Calling all mums who had a "good, easy, nice, pleasant labour and birth"

[Summersun1983]

Hi, I am expecting baby number two in January and already worried about the labour and giving birth as my experience the first time was quite honestly horrific. So rather then focus on the bad stuff and what horrors may happen I am looking for positive guidance and inspiration.
Anyone who says they had a a good, easy, positive labour and birth. Please tell me why you think this was? Any key factors that helped? Any recommendations or pearls of wisdom to share please? Or anything in particular to avoid?

Thank you xxx

My birth was fine. I went completely into my own zone and ignored everyone around me! Had only G&A. Positive mental attitude - you'll be fine. And look what you're getting out of it!

I had 3 straightforward births, 2 at home.

I would say it is mainly luck, however, no 3 was very quick (2 hours) and I was most fit and active with her throughout the pregnancy.

I think keeping fit and active can really help. I didn't put on much extra weight & was outside running about up to the moment my waters broke.

Hi there! Both my births were straightforward so I've been lucky but second birth was much quicker and just gas and air - and nothing at all for the pushing. Dd2 was out in 4 pushes (ds1 was 2 hours of pushing) and I didn't feel her head crown! With ds1 his head crowning was agony, so I was dreading that part. My first labour I spent lying on the bed, my second labour I bounced and rocked on a birthing ball the whole time until I was ready to push and transferred to the bed - and I found using the ball far better and comfier, despite dd2 coming so quickly (labour less than 3 hours start to birth). I imagine that rocking and moving about on the ball helped get her down into position better, too. I definitely recommend that if it works for you. I also second the above comment to stay healthy during your pregnancy. I ate well and healthily while pregnant with dd2 and didn't gain a lot of weight, whereas with ds1 I ate lots of cake and curry and gained a lot more! I also took iron supplements with dd2 as I was very anaemic after my first birth. And during the labour, just keep focussing on that dear, sweet little face you're going to see for the first time! Meeting my babies have been the best and most precious moments of my life, nothing can beat it.

I have had two pretty easy births.

1st - Induced a month early due to low amnio fluids. Contractions started kicking in around 3pm ish. Went into delivery suite at 4.55pm DD was born 5.15pm.. No pain relief or gas and air.

2nd - Contractions did not seem that bad so hung around at home till 5am. Arrived at hospital about 5.30am to be told I was 9cm dilated. Baby born just after 7am. Again no pain relief or gas and air. DD's arm was over her head so unfortunately I did need a few stitches afterwards.

Both babies were smallish so not sure if this helped.

Overall I think I was really luck...

I had 2 lovely births, even though DD2 was tricky with my labour stopping (she turned back-to-back when I was past 8cm so we didn't know) and I had to get out of the pool. A shame because that was helping and it would have been great to birth in there. Anyway I ended up on the labour ward with a syntocinon drip that didn't do much and finally a vontouse with inevitable stitches. I was next on the theatre list if it hadn't worked.

I was calm throughout which reduced my need for pain killers. The Registrar delivering her thought I was off my head on opiates as I was cheerful, until he was told I hadn't had any. I had a great midwife with a dry sense of humour, which suited me.

I focused on the bit about me and DD2 being safe and the baby I would be holding. Absolutely focussed to the point of self-hypnotism. I used meditative breathing and little mantras to get me through the not so fun bits (practical mantras like 'ow, ow, ow, ow... OK... calm, breathe, calm, breathe, calm, breathe' you can make them up on the spot). I've done a lot of meditation and didn't use hypno-birthing, but I'd recommend the hypno-birthing if you haven't meditated much before.

I haven't had my baby yet (I'm 36 weeks) but also didn't have money for courses etc so just been doing the free courses with the hospital and health center.

I have been listening to Maggie Howarths Natal Hypnotherapy CD which costs about £12 and teaches you breathing and visualization techniques.

Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth book is a similar price.

Not sure of websites but gonna check out the positive birth stories recommended here.

I'm planning a homebirth and it's nice to hear all the positive stories on this thread about them. I'm hoping being in my own environment will help me manage. I don't like the environment of the hospital.