did you enjoy your labour?

[Patooties]

It sure hurt each time, but straight afterwards for each one, I thought "I could go through that again - no probs!!!" I was induced for all as well.

[Arcadia]

Yes, I can say I did.

My waters broke first and I had about 16 hours of pre-labour before active labour kicked in (thanks to cuddles from DH). My sister and DH were AMAZING support and I felt so loved and encouraged.

Pushing was HARD work, but I will definitely go back for more.

[hj1981]

Everytime i think about my Labour i get upset.
I think i worried too much instead of going with the flo etc...
and i had so much high expectations of what i wanted and how i wanted it too go, and when it went differently it broke my heart - still does!
I feel like i let DH down, and took alot away from the whole experience when i had a epi, no matter how low my dose was, i shouldn't of taken it!!!

I hope 2nd time around i can relax and enjoy ever single second of it - but im also worried that second time round wont be as exciting for DH and everyone else!

[Liviam]

I loved the first 2 1/2 of labour and felt like I was in control as much as I could be but the last 50 minutes I went from 5 cm to DD in my arms. That 30 mins where I dilated 5 cm was horrible. I lost all control, focus and just screamed. I'm still disappointed that after going so well I lost it. Pushing was ok but I had a bottom full of haemorroids (Sorry TMI) so that was more painful than her crowning, LOL!! All in all I would most definitely do it again for my DD.
This time around I'm hoping to go into spontaneous labour and labour at home until I'm ready. Fingers crossed it doesn't go any quicker this time but I'm really looking forward to it. I'll let you know how I go. Fingers crossed for me, LOL!

[Antheia]

#1 and #2 i didn't enjoy at all. #1 because it was so managed and #2 because it was so long (37 hours)

Before #3 i was worried it would be really long again. Well it was only 2 hours from first contrax to birth. I guess i enjoyed it from first contrax until transition (which was only an hour or so) but i didnt really know i was in active labour because it didnt really hurt. The rest i didnt enjoy because for almost an hour i was trying not to push in the hope that the midwife would make it. However when i started pushing i absolutely loved it, even though the midwife didntmake it i was so calm and i somehow just knew exactly what to do. So most of it yes i loved. If i had of just gone with my body and just pushed i would have loved the whole thing even though it would have only gone for about 1.5hrs.

[~Raven~]

The only one of mine I didn't enjoy was the third one. It was very hard and fast and I really didn't get much of a chance to regroup between contractions. Interestingly enough it was the only one that didn't involve water either shower or bath!

I LOVED my last birth. It was fast but I was so calm and just went with it.

[Muffy]

wht a great thread ajp!

i cant say i ENJOYED it, but i am extremly proud of myself and my body for what it has done. KWIM?
With my 1st, I was scared, had no idea what i was in for (oh it really couldnt hurt THAT much could it? )
I ended up with 2 lots of peth and couldnt get off the bed so i couldnt really enjoy it i supppose!!

With DD it was extremly quick so once everything started, the contractions came on thick and quick... i had prepared myself this time i told my midwife, student midwife and DF that i did not want drugs NO MATTER how much i begged..
and i told my student midwife to keep reminding me ' this is what your body was designed to do' and 'the more scared you are of the pain the more it will hurt'
so that really helped me through transition.
This time it has taken me alot longer to forget the pain..

SO the answer to your question i didnt ENJOY it as such but i am very happy

[Fleur]

hj1981 don't be disappointed!
I firmly believe that all labours are different... your second time will be a different experience for you altogether, especially as you know what you are in for this time!

With my first I had gas, peth and then an epi after 6 hrs... I was tired, I had no idea it would take so long... but I got through the next birth with just gas & then 8hrs of labour with the 3rd with just gas too (even though it ended in a cs, I did the hard yards!)

This time around I am aiming for a VBAC, lots of mental preparation... although I know anything can happen I keep a positive attitude, and I am looking forward to the experience

And every birth is exciting and thrilling whether 1st or 4th or (I imagine) the 10th!... remember the only outcome that really matters is a healthy bub & mum, you shouldn't feel like you have to do it a particular way for anyone!

Good luck next time and don't be disappointed, be proud of what you did!

[touchthespindle]

1st was OK, 2nd was better, 3rd was the most traumatic experience of my life

[Olive]

Everytime i think about my Labour i get upset.
I think i worried too much instead of going with the flo etc...
and i had so much high expectations of what i wanted and how i wanted it too go, and when it went differently it broke my heart - still does!
I feel like i let DH down, and took alot away from the whole experience when i had a epi, no matter how low my dose was, i shouldn't of taken it!!!

I hope 2nd time around i can relax and enjoy ever single second of it - but im also worried that second time round wont be as exciting for DH and everyone else!

hun i was dissapointed with my first labour too, i ended up with PND and i attribute alot of it to the birth, i went with the flow didnt have any idea what i was in for
but second time i had a doula, a birthplan and bellybelly and all went just the way i wanted!!