What was the best bit about giving birth?

[dizietsma]

Let's have a little balance for all the nervous new mums here, myself included. Obviously, meeting your new baby is the most fantastic thing about giving birth, but what else was good?

Not being pregnant any more.

feeling light (as i felt like i was walking in space after carrying a big baba)

Ahhhh Wishingchair! That's lovely (sniff!)

I also remember, so clearly, the feeling of actually pushing them out, all warm and slippery. God! That's a fantastic thing isn't it. It gets me dewy eyed just to think about it. There's nothing like it.

another for the divine tea and toast afterwards.
The pride of suceeding at such an important job - IYSKIM

Finally seeing DS! His gorgeous little face, cuddling up to him under the blankets in the delivery room. Waking up the following morning to find him still in my arms fast asleep. Nurse bringing me the best hot buttered toast I have ever tasted!!

My best friend arriving drunk (she's a med student!) and asking if I was ok, mid contraction, just as I was having my waters broken as well, so I could start pushing!! I'd have laughed my socks off if I wasn't in so much pain

I really enjoyed pushing DS out ...the tea's good too but it came straight back up again! Hmph!

Gas and Air, gave me such a buzz. Made me forget what was coming and chat alot of you know what (Happy days ). And when I heard his first cry just before I passed out (Intoxicated from the Gas me thinks )

Gas and Air I didn't get the hang of it during the birth but it was great for the stitches. Oh and don't worry about the horror stories I was having sex again 14 days after my daughter was born (in fact silly cow that I am I had to take the morning after pill!)
P.s If you want to drink during labour do it! I can't believe some hospitals expect you to go without water!!!

Agree with the princess , I had alot of cold water (with ice) during labour. They said it was not advised but I just told them I was thursty and got on with it, would they have got 31 hours without water? Me thinks not

Seeing dh holding dd immediately after the birth, still brings a tear to my eye now. The look on his face will be etched into my memory forever.

Mmm, hard to think of a best bit about dd's birth, if I'm not allowed "seeing her in dh's arms while they sewed me up". Listening to the nice classical music while they cut me open? Most relaxing...

Ds's birth - hearing them say they were going to give me a general anaesthetic, definitely! Closely followed by realising that they'd changed their minds and were going to give me a spinal - I was very pleased about that after they'd done it and I was able to think clearly. The best best bit was hearing ds screaming the second after they lifted him out, after being warned that he probably wouldn't breathe without help.

The compassion of the nursing staff.

Feeling my warm slippery babies on my belly, with the cord still attached, thinking 'YES! I've done it'.

I felt like Wonder Woman. So empowering!

Tea and toast afterwards.

ooh, and pethidine. the best thing ever invented.

theres no such thing as the best bit.

When the spinal block went in and I got my caesarian at last. Bliss. From weeping wounded animal to human being in a matter of seconds.

Getting into the birthing pool in the middle of a contraction - bliss.

Watching Gone With the Widn in early labour with ds - so excited and wondering if I would have a baby before Scarlet got back to Tara (I didn't - she could have got to Australia by the time ds put in an appearance). Hearing ds cry for the first time after an emergency c-section.

Relaxing forward on all my cushions while sitting on the magic birth ball with dd. Looking down and seeing she didn't have a willy when she arrived! Eating toast and listening to Norah Jones and dd before transferring to the post-natal ward.

Wind not widn

The moment the pain stopped....the relief was immense!!!

Getting in to the birthing pool. Wonderful, wonderful things. Also - and I know it sounds slushy - but having my DH there, and him being so fantastically supportive and loving was also great - and then meeting our babies

Oh Yes Screwball! Suddenly it ends as if at the flick of a switch. Haaaaaaaaaaaa!

I love this thread by the way. Thank you disietsma.

The incredible sense of achievement. Giving birth is one of lifes most profound events, yes it hurts like hell but God I felt as if I could take on the world after my boys were born. I was so proud, emotional and felt so incredibly empowered.

The best experience in my life, without a shadow of a doubt