Positive birth stories?

[Gobletoffire]

Does anyone have any fairly positive birth/labour experiences that they are willing to share? I’m 39+2 and over the last week have become incredibly anxious about labour. I can’t pinpoint exactly what I’m afraid of other than all of it in general - the pain, an emergency with baby or me becoming unwell, side effects of pain relief, just the general unknown and being out of control. I know this is probably a normal feeling, and I’m still very excited to meet my baby at the end of it of course, but I think I’ve tortured myself a bit by reading too many ‘horror stories’ and watching too much of One Born Every Minute. I feel that some positivity and nice stories are what I need right now!

Just know your body will take over. I can't say I enjoyed my labour...however...it was very straight forward. Contractions started on a Sunday night...by 10am the next morning I was 4 cm and it all progressed from there. 10pm I was fully dilated and started pushing. 45 minutes of that,an episiotomy and out came my boy. It feels like an out of body experience now looking back. You have no idea what to expect and truly anything can happen. Try and remember your body is built for this. I found being surrounded by the wonderful staff made me so much more at ease from the moment I was on the ward. I wish you all the luck, my boy came at 39 weeks! Let us know how you get on? X

I went into spontaneous labour at 31+6. Waters just broke with no warning all over the floor of a local pizza parlour. Super embarrassing.

Straight to the hospital, contractions started twenty minutes after waters broke and were three minutes apart. Team of a OB, two nurses, and 19 other staff ready for major interventions. I opted for the epidural as the pain got to me. Everything else was smooth sailing. The OB sat on the bed with me having a laugh about the perils of dating in the 21st century (DH left me before I knew about baby). I had zero pain, was smiling and happy albeit quite tired. Baby was out four hours after I flooded the pizza parlour and healthy.

I had a nice coffee afterward and relaxed before going to see him. I remember it fondly.

Pregnancy on the other hand has practically given me PTSD.

Hi im on baby no.6 ,labour isnt that bad at all ,ive only had one scary birth at 28wks but the rest of mine have been fine, i had one at home in under 10 mins. i just had gas & air that took my pain away.dont be scared its not that bad ,u will do amazing.i would say dont watch any birthing programmes x

I would say labour was as painful as spoke about.. but not as traumatic!

I went into spontaneous labour at 40+6, waters broke at 10am and the contractions were in full swing within the hour. DS was born at 6.52, but I will say as much as this was fairly short labour anyway, the time did fly! I had an episiotomy as baby's heart rate was dropping but not rating back up enough and had to get him out asap! I don't even remember feeling any pain when it was done tbh. I think more labours are along this line than the line of the horror stories!

I had a great labour.

The birth plan is a bit of joke at times and I definitely think it's best to 'dream up' an ideal birth plan but also take it with a pinch of salt and try to keep an extremely open mind. For example I didn't want an epidural but I wrote 'only give epidural if no other option is safe' at the end of the day you will be in the best place in hospital and they will guide you as your labour progresses.

I love my birth story, though nobody ever seems to want to know it 😕. I wish I'd been filmed.

The aftermath you can try to prepare for. Would you like my recommendations?

Neither of my 2 were as bad as I'd imagined.

The first one was 12 hrs, it wasn't a walk in the park but not nearly as bad as I'd built it up to be. Ended up with forceps and I still wouldn't say it was that bad.

The second was less than an hour start to finish. I can remember when we were driving to hospital saying to DH that I couldn't go through this again but that honestly was the first time in the 2 years since I'd had DC1 that I'd thought about it negatively so it couldn't have been that bad.

The one thing I didn't have with either was a birth plan, I was more than happy to take the midwives advice and see how things panned out.

Good luck op

First baby spontaneous labour at 39+6, 23 hr labour but 20 hours of that was at home and very relaxed. Got to the hospital was 8cm, gas and air and pethidine and baby arrived.

Second baby induction at 38+2, long induction but all very routine, waters popped 9 hours later baby arrived with only gas and air..

Two different labours but good experiences with both, never had more than grazes and never needed intervention.

Third baby due in 13 weeks and have my heart set on a home birth!

Best of luck

Not me but my mum. Had some contractions, lasted about 40 minutes. Pushed for 20 minutes. Out I came. She's a tiny thing and everyone said she'd struggle to get a baby out. My DH was born in much the same way. I'm taking this as a good sign for when I give birth.

9 days over-due. Waters broke when I got out of bed at around 8.00am I think. Had picnic lunch with my partner (had a fall out with, him then made up). Contractions built up in the afternoon. I remember wanting to go to the toilet every 2 mins when I was 8n my flat although I didnt really need to go. Went into hospital at 3.00ish but was sent home because I wasn't anywhere near ready. No room for me at Chichester hospital (my local), but they arranged for me to go to Portmouth instead. Arrived at about 9.00pm, baby daughter arrived at 1:00am the next day. I was planning on having a water birth and they prepared the bath and everything but then I didnt get round to using it. Had gas and air (though it didn't seem to do much). After quite a bit of pushing they cut me (can't remember technical term). I remember before labour I was worried about them doing that but it was fine. Daughter came out pretty easily after that, then they stitched me up. Midwives were lovely. Felt well looked after. Went home at around 6:00pm on the same day. I wasn't kicked out, I just felt ready to go.

I probably didn't need to go into that much detail. I'm 6 months pregnant now and posting it was a good excuse for me to remind myself with how it was.

I didn't notice I was in labour - thought I had a mild upset stomach - until my waters broke. Went down to the hospital and baby was already on the way out, foot first. Super quick transfer to theatre and babies were safely out with minimal pain. I have nothing but positive memories.

Wow thanks everyone, keep these coming, they have definitely made me feel better already. I will also update with my story on how it went when little one has arrived!

@namechangexoxo yes please do share your recommendations?

I’ve had four. The first one was trickiest as he got a bit stuck so three hours of pushing (as opposed to hospital protocol of two then intervention) and he came out. I believe no intervention (it was safe, monitored, had a consultant MW with me etc) paved the way for the easy births that followed. No tearing, just a graze. Up and about in no time.

Our bodies are amazing and do what they do. Go with it.

When they don’t do what they do, be open to changing plan, but as far as a birth plan goes, I would start with a ‘best case scenario’.

2, 3 & 4 were born at home and we’re straightforward. The fourth was very quick. She was born in the sac and had the most gentle entry into the world.

Hypnobirthing was great for me.

I've had 3 lovely births and wouldn't feel worried about doing it again. I'd say accept it is painful, nobody will say it isn't, however breathe your way through the contractions, keep mobile by using either the ball or walking, and if say embrace the experience if you know what I mean rather than fear it?

Just keep thinking once it is done your baby will be here! Each contraction is another step to meeting your little one x

And I've been so so lucky with mine, all 3 have been relatively quick, just gas and air and no complications.

I was induced at almost 42 weeks which I was dreading as had heard all the horror stories about induction. But it was really quick and fine... yes it really hurts but when you get to the pushing stage you know your so close and I actually enjoyed that bit. My son came so quick there wasn’t enough time for an epidural but I’m actually glad i didn’t have one in the end as I think it might have slowed everything down.

Good luck with it all

With dC1 we felt a bit left on our own during labour and it was a bit traumatic physically for me but more so for DH I think. But after it was all done, we had the most beautiful baby boy! Focus on the prize at the end

My last birth was pretty positive

Had some contractions in the morning 6 mins apart
Popped in to see the consultant as I had an appointment booked and they confirmed it was early labour and I could stay if I wanted
Went home with tens machine
Had a takeaway and s bath
In the evening my contractions suddenly went to less than 2 mins apart
Went take hospital, midwife walked in and said 'your pushing' but I wasn't aware
Baby born 12 mins after arrival at hospital
Just gas and air for the stitches after
I can certainly recommend the tens machine x

My birth with DD was fantastic.
I'd wanted a home birth and on 40+10 (a Thursday) my MW booked me in for an induction on 40+14 (Monday)

On the Friday I started contractions. They were light and sporadic, every 5-8 minutes. We called labour ward and they said call again when they're 3 mins apart.
On Friday evening we went for a walk round the block (it seemed like that was what I needed to do - I did a lot of instinctive things) and tried to sleep. All night they were every 10 mins pretty much on the dot. I tried to sleep between each one.
They weren't super painful - I had a tens machine on my back and pretty much had it on 4/10 with a boost for the contractions - any higher than 4 or 5 and it hurt more than the contractions!

On Saturday they were closer, and very slightly more intense but still not painful.
I had diarrhoea and vomited when I tried to eat anything. Yay.
At about 6pm I lost my plug, we called labour ward as they were about 3 mins apart then.
At 8pm a community MW came round, measured me and said I was only 2cm dilated and because it was my first I could expect it to take all night.
She said call us in the morning when they were 2 mins apart.
I took 2 paracetamol.

At 10.30ish pm they were 2 mins apart and we called the midwife again, she said she'd come shortly.
Then I sat on the loo and thought I needed a massive poo but it really hurt and I was worried about giving myself piles so I actively tried to stop anything coming out
I was groaning at this point and DH wanted to come in but I screamed at him DO NOT COME IN, I'M HAVING A SHIT

Then my waters broke and we called MW and told her to come quickly as I could feel the head with my fingers!

I was downstairs at this point, I kept upright the whole time, I was pacing a lot, and every time the contractions came I did pacing on the spot, and did 'window breathing' (in for 6, out for 4) DH had to count out loud 6, then 4, actually this had been going on for all of Saturday. He must have counted millions.
I kept telling him whether to go slower or faster.

Then MW got here (at 00.02) and she lay some sheets and absorbent pads on the living room floor, we'd already had oxygen and drugs delivered to the house in preparation so DH got those ready, I stripped off as I felt more comfortable like that, then MW said to me Are you actually pushing? And I was like Oh yeah I didn't think to do that!
So I kept upright, kept pacing and doing my breathing, and then the head came out (!) She was screaming straight away and MW made encouraging noises, I pushed maybe two or three times and she came out! At 00.16...
I'd only had about 4 or 5 gulps of G&A!
MW said it was very uncommon for babies to scream before they're completely out but I had been stopping her getting out for about an hour!
I lay down and MW wrapped baby up, DH snipped the cord, we had lots of cuddles then DH held DD (I didn't even want to let him hold her!) while I squatted over a bucket (no really) and the placenta kind of plopped out.
MW examined it and said it was intact (so no bits were left inside me) and she said I had a tiny graze so gave me a stitch (I think just one)
Then she told us to dress DD which genuinely hadn't occurred to us, I wonder how long I'd have left her in towels, and MW stayed for a few hours helping me work out how to feed DD, and she had loads of paperwork, we all had tea and biscuits (I was starving) then she left at around 5.30 am and we crawled into bed with DD.
It was glorious.
I'm pg again and hope it goes as smoothly. I was very lucky!

having an open mind is best practice imo for the birth but I hadn't really thought of the aftermath which nobody had seemed to prepare me for or even talk about.
I had a fast vaginal birth and I tore and needed stitches (sounds bad but actually didn't hurt at all) these are the things I wish I'd brought in advance

Cheap (non plastic type material like always for example) pads and reusable pads, in a pinch a nappy will work too! For the after bleeding. It took about 2 weeks for it to stop so stock up! Using reusable pads can be cost effective in the long run. The plastic type seemed to stick to my stitches and would sting when I unstuck them 😬 so I'd avoid Tena, always and such like, I found the own brand ones in a plastic wrap the best!

I wish I'd bought a child's swim ring to sit on, you can find them quite cheaply second hand and if they survive being sat on, you can use for your baby too.

My foof was swollen and hanging down (sorry!) so I needed larger sized knickers that went up quite a way to help support the belly hang you will have for few weeks.

I used arnica tablets and arnica oil for the bath, not sure if it helped the healing but I never experienced any issues and I believe 2 weeks is quite quick for healing time.

I drank peppermint tea because straight afterwards (and a week at least) I just couldn't hold in a fart to save my life, I had family and OH family visiting and I just randomly farted which was funny but mortifying too!

Make sure you have a comfortable sofa, you will be spending a lot of time on it!

Stock up on quick food such as energy bars and oat bars as well as pre made or batch cooked food as babies tend to try to starve their mothers while constantly demanding their own food.

Some of this may not apply if you have c section but hopefully nothing will go to waste. Hope you find it helpful! Good luck and try not to let anxiety spoil a single moment of your magical adventure!

Not really sure this is the kind of story you're looking for but here goes. I'd be 40 weeks on Mon but my little girl entered the world yesterday.
Last Sat morning I thought my waters had gone as pants were sopping, went to hospital and they said no but I wasn't convinced however obsessive googling came up with cervical weeping and I'm now convinced this is what I experienced.
Tue morning woke up to a bloody show thought marvellous here we go, contractions started Tue afternoon and were manageable they didn't really regulate however and at 4am Wed rang labour ward for advice was told warm bath etc, they then tailed off but didn't stop but I managed a few hours sleep, Wed was much the same irregular contractions which were uncomfortable and like really bad period pains but still not really the desired regularity and length for hospital but called in anyway as DH was panicking, I was perhaps a little economical with the truth when I spoke to labour ward and they said to come in to get checked and I fully expected to be sent home but I thought it'd stop DH worrying. Came in was checked and found to be severely dehydrated and in that state body wouldn't likely progressively labour naturally so was admitted for IV fluids continued to labour irregular throughout the night and into the next day, consultant made decision to sweep and stretch and manually break waters to try and live things along that took place Thurs teatime, things still not going according to plan so put on drip for inductions early hours Fri thankfully at that point I had an epidural and I can't sing it's praises enough it was exactly what I needed at that moment in time, however again things didn't go according to plan as baby sensitive to drip and they couldn't crank it up high enough so labour didn't progress well, finally at 9am between me and consultant decision made to C Section, not the red button corridor racing type you see on TV just a very calm joint decision right let's get ready and take you down sort, my little girl entered the world at 10:07 and is bloody marvellous and worth every second experienced since last Sat / Tue.
IMO this was a positive birth experience as although things didn't go according to plan and it was far from textbook I was involved in the decision making process, I made choices I felt were right for me and my baby, there was 2 way communication between me and all staff and both me and my girl are safe and well, what more could anyone want.

Please don't worry about the what ifs and what you can't change just be prepared for alternative routes to your baby and make choices that are right for you at whichever moment in time.

Yep!

I had my boy last Thursday and had an amazing experience 💗

I have always been into positive thinking and mindset so would recommend The Positive Birth Company digital pack as it’s super insightful & informative amongst other things which I believe helped me during the labour and delivery :)

I’d had a few episodes of reduced movement with baby during the pregnancy and Thursday was the 5th time I had been in. After being checked and monitored the consultant advised we should go ahead with the induction if I felt comfortable doing so since I’d had so many episodes.

I felt it was the right thing to do and I was almost at 38 weeks so quite in the safe zone if there ever is one!

Went home & packed my bags and hubby came in with me.

They put the pessary in at 8:30pm right before hubby left and shortly after, I felt changes in my body ie the cramping started from back to front.

As it’s my first time I didn’t know what was going on but thought yeah this is probably the surges / contractions!

Come midnight I requested pain relief - wanted to keep it minimal so had paracetamol. Around 4am I could feel the surges or contractions getting stronger and more frequent and was given a form of codeine which helped.

Come morning time the surges or contractions were definately more but still manageable.

I was monitored again at around 9am and the pulse rate was scatty still for baby and myself.

The doctors were in with nurses etc and they did another cervix check and was advised it’s best to remove the pessary as the surges were coming in frequently but not consistently.

This was the worst part of the whole process - cervix being checked whilst having surges- not going to lie I was in tears during this.

As soon as the pessary was out, I was taken downstairs to the delivery suite.

Queue the gas and air! Oh my god it was heaven as soon as I was on this 😂 I could have a proper conversation between surges! It was funny 😂

Turns out I was already at 6cm dilated.

They said they’ll observe me after 4 hours - I laughed and said there’s no way the baby will still be in me in 4 hours 😂 just knew it from the way I was feeling. Amazing what your body knows!

Shortly after, my waters were broken by docs & it felt amazing 😂 I remember saying to hubby and midwife ‘OMG this feels amazing I feel so light’!

Soon as waters were gone they did more checks and I got off the bed and was moving around using the exercise ball on the bed to lean on and get me through the surges. Yoga really helped me through pregnancy and the exercise ball was absolutely the best thing ever during labour too! I used it on the bed to lean forward onto. Baby had been head down since 20 weeks or so 💗

I can’t explain how important breathing techniques are during the surges. Upbreathing and downbreathing was absolutely what got me through it all!

Soon as the waters had gone the surges were more intense of course as there’s no barrier.

Shortly after, my body was telling me to get the baby out - midwife had to of course do the checks to make sure it was time and I was right into it!

There was a few surges I had to breathe through and not breathe baby out which was challenging to control because my body was saying ‘let the baby out’ but soon as the midwife gave me the ok - my god the surges and breathing the baby out felt amazing!

I was on gas & air through the whole thing although doc offered pain relief I almost said yes to pethadine but my midwife said you don’t need it you’re doing amazing - this greatly helped me stay focussed and I passed on pthadine and stuck to gas & air.

The baby came into the world around 2pm so 1.5 hrs from being taken to delivery suite. I literally squatted him out and he almost went flying into the floor - thankfully midwife was ready and waiting 😂

I’ve had stitches but to be honest by that point you’re like ‘whatever I just breathed a baby out so do what you want 😂’

Honestly trust that your body is capable and knows exactly what to do and you will be fine.

I would recommend watching natural birth videos if that’s what you are aiming for like on YouTube etc as they are real - tv shows like one born every minute etc are edited so much for entertainment purposes!

Wishing you all the best for your labour and delivery 💗

My labour/birth went just about as well as it could have. I went into labour around 1am and by 7:30am my contractions were every 2min and lasting a minute and at this point I went to hospital. I was only 5cm dilated when I got there at 8am. 2.5 hours later my 9lb 7oz DD had made her appearance. I had a waterbirth and only used gas and air as additional pain relief. I had a small tear but nothing too bad and was stitched up by the midwife. I’m not going to lie and say it was painless but I look back on it now with fondness and only hope my next birth is as straightforward when #2 arrives.

Both of my children’s births were brilliant, much less painful than I
expected,managed fine, no pain relief. My body took over completely. 10hrs and 2.5hour labours.

Try not to worry. I was expecting something terrible and it was much better than I expected. It’s such a short period of time. And when you have your baby it’s so worth it. Good Luck.