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!

I won’t comment on the pain too much as it was bloody awful but my birth wasn’t traumatic in any way. DD was born on 40 + 2...only gas and air, waters broke in the birthing pool naturally, and I had no tearing. Midwives lovely! Breastfed without problem and, tiredness aside, was physically myself quickly afterwards.

10lb 2oz baby with a really nice, no intervention birth and only minor grazes and some stitches that I never noticed having (during or after).

Had bleeding from first contraction and had consistent contractions (never got a break they just got less) so wasn’t when I expected so had an epidural (one where you can still walk around) and that was magic. Getting another one of those this time!!

Can’t remember being that sore after, no problems with the first poo and no trouble healing.

Hypnobirthing definitely helped me trust my body could do it and so I did.

Mine did not go to plan at all, I had 'water birth, gas and air and hypnobirthing' on my plan, what I got was nearly 4 days of early labour, a blocked bladder, pethedine, epidural, waters broken for me and oxytocin to speed up labour as baby was distressed. Having said all that, the whole experience was incredibly calm, and peaceful, and so, so quiet. Being on the delivery suite felt like being in a different world, coccooned away from everything.

I was admitted to the delivery suite at about 4pm, thanks to the pethedine and then the epidural, I slept through a significant chunk of the labour once I was settled, I woke up about midnight and delivered after about an hour of pushing at about 4am, coached by an amazing midwife, and my DH who was wonderful. I looked up at one point during the pushing and there were six medical professionals in the room, but my midwife kept me focused and kept everything really calm. She was awesome. I felt like a bloody superhero afterwards too. And the shower I took when I could finally stand was the most amazing shower I've ever had. Bliss.

Basically it doesn't matter if it doesn't go to plan, as long as you're mentally prepared to go with whatever does happen. I didn't resist the epidural/oxytocin route, because after several days of contractions, I knew I needed the help, and so did baby. I still felt like it was an active choice to go down that route, and that my wishes were heard all the way through. Having that control makes a big difference I think.

I had a great birth with dd.

Hypnobirthed and managed to stay calm and in control throughout.
I was even playing a game on my phone while pushing as it was a great distraction 😂

It hurts but the calmer you stay, the easier it is!
If you panic, your body goes into fight or flight mode. The blood rushes to your lungs and heart (everything you'd need to run) and away from the uterus, therefore making labour slow down and more painful.

Do what you need to relax as much as possible. Take in home comforts and have someone with you that you trust.

Good luck 😊

5 days overdue I woke up at around 1.30am for a pee, when I got back into bed I felt a gush of water, and just knew things were starting. 2.30am I got my first contraction, second one followed quickly and they were immediately every 2 and a half mins. Went straight to the hospital, and whilst they didn't believe me and kept me waiting in the waiting area for an hour contracting in front of strangers, I was them taking up to the midwife led birthing unit at around 4am, waters then properly broke, got in the birthing pool. Got the urge to push some time before 6am, got out of the pool and DD was born at 7.20am. No interventions or pain relief, just hypnobirthing breathing to keep me calm. It all hurt a lot, but other than contracting in the waiting room it was a positive experience. One good thing about all that is that I was on my feet until I got up to mlu, which could have helped me progress quickly, although no way of knowing for sure. Good luck with it all, just remember that each contraction Is trying to bring you closer to holding your baby, and whether you have an epidural, pethidine, gas and air or a c section, the end goal is the same

Sorry for all the typos