For those who have had a natural birth

[Tuesday's Child]

1.) for those that have done it..can I have your story?

2.) Was there a point that you wanted to turn back and what made you change your mind?

3.) Any good books you recommend?

4.) Is the pushing stage so horrible or do you have adrenaline to push past it?
Thanks for all your help guys

5.) In your opinion, which is worse? Transition or pushing?

1) I haven't written DD's birth story but this is the short version:

Contractions started at 12:25pm and within 2 hours were 3-4 minutes apart. My waters broke at 6:45pm and when we got to hospital around 8:00pm my cervix was only 2cm dilated (not encouraging since the contractions were almost on top of each other at this point). Got to delivery suite at 9pm and DD was born at 10:43pm after 35 minutes of pushing.

2) I did have moments during the pushing stage when I thought (and said) I couldn't do it anymore. Not sure what I meant by this. I think I just wanted it all to be over. My awesome midwife would remind me to trust my body, it could do this. When I'd arrived at the delivery suite she'd read my birth plan and talked about pain relief. Because I'd stated in my plan that I didn't want any, she told me that she wouldn't offer and if I asked would even remind me of my plan.

3) Janet Balaskas - Active Birth
Marsden Wagner - Creating your Birth Plan

4) I don't remember pushing being terrible - even though I did end up with a second degree tear. For most of it I was pretty focused on my body and just 'going with it'. It was hard work (next time I want to try and relax and kind of 'breath baby out' rather than actively push), but as I said above, whenever I thought I couldn't do it anymore my midwife would tell me my body was made to give birth and then I'd get back in my zone.

5) I didn't realise until afterwards what transition was. During first stage I'd been quite comfortable riding the contractions. Then I got to a point where I could not find a comfortable position. That was kind of scary, but eventually I found sitting on the toilet comfortable and was ready to push.


ETA - I did have gas while I was being stitched up. I needed it then but was glad I didn't have it for labour. I don't like that light-headed, drunken feeling and don't think I could have coped with labour as well if I'd felt like that.