Need some positive calm birth stories please!!!

[Loveinamist]

I stumbled onto a thread that was all about how out of control and scared people had felt in labour and I think I need a good antidote! I had just got myself into a really good head space about labour from reading hypnobirthing and then screwed it all up reading these experiences. I really do believe that fear creates the majority of the pain but I need to hear some positive stories to back my thoughts up. I am not expecting labour to be a walk in the park (although at this stage of my pregnancy a walk in the park is none to comfortable LOL!) But I am sure it doesn't always have to be an absolute nightmare either.

Anyone have any positive tales to tell!!!??? Please!!!

[Artechim]

I didn't do any calmbirth/hypnobirth courses or anything but I did have a reasonably pain free and enjoyable birth. If I hadn't experienced it for myself then I wouldn't have believed how easy it can be.

Here is my birth story:https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...th-amelia.html

During the last contraction I had a leg cramp which hurt more than the contraction. In the end I think the contractions never went past bad period pain, and even then it is on and off so there was a break in between. The so-called 'ring of fire' didn't happen (I think that was because I was in the water?), it was just an immense feeling of pressure. As she was born, all I felt was relief as all the downward pressure was released, no pain at all for the actual birth.

I do remember thinking at one stage that if the pain got any worse I might have to ask for a panadol, I think that was transition as she was born about 5-6 contractions later.

My advice would be just to keep calm, find some nice mantras to fill your head with, get in the zone and relax as much as you can (I found being in water to be amazing for relieving pain). Remember that you are a woman, you were made to do this. Good luck.

[~Trish~]

Labour doesn't have to be scary! You sound like you are well read up which is great. I wasn't with my first, I wish I'd learned about calm birthing back then, but I had no idea.

I had a wonderful, drug-free calm birth with DD nearly 4 months ago. I wouldn't describe it as painful, just intense. It wasn't scary at all and I actually enjoyed it! If you have the time to read it, my birth story is here: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...alm-birth.html. It is pretty long though!

The best thing you can do is remain positive and stay away from the other thread . There is no reason for you not to have a wonderful labour

[Loveinamist]

Thanks so much ladies!! Reading your experiences has renewed my positivity!! My body and baby knows what to do!!! My uterus was designed for this!!

[Lily Dust]

Hi Poppyfairy

I dont have a birth story written up so I will sum it up short and sweet.... I had an absolutely beautiful and amazing labour! It was more than I could ever have expected and just a fantastic and wonderful experience. It was nothing even remotely like all those horror stories that every second woman was so willing to share with me whilst I was pregnant, although since I have birthed our DD all now say 'oh yes I loved my labour too' . My mantra during my last few stages of pregnancy were fear=tension=pain.

Take every moment of your labour and birth and embrace it, it is such an amazing thing that your body can do and far too many beautiful women never get the precious opportunity. After 5 years TTTC I was adamant I was going to 'experience' every second of it.

Wishing you all the very best you could hope for with birthing your little one.

[Traveller]

You sounds very positive, I am sure you will be fantastic.

Personally I have had 3 pain free and drug free births using HypnoBirthing/ Calmbirthing methods. During the last one my midwife actually had to ask if I was falling asleep or having contractions during the moments when I just shut my eyes and breathed deeply. (It was the latter, my twins arrived within an hour from her asking). With my second birth a midwife walked into the room to introduce herself, not realising I was having a 2nd stage contraction and was busy trying to breathe my baby out.

So yes, it is very possible. Just relax your body, have no fear, and enjoy your labour. Good luck

T
xx

[Hummingbird]

These are all great inspirations!! Thank you.

[smemily78]

Hi all,
I just did a google search to find out about calmbirth and came across this thread. All your positive stories are so inspiring for a first time mum-to-be. Now I'm thinking the $400 for calmbirth classes will be worth the money if I am working towards a good experience.
Thank you,
Emily.

[twinklestars]

hi, i had 2 drugfree births even though my boys are older now i look back& remember the experense as a very positive i wasnt scared & best advice is go with your body & remember with every contraction is a step closer to seeing your baby im hoping when my next one comes in 3 weeks it will be a positive experence too

[AndiE]

Hi Emily - I did a hypnobirthing course prior to birthing DS1 and I've had two incredible births. I felt empowered and in control during both births and achieved my aim to have my babies birthed drug free and without intervention (while under the care of an obstetrician and in a hospital environment). Hypnobirthing/calmbirthing is brilliant in taking away the "fear factor" and helping you achieve the self confidence to birth the way you want. You come out of the course knowing you can do it. Good luck.

[smemily78]

Hi Andie,

Thanks for your story. We have enrolled in the calmbirth course now, I've heard that the hypnobirthing is very effective too, now I'm really looking forward to it.

Eily.

[Evie76]

I've had two drug free births - yes they hurt, were very fast and had their exciting moments (whether we were even going to make it to the hossie)!!! But the midwives were fantastic, the Drs didn't make it but they stitched a few things back up very nicely and my two boys were very healthy. OH!!! My DH was legendary too.

I think a lot of people have very positive experiences and some are very unlucky and have very negative experiences......... it's simply that it's a process that is hard to predict and you just wish everything would go right. I wish everyone could have a positive experience. I hope you do!

[AndiE]

Emily - good for you. I promise you'll reap the rewards!
Just had a thought too ... check with your hospital (am taking a bit of a leap here, assuming you'll birth in a hospital) about midwives who are familiar with hypnobirthing/calmbirthing and see what the chances are of you being cared for by such a midwife. At the private hospital in Brissie where I birthed my boys, more and more midwives are being "trained" in hypnobirthing methods so they can provide appropriate support to hypnobirthing couples. Train might not be the right term, but you get the jist. With my first birth, the midwife was, um ... quite "old school" (I'm being polite ...) and knew zip about hypnobirthing. Fortunately I still had a great birth - DH and I weren't afraid to be assertive and we/I had the birth we wanted. But with DS2 our midwife totally understood the methods and techniques we were using, and she was just awesome . DS2's birth was probably more satisfying because of our midwife's support and understanding. Realise I'm talking in hypnobirthing terms, but I'm thinking calmbirthing isn't too different .

[smemily78]

Hi guys,
Thanks again for your responses, I suspect my midwife will know about and be supportive of this stuff (she doesn't seem very keen on drugs) so I'll have a chat to her next time about it. Sounds like its very possible to make it a memorable but not horrible experience.