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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Has anyone had a labour that wasn't horrific?

179 replies

Leleophants · 03/05/2019 18:42

There are so many horror stories and I feel like some women like to scare others who've yet to go through it. You only hear about how bad it is.

Anyone think it WASN'T as bad as they thought? Or found really good ways to cope?

Helpful advice is better than fear!

OP posts:
coffeeandbiscuittime · 04/05/2019 17:15

Into I was scanned throughout but I was away when I started bleeding and it was the middle of the night, I had my mat notes with me , they just kept a very close eye on me and baby. It was 14 years ago so memory is hazy.
From what I recall the placenta had moved away on the scan before I went into labour. They were just concerned because of the bleeding but i wasn't haemorrhaging so they just kept me under very close monitoring.
Sorry I can't be more specific but I hated being pregnant so was a bit of an ostrich and only relaxed when the babies arrived.
Good luck, xx

missmouse101 · 04/05/2019 17:18

Both of mine really were ok. Our bodies are made to give birth. Really believe you can and try to relax into contractions iso fighting them. Keep upright and mobile as much as possible.

ReginaGeorgeOG · 04/05/2019 17:35

My first labour was awful. Traumatic and something I would never want to repeat (obviously the end result was worth it). I was induced with our second and it was lovely. Had a long soak in the bath, just really relaxing. Once the pushing stage started it was over and done with in 5 minutes. Third was also bloody wonderful. No pain relief because there wasn't time. Arrived at the hospital at 9cm dilated and baby arrived 10 minutes after stepping through the hospital door.

IntoValhalla · 04/05/2019 17:38

coffeeandbiscuits the sonographer was surprised at my 12 week scan when I said I’ve had no bleeding at all so far, and still no bleeding since that scan (I’m 21 weeks on Tuesday) .
I’m hoping that they can tell me next week that it’s moved out of the way and that’s that. Job done, and I can just crack on at home like I did with my last baby!

Cheekyfeckery · 04/05/2019 17:41

My four were all really good.

DC1 was hospital and had difficult moments.

2, 3 and 4 were all at home and perfect.

DC4 in particular was ‘a piece of piss’.

Hypnobirthing was great.

canberramum · 04/05/2019 17:44

Two great births here. Straight forward labours, used the bath for pain relief. Overall an almost empowering experience.

MacrosomicMumma · 04/05/2019 17:48

10lb 2 baby, constant contractions (no break) and bleeding from first contraction (so had to be constantly monitored) so not ideal on paper. However, after a few hours I had an epidural and it was heaven. Rest of birth was great, no intervention, minor grazes and a couple of stitches. No problems knowing when to push and just a really relaxed experience (hypnobirthing helped I think).

Would I want to do it every day, no, but I am doing it again in 3 weeks and hoping to have a similar experience this time (although baby is due to be even bigger!).

AuchAyeTheNo · 04/05/2019 17:51

I’ve had two.

First was unusually quick which meant no pain relief. I was induced the second time without issue and another ‘quick’ labour.

Both required no stitches or follow ups and I was out the next day.

anitagreen · 04/05/2019 17:52

Me with my son the pain was like period pain my contractions was painful but only mild he was born in 4 pushes and I didnt tear or need much help at all, loved it.

anitagreen · 04/05/2019 17:53

Also have had two natural births without pain relief would do it again drug free I think it's better as soon as the baby's out the pain stops, a lot of people I know who have had an epidural suffer from bad backs now

Drogonssmile · 04/05/2019 17:57

My second and last labour was brilliant. There were moments when it hurt like hell obviously and I had hormonal outbursts such as sobbing because I wanted to go home and see my DS1 instead but was in full blown labour. However the business part was amazing. Once I got into the pool the pain lessened to a degree that it was barely noticeable and I just bobbed about in the lovely hot water making mooing noises and sucking on the gas and air until I pushed and grunted a bit then I reached down and caught DS2 coming out and brought him up for some air and a cuddle Smile

EnchantedByGin · 04/05/2019 18:13

My three boys were very quick and not at all ‘horror story’, first born 1h40m after my first contraction, would describe it as ‘intense’ but not painful. He was born about 10 mins after arriving at the hospital (they me told on the phone they’d probably send me home as I couldn’t be in proper labour yet), no pain relief needed, but the pushing out bit stung a bit. Second was a planned home birth, he actually arrived 38m after my first contraction and before the midwife despite trying really hard not to push him out! It was actually incredibly special and weirdly I wasn’t at all stressed or scared because I trusted my body and ‘knew’ that it was doing what it was supposed to (if that makes sense). Third was an induction (instead of another home birth) due to my waters breaking, but no sign of labour starting. Now, I would describe that labour as actually being painful, (if I’d had the time or the foresight I’d have taken all the drugs for that one!) but again was very fast and he arrived after 40m and another positive story, despite catching the midwife slightly on the hop, the labour room wasn’t ready for me or the baby! They should have taken note when I said I had babies pretty quickly!

Best of luck with your impending bundle of joy. Wishing you a positive labour and birth irrespective of how he or she actually arrives.

mumlikeaboss · 04/05/2019 18:15

I'm with Rightoutofhere

My first was pretty rough because I was naive and clueless and let myself be dragged onto a medical conveyor belt of intervention.

I'm about to have my 2nd, have done a lot more research and a bit of hypnobirthing and I'm actually quite excited to try again!! 😂

Also to PPs who said that the traumatic labours need to be talked about... Yes they do, no question about that. But NOT to FTMs. That doesn't help the first time mum, because it terrifies them, and I don't see how it helps you either because they have no point of reference and are unlikely to be able to help you talk through it constructively.

anitagreen · 04/05/2019 18:52

Would everyone agree water births are better than just on the bed?x

PartridgeJoan · 04/05/2019 18:54

Mine was alright. Bit painful to begin with but got some pain relief and the hospital was amazing. Over in a day, no trauma :)

loveskaka · 04/05/2019 19:02

Me, I loved giving birth x

LashesZ · 04/05/2019 19:10

Mine was alright. Got to 10cm on just gas and air and a lot of swearing under my breath. Then DD decided to get stuck and we had to emergency forceps her out. But I got to 10cm like a pro. Grin

Luxembourgmama · 04/05/2019 19:13

Me. Went to the hospital st 6.30pm she was born at 11.14pm no pain relief.

WelshMoth · 04/05/2019 20:03

Would everyone agree water births are better than just on the bed?

I can't compare but I was 100% determined to not be laid up in a hospital bed like I was ill. I'm fairly active anyway and always take myself off into warm water for period pains/aching muscles. It seemed like the only option for me.

I can not recommend it enough. Some people are a bit yucky about the thought of birthing fully in the water but there's absolutely no need.

There's something magical about watching your baby appear suspended in the pool before grabbing her yourself and cuddling her in the warmth. It's 10 years since my last water birth and I'd do it again right now if I could.

Calixtine · 04/05/2019 20:18

I had one kneeling on a bed, one last-minute water birth, and one standing at the hospital reception desk!

The third was the best (quickest) but the water with #2 was definitely a nice distraction. 8 didn’t enjoy climbing out with a slippery newborn and a cord hanging out of me though!

troppibambini · 04/05/2019 20:40

Yep I've had four births that were all fine, I would love to do it all again tomorrowGrin
I've never had any stitches and always felt great afterwards.
After the fourth was delivered I got up had a shower, put my make up on and got dressed. I walked up to postnatal pushing the little cot on wheels with ds in. The midwives were all laughing saying there was no way I'd just given birth.
I did feel a bit guilty really as I know I'm not normal I guess I'm just very lucky when it comes to birth.

MetalMidget · 04/05/2019 20:48

Waters broke at 11pm, baby was born by 3.12am. Water birth, only had and air All manageable, although there were a couple of minutes when he was crowning where I wistfully wondered what an epidural would be like.

Despite being just shy of 9lbs, he didn't wreck the joint on his way out - minor stitches that healed perfectly. I was back on my bike six weeks later.

I refuse to have a second because I don't think I would be that lucky again!

F1rstt1imer · 04/05/2019 21:01

Mine was straightforward. Sweep on Sunday morning resulted in period type cramps in the evening went to sleep with hot water bottle and paracetamol. Woke up at 6am with more regular contractions, used paracetamol and TENS until 11am when waters broke and went to hospital. Was 4cm when I got to assessment unit at 11.45 and then got to fully dilated by 12.30pm, taken to MLBU on the bed (as they couldn’t find a wheelchair!!!) and my DD was born just after 1pm with no other pain relief. No problems at all and was home by 6.30pm Smile

firstimemamma · 05/05/2019 11:50

Mine was fine. I do realise I'm lucky to have had a positive experience.

16 hours in total, spent 3/4 of this at home doing hypnobirth stuff and sitting on birthing ball.

Last quarter was in labour ward and I had a water birth. Just a bit of gas and air towards the end. Pushed for less than half an hour, no 'coached' pushing. My body just kind of pushed on its own if this makes sense. I gave birth lying on my side in the birth pool. Midwives and fiancé were both brilliant.

I did need some stitches and found the physical recovery from birth / adjusting to life with a newborn tougher than expected but it does get easier!

Positive birth company digital pack was brilliant. There are also YouTube videos from the positive birth company if you don't want to pay anything.

Good luck!

ReganSomerset · 05/05/2019 13:52

I do realise I'm lucky to have had a positive experience.

No, you're not lucky. Generally they aren't horrendous, but the media has conditioned us to fear childbirth. It's a case of being unlucky if it goes wrong rather than lucky if it goes right.

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