only 3.

my baby was small so unmonitored delivery was never going to happen DD ended up indistress after induction so EMCS, so emergency DH did not get there in time, but she was fine just 24 hours in high dependency without them I would have made it but my DD probably would not have. was in a week as problems BF but all in all very positive nice staff etc and my wee girl is fine which is the important thing...... advice 4 word birthplan "go with the flow" medical intervention is not a failure on your part its a life saver

good luck

I went to the John Radcliffe in Oxford, must have been involved with about 30 different staff over the three days I was in (inc about 10 core staff). Every single one of them was BRILLIANT - calm, respectful, kind etc etc. I had a hard time but in my case the hospital made verything easier. Good Luck

Birth 1 - Labour ward, hurt a lot, but from waters breaking to DS appearing it was 12 hours. Post-natal ward was pretty nasty and had to stay 2 nights because of incompetent paed's

Birth 2 - birth centre at same hospital - absolutely fantastic! We were there 7 hours (DD appeared 15 mins after arrival) although I would have happily stayed overnight as it was like a hotel! So happy we even made a donation! Fab experience.