Survey about how you feel about your birth + if you used drugs- please help!!

[Taurean]

Did you use any drugs in your birth?

Yes, an epidural only. I requested it (read screamed for it ) 4.5 hours into active labour due to unbearable back pain.

Did you have complications during your birth?

DD was posterior and stuck. She had to be manually turned after an hour of pushing (when the midwives realised there was still no head on show despite good pushing techniques). Her heart rate dropped at that point too so my epidural was topped up (it had worn off for me to feel pushing sensations), she was turned and a vacuum delivery was required.

Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?

Not at all My goal was a drug free birth but I was prepared mentally and emotionally for the possibilities of a different outcome. I'm thrilled with my labour. My support team were fabulous and knew what I wanted and supported my choices. I made the decision to have the epidural and my entire support team questioned me - several times - before the call was made. The vacuum didn't bother me at all either as I was just grateful to get DD out - safely and vaginally

HTH!

[Mildez]

Baby no1

Did you use any drugs in your birth? Pethidine 12hrs before birth
Did you have complications during your birth? Yes posterior birth, PPH over 1000mls, OT for manual removal of placenta.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? Not at all. Very empowering

Baby no2
Did you use any drugs in your birth? Peth 2hrs before birth
Did you have complications during your birth? No but early 36wks
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? No but disappointed at Dr for insisting I had synto when I was in transition

Baby no3
Did you use any drugs in your birth? The works (Peth, gas and epidural
Did you have complications during your birth? Shoulder dystocia and epidural didn't work effectively (but it wasn't a labour complication)
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? Lots of self disappointment at needing an epidural and completely loosing the plot. Very poor memory of labour before the epidural but I do remember been completely out of control and swearing alot. The only two words come out of my mouth were no and F*#k. So lots of embarrassment after having 2 empowering births followed by one I didn't handle at all.

[Livinthedream]

Did you use any drugs in your birth?

Yes, an epidural only. I requested it (read screamed for it ) 4.5 hours into active labour due to unbearable back pain.

Did you have complications during your birth?

DD was posterior and stuck. She had to be manually turned after an hour of pushing (when the midwives realised there was still no head on show despite good pushing techniques). Her heart rate dropped at that point too so my epidural was topped up (it had worn off for me to feel pushing sensations), she was turned and a vacuum delivery was required.

Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?

Not at all My goal was a drug free birth but I was prepared mentally and emotionally for the possibilities of a different outcome. I'm thrilled with my labour. My support team were fabulous and knew what I wanted and supported my choices. I made the decision to have the epidural and my entire support team questioned me - several times - before the call was made. The vacuum didn't bother me at all either as I was just grateful to get DD out - safely and vaginally

HTH!

This is me perfectly, except I had gas before the epi.
I also had a 3B tear, but even that healed awesome.
No regrets.