Does anyone enjoy giving birth?

[summerhillgang]

Just that really. Looking for some positivity... I am a 39+2 FTM and hoping for a home water birth x

I had to have instrumental birth as he got stuck and I opted for no epidural and honestly at the time I wasn't screaming in pain but I obviously wasn't happy either lol but looking back it was amazing and I wanna do it again lol! The last push felt amazing for me. Good luck

I genuinely felt euphoric during the birth of my third. Not so much the other three for various reasons, but it is always a possibility.

Enjoy... I wouldn't go that far but the end result is worth the pain and exhaustion of labour or surgery. I've got 6 kids from 5 pregnancies, 3 vb's & 2 cs's.

I've been reading the Ina May book and she talks about euphoric childbirth and how we are conditioned to believe Labour is the worst thing in the world (when it isn't for the vast majority).

Really interesting.

I loved labour and birth. It was very overwhelming and painful as expected but the whole experience was incredible.

First baby not so much! Pain was awful and forceps delivery. Second one I nearly gave birth at home because I had no idea how far along I was. Only the last 10 minutes or so were intense and I felt on such a massive high when baby arrived! I couldn’t believe this birth experience was possible. The key is to breathe. Freya app was good for timing contractions. Heartily recommend the “make your birth better” book by the positive birth company. Read it and feel empowered for whatever comes your way. good luck!

Sorry, no, I hated every minute of it.
It was worth it, but also one of the worst days of my life.

Absolutely loved it. I never thought I’d say that but it was a really magical experience. I didn’t know if I was having a boy or a girl and it was just such a calm experience.

I’d love to do it again

@OrangeJuiceAndNoodles

I've been reading the Ina May book and she talks about euphoric childbirth and how we are conditioned to believe Labour is the worst thing in the world (when it isn't for the vast majority).

Really interesting.

That was the only book I read! Loved it.

I have had three and yes I loved giving birth. It's a strange experience! Amazing really.

I prefer Labour to being pregnant.

Mine are very quick - under 10 minutes for both of mine .... Pregnancy on the other hand drags and gives me all sorts of aches and problems lol

I can’t say I enjoyed it at the time but I weirdly wish I could experience again. It was a fairy quick birth.

My first birth was very positive, and when I think back on it I did enjoy the birth (still painful but I saw it as a nice pain where you know it's going to stop and you'll get something at the end of it!)

It was a water birth in the hospital with no pain relief due to various reasons (but I think I managed quite well without), and I'm booked in to have a home water birth for the baby I'm cooking up now!

As a previous commenter said, I did also find the thought of millions of women doing this throughout the ages to be really comforting. And relying on my body to tell me what's what.

I have 1 baby and had a water birth at home. The birth itself was amazing, I did enjoy it. I felt DS’s head on its way out and lifted him out of water and cuddled him for ages. It really was euphoric. The midwife was very hands off. We have a brilliant photo of me sat in the pool holding DS with the biggest grin ever.

The transition part of labour I did find a bit brutal but I just had to let my body do it and ride it out. It was so worth it for the amazing birth.

I also don’t really remember the pushing hurting. I did tear but didn’t notice at the time. Obviously hurt afterwards 😂 though not immediately.

I wouldn’t say enjoy it no, but I had 4 ive had 2 vaginal births and 2 emcs and I did feel sad that I wouldn’t and probably won’t ever have a vaginal “normal” birth again, yes I know people hate that term but that’s how I felt. I wouldn’t say like it but I did feel sad not to experience it again.

Yes I loved it. Particularly fun if you don't know what you're having.

I genuinely looked forward to giving birth both times. My second pregnancy was twins and it was still enjoyable. I wanted to do it again but didn’t want any more children.

I enjoyed my second labour. Induction and epidural. It was largely pain free and I could properly appreciate what was happening.

I was just talking to a friend yesterday about how much I loved giving birth to my 2 girls. I hated being pregnant. Definitely not doing it again.
I loved both of my births.

Labour is, well, laborious. Go in with a loose birth plan in terms of the order you'd like pain relief, be prepared for it not to go as you would like. Have someone there who will advocate for you. I knew that I would never consent to a forceps delivery, the doctor tried to push for it, my DM was vociferous in saying absolutely not. Hypo birth is good for staying calm in whatever situation you may find yourself giving birth.

The prize is the baby, but you matter too.

DS1 was a long and difficult Labour ending in a section. But it was fine, and I was on top of the world.

DS2 was an induced vaginal labour but he was a super tiny micro preemie. It was wonderful to meet him but the circumstances meant it was also incredibly traumatic. It did also cement that I do not like labour and vaginal delivery and that given the opportunity, I'd never do vaginal birth again.

I loved giving birth to DD1, it was the most transformative thing I've ever done. It hurt of course but it was so much more than the pain. It was magic.

I was gutted when I had to have a planned c section with DD2 due to her being footling breech. But that was lovely too in its own way.

I had a good birth, though would be a stretch to say I enjoyed it. It was very chilled, at home for most of it. I remember getting really bored and thinking that it was going on a bit, dp nodded off at one point!