did you enjoy your labour?

[jackrose]

Oh yes.

Even though it went for 48hours in total, I absolutely enjoyed it! I felt amazing, powerful and connected when I was in labour... oh, and exhausted by the end of it!!

Before I was pregnant I was so absolutely fearful of the idea of labour and genuinely did not want to have any kids. I just didn't think it was for me and thought the whole idea of giving birth was absolutely horrifying. When I fell pregnant I had to readdress my whole attitude and started reading reading reading. I began to realise that I had the whole wrong idea with fear and began to embrace the idea of labour and birth. Luckily all went reasonably well with my birth and I was lucky enough to be left alone to labour at the hospital my way. I can't wait to do it again!!

[Jakabella]

I did enjoy it - even though I was induced for 3 days - had 16 hrs of pain as Bella' head was on the side and she was posterior so my bum felt like it was going to explode and it ended in a emerg C that I felt half of the cutting coz the epi was botched!. I would still do it all again as I got Bella at the end of it! I would like to have a VBAC for next bu if it had to be the same as Bella's birth then so be it!

Kate

[visitor1]

My first was ok, not something i rave about
My second was pretty good and enjoyed it
My third i could talk about for hours and loved it soooo much. Was the best day of my life and one ill treasure forever

[Rouge]

I didn't really labour the first time, but I did enjoy it up until the c/s.

Second birth I didn't just enjoy it I LOVED it. I have nothing but great memories. Absolutely awesome.

[Trillian]

I loved my first one and thought it was a great 'first' birth, gradual build up of contractions so there was no panic kwim? I had time to get the hang of it by the time they started getting closer together. I did have a 'I'm sh it scared' moment, but I was able to moved past it.

Second one was awesome - man if I could guarantee that every birth would be like hers I would never stop having babies I reckon. It did start off very intense so no build up, but I felt in total control the entire time.

Third one was a write off - awful induction ending in a trip to theatre to have the placenta removed.

Fourth one I really enjoyed, but OMG it was hard work, especially knowing that he was OP and probably very large and I am grateful for the fact that I completely withdrew and blocked out everything and everyone and just let myself get on with it or I don't think I would have had such a great birth. To be told at the end of it when the Dr holds up a steaming warm baby "OMG he's at least 12pounds' makes you feel pretty damn awesome that you just pushed that out LOL. And no, he wasn't that big but he sure did look it LOL.

[Cassius2]

ooooh what a great thread!

hmmm, overall the birth of DD was not enjoyable, like Dee and Lisa have mentioned, this was due to the external factors of the birth attendants and not to do with how Leila and I were travelling and experiencing together.

what i did enjoy however, was having my waters break niagra falls style (just like in the movies). i loved the mad dash with a million towels wrapped around me to the hospital with my best friend and i in hysterical laughter. i loved that we raided the OB gowns cupboard and played dress-ups...

but one the most enjoyable things was when i was starting to get the fevered 'i really can't do this anymore, i'm so alone feeling' and a contraction hit (proper, get ready to push one) and Leila kicked and squirmed so hard that i realised that she was there and helping us to get through this birth with me. to me, that was priceless.

[Willow]

DS I think was too hard & fast. 5 hours from 1st twinge to end. Not too bad though.

Exactly the same as my DS....I'm a bit scared about #3!!!

[Jellyfish]

Yep!! It was lots of fun. Me and DP laughed and talked -- just hung out. It wasn't extremely painful, bad but bareable and I didn't have any drugs so felt completely in control. It was about 12hrs from the first twinge but only just over 2hrs of active labour. I am scared to do it all again but only because it was so good this time -- could I be lucky twice??

[AliBaby]

YEs, looking back I can say I really did enjoy my labour and the birth of DD.

I had great midwives, a very supportive DP of my wishes and was in a good state of mind. I think staying at home as long as possible helped as well as reading up on hypnobirthing. I also found the shower so wonderful and helpful.

That expereince of transition will never leave my head. It just astounds me that all of a sudden you know its time to push...

I didnt do antenatal classes, I just believed in myself that I could do it and armed myself with info from everyone at BB.

I really wish that everyone could have had a positive experience with their labour.

Also at the time I was thinking to myself there is no way I can do this again, but it hasnt put my off having more children. The pain has gone from my head.

[sas85]

No. But that's because I had such a bizarro labour - waters broke first so had to go to hospital I didn't want to, then the midwife couldn't find traces of my water (had changed pad and had a shower and had resealed and I'm like - I did not wet myself, I know the difference) AND the midwife kept saying "if labour doesn't start on it's own" ! ! ! so I thought I was in pre-labour so didn't think I would be able to cope when the real thing hit (From moment I got my first proper contraction were less than 5 mintes apart and LONG from the get go, 4.5hrs and she born. . of course by the time I started totally thinking I couldn't cope my mum was calling the midwife because she disagreed with me that I just wanted to go to the loo again (me believing myself to have only just entered active labour according to the midwife), and sure enough there was a head and it was time to push, 13 minutes later there was a baby and I was a little shell shocked by it all! So I WAS in real labour (horrible, painful labour) the whole time, my cervix just didn't dilate till the last few contractions. Next time I will know to trust my body not the medical profession's textbook version of how things go, I'll time my contractions properly (no-one ever did that?) and am sure I will enjoy the experience more knowing where I am in the process(though not the pain).

[Tegam]

Totally loved my 1st and 3rd labours! I suppose i liked my 2nd labour but DH missed it by 30mins so it was 2hrs of "will he make it...." But all three Births were wonderful, special and i am very thankful i got to experience them ALL!

Good question AJP

[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!

[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!!