Want to hear some positive vaginal or natural birth experiences

[letssiq]

Hi everyone,

I am now 28 weeks pregnant and a first timer. I feel that since I entered third trimester, I came across that inevitable awareness that the childbirth experience, much feared by me, is just around the corner. I plan to have a vaginal birth, and if possible, a natural birth with no interventions. I have heard so many negative stories over the last month, so I was hoping to hear from you some positive vaginal/ natural birth experiences, especially from first time deliveries.

[Mexie]

These stories are so reassuring, I wish we heard more positive birth stories in general 💓

[Soontobe60]

DD1 was 7lb 11oz. 28 hour labour. Gas and air plus pethidine. Ended up having an episiotomy as she was posterior presentation and stuck. This was 30+ years ago when you had to stay in bed, it was pretty brutal. Felt totally in shock afterwards for a few weeks.
Fast forward 10 years. DD2 was 9lb 4 oz. induced labour taking about 4 hours from actually being in active labour. No pain relief, as I had hated pethidine 1st time round, and no time for an epidural. Gas and air made me sick on the first suck so got rid. Very minimal need for a midwife, in fact I'd have been ok on my own I think! Felt totally amazing afterwards 👏🏻👶🏼

[gigglywiggle]

First baby I had one contraction just after arriving at the hospital, I thought, can't do this going to have to abandon my waterbirth and have an epidural. Half an hour later she was born...in the water. Second and third home waterbirths. Painful but manageable. You have to remember you're getting a fantastic, squishy lovely baby out of it all. It is totally worth it!

[GreyDuck]

I found The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill really helped me to get into the right headspace. I'd been to hypnobirthing classes, and found the relaxation useful
but as a firm believer in evolution rather than intelligent design, I don't accept that my body was designed to do anything, and am aware from all the horror stories that things can sometimes go wrong which no amount of positive thinking can prevent. The book helped me to plan how I would deal with different situations, and keep a sense of control.
In the end my labour was very fast and not very painful. I told my husband not to go to work at 7am as I didn't feel quite right, my baby was born by 11am with no drugs at all. This was not a deliberate attempt to keep things natural, I just never felt the need to ask.

[Courtneybrown]

Yeah i was showered dressed and makeup on aswell within 40 mins lol midwife thought she had walked into the wrong room my third i needed help from my mum and fiance to shower :( xx

[anitagreen]

I had two babies completely natural not my intended choice but the pain wasn't to bad for me. I delivered them just fine had no tears no grazes didn't need stitches at all. I was up in the shower and eating tea and toast within 20 minutes of delivering

[Courtneybrown]

1st ... 6.12lbs 18 hour labour and around 6 hours of pushing head kept going in and out lol water birth ... mum passed out fiance hid behind me and his mum was sitting watching tv was really straight forward.

2nd 5.8lbs contractions started at 4am had him at 11.28pm that night pushing 4 mins lol midwife was out the room same room my first son was born in

3rd son induced disaster last year lol

4th girl due march hoping to be like my 2nd

[HenryInTheTunnel]

Spontaneous labour at 37+4. Labour was long but ok. Ended up with an epidural so that i could get some rest before pushing. Pushing itself was very peaceful as i wasn't in pain, but I could feel my contractions to push through. Had a small tear so had stitches but didn't feel it.

You will feel wierd after. Very nervous about going to the toilet etc but the reality is actually not bad. I'd say after 2 weeks i felt alright again.

People also said i would bleed like crazy for ages after. You mught do, so plan for it, but it was just like a period that lasted a bit longer for me personally.

[Helpel]

Two straightforward natural deliveries. First baby, 7lb15oz, in water and with gas and air. Went to hospital at 10pm, had her at 4am. Couple of stitches (not sure what grade tear they would call it but minor). 2nd baby 8lb2oz no stitches just a 'graze'! My husband still ribs me for this 🙄 Arrived at hospital at 6.45, baby born at 7.30. Just a bit of gas and air for last few pushes. I used some hypnobirthing techniques and I guess mainly got lucky. My labour experiences were great - it may well happen for you too.

[Flatasapancakenow]

So interesting to hear you had a similar experience NewName. The good thing is that unless you have diabetes or are allergic to dates (?!) It's basically risk free. I was slightly sick of them by the time of given birth, bit so worth It in my opinion.

[NewNameDueToMyIdiocy]

@Flatasapancakenow

I ate dates too and I do think it had some affect on my labour. I dilated super quick (0-10 in three hours) and my cervix was fully effaced at first examination. Certainly worth trying as dates are yummy!

[Flatasapancakenow]

I just wanted to pop on to advise anyone having a vaginal birth to eat dates in the last 4 wks before DD. I know it sounds totally bizarre, it did to me too. But after a traumatic first birth I was keen to try anything low-risk that might help. My last 2 births have been so quick and smooth. I've arrived at the hospital at 9cm dilated each time.

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/

[heatherflower]

It was the best experience I've ever had and I couldn't wait to do it again seconds after I had my son. The midwives were laughing at me as I went from grunting pushing my baby out to being on cloud 9 jumping around the ward shouting I'm a mum! It's the most amazing feeling when you've had your baby, like total euphoria. You've pushed that Baby out all by yourself and if you need help just go with it as long as the baby come out crying and healthy it's all good.
I had a slow gradual labour over 3 days but I was in full blown labour for only 4 hours and pushing for 2. And that's because his head was stuck as he had his hand over his face. So they cut me a bit and he came shooting out! I get emotional when I talk about it as it's just a miracle when you have a baby and it will all be worth it once you hold your little one in your arms. You can do it! We were made for this! Good luck!

[Skylucy]

Definitely look up the Positive Birth Movement.

I had my DD last year and am due to pop with a DS in 2 weeks. I was TERRIFIED about birth so am an older mum, but I had a brilliant birth experience and wish I'd started it all sooner! The key for me was hypnobirthing. I had a spontaneous 21 hour labour - spent the first 12 hours at home (in the bath or watching naff films) and arrived at hospital 4cm dilated. I had a heart condition throughout pregnancy so had to be on a bed strapped up to monitors but it was fine - the midwife left me and DH alone as much as possible and I just had my hypnobirthing rain track on loop! I didn't need any pain relief. The only issue was I pushed for 90 minutes and became exhausted and lost faith a bit, so asked for help and had a forceps delivery, which was really quick.

I've had more (different) complications in this pregnancy but just can't wait to meet my baby boy - I'm obviously apprehensive, but crucially, but scared. And I'm back on the hypnobirthing tapes!

Best of luck to you.

[namechangedtoday15]

I think 'positive' means different things to different people. My first delivery (premature twins) involved lots of intervention, 20+ people in the room and worry at the time but I got to take home 2 healthy babies so it was positive. For me, positive means trusting the medical staff and detaching myself from the experience.

[MarshaBradyo]

2nd birth did the whole thing standing and active, at home without pain relief, think it was about 8 to 10 hours start to finish

It was my best one and I remember it as something very positive and feel good

[NewNameDueToMyIdiocy]

My birth was an induction (via the drip), so not 100% natural in that respect. But it was a relatively straightforward vaginal birth with minimal pain relief (I used a TENS machine, God love it). It was 4.5 hrs from starting the drip to my DC being born - 3 hrs to fully dilate and then 1.5 pushing. I did need an episiotomy in the end, but I didn't even feel it and the recovery was fine. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat!

[MrsT1983]

DS was a long back to back labour and I found that hard, but I got through it and I actually found pushing and giving birth relatively easy. Just had gas and air and it was fine, had a few stitches afterwards but that also not a big deal. I felt like superwoman for days after, it was an amazing feeling!

[SlimGin]

I just had (11 days ago) a very positive natural labour although some things were unexpected that I'd like to highlight if that's ok, as it wasn't just push-and-go.

• originally planned for pain relief although labour was too quick (4 hours) and DD's heart rate dropping during contractions so could only have gas and air until time to push when I had nothing.
  
• due to DD's heart rate the midwife fitted something on DD's head inside of me to monitor her heart beat. Because of this I had to push on my back rather than all fours which was my preference.
  
• Again due to DD's heart rate it was important to get her out as quickly as possible (otherwise would have been suction cup or forceps) so midwife gave me an episiotomy (which didn't hurt at all).
  

However, that said, I had a quick labour and birthed my healthy 8lb4 girl after about 20 mins of pushing. I'm healing well. Episiotomy was obviously stitched and I also had one stitch on a small graze near my clitoris. I can't say the whole thing wasn't painful but with each pain I could feel that we were progressing, so was mentally more manageable than contractions.

[Rebecca36]

I gave a few grunts and groans and pushed the baby out. Easy. You will be the same, trust me.

[smellsofelderberries]

Well, I had a lovely waterbirth with no drugs. I felt so strong and amazing. It wasn't easy, it felt overwhelming at times but it was straight forward. Recovery was hard though as unfortunately I suffered major pelvic floor damage and have a prolapse. BUT, I'm fine. I feel strong again and I probably won't ever be back to 'normal', but my life isn't too affected by things. I'm pregnant with my second now and it's been an easy pregnancy.

I felt supported by my medical providers and was treated well whilst in hospital.

Sometimes things can go wrong, but if you reach out for support then in time, things will be fine. I hope everything goes really well for you.

[FourOnTheHill]

I had two natural drug free births at home. I do credit my independent midwife for making the first one possible- for various reasons it couldn’t have happened via the NHS but the second one was with an NHS caseload team and it was swift and relatively easy. I had water for both and did use a hypnobirthing CD. Both my babies were big. The hypnosis did help with the fear. Dealing with the fear helped with the births. Wishing you luck.

[HaggisMuncher]

DD born with 2 hour labour (early stages of which spent bouncing on yoga ball, crocheting and watching Crystal Maze), water birth with DH and midwife. No drama all very calm and lovely. Home 12 hours later. Good luck OP. xxx

[Theladygardenofeden]

DS1, 8lb 1oz. 9 days overdue, and induction with one pessary due to PROM. 12 hour labour with just gas and air. 2nd degree tear with an episiotomy so needed stitches but they healed fine and I felt great.

DS2, 9lb 3oz. 3 days overdue, and induction with 2 pessaries, this time because he suddenly grew a massive head. 6 hour labour again just with gas and air. Small tear but no stitches needed. Although, I think it was more painful overall. Walked from the delivery room round to post natal ward.

Both hurt like hell but in hindsight were manageable. Congratulations on your baby

[Kelsoooo]

I did have intervention, they started me early in both cases.

BUT.

Two vaginal births. DD1, artificial rupture of membranes, and drip started when I was 3cm. As Xfactor ended (so 9.30pm), she was in my arms by 1.59 am. Total time pushing: 9 minutes, three pushes, she was born at 1.15am. Unfortunately, there was a complication, cord around her neck, that had nothing to do with birth style.
Pain relief: gas and air throughout, X1 pethedine shot 20minutes before she was born (we weren't prepared for it to move so quickly). No forceps, no tears, not even a graze. Discharged at 3pm same say, delay waiting for doctors.q

DD2, again started early, same process....went a bit wrong because they forgot I had group B strep (I didn't know until I hit the labour ward) so we had to stall labour as much as you can for four hours, so I was contracting and in established labour for longer. But 5 hours start to finish. Again, cord around her neck, so delay in giving her to me. Gas and air and pethedine only. No graze, no tears, nothing. Discharged same day. Had to wait because she had to have the BCG jab.

Both occasions saw me walking around and fine easily.