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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Did anyone 'enjoy' labour?

104 replies

Ghost88 · 01/08/2019 14:47

I have heard so many horror stories about labour. I just wondered if anyone had any positives experiences?

I am 12 weeks today with 1st baby and must admit it feels me with dread and anxiety.

Is the pain as unbearable as they say????

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Bookaholic73 · 01/08/2019 15:44

Yes, I loved it! Didn’t actually find it as painful as I’d heard people say it was.

clarissa469 · 01/08/2019 15:46

@aliensprig now I look back I do blush a bit and he laughs and winds me up, but at the time I would've picked it up and lobbed it st him if he even dare laugh at me in pain

I feel sorry for the poor midwife who cleaned me up! I did tell her it was a poo and not the babies head but she didn't believe me!

Aquamarine1029 · 01/08/2019 15:47

Both of my labours were wonderful. One thing I firmly believe is that fear of it makes it much, much worse. There is nothing to be afraid of. I think a lot of women inadvertently fight against the process due to their fear instead of allowing their bodies to do what comes naturally. Every woman has a different experience, but try to relax and look forward to the birth.

winedayfriday · 01/08/2019 15:50

I ended up with an emergency c section but I still look back fondly. Even with 2 days of contractions and no sleep strangely!
It was odd, I was in this little quiet bubble within my own mind managing the contractions. I think if you go with it and accept everything you are feeling is normal and don't panic -it's easier. Yes it's sore but I didn't find it like the films with the all screaming. Once I got to epidural stage mind you, that was lovely!!!
So even though my DS came out the sun roof, I think of my birth positively. And I'd do it again. The first fortnight with a newborn, now THATS a different story all together!!

raffle · 01/08/2019 15:55

I had a horrible first birth experience so as a result I got offered an elective c-section for my 2nd.

It was bliss! No pain at all, easy to plan around and I had an excellent recovery. Only in hospital 2 nights. Would recommend

MsMarvellous · 01/08/2019 15:55

With my second the whole thing was fantastic and a really chilled experience.

SadieContrary · 01/08/2019 15:56

I enjoyed my labour. In my opinion, what helped me was that I never dreaded it. Seemed a pointless waste of energy and worry when you're going to do it anyway? I'm quite black & white like that.
Was it painful? Yes. Was it horrendous? Far, far from it.
I also didn't go to a single class/read books/ doula but I had a fab midwife. Her and I clicked which also helped

JuneSpoon · 01/08/2019 16:02

My labour was very manageable, gas and air and a tens machine. 12 hours from thinking "ok this is definitely labour" to baby in my arms. It was an intense experience but amazing and not painful in the sense of something being wrong. It's pain with a purpose, (unlike pain from a broken bone for example which is pain from something being wrong).
I read Ina May Gaskin's books, used the gentle birth app, looked at positive affirmations on Pinterest, and did pregnancy yoga. (I also made a conscious effort to ignore everyone with their horror stories. )

PixieLumos · 01/08/2019 16:11

Can’t say I enjoyed it at the time, but I’m weirdly very keen to experience it again.

SpankYouMuchly · 01/08/2019 18:11

Clarissa469, I pooed myself with ds1. I was so embarrassed, but fortunately dh pretended he hadn't noticed! Ds1 was back to back so I quickly forgot about it. I had diarrhea with ds2 so I was confident it wouldn't happen again. So not just you.

Justkeeprollingalong · 01/08/2019 18:26

Absolutely not. First was horrendous, second was 'normal' but I was very frightened it was going to be like the first.

troppibambini · 01/08/2019 18:44

Yep loved all four of mine.
Yes it hurt but I was just so excited.
I had one with just gas and air and three with an epidural.
I enjoyed the births with the epidural more.
I am aware I was very lucky with all of my deliveries I didn't need any intervention or stitches. After the epidural wore of after dc4 was born I got up had a shower put my makeup on and walked round to postnatal with dh and the baby. The midwives were all laughing at me saying that I should be crying with after pains but I felt fine. I had a cup of tea while the did my discharge notes and went home.
It's not always a bad experience

bwydda · 01/08/2019 18:45

I have easy and short births. Very lucky.

I loved it though. As others have said ab empowering and emotional time. It's like nothing else on earth. Mind boggling what your body just does and what you can withstand and the endorphins and elation are unsurpassed in my lifetime. Birth did absolutely nothing to dissuade me from more children! Before I did it I only wanted 1 because I was so afraid. I'd have happily had 5 since (only have 2 because of financial reasons)

melissa1215 · 01/08/2019 18:46

I'm not much help I haven't give birth yet I'm 30+4 but these replies seem helpful!

I'm excited, kind of anxious but I know that no matter what it physically has to happen and I'll have to go through it.

Good luck OP

DontPanic42 · 01/08/2019 18:50

I definitely enjoyed most parts of labour, (not the pushing part) it did hurt but it was also super exciting. My first labour I spent the majority of it in the birthing pool, which was great. My second birth was quick, which was also great. I'm very lucky to have had few interventions, but I also know a few people who had good labours too!

stargirl1701 · 01/08/2019 18:54

Yes, I did with DD1. It was about 18 hours in total. I spent active labour and delivery in a birth pool. Fantastic experience. I felt so powerful afterwards. Amazing!

DD2 was faster and I was less mobile due to PGP. The pool was still filling up when she arrived! Crowning is definitely more painful on land! 😄

SmellbowSpaceBowl · 01/08/2019 18:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rachelover40 · 01/08/2019 18:57

I enjoyed it on the whole, not saying I'd have wanted to do it again the next day but it wasn't a very long and painful labour. I had no drugs so was fairly in control and was fortunate not to have any complications. Giving birth was certainly a positive experience for me. I had a small episiotomy that was stitched and had no problems with that post natally.

EiraElephant · 01/08/2019 18:59

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it was much longer. At the start, with no pain medication it was difficult, but once I was at the hospital with gas and air it was ok and hours went by without me noticing - the worst part for me was the stage just before she popped out, because it was like fire. But didn't notice afterwards...

EiraElephant · 01/08/2019 19:01

I also had a birthing pool, labour was about 36 hours from the start of my contractions to her being born. Active labour not sure how long, I was admitted at 5cm.

Bebelicious · 01/08/2019 19:04

Well, I would definitely not say I enjoyed it. But I would say it's all experience to be proud of and almost felt like running a marathon or climbing Everest (not that I've done either). But I felt like I had achieved such an amazing feet after 27 hours of labour and the feeling when they placed my little one in my arms, indescribable!!

ememem84 · 01/08/2019 19:05

I’ve given birth twice. Most recently on Monday. I wouldn’t chalk either up as my most enjoyable experiences, but I am still amazed at what my body did. And in turn what I did.

With ds I had no pain relief until they had to do stitches.

With dd on Monday I had gas and air once we were in the delivery room. It absolutely took the edge off.

What I was told is not to fight it. Use the pain to your advantage when it comes to pushing and channel the pain to get the baby out.

Your body knows what to do. Trust that it does and go with it. Relax as much as possible (easier said than done!)

Bebelicious · 01/08/2019 19:05

*feat

boredboredboredboredbored · 01/08/2019 19:06

I did with ds. I'd only had Dd a year earlier and that was a long painful back to back labour. With ds I was induced and it couldn't have been more positive. I was still fully dressed when he started crowning, a few good pushes and he was out. The pain was only intense for 10 minutes or so, I look back in awe at it now even 14.5 years later!

Pepperwand · 01/08/2019 19:08

I didn't have a great first labour and held out as long as I could before eventually getting an epidural after about 13 hours, I honestly don't know why I was trying to be a hero and in hindsight should have asked for one sooner.

Second time around I did hypnobirthing and would also really recommend the positive birth company videos on YouTube. I watched loads and loads of positive birth story videos and got myself psyched up for it. Second labour was so much better, in the pool with just gas and air at the end and afterwards I felt like an absolute superhero, was a total high. The main thing for me is focusing on staying as calm and relaxed as possible. Far easier said than done but if you can keep calm and focus on your breathing exercises you will help yourself massively.

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