Any have any nice stories of giving birth??

[MidnightBreeze]

As the title says really, all I seem to read is traumatic births & il be honest it's absolutely freaking me out!!

I just want some good experiences!

Totally traumatised after birth of DC1. 2 days and nights of screaming hell, keilands forceps, emergency theatre delivery, awful awful memories. We both had decided no more babies. Afterwards, I had daily flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks. Then I found out I was pregnant again, I was so frightened. I asked if I could have a caesarean but they refused. I was very scared 😓

Fast forward a bit and I'm 10 days overdue .. I think DC2 didn't want it to happen either.

Finally in labour, they had to drag me into hospital. When I got there they ran me a bath to calm me down - DH says I was in that bath for 4 hours. I was in total denial - I tried every stalling tactic I could to stop them wheeling me off to the delivery suite. When I finally agreed to get out I put my nighty on and went to the ward for a lie down. DH went to tell the midwife that I was in now in bed. She appeared a few minutes later, examined me and calmly asked if I was feeling the need to push

Yikes I was 10cm. Husband and midwife took an arm each and they walked/ran with me to the delivery suite. I actually don't think my feet touched the ground! My waters went half way down the corridor and we made it to the delivery suite with about 60 seconds to spare. She literally had time to turn the light on and put her gloves on and babies head was out. I honestly, promise I didn't push once - 9lb 10oz delivered in seconds. No pain relief and no pain. My DH remembers having to pull the red emergency cord but by the time help arrived baby was born.

I cannot begin to describe the feeling of complete joy and wonderment that I had done this all by myself. How could it be so so different from DC1's labour from hell?

I left hospital later that day and we called in Tesco on the way home for nappies.

It's madness but the one thing I was afraid of doing was actually the one thing that cured me.

Contractions started at 10pm, waters broke in bathroom at 2 and went straight to hospital as contraction's were then every 2 mins. Once at hospital they slowed down so got in the pool for a couple of hours then had diamorphine. Slept the rest of the time, waking every 10 mins for contractions. Midwife examined me after 10 hours expecting to be around 5cm and I was fully dilated. Have no feeling of needing to push or anything I just wanted to stay in the bed! Pushed for 25 mins and dd flew out arrived weighing 10lb7. Couple of little stitches for a small tear but honestly it was fine.

Said to the midwife whilst being stitched up that labour is a piece of piss and I don't know why people moan about it slightly high at the time!

My first was a bit alarming because I hadn't done it before. However, the gas and air was amazing and my midwife was absolutely superb. The second was great. I knew what was going to happen and how short it was. I also knew that there'd be breaks between contractions where I felt great.
Most births are straightforward. Sure, it hurts, but it's a pain that has a purpose and an end point. It's not like being ill or not in an accident. Seriously, if it was that bad, we'd have died out.
Good luck!

Thank you for ALL of your replies!!
As it's my first pregnancy, I've no prior experience at all.
I suffer with IBS & when it flares up, I get really bad stomach cramps & have cold sweats....I then pass out! I guess because that's in my stomach area, I am currently comparing it to that & il be honest! I'm bricking it! The feeling of passing out is horrendous & to be absolutely honest, that in itself is actually quite traumatic, I think about it for days/weeks.....oh I'm such a wuss!!
Rational me thinks it'll obviously hurt but maybe be quite nice! Irrational me thinks il be on the floor begging to die! I'm 19 weeks in Friday so still have 21 weeks to go however I plan so much ahead, have to make sure I've covered all aspects.
Really considering HypnoBirth, however, I've already had it put on my notes that I want ever drug they can physically offer me!

My first birth was lovely. Laboured comfortably at home. Then went into hospital when the TENS wasn't enough and I wanted some gas and air. Got to hospital thinking they'd send me home. He was born two and a half hours later! Lovely calm water birth.
The "pain" isn't like anything else. Early labour wasn't painful for me. It was more of a strong sensation. And it wasn't like the pain you describe. It also has a purpose. Every contraction gets you closer to seeing your baby.
Prepare for the ideal (whether hypno or water?!) but don't rule anything out. An open mind is sooo important.

It was one of the best experience of my life. Not kidding. Second baby: I was in early labour in the night. Next day by after breakfast, contractions every 10-15 minutes so we went for a long walk. Came home and they were every 5 mins so texted the MW to let her know. Had dinner. Then they were every 3 mins. The midwife turned up to check on me and my waters went. This was 1.20pm. Had some G&A and got in the pool with minutes to spare. DD born at 4pm and I only pushed for 10 mins. I delivered her in the pool at home and caught her myself. By 5.30pm, I was relaxing on the sofa nursing her, MWs had gone and that was it.

If you suffer abdominal pains that badly, you'll sail through birth.

I've had two straightforward births, no pain relief, one at home. However, one I go over and over in my mind, for reasons I won't bore you with I couldn't hold my little one properly afterwards and that upsets me. The other birth I suppose was enviable but the stitching afterwards went wrong, it was excruciating and took forever to heal.

Everyone has a different experience, yours will be unique. Ultimately when you are in labour you want a healthy baby at the end of it and that will focus your mind beyond your own needs.

DS birth was a very positive experience for me, despite being a bit unconventional. He was breech, but I progressed very quickly, and when the consultant arrived too late for the c section I'd been told I'd need, it was back to plan A and vaginal delivery. I had a few goes on the gas and air before they sent me to theatre in case I needed the CS under GA.

The point is that I was open to each change as it came. I was totally focussed on the end result, rather than how I thought it should be going. I'm still proud of my attitude that day.

Don't worry about the birth. Really, when it's happening you won't care about any of the things that are troubling you now.

I was needle phobic, terrified of being sick and had nightmares about C-sections. And guess what...

They all happened and it was actually great. I don't regret anything about the birth I had with DD because I got my baby at the end of it. And I had plenty of gas and air- perhaps a bit too much, hence the vomming!

I had a traumatic end to the birth of Dd1 (never, ever, attempt a vaginal birth with brow presentation ) but until the end stage when it went tits up it was amazing. I felt strong, in control, calm. The midwife was amazing. DH was useful and constructive. Brilliant.

YY to the pain being a totally different type of pain. It is positive pain because every contraction is bringing you closer to your baby. Sounds odd but it was totally the case for me. I almost enjoyed it!

Firstly, I know c sections cause a lot of controversy. I am not "too posh to push", I'm not lazy and I didn't want "the easy way out" (actually can't believe people say that!). 2 years ago I had a pretty traumatic delivery with my first chi. Waters broke Monday night, induced Wednesday morning, took an allergic reaction to something in the drip, had muscle relaxant injections, a failed epidural attempt followed by a successful insertion, ended up on oxygen, clip put on my sons head and scrapings taken to check his blood. Got to 10 cm after 24 hours only to be rushed to theatre for an emergency section because my wee ones heart was dipping and he was distressed. In the haste to deliver him I was given too much spinal which numbed me up to my shoulders. This resulted in me taking a panic attack because I couldn't feel myself breathing. It was awful. I struggled to breastfeed, I felt like a terrible mum and my recovery both emotionally and physically was slow and painful.

This time, my consultant advised that as I couldn't be induced we would schedule an elective section for 39 weeks and if I went into labour myself I would be allowed to try and deliver naturally for a set amount of time.

On the 11th of July at 39+2 weeks my beautiful baby boy was born in Glasgows Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by planned c section. The experience was completely different from my first birth.

At my pre op appointment I was given ranitidine to take the night before and the morning of my surgery. And the day of my section went as follows :

06:45 admitted to the hospital. Lovely midwife did my observations and I put on my sexy surgical stockings and my gown for theatre. Hubby was offered tea and we were advised to get nice and comfy.

11:45 midwife came to escort hubby and I down to theatre. We were given a bay in recovery where we could leave our stuff. Theatre sister came in to talk us through the procedure and what to expect. She asked if we had any questions, I asked for the radio, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin and whether my husband could take some pictures of the baby in theatre. She agreed to all of the above. Then the anaesthetist came in and put the cannula in my hand, he talked me through the spinal block and I signed the paperwork. Lastly the consultant came through and introduced herself, at that point I was a bit nervous and shaky. She was lovely and really calmed me down.

13:40 hubby was taken away to get scrubbed up and I was led into theatre. The team all introduced themselves, and I sat up on the table for my spinal. I have a real fear of needles so my hubby was allowed to sit beside me in theatre for the block. My back was sprayed then I was given a local anesthetic to numb the area. The spinal itself was nothing compared to the epidural I'd had previously. Nice and quickly it was over and I lay down on the table, the lovely anaesthetist checked I was numb and they began the operation. The surgeon spoke to me throughout and music was playing. It was lovely and calm. Completely different from my first birth experience.

14:05 "are you coming out?" the surgeon asked my little boy as she lifted him from my tummy. As promised he was laid across my legs for a few minutes before the cord was cut, he was shown quickly to me as I asked,before the midwife turned to my husband and asked him to get the camera out. He was allowed to video our boys apgar scoring, him being weighed and wrapped up and then I finally got my skin to skin when my little boy was laid on my chest.

15:00 iwas wheeled into recovery with my beautiful baby boy in my arms.

The only annoyance was the drugs made me a bit sick and I was kept in recovery for 7 hours because I wasn't peeing enough (probably because I couldn't even keep water down!).

After two nights we were allowed home. The recovery has been easier this time I think despite having scar tissue removed and having a toddler to look after.

I feel like this delivery has put to rest the trauma from the last birth. To any girls in a similar situation I'd say try not to worry. I know it's frightening, and very likely not how you pictured meeting your baby. But it's such a controlled environment.

My first pregnancy I was planning a water birth, i did hypnobirthing, i was determined to have no drugs etc. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way, and after the last time this was a genuinely positive experience.

We're now settling into life as a family of four, so happy and honestly, I wouldn't change my boys delivery for the world.

I had an epidural quite early on in both my labours so they were fairly longish but also very relaxed and comfortable.

the contractions didn't feel purposeful or anything like that. they just fecking hurt and I was glad to be rid of them with all the lovely happy floaty drugs.

and then... baby! ahhh. bliss. good luck op! however you do it, I hope it goes smoothly and you can get on with your lovely squishy baby cuddles

I took a selfie (I know, I know) at 9.12 pm in hospital. I'm standing up and feeling pretty ok. I'd only gone to hospital because my first labour was quick and I'd been told to go in at the first signs of things beginning to happen. DS2 was born less than three hours later. About 10 minutes of that was crazy painful - but like people say it's a weird sort of pain - not all bad.

I've had 4 births & honestly wouldn't change the actual established labours of any of them.

When I was pregnant with DC1 we won a tv on ebay & when we went to collect the seller came to say hi to me. She had 5 children. She gave me possibly the only bit of advice I actually listened to- When the time comes just go with it, labour isn't easy but it's never as bad as you imagine. It really is true.

I've always suffered terrible period pain (was diagnosed with endometriosis in my mid teens so quite early, thankfully DH has super sperm ) it takes a long time for my contractions to become painful by my standards & I think in an odd way that helped. Hopefully you'll find being used to ibs pains works similarly.

Pain wise it is nothing like typical pain, when something's wrong. It's different, like a working pain that is there for a reason.

I had a emcs with my first but vbac with my second. Absolutely awesome experience. 12 hours from start of first pain to finish, probably would have been quicker had I been able to get up and walk about and not on constant monitoring because it was a vbac.

Only drugs I took was gas and air and a shot of pethidine at the beginning. I have never felt so in control and like I was doing something amazing. My dm was my birth partner and was shocked at how I handled it as I'm normally a total wuss. The endorphin high after for a few days was something else too. Not a single stitch was needed.

Honestly I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I knew it would go the same way, only I couldn't handle the sleep deprivation of newborns again

Good luck

When I had dd1 I went into labour at home with my 3 ds.
Exh was away on business.

Ds1 called the ambulance while ds3 got my stuff ready.

Ds3 came in the ambulance, ds 1 and 2 followed on the bus.

It wasn't planned that way but they all staged a X watched their sister born abs then passed her around choosing her name as they did.
They were 16, 14 and 12.

I thought I'd have another boy so was so excited to have her.
The midwife said it was the nicest birth she had ever been at.

Two of them have their own kids now and were apparently great birth partners

I loved giving birth both times. Even though it hurt like buggery. Best day ever!

I had a long back to back labour with dd1 but it was still a very positive experience and went quickly in the end.

Dd2 I chose a home birth. It was as lovely as labour could go. Hubby and I sat and watched movies all day and when the pains got closer together he filled the pool, my waters went and the tens machine wasn't doing as I H so got in the pool and midwives arrived with about twenty minutes to spare. Got gas and air, the pressure was intense but it wasn't painful by that point, just horribly uncomfortable pressure. She was born in two pushes with just a graze. It was a beautiful experience. I'd actually love to do it again lol.

oh Ledkr that sounds magical

Try googling "tell me a good birth story" it's a website that does what it says in the title. It will pair you up with a person similar to you so you can email them and ask questions.
My birth was far far from the expected norm.... Emergancy c section, taken straight to icu after birth (didn't hold him for 48 hours) yet despite that I have nothing but praise for the hospital, I recovered quickly and have no negative feelings towards the birth at all. As a pp pointed out, it can be a question of perspective sometimes!

4 vaginal births, first hospital, 3 at home. I'd do it again tomorrow (if I wasn't so old!!)

The pain stops. Your body is made for this.

There is a competitive element to who has the most horrific birth story, no one wants to hear "contractions, pushing, birth". But that was kind of it.

There you go. Good luck

I have two babies. Both roughly 8lb. About 1hr 20min of active labour each time. No pain relief. No tears or cuts though I had a shocking labial abrasion the first time which was very painful until it healed. With my second I gave birth at 4am ish was home for 2pm and the next day at midday I was at baby social with her!

Thanks whiffke what a nice comment.