Positive Labour Stories

[Ficidy]

I'm 37 weeks now and growing more and more scared of labour as the days fly by. I thought it'd be a good idea to inform myself of all things labour/birth related, but I've only read the horrible stories/seen the freaky videos. I know it's not going to be a walk in the park, not by any stretch, but would love to hear stories of labours that went well and if you have any tips at all regarding how to achieve this. I know being calm helps, but it's a futile exercise at the moment. Not possible at all. Thanks.

[BettyandDon]

Ficidy constipation can be worse than labour! Well in my case anyway

I had a long induced birth which was fine as I had a ton of epidural to help me through it.

Then my second birth was over in a jiffy. Before I knew what was happening the baby was here and the midwives were asking me what sort of toast I wanted. I gave birth 2 mins after I arrived at hospital and didn't even get the chance to sit down.

[whenhenshaveteeth]

Don't be scared, it'll be fine!

I posted my birth story with DS2 this morning on the childbirth section under- " have you considered hypnobirthing" or something like that.

I can easily said it was an amazing experience and one of the best days of my life.

Good luck x

[Mandy21]

I know it sounds silly but just remember its only the contractions that hurt (and obviously the pushing at the end). But if, for example, the contractions at 5 minutes apart, even if they last for a minute, that's 80% of the time that it doesn't hurt and only 20% when it does. I know that's overly simplistic but its worth remembering.

And remember, that if it was SOOO bad, the world would be full of only children. It can't be that bad if the majority of people do it again and again!

And the most important thing - its a few hours of pain, but at the end of it, you get the most wonderful prize for your efforts. A gorgeous bundle that you've waited 9 months to meet.

Just keep an open mind, go with the flow, stay in the bath as long as you can and trust your body to get your through. Good luck

[Ficidy]

Thanks Mango. Yeah, some of the hospitals here allow water births, but they're few and far between. I don't really understand the reasons either. Very annoying.

[MangoJuiceAddict]

Water is amazing- I really don't know why your hospital doesn't allow water births . Showers will help! The breathing exercises in yoga will definitely help- I really did get lost in my breathing routine when the contractions hit. Lavender will help, its very calming and refreshing- it perked me up when I was feeling exhausted and sick. Good luck! I'm always happy to give advice

[Ficidy]

Thanks Mango. Yeah, I've been doing pregnancy yoga for the last few months to help with the breathing, so I'm hoping that comes in useful. Unfortunately I'm in Ireland and my hospital doesn't allow water births for some stupid reason because I would have loved this. I'll definitely get in the shower though, if I can, to help ease the aches and pains.

Am putting lavender on my shopping list for tomorrow! Thanks.

[MangoJuiceAddict]

At 6am I went into labour. I stayed at home until lunchtime, in the bath and practising breathing exercises. I realised I could breathe through the pain and I sniffed things as a distraction (lavender water, rose water and DH gave me coconut oil massages). I then went to hospital and had a completely natural water birth- DD was in my arms by 4pm. No pain relief at all. A few stitches but it was fine. The pain wasn't as bad as when I broke my leg. It was a gradual, but relatively fast, process. I ruined my pregnancy panicking about the birth, convinced I'd die and my vagina would be tore to shreds and I'd break my back and pelvis. But it was fine. I recommend breathing exercises, things to sniff, oils and definitely consider a water birth!

[Ficidy]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all the help x

[Hawkmoth]

Managed all three of mine by walking up and down through contractions. It helps gravity-wise and helps you to focus.

[LaRosaBella]

Not my dad, my dd!!

[LaRosaBella]

My dad was a water birth with no pain relief at home in 6 hours and was back to back. I actually enjoyed the birth it hurt but not anywhere near as much as I thought it would, my SPD during pregnancy was worse!

[thegoldenfool]

even though I ended up with an EMCS I still think I had a positive experience - I had a lovely baby

just missed being induced, very painful contractions for 12 hours, 6 with G and A, an epidural (wonderful - after about 3 hours I could talk to my DP again!), still only 2cm dilated and then the section for fetal distress

however at all points the midwives and doctors etc talked to me about what was going on, adjusted their plans depending on what was happening and I felt that the right things happened in my situation

you cannot plan what will happen, so keep an open mind and make sure your DH/DP understands the terminology and what you would prefer so they can speak for you if you are a bit distracted!

[littleoaktree]

I was v worried before dc1 as have a low pain threshold too. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I'd feared, v quick, 2.5hrs in established labour, too quick to have an epidural (even though I kept asking the mw to give me one). Only had gas and air, had a little tear but nothing much.

Dc2 was even easier and a wonderful experience. 45mims established labour and not even time for gas and air which actually meant that I properly experienced each stage of the pushing and dc2 being born. He was put straight onto me and we cuddled and he bf for a while before they cut the cord which was v nice and more relaxed than the first birth (birth centre as opposed to hospital) didn't tear at all and back home within a few hours. tbh the worst bit was the rectal examination afterwards dh said I made a lot more fuss about that than the whole of labour

Yes it hurts like nothing else but it's a positive pain.

Good luck!

[DaveMccave]

I found ina may gaskins guide to childbirth really great. May be a bit too hippy for some, but at least half the book is positive birth stories, great to pick up and read the odd one or two when you are feeling anxious.

[Ficidy]

Thanks everyone. Hugely appreciate all the help and advice! You've really helped a crazy lady to get a grip of herself!

[Hashtagwhatever]

I have done it four times, I will give you my best experience.

Ds1. Arrived at the birthing unit and examined was 8cm so took to the pool all very calm and relaxing.

My waters went and ds had passed meconium so I had to get out of the pool. Stayed up right till had dp sitting on a chair and myself of my knees infront of him head in his lap. The contractions did most of the work so out popped his head. Two pushes at most and ds was here.

No unbearable pain involved so no pain relief. Was a lovely peaceful birth. Hth

Good luck x

[GampyWabbit]

thecake that sounds identical to my first birth experience!!

[GampyWabbit]

I had 3 wonderful and quick labours.

First one was in hospital -A friend had advised me to keep moving and walking, so I did!! I didn't realise how quickly things were progressing and by the time I'd walked to the delivery suite I started pushing spontaneously before even meeting the midwife or finding the G&A! Dd was out in a couple of pushes with no need for any stitches.

Ds and dd2 were both homebirths. Again I kept mobile and labour was over in a couple of hours without needing G&A or stitches.

All were great experiences.

[thecakeisalie]

I enjoyed the labour with ds2. I had no pain relief as they said I wasn't in established labour so we went off for a walk in the hospital. I progressed from 3cm to 10cm in about an 1hr 30mins and got back to the antenatal ward just in time. So although it was a bit naff being rushed to a private room because I got the urge to bear down before they could get me to the labour ward, the labour itself was fantastic. I'm not scared about giving birth this time at all as I know I can cope. I will be avoiding too much monitoring and waiting for that urge to push to come naturally as I literally pushed for about 3mins and he was out. Such a positive experience.

Overall I feel lucky to have had two fairly straight forward labours and view them both as positive experiences. What I would say is go in it with as few expectations as possible and be prepared for your ideas on what you want to change. I always prepared myself for the thought of a c-section or labour not progressing how I wanted so it meant I didn't feel any feelings of disappointment and just accepted the experiences for what they were.

[Ficidy]

Thanks so much... You probably don't believe this, but you are all really helping me to calm down!!

SnowDaze, I totally get what you mean about the baby at the end. It still feels really surreal to me!

[SnowDaze]

I had a fabulous experience. All the usual craziness 30 hour + labour but it was wonderful.

I was very skeptical of breathing and mediation techniques and admit to scoffing at them while I was pregnant. But releasing and relaxing during contractions was amazingly effective.

Just remember that you and your body were built to do this. Your body knows what to do (just the same way it knows how to grow a baby). It won't let you down. If you require a section your body will be ready for that too.

I've never felt so strong and vital and found the whole thing mind blowing.
I would also say don't make any decisions up front, you never know how you'll feel. I eventually asked for an epidural just to get some sleep :)

And also don't be afraid to ask questions and speak your mind.

Finally did you know you get a baby at the end? For some reason that shocked me.

Best of luck and enjoy the whole thing. Nothing else comes close

[RNJ3007]

Yeah, I got mine in Holland and Barrett! Got it packed in my hospital bag again this time!

You can mix it with lavender too (but lavender makes me unwell!)

Will probably sprinkle it on DH's shirt this time too, he's easier to keep track of ;)

[OnTheRunFromTheAcademe]

Take a look at tellmeagoodbirthstory.com (sorry can't link from my phone). Lots of positive birth stories on there!

I had a home water birth. No pain relief. Six hours start to finish. No tearing. Worst part of it was leg cramps from squatting in the pool for too long. Next day felt a bit like I'd been kicked in the arse by a horse, but recovery was very quick and everything completely back to normal within a few days

[Ficidy]

Yeah Sl1nky, I just can't wait for the baby to be here now so I can just enjoy him/her and stop freaking myself out about the labour! And, so I can reach my toes again

[Ficidy]

RNJ3007, where would I get clary sage oil? In health food shop?