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

[MummaBee]

Did you use any drugs in your birth? I was induced at 36weeks in a hospital 6hrs from home with baloons first which failed then they broke my waters and started a drip to induce labour. I had an epidural and gas.
Did you have complications during your birth? My DS was born with Gastroschisis(bowel outside of the body). I suffered a tear and had to have a curette that night to remove left over placenta. I had one bag of blood given. Labour was 9 hrs start to finish.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? I knew what to expect the whole time so i wasnt too upset. I would have liked to walk around during labour but they said i must lye down so they can constantly monitor bub. I was also dissapointed that they put me on maternity ward with all the babys when mine was in NICU. I felt forgotten and nobody came near me for three days until i buzzed and told them my boobs were gonna implode

[Amaunet]

Did you use any drugs in your birth? Yes, I used the gas (what a disappointment) and had an epidural (bliss)
Did you have complications during your birth? Posterior labour (ouch), cascading contractions (no breaks), meconium stained waters, ventose (sp) extraction due to poor position of my DS (and his big head), second degree tear and LOTS of stitches
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? Nope, My labour and delivery were awesome (if extremely painful) the epidural was great, I dilated completely within the hour and it didnt need topping up. I had enough senstation to push effectively etc. The epi allowed me to enjoy the delivery and not be exhausted afterwards. I had a student midwife with me which was wonderful and they all read and discussed my birth plan and consulted it when necessary.

[onthefly]

With my first I was induced medically - cervidil tape & balloon the night before, then AROM & synto. I had some gas towards the end, but no other pain relief.
As I got to transition, my son went into distress and I ended up with a forceps delivery & episiotomy. He was fine, however.
I believe the main reason his heartrate showed signs of distress was because I was distressed. I had been coping ok, but then was made to lie on the bed for continuous monitoring, which meant I could no longer move freely. I remember this as being extremely distressing. None of our medical carers seemed to notice this connection, nor did they try to help me at all beyond offering drugs.
I believe this birth experience was more traumatic than necessary for both myself and my son. I was disempowered and disrespected. And ultimately disappointed in myself and my caregivers.

With my second I had a spontaneous labour and planned a homebirth. I had no drugs.
DD's heartrate showed signs of labour (which was prolonged) so we transferred to hospital. Turned out her head was sideways so I needed OB assistance and an episiotomy to deliver her. I then had a PPH.
Despite being a lot harder physically, this birth was much more satisying for me. I feel a lot better about it because I know that despite the complications, I gave DD the best birth I could. I do feel some disappointment that I didn't have a normal birth, but that was something that couldn't be controlled this time.

[Aligater]

DD1 spontanious Labour No drugs (no time) 1.5 hours all up went into shock after due to such a fast birth But still walked to my room 2 hours after birth.
DD2 induced with drip again no drugs from 1st contration to birth 35mins 45 including placenta delivery. Felt more emowerd the 2nd time as I was more active and delivered standing

[Starlite]

Did you use any drugs in your birth?
No. Naturally went into labour at 40+2. Birth was drug free.

Did you have complications during your birth?
No. After my waters broke (approx 4.30-5ish), contractions started a few hours later, awent to the hospital at approx 9ish, after 45 mins on the machine thingy, the MW told me to go home as I was only in early labour. Come back when they feel twice as bad and are twice as often, they never changed in speed or pain, and I therefore delivered at home not quiet three hours later, with help of two ambos and DP. Delivered placenta at hospital. A little grazing, but I was fine. DS was perfect.

Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?
My only dissapointment was the hospital, Im sure that if I had been checked, they would have seen I was dialating fairly quickly, and even though the machine said my contractions weren't very strong, they were incredible painful and obviously very effective. They treated me like I was over reacting and being stupid. I knew it wasnt going to be long, I knew it hurt and I wanted to stay. But they told me the stupid machine said these were 'tiny' contractions. They wouldn't listen to me.
Honestly Im glad they werent the ones to deliver my baby.

[megs]

Did you use any drugs in your birth? For first birth yes Pethadine after trying gas and not finding any relief
Did you have complications during your birth? Yes, h was posteriour, became stuck, after 2 hours of pushing and getting no where ventouse was used, worked first try (thank goodness). He was quite Jaundiced, very sleepy and was a sick baby, would feed for 4 days, didn't even have a suck reflex.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? I honestly felt that the pethadine was given to me far to early in my labour, I hadn't even really asked for it and wasn't overelly distressed by the contractions. The pethadine made me very nauseas, I was then vomiting which made me very dehydrated. I was very dissapointed in that. Hence when I was pregnant with my 2nd child I was adament I would not be using pethadine. I had another posteriour baby, only used the gas which I made sure that I mastered and whilst it was hard work pushing him out do to being turned the wrong way I would still do it that way all over again rather than being so ill and sick from the Pethadine.

[Traveller]

I have given birth 3 times. With my first and 2nd I had no drugs, no complications, and no negative feelings. With my 3rd the only difference is that I had the complication of a multiple pregnancy, but other than that the answers are the same.

[AnyDream]

DD1 - induced at 42.5 weeks in small regional base hospital
Did you use any drugs in your birth? Prostin gel, very large & fast doses of syntocin. Gas and pethidine.
Did you have complications during your birth? Very long labour, exceeding my ability to cope with pain, and I had a near-death experience. Extended pushing, stage 2 tear through to muscle (and subsequent prolapse), DD was distressed and born quite flat (1st apgar was 4)
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?Yes I was terribly traumatised for a long time afterwards. The rate at which they administered the syntocin was barbaric and they completely failed to monitor my pain/copingness levels. I had done a lot of pre-birth preparation, and so I think it probably looked like I was coping even though the pain was bigger than me and filled the whole room. I blacked out a large chunk of the experience, for a long time I couldn't look at or touch my vulva or vagina (even to work out where exactly the tear was), and I was very dissociated for several months, I literally couldn't keep track of time passing at all. I remember not being able to talk to my baby, even though I was breastfeeding and maintaining a lot of eye contact, I just couldn't talk to her. I've often wondered if i should have had the epidural when offered (I changed my mind half an hour later but by then they told me it was "too late" despite me not having DD for another 3.5 hours) - but the attending dr told me if i'd had the epidural it would've been a forceps delivery "for certain". DD1 also displayed signs of residual birth trauma /pain memory for a long time afterwards: she had a very sensitive (to the touch) head and scalp - when they were trying to break my waters they had about 6 or 7 shots at doing it by they were actually just repeatedly scraping that sharp instrument across her head. It also took 3 goes to get the fetal scalp monitor in. Her poor little head was cut and bruised all over the top when she was born.


DD2 - maternally requested C/section in a tertiary-level public hospital (they agreed to it in a flash after I told them about my first experience).
Did you use any drugs in your birth? Spinal with patient-administed analgesia for the first 24 hours afterwards
Did you have complications during your birth? No it all went very smoothly, and DD2 had perfect apgars. I did however develop a wound infection afterwards, which lingered on for several weeks and meant I was readmitted for IV ABs around week 3.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? No, the CS experience was a very empowering and healing experience. I was treated with the utmost respect, care and compassion for my previous experience. It clearly gave DD a head start as she was plump and contented and undistressed.

[Sunny Love]

My birth was at 37 weeks and was via induction. Induction number two (syntocin drip and ARM) worked a day after Induction number one failed (gels only)
So from you I need:
Did you use any drugs in your birth?
I sucked on the gas (and i'll do it again), for a couple of hours before having an epidural administered. No regrets with either.
Did you have complications during your birth?
DD did begin to distress just before crowning and the ob wanted to intervene with forceps or vaccum (both were brought out and put on table next to me as I was pushing-off putting!) I though "stuff that! i'll push harder and faster". She arrived safely and I suffered a 2nd degree tear that was stitched far too tight (I swelled beyong belief and ended up 'popping' open 4 weeks post-partum.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?
Yes. I was disappointed that due to pre-eclampsia I did not get my natural onset of labour. I was disempowered by one midwife who said to me "I don't think you're going to cope, get the epi done now." I felt like such a failure. I was traumatised after birth by my tear. I couldn't walk for 12 weeks, my milk supply was low and I wonder if it was affected by my recovery. I felt like a useless mother and woman and felt huge waves of guilt suppress me.
Good luck with your studies!

[Yeddi]

DD
Did you use any drugs in your birth? Yes, I had an epidural c-section
Did you have complications during your birth? I was concerned about lack of movement. Despite going in for monitoring for multiple days that came back just reactive, medical staff kept fobbing it off as being okay. My intuition was going off big time so I asked for a c-section. They refused. I overheard something along the lines of "too posh to push, scared of labour" etc. I had a mini melt-down, threatened to sue if something was found to be wrong and they finally gave me a c-section for "maternal stress". When they pulled DD out it was like a clip from a movie. The staff were chatting away about all sorts of crap (which I think is terribly insensitive) and then suddenly they went quite - you could hear a pin drop. When they pulled DD out, she had a very short cord, it had a true knot, it was wrapped tightly twice around her neck and threatening to detach at the naval - apparently if I bent the wrong way it could have come off. Despite this she was apgar 9's and had no issues. This would not have been the result if I had gone into labour, and I remember reading my medical records later with the OB congratulating himself for deciding to preform the c-section.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? Disappointment - yes. Medical staff just would not listen. I should have not had to chuck a hissy fit in order for them to take the situation seriously. Then them claiming great insight later, after the fact was the beginning of my loss of faith in OB's.

DS
Did you use any drugs in your birth? For the first 34 hours I had two lots of saline injections in the back. I then had a saline drip, and an epidural. I also had the sinto injection and had to have a sinto drip afterwards. Total 1st stage of labour was 36 hours and 1 hour 2nd stage.
Did you have complications during your birth? I was fine until I got to the hospital. Bub turned prossy on the drive there. That in combination to having SPD made my pelvis too mobile and didn't provide any counter-pressure so I had difficulty dilating. I couldn't take any gas (I tried one suck but it made me feel really sick). The saline injections, although that really hurt, were very effective but after 34 hours I was exhausted and starting to weaken because eating and drinking made me feel sick too. I opted for an epidural and was put on a drip. They did break my waters as part of the blackmail of having an epidural (and it was blackmail) but I was already 10cm so I didn't mind then because I didn't need any more VE's. The epi was self dosing so I had stopped using it so I could push, but the middy put me in a semi-sitting position and wouldn't let me change position even to lie on my left side like I asked. I ended up tearing my cervix, and getting 2nd degree tears to the front and to the back as a result of not being allowed to get into a better position. I lost about 1lt of blood.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? I was annoyed at the tearing because I knew I had to get into another position but wasn't allowed to (and was too tired to fight it at that stage) because it was less convenient for my middy. Also, as a VBAC I experienced a lot of fear-mongering and bullying. At one stage I had three OBGYN's in my room trying to tell me how I had to do things (what type and rate of monitoring, what battery hen schedule I was meant to adhere to). I respectfully decline. If I had done as they said I have absolutely no doubt I would have been wheeled off for another c-section.

[~Minny~]

So from you I need:
Did you use any drugs in your birth?
Did you have complications during your birth?
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?

DD i used nothing until she presented tachycardic which was after 17.5hrs of labour, was then rushed for an emergancy ceaser.
DS i used gas after 2 days of labour then finally 2 hrs before another emergancy ceaser due to bradycardia, i had an epi. (labour was 62hrs all up)
Both were spontanous labours, DD was spontanous rupture of membranes where as DS was assisted. DD i didnt dilated past 1cm due to position and being postierer. DS i managed to get to 8cms also postierer and brow presentation.

I was disapointed in both my births but certainly not disempowered or traumatised. Both times a vaginal delivery was tried for and encouraged but when it all turned sour there was nothing else that could have been done to help them out any other way.

[kristi14]

Ive had 7 so will give u info on all of mine

Did you use any drugs in your birth? #1: Epidural, gas, pethidine. #2: Epidural to lower bp. #3: Epidural (laboured for 49hrs and to lower bp). #4: Drug free. #5: Patchy epidural. #6: Epidural that was wayyyyy to strong (no feeling in legs at all. They referred to that epidural as a CSE?). #7: Drug free.
Did you have complications during your birth? No complications during any of my births. Labour with #2 was prolonged, should have delivered about 4 hrs before i did but that was due to him having his head in the wrong position. As a result of prolonged labour i had a PPH after he was born.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? #1: Yes because the epidural and pethidine didnt take effect until after baby was born, i felt like the whole labour and birth was out of control. #2: No. #3: No. #4: No. #5: Yes, but that was related to having suffered a previous late loss not the actual labour and birth. #6: Yes, the epidural was to strong and the labour progressed too fast. I feel there was too much intervention, i went into shock and my mind blocked out the birth for a week afterwards, i needed my husband to tell me everything that happened so i could start remembering again. #7: Yes, 42min labours are hard drug free or not drug free so i have issues relating to feeling like i didnt get a chance to enjoy my labour and birthing experience.

[FarmGirl]

Did you use any drugs in your birth? - No
Did you have complications during your birth? - No everything went smooth and fast with only a small tear.
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? Not at all. I was overwhelmed with my ability to birth my baby without the use of drugs and felt it was the right choice for my son and I.

[Tegam]

DD1

Did you use any drugs in your birth? No
Did you have complications during your birth?No
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?
No - had AROM


DD2
Did you use any drugs in your birth?No
Did you have complications during your birth?No
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?
No

DS
Did you use any drugs in your birth?No
Did you have complications during your birth?No
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?
No

DD3
Did you use any drugs in your birth?No
Did you have complications during your birth?Yes - failure to progress
Did you experience any feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation?Totally! Had AROM & synto. drip

[lise]

Had a S&S at 41w1d, went into labour about six hours later.

Did you use any drugs in your birth?

Had gas and methadone and had a drip inserted as I was dehydrated.

Did you have complications during your birth?

A prolonged second stage, after hours of pushing DS still hadn't dropped so I had a vacuum extraction.

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

No, my only plan was to give birth to a healthy baby, whichever way that might be.

[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.

[kateo]

Did you use drugs in your birth? Yes, gel in cervix to induce. I had gas as this was administered as it hurt. Gas in early labour. Fentonil (sp) for last contraction (too late really and didn't feel an effect) Was offered Epi but didn't want one due to back injury fear.
Did you have any complications? My angel Ellen had died the day before I was induced at 41 weeks. I was very distressed and had asked for a c/s but I am very glad I had a VB now.
Did you experience and feelings of dissapointment, disempowerment and traumatisation? YES, not because my baby died which of course was very sad but because of the poor handling of our situation. People came into the room without my permission and two from a mental health team actually stayed when I asked them not to and questioned me about previous hospital problems while I was actually in labour!!!!!! The OB on duty invited a student dr to my room and failed to get my permission!!!!! I felt very very forgotten after the birth. We were not given a bear of hope and I actually wrote to bears of hope about this as I thought they did not offer them at the hospital I was at. I got no midwife visits after I gave birth and was sent home less than 24 hours after we had Ellen. The way we were told our baby had died was terrible and not immediate.........now I have to go back there to have this baby .....gulp!

[mummajj]

had a suck on the gas through those final contractions before pushing.
no complications
was so happy with everything.midwives didnt direct me to do anything,just let it all happen. which made me extremely proud of what my body could do all by itself.

good luck with your assignment.