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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Noisy or not....

50 replies

ReadyToPop77 · 12/05/2013 15:41

Did u find being vocal during labour help with the pain...?? Just reading JuJu Sundin's book & she advises to be vocal with Aaahhh's etc. I'm quite reserved & worry that I'd embarrass myself! But I expect in the throes of labour I won't actually give a shit Smile
This is my first baby (due on tues) so no horror stories pls!! Thanks

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Wishwehadgoneabroad · 12/05/2013 15:44

I was so out of my head with pain I have no idea how noisy I was - I just remembered honestly thinking I was going to die.

Sorry ha. Not helpful! Helpful = demand an epidural!!! Grin

(you were right with the 'you won't actually give a shit' You'll be fine! :) )

rundontwalk · 12/05/2013 15:44

I was pretty quiet,which is how I am normally,apart from the pushing when I found i was doing a louder groan (mouth shut,coffee plunger technique from that book-really helped!).

Try not to worry too much-do what comes naturally,they will have heard it all before! Just don't feel like you HAVE to be really loud! And good luck!

piprabbit · 12/05/2013 15:46

I have no idea and DH won't tell me.
I do remember making an effort to keep quiet while I was pushing because I knew that I needed all the effort to go downwards, not through my mouth, but I can't remember if it was a successful effort.

MrsHende · 12/05/2013 15:50

I didn't think I was being too noisy, the odd ladylike murmur, when I was in the bath at the hospital...until the midwife came in and asked to examine me. She said that they could all hear me outside and she was worried than I was further on than she had thought!

(I was much further on than we all realised and whipped down to the labour suite so being a leetle bit vocal was actually a good thing!!)

YoniYoniNameLeft · 12/05/2013 15:50

I didn't make a sound with either of my births, apart from talking obviously.

I heard somewhere that the MWs tell people off for screaming as it means that they're putting too much energy into making the noise rather than pushing. I don't know how true that is though.

SpottyTeacakes · 12/05/2013 15:57

I make a noise when breathing out when breathing through my contractions. I can't help it and at the time you really don't care. Pushing gives you something to focus on so I'm quiet then Grin

Bowlersarm · 12/05/2013 15:59

MW told me off for making too much noise, quite a number of years ago. I was very cross about it. I'm still cross now!

Shenanagins · 12/05/2013 16:00

I was told at my ante natal yoga class that its best to try and avoid making too much noise as it takes energy away from pushing - this was run by a midwife. Tbh when i was in labour and in the final stages it was good advice as it helped me focus my mind - that and the drugs! But i wouldn't worry too much about it, just do what feels natural for you.

FrustratedSycamoresRocks · 12/05/2013 16:02

I remember last time the midwife broke my waters and I was alternating swearing blue murder (my language was foul between screams) at her and apologising. DH and MW found it amusing.

CoolBananas · 12/05/2013 16:21

I was embarrassed about all the noise I was making for DS1, and apologised to the midwife inbetween contractions, and the lovely midwife just said "oh you go for it dear, we call it singing here". I could have kissed her, it was just what I needed to hear. I found the animal like screaming/shouting that was coming from my mouth really helped. Think DH is still scarred though! Luckily DS2 only took 4 major pushes so at least the noise didn't last as long 2nd time round.

NomDeClavier · 12/05/2013 16:33

I screamed. It helped Grin

BarbieDahl · 12/05/2013 16:39

I started to yell at some point as I thought That was what you were supposed to do, like on the telly. The midwife told me off and said "save your breath for pushing, not shouting"!!

ChubbyKitty · 12/05/2013 16:45

My mum got told off for making noise because "there are other women giving birth here you know!"

Umm..yes there are..they're making noise too because we're all in pain? Was her general thought on the matter.

She didn't swear though, which is impressive for her because she's got a mouth like a sailor!Grin

PastaBeeandCheese · 12/05/2013 17:41

No. DH said it was the quietest I'd ever been in my life. On reflection I think I was quite overwhelmed by the pain and that kept me quiet. I was just counting through each contraction and I was finding it hard to concentrate so i didn't have any room to even think about talking or screaming.

quertas · 12/05/2013 18:04

I screamed quite a bit in the first stage ( and then kept apologising to the midwife who was fine about it). It felt like the right thing, like i was counterbalancing this incredible pressure by yelling. When it came to actually pushing then I didn't make much noise, possibly because then I had another outlet for that feeling in pushing. I was so focused on pushing and resting between contractions as well that screaming kind of didn't occur me then

usernamegoeshere · 12/05/2013 21:25

I'm fairly quiet/reserved usually so was surprised in labour to find myself making so much noise! I genuinely couldn't stop myself, is just how some people react I think.

5madthings · 12/05/2013 21:28

I wasn't particularly noisy but I do 'mooo' and moan through the more painful contractions, the midwife could tell when I had reached the pushing stage as the noise I made changed apparently.

Dp says I sounded like a wounded bison...

Shakey1500 · 12/05/2013 21:33

The midwife told me to quieten down as I was "scaring the woman next door" Hmm

Kellz92 · 12/05/2013 21:39

My husband said i never made a sound. But tbh i cant remember much about that day at all. Had an awful labour!!

LeBFG · 13/05/2013 08:40

I was quiet until the real painful contractions started and I found JuJu's tip about making a noise on the outbreath really helpful. In fact it was all I could do for the pain at that point so I just moaned a very guttural, rythmic 'argh' through each contraction - I'd lobed my balls into the corner of the room by that point! Then for pushing it was a very primeval roaring/screaming sound that came out. I was extremely calm but the noise that came out was somehow necessary. DD was born in a great position and it was all very quick and easy so I don't agree making noise at the end stages is not productive. It made me feel uninhibited and connected to the animal side of me. Great memories.

karinmaria · 13/05/2013 08:44

I was embarrassingly noisy! But heck, no one cares at the time as you need to get your baby out and deal with contractions. Quietened down during pushing though as needed to concentrate efforts there instead of my vocal cords!
Hope it goes smoothly for you! Any reservations you have will go straight out of the window when it's happening Smile

chattychattyboomba · 13/05/2013 08:48

I can't remember but i don't think i was too noisy. I was all paranoid i would sound like a mooing cow or like i was having an orgasm... Too many episodes of one born every minute! Lol. The MW said to me 'you're still the same person when in labour!' Because i remember apologising a lot for saying 'fuck' lol.

Sunshinewithshowers · 13/05/2013 08:51

I got told to be quiet & use energy for pushing Blush

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 13/05/2013 09:01

I didn't scream, but I did make a quite deep grunting type noise more like if you exagerate straining for a poo.

It was really helpful for DH and I that our antenatal teacher got on all fours and re-enacted a few contractions for us sounds and all. it was then much less scarey when I realised that was the noises I was making.

gwenniebee · 13/05/2013 09:06

I had my mouth clamped round the gas and air and just breathed.... but when I wasn't near it (like when I had to go to the loo) I was significantly screamy, I believe.

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