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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

All the positives about childbirth up to and including meeting dc obviously.

68 replies

coneywonder · 31/05/2015 19:20

Just that really.

35 weeks and wanting to focus on the positives after hearing a lot of negatives.

Might be nice to share our stories?

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spillyobeans · 31/05/2015 19:24

Positives have been just enjoying watching and feeling my body change and sharing that experience with my do, even though I've had some minor illnesses etc still have liked being pregnant :). Nice maternity clothes, watching my belly move and react to noices/dis voice :)

Iggly · 31/05/2015 19:27

Positives - well my first labour was about 12 hours ish long. I was very confident that I could do it and even though it was tough I still feel that way. So much so that when I had my second dc I felt very confident in what I needed and did not let the mW try and make me do stuff I didn't want to (e.g get me to move as I was transitioning).

Meeting the DCs - I remember when ds was born and his cry. It was the most beautiful sound in the world to me. And I felt like it was just me and him as I stared into his eyes.

Whatabout · 31/05/2015 19:32

Positive - the epidural, I got some sleep for the first time in weeks. It was also exciting to know it was going to end in holding a baby!

Original poster

coneywonder · 31/05/2015 19:39

:) lovely stuff

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DuhNuh · 31/05/2015 19:39

As daft as it sounds it is incredibly empowering. It's probably the hardest thing you'll ever do and it will take all your strength no matter how you end up giving birth but is only you who can do it and when you meet your dc you will feel so proud and amazed at what you're capable of. And I say that as someone who has experienced an emergency section at 1cm and an emergency section at 9cm after a long, tiring labour.

Original poster

coneywonder · 31/05/2015 19:43

That's nice to hear.

At the moment I'm thinking if I don't lose my cool and stay as calm as possible I have won no matter what the outcome. I just hope my body can do it!

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mappemonde · 31/05/2015 19:46

I loved labour and was on such a high afterwards! Meeting dc, scooping them up and holding them and gazing at them - amazing!!

lilac3033 · 31/05/2015 19:47

I had DD 3 weeks ago and I remember it as a positive experience. She is my first and I found I went into the zone for most of the birth. From when contractions started to birth I was very aware that the pain had purpose. I wasn't afraid of it. I felt in control. It was excellent feeling her head after pushing for almost 2 hours and knowing I was almost there. The feeling when she was out was brilliant. Not only meeting her but also knowing I had done it.

One thing I loved in hindsight was finding out her sex myself. It wasn't intended but it happened and it was a great feeling.

I felt really well supported by the midwives as well. The pain sucks but everything else is brilliant. The pain was bearable for me, it was only at transition I thought I would need diamorphine.

The awe of having the wee one out just out weighs the pain you experience. Immediately after the birth I still felt that DD would need a sibling at some point. So it wasn't that bad!!

Original poster

coneywonder · 31/05/2015 19:54

Eeek exciting. So lovely that you enjoyed it. My mum said she loved giving birthing to my brother and I. I'm hoping to be the first one to find out babys sex too.

Hope life with a newborn is treating you well x

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ejclementine · 31/05/2015 19:57

One thing my friend always says to me is, 'it will never be more than your built to bear'. I find that quite comforting. :)

ejclementine · 31/05/2015 19:58

*bare

DuhNuh · 31/05/2015 20:01

I totally agree about getting into a 'zone' whatever works for you. I found in my long labour that breathing exercises I'd learnt from yoga helped me stay in control and also just going with whatever my body was telling me. For me that meant standing up and leaning on my DH for support and using vocal sounds through the pain. Sort of mooing?! Sounds mad but it helped me focus and sort of push the pain out. I think I got that from the Ina May Gaskin book. I borrowed that from the library in my final few weeks and I really recommend it as a book full of positive and empowering stories.

I realise I sound like a mad hippy but I promise I'm not!

ASAS · 31/05/2015 20:01

One huge, unsung positive, NHS midwives. I'll never forget that one gave me a foot rub.

Thurlow · 31/05/2015 20:08

ASAS, I had a shoulder massage from the anethetist during my emcs, I always remember that too

It is empowering. I think that is what hindsight has taught me. Births are all different, it might not go how you imagined it would or you wanted it to, but it happens and you get through it and that's always an impressive thing.

Steph1502 · 31/05/2015 20:08

It's painful, it's long and it's tiring. But with each contraction you know it's one closer to meeting your baby. It's very empowering and I surprised myself at how strong I was. Ready for 4th time around and I know what's coming. I'm looking forward to it as I know it's a necessary evil to bring me to the most amazing outcome any human being can experience... Meeting your wee newborn baby... It's breathtaking xx

Addictedtomaltesers · 31/05/2015 20:09

I have 4 dc and was lucky enough to have all of them naturally. The good parts are feeling a sense of pride and relief after getting through each contraction. I also really enjoyed the alone time with my DH where all of the focus was on getting through the challenge together. My absolute favourite part is getting a lovely hot and delicious smelling little person flopped onto my belly at the end. The pain and effort is immediately over and you cannot believe that you have grown a person inside of you, no matter how many times you go through it!

It is hard, especially with your first time when you are excited and nervous, but the more relaxed you can stay, the less it hurts. Good luck

Azquilith · 31/05/2015 20:11

I found it quite excitng when I was in labour and got to be that woman bursting into hospital in the middle of the night.

Ohbollocksandballs · 31/05/2015 20:12

I loved labour/birth. It was difficult at the time, but it was the most brutal yet amazing thing I have ever experienced. The feeling when the wriggly little newborn is placed on you. Although that was momentarily shattered when DS shat all over me. The toast and tea afterwards was the best thing I have ever consumed.

annatha · 31/05/2015 20:13

Congratulations! It's the most incredible experience. Yes, it is very hard and painful but I felt so empowered afterwards, it was amazing. What really helped me was remembering that I wasn't in pain because I was ill or because there was something wrong- it's a positive pain if that makes sense. Breathing techniques helped and a wonderful midwife who let me just get on with it. Having my little girl passed up onto my chest is something i'll never forget.

Before you pop though, I'd recommend taking lots of pictures of your bump and to try and video when your baby is kicking. You might feel like a whale now but you'll miss the bump and the kicks!

Original poster

coneywonder · 31/05/2015 20:18

Aw thanks ladies.

Yeah I have been taking lots of pictures and videos. I have also got that ina may book, half way through it and I love it. I've been doing hypnobirthing and practising every night so that should help with my breathing ect. Xx

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CaramellaDeVille · 31/05/2015 20:19

I wish I could do it again. Despite the pain it was the most empowering and beautiful experience of my life, both times. The point when you meet your baby is indescribably wonderful. And such a relief!! Good luck.

stargirl1701 · 31/05/2015 20:21

As a PP mentioned, I found the sense of empowerment overwhelming with both births. I just felt like I so powerful and capable. Amazing! First cry, first breastfeed, first time in the stretchy wrap...wonderful!

BossWitch · 31/05/2015 20:24

Another vote for the empowering feeling. And another moo-er! Not planned, that was just the noise that came out!

I had a very, very quick labour (2hrs 45 minutes total) and apart from some initial panic I had a really positive experience. I gave birth standing up because dd was too fast for the water birth I'd planned for (she was almost out before the pool was even half full) and I just felt like my body knew what it was doing - I just went with it. I also had brilliant midwives; I remember one of them telling me to 'breathe the baby out' and that was exactly what it felt like I was doing. They didn't try to dictate anything - apart from telling me that she was too far down for a water birth - and just instantly adapted to what I was doing, such as shuffling a bean bag under where I was stood so that I could collapse onto it once I'd pushed the sproglet out. I also got to find out the sex first, a lovely surprise as we were convinced she was a girl!

I read through a hypnobirthing book a couple of weeks before - itsit's basically just breathing and visualisation techniques, really good for helping to feel calm and like you are in control. Would recommend!

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 31/05/2015 20:27

It was honestly not the most painful thing I have ever experienced - and quite enjoyable in parts

Roseybee10 · 31/05/2015 20:27

I felt like a warrior woman. It was incredible. My first labour was long and once the mw acknowledged I was in labour I was fine and just concentrated on my breathing and the incredible thing my body was doing.
The second time I had an incredible home birth. I laboured just me and hubby all day watching Netflix and cuddling and holding hands which was lovely. The mw arrived just in time to give me some gas and air for the pushing stage in the water which again was so nice. I loved birthing in the water. It felt so natural. Scooping my baby out of the water after hubby had caught her was just amazing.

Labour is hard don't get me wrong but bizarrely that is the part I'm saddest about not ever doing again (dd2 was our last baby born in Feb).

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