Easy and Quick Labor and Birth. Any good experiences you want to share?

[senem]

Hi,
I know giving birth can be painful and difficult but also there are people who give natural birth easy and quickly. Soo anyone out there who wants to share their good experiences on natural birth? It can be really frightening reading all these problems and not hearing any problem free births.

I had a great labour!

I was very nervous throughout my pregnancy and was even in tears at the thought.

When my labour started 2 days before my due date I kept myself busy and walked around a lot. I had a good meal and a good nap! My labour was 2 hours - This was recorded from when I got to hospital.

I went into it all with an open mind and did my research on what could happen ie c section, forceps etc so was prepared but in the end it was ok. I had some stitches for a 2nd degree tear.

I kept thinking that women do it again and again so it cant be that bad and that made me feel better - I want to do it again as soon as I can x

I have had two easy peasy ones.

DS1 - went into labour about 6am, had a bit of breakfast, DH filled the birthing pool, MW came about 8 and mainly sat there reading the paper, by 10 he was born. Crowning a bit painful but after the birth I sprang out of the pool just fine, feeling I could do that all over again. Small tear but nothing too bad - it healed itself without stitches. By 11 house cleared up, midwife gone and just baby and me and DH all in bed having a cuddle. 8lb baby, 40+6 weeks.

DS2 - went into labour about 6am again, had a cup of tea, friend collected DS1 to look after him during the proceedings, DH filled the birthing pool, 3 MWs came including a student (!) and sat on the sofa drinking tea and chatting, quick juice break for me between 1st and 2nd stage, by about 9 he was born albeit with his little hand beside his head (bit more difficult in terms of second stage compared to DS1 - took about 30 minutes of athletic effort and a lot of shouting). By about 10 or so everyone had gone and left us in peace again. Same little tear as previously - not too bad at all. Bit tired afterwards but not too bad, just rang around friends and took delivery of flowers and cards from neighbours. 9lb baby, 42 or 43 weeks (we were never quite sure).

See, it's not all bad ...!

HI My second birth was very quick. I had had some twinges all day but carried on as usual. Had my nails done(!) picked up my oldest from pre school and played with him all day. Made dinner and tidied up. I had a show around lunchtime so called my mum and she drove up to me as it takes 2 hours. Finally I was reading a bed time story and at ten to eight my waters broke over my son's floor!! Then all hell broke loose and the contractions came thick and fast. I was at the hospital by 8PM and had my daughter at 8.59PM! I cannot describe the intensity of a fast labour but it was so quick it actually felt like 5 minutes. I only had time for gas and air.

Baby and I were tucked up in bed by 10.30 so I did not even miss a nights sleep! It was definitely the best labour. The midwifes had started running the birthing pool for me but ended up going in it afterwards for my bath!
Good luck - I am sure you will be fine X

my birth story

With my dc1 I was petrified at the thought of giving birth, I had literally blocked the fact that I had to do so from my mind. If someone had said "would you like an elective section" I would have jumped at the chance.

My waters went at 10.30pm at 36+6, but just a small pop and a gush. A bit panicky because it was early but called hospital who said to come in and let them have a look. Had my first contraction in the car and another couple of the way there.
Got to the hospital around 12-midnight, got put in a room and talked to a midwife, but not examined.
Soon told H that he had to find someone as I needed to push, mw came in fairly dismissively and examined me and I was fully diliated.
About an hour 2nd stage and ds1 was born at 00.36am on 37+0.
So an early and quick arrival.

With dc2 I was concernated that labour would be too quick to get to hospital, and having had an uneventful labour with ds1 decided to have a homebirth.
Had contractions through out my pg from 20 weeks, was hospitalised and given steriods at 32 weeks when they realised how regular they were (5/6 an hour every hour from 28 weeks onwards).
Waters went at 11.35pm at 36+6, sat there for 5 mins then told H and called hospital to request a mw, first contraction at 11.45pm at which point the mw was just calling back and I told H he had to tell her to get here quickly as the baby was coming.
I got off bed so H could put plastic sheeting on, reached down just to check myself and delivered ds2's head into my waiting hand. Reached down with other hand as the rest of him came out. H's panicked 999 call was 11.57pm on his phone, while I was sat there wondering what he was panicking about
So another early and very quick arrival.

ds1's seemed difficult, until I talked to other mothers afterwards!
ds2's started (first contraction) with me thinking "I can't do this!!", but was actually fantastic. I would do that labour again tomorrow.

Hi. I've had three natural births and can honestly say that they were three of the best moments of my life.

I had a very straightforward first labour in hospital, 6 hours from first contraction to delivery, slight tear and a few stitches. I gave birth lying on my side and I think it was actually the least painful of the three, but I did have the stitches so not perfect. My dh rubbed my back during contractions and I concentrated on keeping my breathing under control, and managed without pain relief. Felt fine afterwards.

Decided after such a good first experience to have a homebirth second time round. Again, 6 hours in total, a few really painful contractions towards the end, gave birth upright and had no stitches .

Third one was a homebirth again, really lovely and calm, 6 hours AGAIN (I really am rather predicatable) and again, no stitches. The only problem this time round was delivering the placenta, which took over an hour, but was uncomfortable rather than painful.

I did NCT classes before my first birth where I learnt how to control my breathing etc, and am convinced that it was this that has enabled me to have three natural labours. I know I've been very lucky to have no complications, but keeping calm and focusing on breathing steadily through every contraction sounds so simple and yet was so effective. Back massage was the other thing that I couldn't have done without.

here's my birth story. It was my second child, but a VBAC. I would do it all again tomorrow.

I had a VERY easy and quick labour, well deserved id say after a terrible constant sickness every minute of every day throughout the whole pregancy!!!!
Everyone said it was going to be horrible as was my first etc etc but....

11 days early and 4 hours long with NO pain relieve was lovely!!!!
I say 4 hours but my water broke at just gone 8am and my daughter was out at 11:37am, they nearly didnt get me into the delivey room in time

these are great news for me and I am sure for some who are terrified of giving birth

Your post reminded me of going to see my SIL in hospital the day she gave birth to her first, and asking how it was and her saying 'it was fine, really not bad at all'. I remember thinking at the time that was the first time I had heard a positive comment about birth. It was years before I even wanted my own kids but it stayed in my head and made me feel far more positive about the experience that was coming.
In the end I have had two very fast, very easy homebirths, just like many of the posts already outlined. I do try and tell expectant mothers about it as the war stories often come out when talking to mums to be which is not hugely helpful. My thinking is there is obviously a limit to how much you can predict or control the birth you will have, but panicking about it beforehand helps no one. It may well be fine. I honestly look back at mine with great happiness.

Just to say I am a big coward. I had a very long birth, not that easy, but I am now pregnant with a second baby, and I have to say I wasn't traumatised or anything; it's painful at the time but you just forget it once you have the baby. When I look back on the labour itself, the memory is far less painful that memories of particularly nasty days I had as a child at school or whatever. Don't worry, you'll be fine! Also, it's something you feel proud of. The moment when you see the baby is so amazing, it's the biggest high ever!

Yup I've had two easy labours, DD was 28hrs but manageable - home waterbirth DS was 2.5 hrs, intense but not particularly painful and another home waterbirth

DD, (my first birth) was very quick (4 1/2 hours from first twinge to her arrival). It was however quite sore.

DS (second birth) was also quick (about 4 hours from first twinge to birth) but very easy. It was a home birth and I was so much more relaxed compared to when I was in hospital. The mid-wives were fantastic. Only really felt pain for about 40 mins and it was completely manageable on gas and air, with time to recover in between contractions. Pushing stage was 5 mins and stung but not that badly. I think I sent text messages round afterwards saying "It wasn't even that sore". Told the midwife 30 mins after producing ds that I would happily do it all again! I became quite evangelical about home births afterwards.

I would add that I have stopped bothering with pain relief since discovering the water pool, because you get it all out the way a lot quicker, and frankly you don't really need the drugs anyway for a normal birth (I would probably have everything going for a difficult birth however, as I am a total wimp really).

I am a great fan of TENS machines however, but I reckon you have to practise with it beforehand so your body gets used to being asked for the endorphines to kick in at will. I think a lot of mums misunderstand how to use TENS to best effect, and then wonder why it doesn't work for them.

Stand for labour and squat for delivery = quick and easy (though unfortunately not pain - free ime

First birth pretty easy, second one even easier:

Woke at 7am with a small contraction. Said to dh better go to hospital soon: his response "have I got time to collect dry cleaning?" . Me: "yes" but by the time he was in the shower 2 mins later "no".
Got to lovely midwife-led unit at 8.30.
Into birth pool, having a sociable chat with dh and midwife in between contractions (G+A)
10am: I need to push - 1 push (which I didn't think had really done anything) and the midwife said "I've got the head"
10.03: second push and ds2 was born.

Even v experienced midwife was surprised by the speed and the 2nd midwife they always try to call in only made it after ds2 was born!
Was home in time for a late lunch - only delayed because labour was so fast mw didn't have time to write my notes up during and had to do it after!

Both of by labours were easy and very quick.

First labour my contractions started at 7.30am but were painless, more like braxton hicks. I called the hospital and they told me to stay at home until contractions became regular. They never regulated and still weren't painful at 11.30pm when I had my bloody show but I decided to go to hospital because I just knew DS was imminent even though the hospital staff didn't believe me.

I arrived at the hospital at 11.55pm and DS was born with no pain relief at 1.08am.

DD was super fast, First contraction at 6.15am she was delivered by DH (who was taking instructions from the emergency operator) at 6.59am. She arrived just before the paramedics did.

Well I wouldn't exactly say 'quick' in comparison to some of these stories but 12 hours from the very first sign to finish was acceptable. And I wouldn't say easy, I would say hard work, oh and painful, BUT overwhelmingly a positive experience, straightforward and natural. Half an hour later I lay in the bath saying to dh "Oh I could do that again" - I think that says it all really!

40 minutes... nuff said lol!

wow! I am amazed at these stories How great to know that it can be uncomplicated too

I had ds2, 50 mins after I got up for a wee one night. Very pain free and very wonderful.

you see, us 'perfect birth' Mums tend to keep our mouths shut.... we usually get shot down in flames when we talk about it!

Actually I suspect most births are pretty much uncomplicated and similar to this, except people with birth war stories are keenest to relate them.