Positive birth stories

[Walkinthesun]

Hi everyone.

I struggled to conceive for years and was blessed to fall pregnant with a baby girl.
Tomorrow I am 38 weeks pregnant but I am getting anxious about the birth.
This is my second child and I am 34 years old.
I had my first when I was 22 and the birth was all well and straight forward, obviously painful but no interventions or anything.

I have seen random videos come up on social media about conditions (I won't name because TW) that are life threatening during birth. Things I'd never even heard of during my last pregnancy and obviously ignorance is bliss but it has given me anxiety.
I'm alot older now than I was then so part of me wonders if I am going to struggle more during labour and childbirth.

Does anyone have positive birth stories to share with me so I don't keep doomscrolling!
If it's a second birth, then even better!

I had my second last year at 38. My eldest was 5.5 at the time. I'd hoped to have her in the pool in a midwife led unit but unfortunately my blood pressure led to an ambulance transfer to the nearest labour ward! Saying that, it was still an extremely positive and empowering experience (I'd also suffered secondary infertility) - All the staff were amazing, I never felt out of control and although it was painful, I was able to breathe through the pain at all times. She was born very quickly in the end, from leaving the ambulance to having her in my arms was 20 mins! I also had stop start contractions for about a week before she arrived - so annoying!
Good luck!

I had my first baby in September and honestly facebook was the worst thing for my anxiety all the way through my pregnancy. Videos about miscarriage, still births, birth trauma and complications, failure to thrive. Was just bombarded with them I don't know how Facebook allows some of the videos that popped up in my reels. The best thing you can do is to just stop watching. What you don't know can't hurt you. Yes those horrible things may happen but just think of all the thousands of babies that are born everyday with no issues at all! I had a normal pregnancy and went on to have a yes very painful but complication free birth with a gorgeous baby girl 🥰 things can go wrong in any aspect of life you just need to focus on what can go right!

I went for my sweep and she couldn't do it because my cervix was closed. Deffo feeling a little disheartened. I thought the time was near!

It's been a nightmare with how often scary things come up.
The one that scared me the most was this stuff about AFE.
It's not something I'd ever heard or even thought about but now that's another thing at the back of my mind! 😫

Glad your birth was free of complications 😊

I'm glad it was all okay and quick for you in the end.
I plan on having a water birth but it's looking likely that I might end up going over and have to be induced. They said I can't have a water birth if I'm induced and that's something I don't want to happen.
I know sometimes these things are out of our control though and as long as they arrive healthy, that's all that matters.

That seems early for a sweep OP if you're only around 39 weeks (if I've calculated right?!). I wouldn't worry about your cervix being closed still or whether you'll have an induction at this point. A lot can change in a week or two. Will you be induced at 42 weeks?

I'm not sure if they do these now but with my second (4 years ago) I had a balloon induction (Foley balloon I think they call it). It was at 41 weeks - only because I was over 40 otherwise it would have been 42 weeks I think. They put a catheter in (the balloon) and inflated it to put a bit of extra pressure on my cervix then sent me home overnight. It worked (I was already having some contractions) and when it came out, they treated me like any non-induction and I got in the pool in the mw unit.

I did lots of walking and bouncing on an exercise ball in the later weeks which may or may not have helped!

@Walkinthesun I would say the most positive thing about being happy during birth is to not have hard and fast ideas that you are then disappointed about not getting. Stay flexible and remain positive. They usually induce 2weeks late in my experience. It’s just important to have baby delivered safely. To if it’s not a water birth it’s not. Go with the suggestions of the medical staff and stay positive about meeting your healthy baby. How is that not the most important thing? It’s the outcome that matters and don’t watch rubbish on SM and don’t obsess about what you might want - circumstances can overtake that. You aren’t very old for a second baby either!

I had two amazing births.

Both DDs were transverse so they were planned section - super chill, just focused on me and the babies.

Quick ops and then immediate skin to skin and feeding. Genuine bliss.

Good luck OP!

You'll notice as well that the reels will change with where your baby is at. I now get videos of poor babies in hospital with RSV! I don't know why any parent would film their baby when they're so poorly and post it online it's insane to me.

@DRMK79 You are all mad to even look at them! Stop looking at anything that’s not NHS. Most births and babies are just fine. Getting upset about other people is ludicrous.

You're sounding a tad harsh there. I don't get upset about them but they make me anxious. It's also not that I look for them on purpose. I'll literally just be looking through my reels at recipes and DIY and they just pop up.

I'm just 39 weeks today.
Still no sign of baby.
I've heard it's the hormonal method of induction that people seem to have problems with!
That's good that you managed to still have a normal delivery and use a pool!

Oh I know!
I never go looking for them!
Most of the time my feed is animals and recipes and then every once in a while, a horrible video.

I've seen alot about RSV but I have had the vaccine so hopefully she is protected. I told my OH that I don't want anyone kissing the baby when she's born. He thinks I'm being a little dramatic but better to be safe than sorry!

Like literally I'll be watching a video of a Shepard's pie recipe and then the next one will just be like a baby in hospital! The facebook algorithm is insane! Best thing to do is to immediately stop watching, press the three little dots in the corner and press the not intereted button. Facebook eventually gets the message and stops showing those videos.

Absolutely the only one kissing my babies face is me. I don't mind if people kiss her on the back of the head but never the face. Luckily my family and friends never do it anyways I've never had to say anything. Hopefully yours will be the same.

There's so many scary things out there now just got to try and not focus on them. Try to focus on the lovely things like the fact you're going to have a gorgeous new baby to snuggle! 🥰 buy some more baby clothes, focus on the nursery. That definitely helped me calm. Also you've had a baby before! You're not going in blind I had no clue what to expect.

I’m not sure if it’s the case on instagram and facebook, but on TikTok it’s possible to block certain words so you get less videos about those topics.

this website also has lots of stories that I have found useful. thepositivebirthcompany.com/blog?srsltid=AfmBOoryp8y3hmcZsm1ig5Ppb2ZURMRW9BeU8UQ2hjbhdX19s5fl1J3R

1- 16 hours, induction, forceps, episiotomy. Not great but worse stories out there
2- about 4 hours 2 pushes, only just made to hospital in time
3 - 3 hours, 3 pushes and half an hour after getting to hospital

worst part was 2 and 3 being told to stay home longer. I’m really glad I ignored them and went in!

I quite like birth tbh, have considered surrogacy because it’s such a powerful high but have decided it’s not for me. I’m quite sad to know I’ll never go through that process again as our family is complete !

My second birth was absolutely brilliant.
I was given a sweep at 37 weeks (for medical reasons) and after lengthy consultant appointments I refused any other form of induction.

Waters went at 4.30 in bed, contractions started at 5am, was in hospital at 6am and baby was born at 8.30am in the pool. Which was everything I wanted! Just gas and air and no stitches.

I was initially dead set against vaginal delivery after my first so it is a very positive birth story to me!

The after pains though, didn't like those much.

I read your updates, baby will be coming on her way soon enough and I know the end feels like it just goes on forever especially when your uncomfortable and anxious when it's going to happen. The main thing is to stay informed, you can ask whatever questions you like and you do not have to agree to something if your happy about it (unless it's life critical), the more informed you are the more you can focus on your body and your baby.

Good luck and i hope she gets a wiggle on for you.

@DRMK79 Buy a recipe book? Go cold turkey? Don’t look at social media for anything. It’s really not that difficult!

This is meant to be about positive birth stories and you're actually being quite negative and condescending. You're completely missing the point and lack understanding.

@DRMK79 I don’t think so. If you get anxious and upset by negative birth videos, take all the steps you can to avoid them. My births were positive enough but I didn’t surround myself with crap off the internet! Dont watch it. You are not forced to. I’m totally positive about birth. Unfortunately you seem to be unable to filter out rubbish and videos you should not watch. You don’t have a click on a pop up. Be a responsible adult and look after yourself. Then birth is positive.

Thought I would post a little update.
I'm currently in hospital being induced.
Had a pessary inserted around 6pm yesterday and I am having contractions now. Just trying to breathe through them at the moment.

How exciting! Good luck!!

@Walkinthesun hope things are going well! X

I will update you all on my birth story soon!