Okay, how about the BEST bits of childbirth!

[VisualiseAHorse]

Now we're done scaring the soon-to-be first time mums with our labour horror stories, how bout we coax them back with the best bits of labour? No poo/vomit/tears/threatening the midwives stories please.

Ringing my little sister (aged 18) at 2am to tell her I'd gone into labour and could she find mum's number for me? She actually squealed down the phone at me.

I remember sitting on my birthing ball at home, wearing nothing but a toga made of an old bed sheet, eating Rice Krispies and chatting to my mum down the phone, and her telling me about my birth.

Also, touching LO's head, just as he was crowning, whilst holding my OH's hand. Even though I have no recollection of seeing or holding him for the first time, this will stay with me forever. That soft, furry little head.

[Hyperballad]

My DP snapping into action and being the most perfect birthing partner.
Being aware of the midwives sat chatting together drinking tea because 'we had it so under control there is nothing for us to do!' that gave me added confidence to go with the pain.
Seeing my baby float up through the water, seeing his beautiful big brown eyes for the first time.
Being allowed to stay in the pool for half an hour holding the baby against me and seeing him suckle for the first time.
My DP's phone call to his mum, he didn't even say hi, he just managed to get the words out 'it's a boy' and then they both just cried down the phone to each other neither being able to say another word!

I could go on! Lots of fond memories!

[SpanielFace]

I had an emergency CS as DS turned out to be breech, so:

The feeling of the spinal block working! Heaven!
DH holding my hand and giving me constant eye contact & feeling so much love for him.
DH laughing as DS was lifted out (because of the size of his big red swollen balls!
That first cry
Snuggling skin-on-skin with DS in the recovery ward, and being left alone to bond with DH & DS to bond.
The tea and toast afterwards!

[honeytea]

Thanks for all the lovely stories! I'm 40+3 and I am so excited to meet my baby :)

[chroniclackofimagination]

DS2 being placed on my chest during calm ELCS 3 weeks ago today!

With DS1 it was an EMCS after a long failed labour and I was too out of it to feel the impact of meeting him, although I fell in love over the next few days.

With DS2 I was rested and ready and it felt like being hit over the head with a love mallet the instant I saw his tiny face. He's curled up on my chest now after a feed. It's the best feeling in the world.

[MKG]

The sense of accomplishment.

[RegLlamaOfBrixton]

DS2 born 6 days ago so fresh in my mind.

Meeting him, obviously...The feeling as the gas and air kicked in. The two fantastic midwives without whom I could not have done it. The realisation as he slithered out that I had really pushed him out myself after epic long labour with forceps under spinal for DS1. Swearing at the top of my voice and making the walls resound with the sound of pushing him out and not caring who heard. Process taking 8 hours from first contraction to birth this time (1hr40 active labour) as opposed to 52 hours first time.

Wanting to do it again just hours after saying 'never again'!!

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Once I got in the pool and the pain stopped totally, the whole thing was lovely - really enjoyed pushing while being held by DH and the hot slither of DS coming out and then holding his little hot body was just the most wonderful moment. I can't wait to do it again.

[NotForProfit]

Cuddling up on the sofa afterwards, holding dd2 & eating bubblr n squeak with salmon. Best meal of my life.

[Katla]

Seeing our beautiful daughter as she was so perfect - thinking ' so it was you hiccuping and kicking so hard inside me for the last few months'.

My DH struggling to speak on the phone as he so emotional as he was calling the family to tell them 'it's a girl!'

Thinking as contractions were starting, this is it, I'm going to feel what labour is like now - I was quite looking forward to it as was a week overdue...

The epidural taking effect...

Rainbow so sorry to hear that your LO was stillborn - you are right that whatever labour was like, all those who have a healthy baby at the end means it was worth the bad bits.

The epidural taking effect...

[Rainbowbabyhope]

I loved the whole process of childbirth. It felt like a privilege to be able to do it for my little one. She was stillborn so it was the only thing I ever really got to do for her and delivering her into the world and getting to hold, cuddle and kiss her was the best moment in my life. I will never understand anyone who focuses on the negatives of childbirth - the experience is what you make of it.

[ISeeThreadPeople]

First time round, erm, just a lot of guilt, anguish, pain and I couldn't hear other people's stories for a long time as I felt like an utter failure.

Second time round I was prepared for the eventuality that I would end up with another emcs and determined to find positive moments in it. And there were lots!

The thing I remember most is about 10 minutes after he was born. He was a tiny bit early and it was cold in theatre so while they stitched me up, he was taken over to be checked and wrapped up. I lay there with my eyes closed (ds was out of sight) and listened. The radio in the background, the surgeons murmuring about what they were doing, the midwives cooing and softly explaining to dh what was happening and over the general hum of people working hard to bring ds into the world and keep him safe, I listened to the anaesthetist. It's weird because I felt like I knew her from the second we met. She just seemed warm and familiar and was so lovely. She held my hand at times, stroked my hair, knew how to talk to me, when to hold back etc. In fact she wrote me a letter congratulating me on ds's safe birth and delivered it to the ward. Anyway... she was whispering to me. Things like "he's beautiful... soft hair... responds well to touch... looking interested in the world around him... mouth open ready for milk... so much like you... only a few feet away from you... will be back where he belongs in a moment... I'll place him on your chest, don't worry, he won't fall... I'll loosen your gown when you're ready for him... " It was weird. I suppose the drugs and 38hrs of labour were playing tricks on me but it was like her voice was in my head. It was just so soothing.

They all knew about the trauma from first time round and from the surgeon to the recovery staff, they were endlessly gentle and reassuring but even dh says now that the anaesthetist 'got it'. She knew how I needed it to be. Calm, peaceful etc.

[NomNomingiaDePlum]

feeling dd2's ears squeezing through on the way out. it hurt, but you know, it was her ears

[Loislane78]

Nothing will ever taste as good as those 6 pieces of cheapie white bread toast, smothered in butter and washed down with loads of tea :)

[ConfusedKiwi]

Finally getting admitted to a labour/delivery room (after nearly being transported to another hospital as it was too busy) and saying to my DH that I didn't think I could do it/couldn't cope, being examined and told immediately that I was ready to push.

The feeling of relief was just immense at realising that I didn't have another 12 hours to go.

Then of course holding my DS :-)

[MoleyMick]

The feeling of closeness with DH who was an absolute star in both my labours. Calm, reassuring and did exactly what he was told

[cravingcake]

The first really proper painful contraction 2 days after my waters had broke as i just knew it was all finally going to happen.

When the epidural kicked in.

Seeing my DH smiling down at our DS in his arms in the dad chair in the exact same position i'd left them in an hr ealrier to be stitched back up but thats a whole different thread

Finally, that quiet moment when all the midwives, staff etc left me & my DS alone DH was then asleep in the chair and having our first proper lovely cuddle.

[Bumpsadaisie]

With DD, just feeling like I'd known her all along (well, I had spent the last 9 months lugging her around after all!) Being v proud I managed to push her out even after a 37 hour labour, induction and epidural, and that I'd narrowly avoided a CS. The toast the toast!!!b uu

With DS just feeling like an Amazon and so proud of myself for doing it all on G&A. Quite enjoyed the pushing which I was feeling for the first time (DD was an epi). Though I was surprised that it wasnt pushing as such, more my whole body convulsing as if I was doing a huge all body vomit! No way I could control it. Thrilled that we now had a DS, marvelling at his boy bits (no brothers!) and trying to imagine him as a bloke!

[knackeredmutha]

Best thing was meeting that little person, who felt like an old friend. Closely followed by the glass of fizz afterwards.

[kate2boysandabump]

The midwife doing an impression of a cat giving birth, to show how easy they have it!

The powerful feeling of knowing my body knew what to do, even if I wasn't to sure.

Seeing their faces for the first time and that first, warm, slightly wet and slippery cuddle.

[CailinDana]

The first slugs of gas and air - made me feel like I could manage labour.

Waters breaking with a massive gunshot sound and spraying the entire room - it was really funny :)

Standing up to the horrible older midwife who wanted to intervene left right and centre and pushing DS out on my own.

Holding DS for the first time (of course) and feeling like I knew him, and he was in the right place - a sense of huge relief and comfort.

Watching DH tenderly but surprisingly deftly dress DS in his little babygro

DC2 is cooking at the moment, so this is a very good thread to read!

[PeazlyPops]

Seeing my husband crying tears of joy when DS's head crowned, and telling me how beautiful he looked.

[VisualiseAHorse]

princess - I agree, I cannot believe how happy and in love with OH I felt, he is just amazing, and continues to be amazing.

[Princessishavingababyboo]

That intense love for my dh as I was delivering ds, I could not have loved him more, no words can describe it. Then there is the warm weight of the slimy new baby followed by him peeing all down my right arm

[coffeeandcream]

Thanks so much for this thread, I'm also 38 weeks with DS1 and whilst I'm not dreading birth and labour, it's lovely to hear all these happy stories and it makes it all sound worth it!

I really like the thought that you and baby somehow know each other already, sounds lovely!!

[VisualiseAHorse]

Oh, chocolate that sounds lovely, I really would like to have an unassisted birth for the next. (that's providing of course, OH lets me have another one!!)