Positive birthing stories

[Victoriaspongecake1]

Currently 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby & have been completely chilled about giving birth however a close friend of my DP’s has given birth and for some reason it’s really started to make me panic and freak out. I’ve put it on my birthing plan that I would like all the drugs but I’m now panicking in case for whatever reason I can’t have them…

Please share your positive birthing stories to calm me down

If you think you’d like an epidural get it as soon as you can. My midwife recommended not building up, there’s not point spending most of your labour in pain just because you want to try each painkiller and see how it goes. I loved my epidural and felt completely in control (much more so than when I was on gas and air). It was a very relaxed experience, DH and I spent the whole time just chatting. I still felt my contractions and the birth but it was manageable. I skim read a book on hypnobirthing and the mindset really helped too, the imagery of “opening up” helped a lot more than “doing a big poo” and breathing through the surges/rushes/contractions or whatever word you like to use.

I should add that I was really empowered and my DH said watching me give birth was one of the most powerful things he’d witnessed. It was a lovely bonding experience. I had also had a stop start labour for 30+ hours at that point (from when my waters and contractions started) and I was pretty tired so I didn’t see the point of labouring without pain relief any longer, especially since it could have been hours. It was pretty quick in the end. I did have some “bad” things happen (I lost a fair bit of blood and tore etc) but I was so euphoric I didn’t really care, was par for the course.

People dont "love" to tell horror stories.
Lots of people go through traumatic births unfortunately. And that's their story...

I think you should inform yourself and be aware of the types of complications you could encounter. So if it does happen you will feel more in control and probably less scared.

Like you, last year I was about to give birth to my first and I was shitting my pants because so many poor ladies had to go through such a horrific vaginal birth (emergency c sec) that I thought that's the norm. I was wrong.
I made a point of looking up calm, uncomplicated births videos online. Reading nice birth stories. I read the positive birth book, and learned about all the physiology around birth at diff stages. Researches all pain killers options etc... common complications.
You get the idea

EDUCATE YOURSELF!

It was a life saver. By the time my waters broke at 41w2 I felt prepared. In control. I had a birth plan which stated I d like to try unmedicated water birth but open to pain management options.
And when my contractions started I knew it was epidural for me and definitely not in water. Had an amazing quick vaginal birth (also got pitocin drip for the last 5cm with the epidural as my waters had meconium and contractions had slowed down). My labor lasted 5.5hrs. No screaming no pain no baby stuck no tear. My placenta got stuck though and I developed an infection right after the manual retrival. It was scary and unpleasant but I trusted the medical staff. My baby was healthy. And we went through it.

It doesn't have to be traumatic, even with some level of complications. My birth is still labeled as pathological but it doesn't feel that way!

You got this!

Totally unfair of previous posters to shame you for saying you want all the drugs!! You might not need them but it's a big comfort knowing it's an option. You want the drugs? Take the drugs!
I didn't have the greatest birth with my first and I'm now pregnant with my second. I'm trying not to dwell on it. If I do, I start to panic myself. Think of it as a bit of a shitty day (or two). There will be ups and there will be downs but you will get through it. Yes it bloody hurts but it's natural pain and you know what it is. You're not ill. Go into it with an open mind and try your best to relax. Try not to over think it, what will be will be and you will be in good hands. Make sure your hospital bag is ready and you have everything you need to make yourself as happy and relaxed as possible. You will be fine

I gave birth 7 weeks ago. was terrified at the thought of giving birth. I said I'd take all the drugs - I didn't understand why anyone wouldn't! I took a Hypnobirthing course in the hope it would ease my anxieties.

Little did I know I would find giving birth a really amazing experience, that I actually enjoyed. As soon as my son was placed in my arms I turned to my husband and said with a surprise, wow I'd do that again!

From waters breaking to my son's arrival it was just 4 hours. I do feel this is more unusual for a first birth, but it goes to show that first births aren't guaranteed to be long and drawn out! I was all for having an epidural during pregnancy but I never needed it (even if I had time!). Nobody checked my dilation until 20 minutes before baby's arrival, as no one, even myself realised how far along into labour I was (I obviously wasn't showing much sign of pain!) And so it wasn't until then that I was given gas and air - so I only had it for the last 20 minutes whilst I pushed. Once you get to the pushing stage your body just takes over and it feels like a relief to be pushing. I didn't find pushing his head out bad either (so I can't relate to feeling the 'ring of fire'), it just felt like I couldn't push any harder, then he just suddenly emerged! I remember it all just feeling so surreal with me thinking, was that it!? Then the incredible moment when my son was placed on my chest 🥰

Good luck. You'll do amazingly!

(PS, we DTD that morning, and I'm convinced that brought on labour, so well worth trying if you don't want to go overdue! And lots of bouncing on a birthing ball. I had baby at 38+6, so it possibly helped that he wasn't an overdue whopper!)

Having sex definitely won't help induce labour but it might make you feel relaxed and happy so no harm in it! Some research actually shows sex can inhibit labour starting. Regardless, it has no link to labour starting. Same as I ate Jaffa cakes and labour started within half an hour. The one followed the other but the one didn't cause the other.

@ShowOfHands that night I had been having some cramps (I just assumed it was part of pregnancy at nearly 39 weeks) so you're probably right. I think I was already in early labour, and the sex helped it along, rather than made it start.

I am trying to start a rumour about the Jaffa cakes causing labour but it isn't catching on! Sounds like a great labour regardless. And pretty textbook. My body didn't do any of the stuff it was supposed to either time. I didn't even have an urge to push which I thought would be guaranteed. Like I said though, even with a lot of intervention and an emcs, it was extremely positive and I'd never worry about doing it again. And that positivity came from good support and understanding what was happening at every stage.