scared about pushing baby out.. what is it really like???...

[waitingwaiting]

Hi there,

I had a really awful birth with my daughter, tried to do everything naturally at a midwife led centre and ended up being transferred blue light flashing to hospital because of bleeding.... bleeding stopped, so I got to the final stage of pushing out on only gas and air, however she wouldnt come out, ended up with a failed ventouse and then a c-section.

I'm now pregnant with my second and I'm going to try for a natural birth again, but must admit I feel so scared about the pushing out bit, thinking it will hurt so much when baby actually comes out... I've heard all sorts of stories about people tearing etc.....

Having never pushed a baby out before, and hoping to this time, please can you let me know what it is actually like, on just gas and air?!!

Many thanks!

I thought the pain was unbearable. My first labour was very quick, that might have made it worse. At one point I thought that I had passed out and that they were cutting me with a scalpel. With my second labour I knew what to expect, so I knew that the pain at that stage would pass, no matter what. Both straightforward, fast deliveries, with no tearing, so can't complain; just found that stage frightening, first time around.

I personally look forward to the pushing stage as IMO it hurts a hell of a lot less than cc the crowning for eg only lasts a few seconds baby is plonked on your chest pain forgotten. Where as a cc can last up to 3 mins.

I also know it will soon be over also I don't have to just sit there suffering feeling useless I have some control and a job to do which helps. Hope it all goes well for you and you have a pleasant birth or as pleasant as these things can be.

I strangely enjoyed the pushing bit too (with TENS and G&A) but mine was quite quick. I thought the contractions were a lot worse. Good luck, it'll be over before you know it

My G&A ran out as I got to the pushing stage and the MW told me I didn't need it any more, and she was right. The contractions were far worse than the pushing. I tore (2nd degree) but didn't know till they told me. Also had labial grazes, nice.

The actual pushing out part was the least painful bit for me too, the contractions on the other hand were unbearable.

the worst bit for me was when the babies head crowns..feels like your fanjo is on fire!thankfully it doesnt last long

Do they do the oxytocin shot here, just after the baby comes out? I had that and my God it was bliss, also when the placenta came away felt really really nice.

Had a vbac 4 days ago and like you was worried about the pushing out stage. I had dd in water and didn't feel any burning or the dreaded ring of fire as some people call it! In fact, it really wasn't that bad at all and felt quite satisfying that I was actually pushing her out. It is over so quickly and before you know it you are cuddling your newborn. Also, I had a 2nd degree tear as dd was born with her hand by her face but I didn't feel it at all. Try not to worry and the best of luck to you with your birth.

It's fucking amazing! The best thing in the world, and the thing I'm most sad about not doing again if I don't have any more.

DD1 didn't hurt at all coming out (just the contractions) and I had a 3rd deg tear with her; DD2 hurt like hell, but she crowned for ages, and I wasn't using anything except water - twit that I was!; DD3 just hurt momentarily on crowning (gas and air and water) and DD4 was the same.

But that's just the head that hurts, when they crown. And at the most, that's one contraction break.

But OMG the feeling when their head comes out. The break in contractions and then when their whole body slips out. Absolutely incredible .

I have to say first that I am a complete pain wimp and ... with no pain relief I crowned for ages, and it wasn't too bad, then had an episiotomy and honestly it didn't really feel bad (what with everything else going on down there), and then she came out in two stages, head then rest of her body, and really, honestly, it hurt but not nearly as badly as I was expecting. The most painful bit was the last few contractions. Good luck with your birth - I'm sure you'll be fine