Dignity during labour

[Ashchall95]

Hi everyone FTM here....

Due in the next 4 weeks,

I did a post a few days ago about not wanting to be naked during labour etc and everyone was saying how you don't need to be but also so many people saying that you loose all dignity and won't know anyway is that because the pain is so unbearable you forget where you are and you don't even realise what's going on? Or isit just through choice in the moment that you start stripping off and your fully aware of what your doing? I hope it makes sense but just trying to get an understanding of how bad it's going to be, I can't ever imagine me being in a position that I would be that out of control that I would be willing to strip naked in a situation like that, I'm definitely over thinking things as the times getting closer but would like to hear your opinions l, please be kind 😬

You're really overthinking things.

I can't actually remember if I ended up stripping off totally or if I stayed in a sports bra but was definitely naked from the tits down.

Just go with the flow. What ever you plan or have in your head will not be your experience.
Being naked, having people staring at your vagina and labouring is not losing your dignity.

I hope you enjoy your labour.

I too had very positive experiences for both births. Yes, they were intense, but at no point did I feel I couldn't handle what was happening.
Both started with contractions. I was in active labour arriving at the hospital both times. Both babies were born within about 3 or 4 hours if arriving at the hospital . First labour took 12 hours start to finish, 2nd labour took 8.
Waters broken by midwives at I think 4cm and then 8cm .
First labour the pushing stage lasted 45 minutes though it felt like 20! Second labour it lasted 2 minutes.
As it was happening I felt completely in the moment. Once it was over I felt great. Both times.
I tore twice but didn't realize and it was stitched up no bother.
I used gas and air and a TENS machine and was able to manage fine.

Giving birth was, as I said, intense, primal, but never undignified.

It would be a great idea for you to read positive birth stories (Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth) and watch videos of positive birth stories on YouTube.
IRL people tend only to share the negative stories but it's so important to hear the positive, "uneventful" ones too.

I was naked when both my children were born. Wasn't planned but events just transpired that way!

@Embracelife for the majority of parents the end goal is to safely deliver their baby. That is all I was saying. I have not said anything derogatory about people who have experienced loss, I have nothing about those parents being less of a parent or a failure - you said those things not me. It is heartbreaking and unimaginable pain but that doesn't change the fact that the main wish every parent has while pregnant is that their baby is delivered safely. That is all I was saying so I'm not sure why you decided to jump on my comment like you have.

@Norgie

I was like you when I was pregnant with my first. My labour was going to be a very dignified affair, modesty covered then I would be all glowing with a gurgling newborn in my arms with my DH looking on adoringly. The reality was, I tore my nightie off when I was beetroot faced, drowning in sweat and wailing like a banshee, I shit myself and the midwife cleaned my arse, my baby looked like an angry troll doll, I looked possessed and my DH looked both horrified and stunned. 😂 The scenario was repeated the second time round but with the added bonus of punching the doctor ( very sorry ) and snarling at my DH that I was going to rip his bollocks off. Thirty years later he still sleeps with a protective hand over them 🤣

This made me lol! 🤣🤣

How did it go OP? Hope you and your baby are well!