Anyone want to share a GOOD birth story?!

[BellaCB]

It just seems like everyone has horror stories! And not just the people who are overly keen to share horrific stories - for all my family and friends who have had babies over the past few years its been a litany of forceps, 4-day labours, emcs, inductions with pain off the scale, filthy hospitals...!

I'm 32w with DC1 and could really, really do with hearing about a pretty decent birth before I terrify myself into utter panic!

I have just had a baby boy and although the contractions were painful, I enjoyed giving birth and I felt so amazed afterwards as he is my first baby and I had no idea how I would manage the pain!

I woke up at 5.19am in the morning with what felt like aches where you get period pains, and then I decided I was having contractions so I woke my DH up at 6.00am and we called the hospital to ask for advice. DH woke up my mum who was staying with us so she could be at the birth.

I had 2 paracetemols and then had a bath at home gripping DH's hand for support with the contractions. After an hour in the bath the contractions were getting alot stronger so we decided it was time to get out of the bath and make our way to the hospital. As I was getting dressed to go to the hospital I felt like I needed to push down. We called the hospital to say that we were on our way, they sounded a bit doubtful, but advised us to pop in so I could be examined.

The car journey was quite painful as my stomach hurt going over the potholes and speed bumps! We arrived at the hospital at around 9am and they examined me and said I was 9cm dilated!

I got straight into the birthing pool after the internal examination and gave birth just after 11am! I had gas and air which I found helped me to breathe through the contractions. When the midwife told me topush, I just pushed as hard as I could for as long as I could each time.

I did have a second degree tear, but I didn't feel it! Recovering from the stitches at home wasn't very nice though, I was sitting down on two cushions for about a week!

My baby was 9lb 1 oz so big babies do not necessarily equal a hard labour!
I just hope that I will be lucky enough to have a similar labour when I have another baby.

Um, I just cheekily wanted to bump this. I've really enjoyed reading such lovely birth stories so was wondering if anyone had any to add.

I was also thinking we needed a few more good birth story threads

Both my labours have been good so I am very lucky. I was bedbound and constantly monitered the first time but actually that was fine. I went in at 3pm and DS1 was born at 7.30pm that night. The TENS machine was great and gas and air really helped. Keeping positive was the key I think and my birthing partner was great or that may have been the G&A

DS2 was even better. Contractions started at 8pm so I put on the TENS straight away and went in to the hospital at 11.30 when the contractions were about 1 minute apart and strong. I had no need to be monitered so for 2 and a half hours I rocked on a birthing ball and had the G&A. It was nice because the MW kept the lights dimmed and just popped in to check every now and then. It was just me and DH which was really nice. I moved to the bed to deliver DS2 (and when the MW thought I would fall off the ball if I had any more G&A!) DS2 was delivered at 3am after about 7 minutes of pushing prob due to the fact that he was a 9 pounder. It was such a lovely chilled birth and I feel really lucky.

DS3 is just 11 weeks away and I would really like a birth like my last one. Fingers crossed

Hi - OP here under a name change! I'd completely forgotten I started this thread. It made me feel so much better... but I don't think I should now share my birth story on this particular thread though

Hi op, I remember your labour thread. Congratulations (belatedly!) Fwiw my first birth was quite traumatic and there were a few things that happened which really upset me. My second was amazing, I felt strong and powerful (sorry if that sounds a bit wanky) and in control, it was all so different from my first birth which I didn't think was possible

Yup:

Waters broke 9am Tuesday; mild cx throughout the day; kept active - walked along the Thames, in the park (it was a beautiful Autumn day); things picked up in the evening after dinner and a warm bath; I sent exP to bed and stayed up watching TV; cx became strong; active labour from about 3am, went to hospital at 7am; 6cm dilated; cx slowed down; kept upright and cx picked up again; got in birth pool; things slowed down; got out; had a poo; wanted to push; cervical lip; slept through transition; fully dilated; couldn't wee; catheterised; felt pushy again; got back in pool; DS born in water at 4.30pm after less than an hour of pushing. Placenta delivered naturally; cord cut after it stopped pulsating; DS latched on within minutes; fed beautifully (only minorly sore nips); small 2nd degree tear, no stitches, healed within a week.

Forgot to say: I used TENS at home and G&A plus the birth pool in hospital.

I have had three children and all three have been very positive experiences. The first I arrived at the hospital already 10cm dilated and DS1 was born within 2 hours. Used gas and air and had DH cut the cord. Our second was born within 3 hours of arriving at hospital. Again, just gas and air. Midwife wasn't particularly nice but DH was great so another positive experience. DS3 was born this February within 30 minutes of arriving at hospital. Wanted to try a water birth but they were still filling the pool when DS3 was born! Amazing midwife. Just lovely. My one tip: when you call the hospital to say you think you need to go in and they tell you to go in but to leave your bags in the car (just in case they need to send you home), TAKE THEM ANYWAY! With DC3 I followed their advice and went on to give birth without any of the bits I had packed. Saved on the washing but wouldn't recommend it! All the best.

DS's birth included in a 5am emergency transfer to hospital (good fun with G&A, Alton Towers is dull by comparison!), forceps in theatre and a 1500ml PPH and it was still amazing

Straightforward doesn't always = good

Thanks fuckbadger, for the congrats and the story. I hope number 2 is good, but tbh I will be begging for an elcs beforehand!

I think I had a good labour with DS1. Yes, labour and contractions were horrid, but I had nice midwives who were very patient and kind :)

Had a wonderful hypnobirth (Mongan method) with DS1, went for OBGYN appointment and was already 3 cms apparently and having plenty of braxton hicks, waters broke at 11am in the car park at work, moseyed on home, got our bags, doc told us to head in as I was likely to go fast, got there at midday and was 5cm, laboured in the bath with the doula helping me concentrate, moved on to G&A when I got out which I got 5 puffs out of before doc came in at 3.30pm and told me I was already 10cms and should just go ahead and push, and DS shot out at 4.10pm.
I loved every second of the birth and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Can't wait to do it again, only I'm hoping I don't go too quickly the second time around, 5 hours was a good amount of time, anything quicker would leave my head spinning!