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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

positive birth stories?

22 replies

alphabetacreature · 20/04/2015 18:22

Hi, I'm due this week and have been really excited and positive about birth, knowing its going to be tough but believing I can do it. However I just looked at a thread on chat that's worried me massively. (Did birth or motherhood change you)Has anyone had positive births at home they can share? I know, I'm desperatly fishing here.....

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 20/04/2015 18:27

Not at home, but I didn't go to hospital until I was 9cm with ds2 and he was born about 90 mins later.

We pottered about at home, had lunch (cheese, crackers, crisps, apple as a Gregg's sausage roll that DH popped out to get me as I really fancied one! ) and watched a bit of the west wing. I had a bath, DH sorted the cot out, then we went to hospital. A bit of gas and air later and he was born with me leaving over the back of the bed. Quick shower and on the ward in time for tea!

They would have let me out that night but ds2 needed antibiotics as we didn't know when my waters had broken (we're guessing whilst I was in the bath but no one was sure).

TheEmpressofBlandings · 20/04/2015 18:34

Yes, had two fantastic home births. Both were water births with no pain relief needed. It was relaxed and calm and I actually really enjoyed them. I'd take giving birth over pregnancy any day.

FarOverTheRainbow · 20/04/2015 18:36

I had an ELCS as DD was breach and it was so calm went in at 7am turned out I was the only person on the list, down in theatre and DD born just after 9am. It was such a calm positive experience, amazing staff who couldn't of looked after me more.

whyhasmyheadgonenumb · 20/04/2015 18:38

2 fantastic births here, not as painful as I expected and really quick - then they discharged me and the hard work began
Birth is just birth, relax and get it over with then get on with being a parent. If I had another (which I won't because I'm a lone parent not dating) I would do it at home.

Congratulations

Wolfiefan · 20/04/2015 18:45

First was a lovely water birth 2 1/2 hours after I got to hospital.
Second birth was under an hour. No time for the water to run!!
Both really positive. I felt proud of my body. Huge sense of elation to have a baby arrive safely.
People do love to share horror stories.

Original poster

alphabetacreature · 20/04/2015 19:33

Thank you all, it's good to see that it is not necessarily an awful ordeal....

OP posts:

Annabanana1812 · 20/04/2015 20:07

I had a wonderful birth experience even tho it was induced. The first half was horrible as I had to stay in over night but my waters were broke at 9am partner got there shortly after baby was born at 1pm. I managed on gas and air but had pethidine at 6am that morning due to contracting pain. Had a lovely bath before waters broke. Everything was so calm and went fast. I thought labour would put me any more children but it only made me want more. I had a small tear Which healed really fast and got back to normal pretty fast. I suffered from a touch of PND afterwards as breast feeding was really draining but made the decision to change to formula which was right for me and have not looked back. Sinc. I am now a happy and organised mum. I wish you loads of luck and hope everything goes well. Here if you want to pm any. Questions

Mrsfrumble · 20/04/2015 20:18

Some women like to talk about their traumatic birth experiences because it's carthartic. It's not always just to scare mothers-to-be!

I've had one of each (traumatic and lovely). My second birth was great; in a pool at the MLU. It was the middle of the night and so quiet and peaceful. My contractions started for real at 11pm, and when DD was born at 3.50am with no pain relief the rush of euphoria was like nothing else I've ever felt! She was tiny and beautiful and fed like a champion straight away.

Joyfulldeathsquad · 20/04/2015 20:21

Dd1 waters went at 12am, labour pains kicked in around 3am and delivered by 7am. Just gas an air. Peace of piss.

I won't bother telling you about dd2 ...

RugBugs · 20/04/2015 20:26

Had a lovely home birth in the bath 20 months ago and getting ready to do it again in a few months.
We wouldn't do it again and again if it was really so bad!

GiddyOnZackHunt · 20/04/2015 20:28

My first was all calm and totally untraumatic. Contractions, went to hospital, appropriately dilated so was allowed to stay. They had to break my waters so I could get in the pool and DD was born. Gas and air only. Just a tiny tiny tear that I didn't notice and home the same day.

DIYandEatCake · 20/04/2015 21:16

Not at home, but a completely straightforward hospital vbac (got to hospital at 8cm, ds was born an hour later, no pain relief - tried a puff of gas and air but by that point it just annoyed me, I found bellowing helped more - no stitches, ds perfect and healthy. I think it helped me being in denial - whilst in early labour I took dd to playgroup, got the bus into town and went to the supermarket (thinking that it couldn't really be happening yet could it?!). I'd say I enjoyed it in retrospect, in that I was overjoyed all went so well. At the time it was painful and brutal and unbelievably messy, I grunted and yelled and lost all dignity. Good luck - whatever happens, when you're holding that baby it will all be worth it.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 20/04/2015 21:21

Not at home as DH wouldn't have been able to cope but two very lovely births at the local MLU.

People like to frighten pg women for some reason but I had the care of one MW each time and managed on G&A.

Remember though, you don't get a big shiny medal for a natural birth, your prize for birth is your beautiful baby and it doesn't really matter how it gets here, as long as you are both safe

marinerkk · 20/04/2015 21:33

Not at home but it wasn't half as bad as people like to tell you! Contractions started at 3am after a dicky tummy the night before! Got to 5cm at home by 9am and it was fine, he was here by 6pm. I found it a really good experience, you are stronger than you realise sometimes.

Roseybee10 · 21/04/2015 20:15

I had a fantastic home birth in February. It was amazing. It was still bloody sore at times but very relaxed and calm and personal.
Was very different to my first birth in hospital as I was just left alone to labour as I needed.

Original poster

alphabetacreature · 22/04/2015 08:14

Thank you everyone, these are really calming!

OP posts:

Thegreatunslept · 22/04/2015 08:21

The birth of my ds wasn't easy contractions from Saturday evening until he arrived on Monday starting and stopping and episiotomy and ventouse delivery but it was a positive experience.
It was long and it was painful but I did it and when ds finally arrived it was worth it all.
I had trusted the midwives with me and the doctors when I needed intervention and in a few years might just do it again. Ds is 2 now and if I have the same type of labour again I'd still do it as the baby I got was worth it!

SillyBub · 22/04/2015 08:25

No time for details as the produce of my 2 fantastic births need to get to school. I felt like you did at your stage and when it came to it I dealt with every contraction as it came, stayed calm, didn't panic and despite both labours lasting over 24 hours, they were both very positive experiences. I hope you get the same.

Ilovenannyplum · 22/04/2015 08:28

My birth was lovely (honestly!)

First baby, waters broke at 5am, was at home so just had baths and paracetamol til the pains got too bad. Got to hospital at 2ish, was admitted, fully dilated and ready to push. DS born at 4pm.
I had no pain relief other than the 4 paracetamol I had at home. I felt like Wonder Woman after
Good luck OP!

Ilovenannyplum · 22/04/2015 08:31

Just as a side note, no pain relief as the mean midwife said I was too late for anything. Not because I am anti drugs. I would have taken them if I could have

ToastyFingers · 22/04/2015 17:00

DD was born at home,
First contractions at about 8pm,
Waters went about 11 and she was born at roughly 9am the next morning after 20 mins of pushing and lots of gas and air.

I'm not going to lie, labour really wasn't easy, DD was back-to-back and I had really long contractions from quite early on but being at home really helped me, and I'd definately try for a home birth again.

Lifeisabeach · 24/04/2015 21:16

All three of my births were positive in their own way.

DS1: planned home birth but had to transfer to hospital early in labour as baby was showing signs of distress. He was back to back, and labour was quite slow to progress. Ended up with a syntocin drip and eventually an epidural, but pushed him out without any problems.

DD: planned hospital birth but labour was very fast and I ended up delivering her at home, completely alone, as OH had gone to take DS1 to his mum's and the MW didn't get there in time. Quite scary but luckily we were both fine and it was an amazing experience (although not one I'd have chosen!)

DS2: a month ago - planned home birth and he was born at home with both OH and a MW present this time! Perfect birth, very relaxed, quick labour, no intervention and able to get into my bed afterwards. Loved it!

I suppose the moral of my birth stories is that often things don't go to plan, but that doesn't mean they can't be positive experiences.

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