Positive vaginal births

[Twizbe]

I'm starting a thread for positive vaginal birth stories. We get so many negative stories it would be nice to have some positive ones for a change.

Please come and post your positive vaginal birth stories (I'll come back to post mine when the kids are in bed)

Disclaimer: there is no 'best way' to give birth and every woman must make choices based on her risk profile and medical advice.

I have had two very positive vaginal births.

I did the positive birth company hypnobirthing course and it was amazing highly recommend. it changed my whole outlook on birth.

My last birth was in a Midwife led unit of the hospital and was so good. I did find the afterbirth bit very rough worse than the actual birth as my afterpains are very very strong.
no fearing thankfully apart from a couple of grazes which healed naturally.

Fully back hypnobirthing, it was a great way to help manage the contractions and keep calmer during the birth.

I could feel the baby turning in the canal and my body opening and baby coming out. Was amazing and surreal experience . Sorry I keep saying amazing but it was. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. I really wish someone had recommended me hypnobirthing for all my births.

I found out about it from mumsnet for my last one.

Epidural for two of them. Bliss. Laughing and joking with the midwives in between pushes. 6 hour discharge - home in my own bed with baby the same day.

Great stories.

I've had 2 vaginal births

DC1 was a 6 hour labour. I had a bleed from my cervix in early labour so had to go to labour ward and be on a monitor. Had an amazing midwife though who kept me on my feet as much as possible. Had gas and air for the pain. Midwife tried to get me on all fours for delivery by the wires from the monitor just kept getting in my way.

Waters broke as I started pushing and baby born soon after. 9lb1 and a third degree tear. Stitches done by the midwife and we were discharged the next morning. Think we would have been out sooner but baby was born at 9:30pm.

DC2 was a wonderful water birth. 3 hours and born an hour after we arrived at hospital. I had the same midwife as I had for DC1 and I got to be on birth centre as no bleeding.

The water was wonderful and with the gas and air hardly felt a thing. I was on all fours and no one could touch me in the water which I loved.

Waters again went as I pushed and baby born very soon after that. Not a scratch that time even though baby was 9lb3 this time. Midwife was impressed at her sewing skills.

Discharged 5 hours after birth.

No issues with pelvic floor. Sex is so much better since having babies. I was told by my NCT teacher that can happen.

I had two amazing vaginal births and would do either of them again in a heartbeat.

DS1 - hypnobirth, waters broke with first contraction at 11am, baby arrived at 4pm. I labored in the bath at the hospital, my OBGYN left me happy with my doula and attended every half hour to check on me.

DS2 - epidural and monitored due to DS2 trouble in utero. Slow burn labor but not challenging. Contractions started at 9pm, went straight to hospital, had an epidural on OBGYN advice in case DS2 went into distress again, epidural sited within half hour, fell asleep at 11.30pm, woke up at 5.50am to the OBGYN telling me it was time, started pushing at 6am, DS2 arrived within 3 pushes.

Hand on heart would do both again, over and over. The biggest thing about both my labors (with the same OBGYN) was that I was listened to, and my feelings on pain relief accepted. I knew I wanted to try hypnobirth with DS1, OBGYN said crack on, if you change your mind you can request anything anytime.

I felt empowered in my decisions and there was never any doubt that these were my labors to be done the way I wanted.

My boys are 10 & 8 now but the days they were born were the best days of my life. From my own experience, the reason I had less fear around childbirth was because I was listened to and didn't feel I had to fight for pain relief. I knew there was no "cut off" and I would get what I needed as long as there was time.

Healthcare in the UK so rarely advocates for women in labor or delivery, leaving them distressed, scared and ultimately like they're just another body. And nobody listens to them, belittling their pain and leaving them to suffer horrifically in many circumstances.

I feel incredibly strongly that EVERY woman should have access to whatever pain relief they require, or a c-section if they request it. Of course it's expensive, but life long post partum damage should not be "the price you pay" for a difficult and painful delivery. And post partum damage (be it mental of physical) costs healthcare far more over the long term.

Sorry, off topic a bit, but having had such positive experiences (not in the UK), it upsets me a lot that other women are left vulnerable leading to immense fear.

My first was a great vaginal birth. Induced at 37 weeks. No regular contractions until the drip was turned right the way up, but that was to be expected. Started out on gas + air, then a shot of diamorphine at 5cm. Five wonderful sleep filled hours, high as a kite, I was 10cm and ready to push. And oh boy did I push. I had no urge to push, and the contractions died off, so the drip was turned back on and I consciously pushed instead. 20 minutes later I was holding my baby girl. I even got to cut her cord! I had a minor second degree tear, and the placenta took its sweet time coming out, but there were no problems. Labour might not have started the way I would have liked it to, but it finished perfectly.

DC2 wound up as an emergency C-section after induction. Not the way I wanted it to end, but it wasn't so bad. The labour itself was actually pretty good. I was moving around and changing position, and coping (on the whole) really well.

Straight forward with only gas and air, 14 hrs labour, a few stitches.

My midwife took me at my word and we did most of it at home, but my waters were late to break which meant I had a lovely ride to hospital in an ambulance, blues and twos. A car pulled out on us, the driver slammed the brakes on, and the paramedics head almost went up my fanjo but that was as exciting as it got. My dd was born 10 mins after arriving at hospital

Second birth;was in labour 6 hours;I actually slept through most of it as I was exhausted from being awake most of the night before from niggly early labour pains and a trip to the hospital.

The last part of my labour where I was awake was maybe 45 minutes.No tearing,I did bleed a lot but recovered quickly.I delivered late at night and went home the next morning.

Was my easiest labour and birth.

Two straightforward vaginal births. The first I had some gas and air as I was in transition for a long time (I think because I’d got stressed out about getting to the hospital in a taxi!), no pain relief with the second as it all happened too fast (about 9 minutes between realising contractions were ramping up and baby being in my arms). Tore a bit with both but healed well and no problems with bladder or anything like that. I probably won’t have any more babies — too old! — but I wouldn’t be scared about the birth if I did get pregnant again.

4 minutes from waking up in my bed at home to holding a baby on the bathroom floor

About as quick as they come but very easy and simple and no labour as such to speak off as it was silent labour and I was asleep though all of it.

It depends what you class as positive? Quick or easy? I had two relatively difficult and messy births but they were still extremely positive!

Ds was a hugely traumatic birth.... 10 days late, back to back, 3 day labour, slow dilation, vomiting due to pain relief, waters broken, epidural, hormone drips, meconium, episiotomy, forceps, a torn artery, 3 litre blood loss, stitches and blood transfusion. It was frightening and I felt so incredibly weak and ill afterwards. Was in hospital for 6 days. I couldn't breastfeed properly as I was so ill and I thought ds was getting enough from me. But the day we brought him home, he went floppy. So we went back into hospital again. Ds was dehydrated and had lost 10% of his body weight. The whole experience was terrifying.

However, this is the positive bit... despite all the trauma with ds, I still wanted another baby. So 2 years later, I had dd. Although the pregnancy was tougher, the birth was much better, despite being high risk. Dd was 8 days late. Labour started at 5pm and I went into hospital at 1.30am and was so proud that I'd got to 5cm in that time at home. I had a bit of gas and air but no other meds and dd arrived at 10.15am at 9lbs.

How different my two birth experiences were! I still feel trauma from both births and pregnancies (I also have long term, clinical anxiety too) but I'm learning to see the experiences with more positivity.

I had my one and only at home after a 12h labour (4h pushing!) I didn't feel the need for pain relief and forgot about my tens machine. It was exhausting but not painful thankfully. Never had any internal exams (other than the one straight after birth to check for damage) No rips/tears and placenta was expelled 10 mins later. Jumped in the shower and was cuddled up in my own bed breastfeeding shorty after.

It's not right for everyone but I would always urge women to look into the benefits of birthing at home. I started out my pregnancy journey wanting a planned c section but after (a lot of) research decided to try for a home birth. Big bonus if nothing else is you get all your prenatal (and postnatal) appointments at home with the same midwife so you get to know the person who will ultimately help you birth. Continuity of care at it finest.

We won't mention DD1 birth in this thread but with DD2 I was a bit unsettled from 4am, crampy from 6am, 7am started full-on contractions suddenly 3 in 10, got to hospital at 9am and was checked at 'only 2cm' 2 hours later little lady was in my arms after what midwives described as a beautiful birth. I found the stitching pretty painful which meant I didn't get the lovely golden hour, baby went to daddys arms instead.
Pregnant with DS1 now and really want that golden hour x

Ds was straightforward. 8am twinge, 4pm birth. He was almost 9lb, hand by ear but no issues. little blood loss (300ml). Was out slow walks in local woods a few days later. Born due date

I was terrified of giving birth and ended up having an induced vaginal birth with epidural (DC was 10 days late). Contractions were tough but there was no pain once the epidural kicked in. DC arrived after 6 minutes of pushing, I had a small tear (two stitches) and we were discharged the same day.

With baby number 1 I woke up at 37+6 to slightly damp pyjamas, 30 mins later my waters gushed everywhere. Went to the MLU to be checked and was booked for induction the following day. Sent home following a sweep and was told I was 2-3cm. Started having contractions 3 hours later. Ended up going back to hospital around 11 hours after they first broke as contractions were now 3:10 and very painful. I was still only 2-3cm but they were quiet so kept me in. Around 6 hours later I was now vomiting with the pain, examined again and finally I was the magic 4cm so I could go in the pool. Baby was eventually born 25 hours after my waters first went. She was back to back and took me 4 hours of pushing. 2nd degree tear. We had to stay in for 12 hours due to infection risk from my waters going more than 24 hours before - I was given the option of staying in overnight or being discharged at 10.30pm once the 12 hours was up, I went for the second option. The 4 hours pushing does sound horrific but I had no concept of time and I do look back with fond memories.
With baby number 2 I asked for a sweep at my 38 week appointment, I'd had the same community midwife for both pregnancies and we got on well so she agreed providing things were favourable. Things were favourable, waters were bulging, head was low and engaged and I was 4cm dilated already. She said she would book me in for another sweep the following week but didn't expect I'd make it that far. Went on the school run and could hardly walk, the pressure I could feel was ridiculous.
Woke up at 5am the following day and didn't feel right. I was having feelings (they weren't painful at all and I can't explain what they were). Eventually got out of bed 30 mins later and decided to sit on my ball and time them. Turns out they were contractions, they were coming every 3 minutes and lasting 1 minute in length. Started to get painful around 6am so took a paracetamol. At this point I told DH to still go to work as I could be like this days later. I messaged a friend to take DD to school for me and was making plans for DM to take me food shopping
Not long later DD woke up, I was in pain and didn't want her to see me so I went and sat on the toilet away from her. My contraction timer app flashed up saying it was time to go to hospital. I rolled my eyes and thought no way is it time. Then I looked down and there was blood in the toilet. Rang the MLU who said it sounded like I was in labour but it wasn't imminent so make my way in at my own pace but depending on the blood I may be sent to triage and not be able to use the unit.
Got there around an hour later once my parents had arrived to look after DD, in that time contractions had ramped up and I was struggling. I was 7cm and the pool started being filled up. DS was born 1 hour after getting to hospital in 3 pushes. 3.5 hours from first waking up. No stitches and we were home before DD got back from school. The best experience of my entire life and I would do it all over again tomorrow if I could.

Vaginal birth with a third degree tear (quick labour after induction) and episiotomy but I don't see it as a negative as I healed up completely fine with no problems. I'd do another vaginal delivery with no fear even though that happened. Our bodies heal amazingly well

1 very positive VB. I was the only woman labouring on the whole midwife led unit (benefits of a Feb baby!). Water birth. Only negative was my gas and air DEFINITELY was not working. (Husband also had ago when the midwife left the room and agreed). Despite the pressure gauge being right he swears the ratio on the oxygen mix was wrong. So I unintentionally had a drug free birth 😆
Sorry to say that i would have an ECS next time though. A friends baby had a life limiting birth injury. I simply would not roll the dice again.

I had a lovely simple homebirth. Very little pain, no conscious pushing, just stayed on my knees and breathed through contractions. 7lb 13oz baby born in under 4 hours, whilst the midwives literally sat and watched.

Birth doesn't have to hurt or be traumatic.

I was induced with a back to back baby. I was absolutely terrified after all of the awful induction stories. I did end up with my waters broken and on a drip, but it was okay. It didn't lead to a cascade of interventions, or any birthing injuries. I had two stitches on a graze, was out of bed ten minutes after, and was able to walk my dog the next day when I was discharged.

I'm a massive wuss, don't really like blood etc, not good with pain (petrified of vomiting) and was fearing the worst. But I'd have an induction again.

Commenting to keep the notifications coming in the hope it calms my fears.

2 here. One induced on drip with no epidural. Second waters broken artificially, baby 40 mins later

Excellwnt VB post induction which I'd heard was impossible. Small tear but healed well. Would recommend to anyone over a caesar.