To ask you to share your childbirth experiences?

[xoguineas]

First time mum due on the 18th Jan and would love to hear all the good, bad and gory details

Waters broke in bed at half midnight. Went to hospital 2am to get checked out. Home by 5.30am.
Went back in at 4pm as felt the contractions were closer together. Was told, depressingly, that I was only 1cm dilated and was in agony. Given codeine which did bugger all.
Went back home, got in the bath. Got straight out of the bath to be sick, whilst more waters broke on the floor!
Rang labour suite in tears saying I couldn't do it. Got sent back in at 5.45pm. Could barely walk across the car park.
Went to toilet and was adamant he was coming out. Midwife checked and I was bloody 9cm! Within an hour and a half! Pushed with gas and air.
Son was born at 8pm weighing 7lb 13oz. Had 2nd degree tear.
Once they're here, you forget it all, it really isn't a myth. My midwife was amazing and took such lovely care of me. It was a lovely moment when the baby is there and you're just absorbing it all.

I stayed in hospital for 2 nights due to waters breaking early (they monitor you and baby for infection). I enjoyed the time on the ward. People on call to help with their expert advice, dinner ordered
He's 5MO nearly now, and I'm really proud of us both going through the experience.
It's painful but it's worth it!
Lots of luck, you'll do great!

Ps he was two weeks early- I'd spent the last four days really uncomfortable and antsy, so should've guessed he was coming!

DS born after 18 hr labour which I found quite bearable for most of it. I was 7cm dialated when I got to hospital, spent a few lovely hours in the water with gas and air then got out to push. He was back to back so it was tough but nothing more traumatic than a second degree tear.
DD was born 20 mins after arriving at hospital! Again I found the labour bearable (get your breathing right and relax) and probably left it to late. She was born in the pool after one push, no time for gas and air. No stitches but I suffered a post partum heamorrage so I had to rushed to theatre but was out a few days later.
You'll be fine😁

remember
I had a normal labour with a back to back. It just took longer and had backache throughout. However managed to deliver without staff noticing whilst I was having a conversation with dr.

Has a section with my first which was the worst day ever in my life due to the section. I would have gladly given my baby back not to have had that experience.

DS is now 19 months.

Induced at nearly two weeks over, pessary in at lunchtime Sunday, started getting crampy feelings at 10pm, asked for paracetamol at 10.30, begging for something harder by 11pm. Gas and air didn’t work, I think DS had turned back to back at last minute. Transferred to labour ward st midnight, only 2 cm dilated.

Horrible pains, gas and air still not working but I sucked on that motherfucker anyway, goodness knows why. Had diamorphine at some point and had a blissful hour of relief. Pains came back with a vengeance after though and they were just constant, no peaks and troughs like I was told there would be!! Begged for an epidural, which didn’t work. Had to wait an hour for the man to come back, when he did he tried again and it didn’t work and the third attempt didn’t either.

Little did we know that when he came back to site the second at 8ish, they examined me and I was 4cm. 40 minutes later I felt like I had to push, and ds was born 20 minutes later!!

40 minutes active labour, 20 minutes pushing phase. No wonder I was in bloody agony! Ds did get a bit distressed because everything moved so quickly, his heart rate dropped a few times and the room filled with midwives very quickly. I don’t remember much of it if I’m honest, I’m going off what my mum told me and I also asked the community midwife to come out to me and go through my notes because, honestly, I found the whole thing quite traumatic and I lost whole swathes of time.

I do remember (can’t remember her face but remember a presence blocking out all the light because she leaned over me) the head midwife (I was told she was the head midwife afterwards) getting right up close to my face and really calmly saying something like you have to get your baby out now because he’s struggling. She was so calm and in the midst of all this scary stuff where I honestly felt like I was on the brink of losing my mind, I wasn’t properly present at all, she felt a bit like an angel.

I’ve just cried typing all that out. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done BUT as soon as DS was out it all stopped and I’ve never felt so peaceful and empowered in all my life. Best worst thing ever haha. And I know you hear horror stories about midwives, but mine were fantastic. They were efficient and calm and kind and supportive and they never let on that anything was wrong until they absolutely had to, and even then it was done in a completely non alarmist way. They held my hands, they afforded me privacy when I refused to use a bed pan in their presence and they never once made me feel stupid for being in pain.

I wish I’d started a thread like you’ve done OP because no one would tell me ‘the truth’ when I asked. I knew it would hurt but I thought I would sail through it with some deep breathing because I’m introverted really and don’t like making a fuss. One woman I did antenatal classes with even refused to acknowledge that contractions would hurt and wouldn’t call them anything other than ‘sensations’ I’m aware that it may not hurt for lots of women, but I needed to be told the gory truths to feel more prepared I think.

It’s themost amazing experience though, regardless of how the baby comes out. I’m gearing up to propose ttc for number two soon!!

Induced at 38+3 due to SGA/IUGR. I was already 2cm dilated when I reached the hospital, so they broke my waters and hooked me up to the drip.
Midwife examined me 4 hours later. The contractions were already coming thick and fast but she told me I was only 4cm so I asked for an epidural. Luckily whilst she was getting this sorted, the Senior Midwife was doing her rounds and saw how close by contractions were and my screams of "she's coming, I need to push!".
I was re-examined and it turns out I was actually 9cm. Baby was born shortly after with just G&A and I didn't need a single stitch. I was up and about and felt like a new woman within a couple of hours of the birth. I like to think that since I had such a horrible pregnancy with bad morning sickness, sciatica and weekly scans to check growth that I deserved an easy birth

Don't be worried about giving birth. It's painful but it only lasts for a few hours. Before you know it, your baby will be a week old and you'll be saying "I was in labour this time last week!" whilst thinking about getting pregnant with your next one

Two weeks of pre labour, ended up being induced. Was going to be monitored for half an hour, then allowed to go get a coffee and walk around. But DS was moving around too much to get a trace on him, so we ended up being moved to a high dependency unit as a precaution where I was pretty much stuck on the bed being continuously monitored. Twelve hours later, I was still only one centimetre dilated 😪 ... and contracting every thirty seconds thanks to his obscenely low head banging against my cervix.

Twenty four hours later I decided an epidural was a good idea 😁 then we started on the drip... which they had to keep turning up and down because DS’ heart rate kept dropping in and out. Lots of doctors ended up observing and keeping an eye on both of us. It wasn’t scary, it was oddly reassuring! Everyone was lovely, calm, and I think that really made the difference between it being terrifying and bearable.

Then I finally got to six centimetres, and they decided to poke a bloody needle in my fanny and scratch his head a few times to check his oxygen levels. Eventually, I got to ten centimetres and we hung around for bloody ages because I couldn’t push because every time they turned up the drip to trigger them, his heart rate dropped.

Anyway, doctor decided he was too low for a section, so it was push or be dragged out. Ended up having a failed venthouse, episiotomy, and pushed the little bugger out. 36 hours in total start to finish. Turns out he had wound the cord round his neck a few times, hence he dropping heart rate.

This was only a week and a half ago! It really wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t the lovely water birth I had planned, and a lot more intervention than I wanted, but it’s how DS got here!

I would honestly, from the other side, say the constipation post birth was worse than the labour itself! Get yourself some Movicol and start on that as soon as you get near your due date!

hi First birth took 12 hours..was sharp in places..but I fell so in love with my baby girl the moment I saw her. Second birth was 2 hours..very sharp in pain terms and it took 4 days for me to bond with baby sn. Good luck!

I found it SO much easier than I expected! I was induced at 8am. Contractions were nowhere near as painful as I expected, had an epidural at 4pm because I was expecting it to get much worse and thought I wanted the epidural before the bad pain kicked in! Fell asleep for an hour and then he was born at 5pm. He had his cord wrapped around his neck and his heartbeat dropped very low during the birth so I had an episiotomy, doctors used forceps and vacuum which was apparently a difficult birth but I didn't feel a thing and baby was fine. I was terrified beforehand, dreading episiotomy as I thought the healing would be awful but it wasn't at all. I had a really lovely experience. Nothing like I expected!

Labour at 27+3, started out as small contractions that got worse and NHS24 sent me in for a UTI test.
That was clear.
Wheeled round to triage and no one bloody believed how much pain I was in til I started swearing. A quick revealed baby was on its way. World pretty much caved in and everything became unreal.
She was delivered with an epidural and lived in the hospital for 3
Months.

DD2 came at 40+2, took the utter piss in comparison.
Tried a water birth, got wrinkly and bored. Came out for a bit and DD decided to come and I couldn’t get back in. No epidural this time and probably far easier. A few stitches after which required the gas and air to shut me up and stop me battering people away from down there.

I really wasn’t in the mood but it was hilarious all the same

2 straightforward labours for me. DS1 waters broke at 37+4, contractions started an hour later, born 7 hours later in the pool. DS2 I was induced at 39+2 as he looked a little small. 24 hour pessary was dull, waters then broken for me when I was only 2cm dilated. That got labour going and he was born, again in the pool (though on wireless monitors this time) an hour and a half later. Both times I was really lucky as I had midwives who let me just get on with it. Good luck!

DC1- 8 days early and thought I was incontinent! Only leaked when going up or downstairs, noticed this at 10am. Happened to speak to a friend who was a midwife and she said could be hindwaters. Put in a pad and went to hospital at 5pm where they confirmed it was amniotic fluids and I was 3cm dilated. Went home, had dinner, full waters went and back in hospital at 7pm as the pain was too much. Had a tens machine and gas and air where I vomited after every breathing in of the gas, but it helped with the pain. By 3am, after realising the baby was back to back and my pushing wasn’t getting anywhere, they got me ready for theatre and gave me a spinal block. wished I had this from the start. they gave me 3 pushes with the forceps and if no joy I was getting an emergency c section. Luckily dc came out with the first push and forceps. She was whisked away and had to be given oxygen but all well after a minute or so. Obviously because of forceps I was given an episiotomy so had lots of stitches.

DC2- 7 days early. Waters broke at home. Went into hospital a few hours later about 7pm when the pain was too much. Had not had dinner and this time no vomiting when having gas and air. Also used the tens machine again. No problems this time and dc born 8 hours later. I did tear and have stitches again.

Had my first baby this summer. My waters broke at 37+4, I hadn't finished work!

Labour didn't start spontaneously, so I was booked for an induction. We tried one pessary and a sweep. They caused mild cramping for about an hour and then nothing.

Had the IV drip, first contraction to birth was 6 hours. Just with gas and air. It was intense but I kept expecting it to get worse and it never did. Pushed for about an hour, I actually found that more painful than the dilating - it's totally different feeling. I was getting tired pushing and started to panic that she was stuck, then we saw some little fingers - she came out hand first then head! I don't know if that would've made a difference from a pain point of view. I had a small and neat second degree tear that I didn't notice and didn't need stitching.

I was shocked by the amount of blood, gore and mess, midwife said my blood loss was minimal though. but washing it off in the shower looked awful!

I consider myself to have had a easy and straight forward labour, I'd be happy if my next labour took the exact same path. But I was quite shocked by it all in the days afterwards. Even now I find it hard to connect my pregnancy, the birth and my beautiful daughter. To me they feel like separate unconnected events. I'm not traumatised though, it's just my observation. It was an incredible experience that I'd love to do again.

Just reading through all the birth stories. Am curious, has anyone ever had an ELCS that hasn't been a great experience?

DS was 2 weeks late and came just before I was due to be induced. I had to go consultant led due to a pregnancy issue and was devastated at that as I’d dreamed of being in the birthing pool and being able to move around etc.

When it cane down to it, I actually had plenty of opportunity to move around but didn’t want to - I just sat at the edge of the bed swaying. I’d have hit anyone who told me to get into a pool!

I went from 3cm - 8cm just sitting quietly in the labour ward with no pain relief, I was in a lot of pain but assumed they’d check & keep track of me. The midwife’s face when she examined me was actually hilarious. Cue her bringing me gas and air which was manna from heaven at that point.

DS was born within the hour! 2nd degree tear, healed up fine.

I consider myself to have had a good labour in that I was in no way traumatised. moral of my story is that you don’t know how you’ll want to cope - I assumed I’d be all stretching and rolling around on my pregnancy ball, but I just wanted to sit quietly! Oh and be vocal to make sure you’re not forgotten about on a busy labour ward

I was induced, had the pessary in for 36 hours. Waited another 26 hours to go down to delivery from the induction ward to have waters broken. Waters broken just after midnight and given drip. Had an epidural 3 hours later and 15 hours after that was ready to push. Pushed for just over an hour but baby's heart rate which was being monitored slowed suddenly and rapidly so midwife pressed the emergency button. Lots of people came running in, my daughter was brought out with forceps and I had a 2nd degree episiotomy, no other tearing. Daughter is now absolutely fine health wise and is completely delightful!

Waters went Sun AM, hospital confirmed waters and said to call back at 6pm to book in for induction to reduce infection risk, contractions started in their own so stayed home, Mon AM getting closer and more painful, took paracetamol and went to triage where had some stronger tablets, got moved to a room, had pethedine, things going pretty slow then needed bathroom about 5:15, really needed to push, midwife checked and had suddenly gone to 10cm so rushed to birth suite, pushing c30 mins and no progress, her heart rate was high so after signings consent forms it was off to theatre for an epidural, episiotomy and forceps. Thankfully that worked so avoided a c section (went to theatre for forceps incase needed an emergency section)
Baby 6lb 6. Went home the next evening after all checks

#1: 41+5. 7lb girl after 27 hrs of back to back labour. Ended with a spinal block, episiotomy and forceps. She was brow presentation. Felt sore but OK very quickly.
#2: 41+4. 9lb10oz boy born in back of speeding ambulance. From first contraction to birth in under 1.5hrs. Bad 3rd Deg tear and 2.5litre blood loss. Felt like shit for ages.
#3: 39wks. 8lb6oz boy. Went in for induction but too busy, given sweep and came home. Waters went in bed at about 0130. Went into hospital as needed IV antibiotics for strep B, was 3 CMS at that point (contractions started in the car). From then got to 10 cms within about 20 mins. Baby appeared after about 5 mins of pushing rapidly followed by placenta. Registered labour time of just over 2 hrs, much more controlled than #2. Very medicalised (he appeared to two midwives staring up my bits with a light) but that is exactly what I needed to reassure me that the damage I had after #2 wasn't reoccurring. Tiny graze, minimal blood loss. Felt normal bar the odd ache by the day after.

Safe to say when they're not stuck I labour quickly! 😂

I’ve had an EMCS and ELCS. Quick and easy recovery with both. @AhhhhThatsBass I would say that the majority of people I know who had an ELCS had a good experience and easy recovery. However I have heard a couple of horror stories as well, eg a wound which took a year to heal. I think it’s the same for all types of birth - you’ll hear some good experiences and some bad experiences.

oh don't say that @kiwi! I still have my last shift at work to go and I'll be 37+4

@rememberpurpleronnie Good luck for tomorrow ❤️

Is it weird that I'm loving reading these thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, I love hearing birth stories for some reason it makes me feel more relaxed to see how different they all are but still work out okay!

Didn't realise how common back to back was - will the midwife tell me at my antenatal appts if baby's back to back?

You're all amazing

Notes will be made about the position your baby is in but they can turn so that won't really pre warn you.

I've since read that sitting too much into late pregnancy (eg office work) isn't good for babies position. Apparently going onto all fours in early labour can help get baby into a good position.

Labour started at 2am Thursday. I gave birth at 8:25 Friday evening. I don’t produce enough of the hormone that progresses labour so I needed a hormonal drip which meant I couldn’t eat. Labour was slow as my contractions were all over the place (sometimes two minutes apart, sometimes 12). I had an epidural which didn’t work so I could still feel most of the contractions, with small areas completely numb. When I finally reached 10cm I pushed for two hours. Baby then turned slightly to a more difficult position and I just didn’t have the energy to push him out. I was then rushed to theatre as he was getting distressed and had a ventouse delivery. Baby swallowed some fluid so was rushed off to clear his lungs.

It was the most traumatic experience of my life but I was so well looked after that it hasn’t put me off.

Good luck OP!

Dc1 - waters broke at 39+3, no contractions so induced. 48h later and still no baby. Emergency c section as baby started getting distressed, general anaesthetic for me. Post partum haemorrhage, Lots of blood lost and needed a transfusion

Dc2 - elective section, textbook relaxed delivery, no drama and all round pleasant experience.