Please tell me your easy birth stories...

[sirlee66]

Hi everyone! I'm 31 weeks Pregnant and a FTM.

We were trying for years to conceive and it finally happened. Over the moon. I've been taking it all one step at a time (haven't wanted to 'jinx' anything) and now all of a sudden it's finally dawned on me that actually this is happening and in a few weeks I'm going to have to give birth!!

I've read a couple of threads on MN about terrible things that have happened during people's labour. Crossed with the awful stories people tell me in RL about how horrific it is and how it's common to get PTSD after traumatic births.

I've basally got myself into a bit of a mess. I'm really really nervous now to the point where I've started to cry the past couple of days worrying about horrible midwives / someone holding me down against my wishes / being refused pain relief or knowing something is wrong but no-one checking/believing me.

Not particularly looking forward to the pain – but that comes part and parcel with giving birth so I'm fine with that.

Bit more info so I don't drip feed: I'm naturally quite an anxious worrier anyway: I've got low PAPP-A which means I have to take an aspirin a day making my blood really thin. What if I bleed so much I die! I'm also rhesus-negative so what happens if my blood and the babies blood mix and he dies! I feel like its all getting on top of me and I don't know what to do. I've not had any experience of this before (other than what I've seen in movies) and the fear of the un-known / not being in control may be making this worse.

I was wondering if anyone could share their easy, happy, relaxed birth stories where its all just straight forward and simple. No trauma.

I'm fully aware things don't always go to plan and I'm okay with that. We've waited so long for this baby that I'd happily lose both legs if it meant he's born safe. Any complications during the actual labour – I'm sure I can deal with. I just want to calm down before it all kicks off and stop being unduly worried when, at the moment, I don't need too.

Please, only post your nice, straightforward birth stories (If they even exist!) Call me a snowflake - but I just don't think I can cope with another awful birth story. I'm really struggling.

TresDesolee I hear ya. I really don’t want any more children but would love to give birth again!

I loved it.. my second arrived really fast on the bathroom floor after 2 pushes lol.. had a water birth with my first w no pain relief.. but everyone's story's are different I guess I've been lucky...
Congratulations and good luck xxx

I'm so overwhelmed by your lovely comments and your birth stories.

I can't even begin to tell you how much they have helped me.

Will be looking into hypo-birthing and a tens machine (My hospital doesn't offer one but you can take them in)

Thank you again, So much. I really really appreciate it. Thank you.

Only had one live birth, multiple miscarriages.

I was induced as I was told the baby was big and I had passed my due date by a few days. I had two lots of pessaries.
My waters went at midnight and I was moved to the labour room. Managed the pain with entonox, I did ask for something stronger but it was just as the head was appearing.
DS was born just before 6am. He was 9lbs 8oz. I needed a couple of stitches but not too bad.
Home in time for dinner!

I had two totally straightforward births. No drama.

If hypnobirthing isn't for you, or even if it is, I'd highly recommend reading Birth Skills by Juju Sundin. It's got excellent techniques for managing the fear, anxiety and pain that are a totally normal part of labour. It's also not all about 'natural' or drug free births. There are great techniques for effective pushing if you've had an epidural and can't feel contractions for instance, or how to keep calm and focused if you need interventions or a C section, which can obviously be overwhelming. It's a really brilliant book.

I almost enjoyed giving birth and I was disappointed when I was told I would have to have a c-section with DC3

Waters broke 11.30 at night. Started getting contractions at 3am. Went into hospital at 4 the next afternoon had my baby at 8. Gas and air only. I'm not going to lie and say it was painless, it wasn't but it was no where near as bad as I expected.

I was SO nervous. My midwife really helped put my mind at ease. Just try focus on the end goal xx

It might be worth getting a doula? Just a very experienced person to be really nice to you throughout can be helpful.

I went into early labour a few days before I gave birth, mild contractions, not very painful so I carried on as normal. Went out for lunch and everything! Then on the day I gave birth they stepped up at 10.30am and I had her at 2pm. No time for pain relief as only in hospital 45 mins. It was hard work but I felt fine throughout, like my normal self and pretty in control. When I had her in my arms after I felt euphoric! Like I could do anything. Admittedly this was my second baby but I found the whole experience very positive and empowering. Wishing you the best of luck!

My DS quite literally fell out. No pain relief, no trauma. Minor tear that I didn't notice happening. It was quickly stitched. I lost a bit more blood than they'd have liked but I'm a bleeder in general. I stayed overnight then was discharged. I'm Rh neg too. No problem. It was a weirdly nice experience. Painful but empowering. I high 5d myself at one point

Birth of DD wasn't quite as pleasant but I still left with a healthy baby so I'd call that a success.

Sorry to hear about your miscarriages Jesse. Glad to hear you have your DS.

OP, let us know how it goes!

I'm anxious so I get you op.
Find some nct classes, or Hypno birthing, as the while mind over Matter is really important in birthing, as you can stop your mind running away with you.
I has two normal deliveries, no pain relief in a midwife unit ( I'm an ex nurse, so i didn't want any doctors near me!).
I found a birth pool was great fit pain relief and state of mind.
But congratulations op, and best of luck x

5 weeks ago I had a birth that started as a home birth and ended up as a c-section.

Even though it wasn’t straightforward and on paper sounds dramatic, it was actually a positive experience. This was down in part to the care I received. I felt listened to and that I had options. I also went into birth deciding not to be attached to any particular option and to see how I responded. I have the biggest smile in the picture of us all immediately post section! My scar is very neat and recovery has been straightforward.

I hope this helps in reassuring you that even if birth doesn’t take the path you expect it can still be ok.

Oh and I loved my tens machine. Got to 9cm with that on its own. And I felt like a badass :)

I was about to post my story and it's basically identical to @reetgood !

Tresdesolee ( great name !) I sometimes think I am a bit weird as I loved it all !
Would do pregnancy and birth again but I was someone who had always feared it wouldn't happen for me and seemed to get off pretty lightly all round. Didn't want a third DC though in reality.
Probably annoyed the hell out of all my friends.

Day after DC1 was born I felt invincible - absolutely elated - although sore and achy!
Those hormones were amazing and that feeling powered me through the first couple of weeks of adjustment.

Went into labour immediately after having sex i was a week overdue. Spent an hour pacing at home, Dp drove me to the hospital 30mins away. I said I needed to push, the midwife hadn't examined me yet so I literally got on all fours, pushed about 10 times, and out he came. I was home within 12rs, freshly bathed will my son on my lap lying on the sofa eating a massive roast dinner that Dp cooked. Bliss.

Ive had 2 great births. I think people can be a bit embarrassed if it all went smoothly, as if they come across smug.

Before both of them I read the Ina May Gaskin book & practised a tiny bit of hypnobirthing (basically listened to Maggie Howell cd a few times!)

DS - went into labour about lunchtime. Mild contractions, slowly built up, completely manageable. Had a bath a 9pm, waters went, went to hospital about 11pm, I was 9cm dilated. Got into the water, felt the urge to push about 12, he was born at 1.30. I had to get out of water & have an episiotomy but it was fine. Gave birth lying on my back in the end which was always a big no no at NCT, online etc but I preferred it! Had G&A for about an hour but that was only pain relief, had a few stitches (which were the most painful thing!) Out by lunchtime.

DD - 2 weeks late so was induced. Went into hospital at 9pm, I was already 2cm dilated so they gave me a gel. By the next morning I was 3cm so they broke my waters. She arrived 3 hours later. No pain relief, no stitches. Again home by bedtime.

Giving birth is the best adrenaline rush ever! I don’t enjoy the pushing bit, it’s really hard work and stings like hell but the contractions are ok.

Good luck, you will smash it I’m sure!

I agree re the concern about sounding smug. I don’t share my birth stories unless it’s specifically asked for. And even then, if I’m speaking to someone who I know has had a difficult birth, I will tend to make mine sound a bit shit as I don’t want to sound smug. 😂

It’s interesting how experiences vary. For me, the pushing was a really positive sensation- it felt productive and a bit like having a massive poo. Although when I was pushing DS out, he kicked and wriggled on his way through the birth canal and that really did smart.

For me, the contractions at the transition were the worst part. But there were only a few of those really until the pushing took over. I never felt the sting I expected to feel when the baby’s head was crowning. I had done perineal massage so perhaps that’s why, but I have no way to compare that as I did perineal massage before both births!

Totally agree re the hormonal high afterwards (for me, not the first time, but definitely the second). I felt euphoric and invincible.

My birthstaoru is rather different as I had a Elective CS but it was absolutely brilliant.

I had pelvic problems so I was advis d to have an CS. It was The is relaxing thing ever, no panic about “what was going to happen” because I knew.
So if you do end up having one, just go with it and enjoy your lovely very baby.

Please excuse typos!

Another anxiety sufferer here, was also rhesus negative and had a bit of a stressful pregnancy, but I was lucky in that the labour was good. Contractions started at 2am got onto the midwife led unit and into the pool by 4.30am, got out of the pool during the pushing stage as was a bit hot and bothered, DD arrived at 7.17am, no pain relief, and a calm experience. I used the Maggie Howell natal hypnotherapy book and CD from 34 weeks and found that the breathing techniques really helped me to stay focussed and not panic. Hope all goes well, remember to ensure your birthing partner knows what you want, so they can support you if you want pain relief and still at a stage where you can get it.

First one back to back start to finish 15 hours but the early stages very slow and weak contractions. I walked for ages in the first stages and felt that really helped. Just had gas and air which I really rated. I didn't do real hypnobirthing but I did count through my contractions and breathed very deeply. I found that really focused me and made me feel in control. Beautiful exhilarating birth and I felt like an absolute goddess afterwards!
2nd one. Laboured for a few hours at home. Was on all fours doing pelvic tilts for a good hour and I instinctively knew it was getting baby down and helping to move things along. Got to the hospital fully dilated. Born an hour later with no pain relief.
Most of my group of friends have loved giving birth. As long as you have luck on your side it really is incredibly empowering.

I found out I was pregnant when I was 6 months so only had 5 minutes to prepare and then went 10 days overdue. I was expecting a disaster, lots of drama and a Csection.
I was enduced and ending up having a massive panic. I was in pain and convinced I couldn’t give birth. I’m not telling you this to worry you. I kicked everyone out the room for 5 mins, said lots of rude words and took a minute.
It was nothing as bad as I expected. Painful but not unbearable. Weird as hell but also totally natural. Not all midwives we’re going to be my best friends but they knew their job and that’s what’s important.
Afterwards when your covered in sweat and blood and cradling your newborn time stands still. It’s a new world. And the ladies who came in to clear up (no details required) were possibly the nocest women ever. They looked at ds and said he was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen. I suspect they say this to everyone but o believed them.

I'm another one to recommend hypnobirthing. I read The Hypnobirthing Book by Katharine Graves when I was about the same stage as you. I practised the suggested techniques and found that I felt really calm. I just wasn't anxious during the rest of my pregnancy and labour. I trusted my body to give birth and the professionals to keep me and the baby safe.

DH was onboard and primed to support me if the midwives didn't seem to be listening. Labour was genuinely fine. It hurt, but I was able to cope. I'm pregnant again and not worried about the birth bit this time.

I used a tens machine, paracetamol, gas and air and a birthing pool. I am Rhesus negative, too. It didn't affect the birth at all.

Good luck, you can do it!

OP, I'd recommend a lovely book called 'stand and deliver: and other great ways to give birth'. Lots of lovely birth stories. I loved giving birth. It was intense and I was definitely frightened at times, but it was truly a privilege to get to experience it. Good luck xx