Are you going to "look" while delivering?

moosemax · October 2010

I have been thinking about this lately and just read a birth story that reminded me.

With DS#1, I opted not to look with a mirror down there for fear that I would stop pushing all together. After his birth, I kinda felt like I missed out. Something that I only had that one time to see! So this time, I think that I may have to look. What are you doing??

EMT12resq · October 2010

I am using a mirror. My SIL did in Dec with her first baby and she said seeing the progress she was making made her that much more motivated. I'm also an EMT so I find birth and everything interesting. I think it will give me determination to see my son born.

If I don't like it I will just tell them to take it away

nkjohnson · October 2010

Yeah i plan on looking!! This will be my first! But i have 3 vaginal deliveries and 2 c sections so i really not afraid of what it is going to look like i pretty sure i can handle it!!

Venus04d · October 2010

I'm going to start with the mirror. I think seeing what's happening when I push may help me to keep pushing if I'm getting close where as I may have given up for a second if I didn't know. If it bothers me I can ask them at any time to take it away.

Estellankase · October 2010

Nope no desire. I'm afraid it'll break my concentration as well.

Coleslawcat · October 2010

I did with my first because I was completely numb from my epidural and watching the progress helped me figure out pushing. It only took one or two pushes with the mirror to figure it out though. I never did with my son. He came out on the first push.

ktwilley · October 2010

I have zero desire to see. If DH wants to then he can look. That can be his special thing since I've had everything else with pregnancy.

yourmom5309 · October 2010

No mirror for me.

quidditchcapn1120 · October 2010

I really feel that this will just break my concentration, so I will not be asking for the mirror.

mom2hay · October 2010

With my first they offered me the mirror and I said no. Then I changed my mind and looked but it freaked me out and I told them to put the mirror away. Wasn't my kind of thing but you should probably try it at least.

scoutkate · October 2010

The nurses put a mirror in front of me without asking first. I got freaked out by it and made them take it away after about 3 seconds.

utlawgirl · October 2010

I'm not planning on it -- in fact, I'm putting in my birth plan that I do NOT want to be offered a mirror. I'm afraid I'll lose my focus. I was undecided until we watched some super-terrifying birth videos in Bradley class, and I'm still trying to convince myself that babies' heads aren't REALLY that big.

pixieprincss · October 2010

I would like them to offer a mirror so I can decide at the time. I am 75% sure I'd like to watch.

Arielle27 · October 2010

As of now - NOT interested in looking!

mommyme · October 2010

no way. i like that i can't see what's going on.

DragonflyBelle · October 2010

I looked once and it was very, brutally ugly, so I didn't look again. DH looked once and said my b-hole was just as big as my V and he didn't look again....I think he was traumatized for a bit after that. Indifferent

ETA: my hospital has mirrors on the ceiling of all birthing suites, so it's up to you whether or not to look

scoutkate · October 2010

DragonflyBelle:

I looked once and it was very, brutally ugly, so I didn't look again. DH looked once and said my b-hole was just as big as my V and he didn't look again....I think he was traumatized for a bit after that.

ETA: my hospital has mirrors on the ceiling of all birthing suites, so it's up to you whether or not to look

That's exactly what scared me. The vag itself was no big deal, in fact it was kind of cool to see her crowning.

elaughlin · October 2010

i just peeked over and saw your post. I had a mirror when i had my son (first baby) i ended up pushing for over 2 1/2 hours and having the mirror really helped because i saw with each push his head came futher out. if i didnt have a mirror i probably would have given up and asked for a c-section

MJHershey · October 2010

I get queasy easily so I think it would backfire. DH does not want to look and I would rather him not, lest risk him feeling "weird" about it later.

insertclevername · October 2010

I have no desire to see the birth happen. My DH told me that he will hold my hand and focus on me. So I think it will be a nice experience for us to be looking at each other while our baby boy is being born.

Winter*Mommy · October 2010

I wasn't given the option with my first, and when they asked with my second if I wanted to look and see him come out, I said YES! It was really cool to see more of his head crown with each contraction and push... and then to actually watch him come out - priceless. It really was so awesome. If they let me look again this time, I will. It was very motivating seeing successful pushes and since I was insanely numb from my epidural, it helped me to know where to push when I could see I was doing it right.

Lynball · October 2010

I jokingly told my FI the other night that mirrors and pictures are off limits to me because I've only seen my nether regions 5-6 times in my life and I'd rather not remember them like THAT. I really don't know if I'll use it.... maybe when the time comes it will seem like a good idea. Pictures I'm not budging on.

PunkyBooster · October 2010

If it's a vag delivery, maybe! It will depend on my mood.

C-section- hell no.

jmayamama · October 2010

scoutkate:
DragonflyBelle:

I looked once and it was very, brutally ugly, so I didn't look again. DH looked once and said my b-hole was just as big as my V and he didn't look again....I think he was traumatized for a bit after that.

ETA: my hospital has mirrors on the ceiling of all birthing suites, so it's up to you whether or not to look

That's exactly what scared me. The vag itself was no big deal, in fact it was kind of cool to see her crowning.

Okay. Explain. Was it opening up or protruding like crazy. I never thought about it....now I'm nervous!

JLSmith124 · October 2010

scoutkate:
The nurses put a mirror in front of me without asking first. I got freaked out by it and made them take it away after about 3 seconds.

Ditto!

allobosc · October 2010

Winter*Mommy:
I wasn't given the option with my first, and when they asked with my second if I wanted to look and see him come out, I said YES! It was really cool to see more of his head crown with each contraction and push... and then to actually watch him come out - priceless. It really was so awesome. If they let me look again this time, I will. It was very motivating seeing successful pushes and since I was insanely numb from my epidural, it helped me to know where to push when I could see I was doing it right.

This was exactly what happened for me too. I didn't even know that a mirror was really an option, but it helped so much to see what a correct push looked like and the progress I was making.

jaejaevee · October 2010

I didn't want to look with #1, but I definitely think I will this time. I wanted to give up pushing the first time so I think it would help to see what was going on down there in order to keep me motivated.

MaddysMama07 · October 2010

Nope. I didn't look with DD either. Honestly, I had my eyes closed 95% of the time for some reason.

tbone22308 · November 2010

I didn't, and I wish I had. Looking back now, It's the one thing I regret!

elamjl · November 2010

I looked when I delivered, and it was amazing. I would definitely say go for it! It was so motivating to see her move down with each push, and as a result, I only had to push 3 times and she was out! Now, 6 months later, I still remember it vividly. I'm not grossed out by blood, but I will say that if you watch, be prepared for the gush of amniotic fluid/blood that comes out after the baby is delivered. It was surprising how much fluid is in there, especially since my water had broken 7 hours earlier.

mshelly2329 · November 2010

elamjl:
I looked when I delivered, and it was amazing. I would definitely say go for it! It was so motivating to see her move down with each push, and as a result, I only had to push 3 times and she was out! Now, 6 months later, I still remember it vividly. I'm not grossed out by blood, but I will say that if you watch, be prepared for the gush of amniotic fluid/blood that comes out after the baby is delivered. It was surprising how much fluid is in there, especially since my water had broken 7 hours earlier.

sullystar@yahoo.com · November 2010

I watched in a mirror and it was an awesome experience, it definitely would not have been the same if I had not watched.

kellyo78 · November 2010

I did not, and do not regret it. Count me in the crowd that knows my personal limitations. I also had to be stitched up significantly and my husband said the tearing was the hardest part for him - if it bothered him I know I couldn't have done it.

MNnKS · November 2010

I would prefer not to look, but I always reach down and help them out, and that is very cool!

arosie27 · November 2010

my sister definitely looked with a mirror for her c-section

MamaKay10 · November 2010

hey there. i read your post and i figured i would reply back. i just had my lil girl on oct fourth and my husband and i both watched the delivery. of course he got kinda pale and looked to pass out but for me it was an experience. it made me push harder so my lil girl would be here faster. she is my first child and i would do it all over again jus to watch the birth. its an amazing thing to watch. good luck to u.

AttackwithLove · November 2010

I use a mirror. I was afraid I might freak out seeing it but I didn't. It was pretty amazing really. It helped with the pushing and it was cool to see him as soon as he came out.

MicahAnn2009 · November 2010

I have no desire to watch mine or anyone's vaginal delivery but a c-section is a different story. Id be all about seeing my own c-section, I'd rather not have one but would like to see if it I could.

rocket2japan · November 2010

I looked with my son and it made me much more motivated. Every time I saw his little head go back in a little after a push, I pushed more times and harder. It was cool. Do it. I didn't look the whole time because I had my eyes closed while I pushed at least part of the time. You can always look away or have them move the mirror if you hate it.

mluisi · November 2010

I was completely opposed to looking. I was so afraid it would be ugly and gross. In fact, I was thinking I would have DH at the top of the bed where he couldn't see anything just to prevent any weird feelings later. I was really worried it would negatively affect our sex life afterward.

Well, nothing about L&D was as I expected. I swear I'm not corny or crunchy, but I can only use the word "beautiful" to describe it. I did a complete 180 on how I felt about the experience once I was actually in labor. It was peaceful and serene and when my nurse offered the mirror I thought, "Why not?". I was prepared to be shocked, but it wasn't bad at all. I remember thinking that I never wanted to forget that moment because it was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced.

So, my advice is to keep your options open. You may be like me and completely change how you feel.

monica6318 · November 2010

I like that answer!!!

Are you going to "look" while delivering?

Re: Are you going to &quot;look&quot; while delivering?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Are you going to &quot;look&quot; while delivering?

Re: Are you going to &amp;quot;look&amp;quot; while delivering?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Are you going to "look" while delivering?

Re: Are you going to "look" while delivering?