Can we please talk about amazing labor stories????

cheyarmijo94

So every labor and delivery story I have heard about is terrifying or the mom died sooo can STMS please share if they had a great story with labor and delivery to help calm my nerves! Thanks mommas!:)

sarahlinde

With my youngest son, I had fairly easy labor, I had my epidural and actually had to be waken up by docor to start pushing. The most amazing and unexpected part, because this had not happened before, was when my doctor told me to reach down and pull him the rest of the wayvout after his head and arms were out.

sarahlinde

Pushed post too early......it was such an awesome experience and something I will never forget!! Really hope I get to do the same with this baby as well!

TeacherMom210

My daughter came a week early. Surprise! I woke up around 1:00 AM (after staying up until midnight helping a friend rebuilt his computer with DH) and felt funny. I thought she was kicking me. An hour later, I was fairly sure I was in labor, so I woke up DH. We started timing contractions and watching an episode of Brother Cadfael (medieval mystery series) in the computer room. Headed to the hospital around 3 or 4 in the morning (don't remember exactly). DD was born at 7:02 in the morning (with no epidural).

On a side note, using the shower to stream warm water over your belly in the earlier stages of labor is amazing! I was in the shower for a good part of the time I was laboring at home, which wasn't that long. Totally plan on doing that again.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience and am hoping for a repeat. 

musicmomma00

One of my girlfriends just had her first. She had to be induced, which often means longer labor, but NOPE! They broke her water at 8:30am, baby was here by 10am!!!! Crazy! I couldn't believe it.

thinkpink101

With my first I was one day past my due date, feeling totally fine. As a matter of fact, just the evening before I had been on a ladder finishing some painting in the house we had just bought. I left work to go to my doctor's appointment, fully expecting to come back, only to be told I was 10cm dilated and effaced, and that the only thing keeping the baby in was the bag of water. I went straight to the hospital, dh met me there, they broke my water and 1 hour and 20min later our son was born.

With our twins I was 33.5 weeks and at the hospital for a non stress test. They said they'd see if anyone from my practice was there, and if so they might as well do a quick exam. When they did they found I was at a 5. They tried to stop labor but quickly realized that wasn't happening. I called dh, he arrived, they made me get an epidural, then they broke my water and 27 min later both twins were born.

Honestly, I'm a little scared for this one given that I've never realized I was in labor on my own. I couldn't feel any contractions until they broke my water either time.

KERJF

I had great with both - but my ideal l&d with my second because I was really focused on my goals for it I think instead of going with the flow. first was still great, just not exactly how I would do it again

My water broke at 7:01 am, we arrived at the hospital shortly before 8 because I knew things were progressing. Doula and photographer shortly behind. I labored in bath, moved to the delivery tub and she was born into my hands 3 hours later at 11:03am. Was everything I could have hoped for.

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby

My water broke around 7 am. Within about 8 minutes my contractions were 1 minute apart. I arrived at the hospital around 10 am and was 6cm. I was holding my sweet baby boy around 11:30. It was so fast! I was shocked. I'm a little nervous about how fast it may go this time.

Jenten810

@thinkpink101 I'm so jealous that you didn't know/couldn't feel your contractions!
@TeacherMom210 I second the shower for laboring! The warmth is soothing.

I labored at home until my husband came home for lunch. They examined me once we got to the hospital, but I was only 2cm, so they gave me a shot of morphine in my bottom and sent me home. I slept until it wore off, by that time the contractions grew much more intense. We walked around the neighborhood to get things progressing because I knew once I got admitted I'd want an epidural immediately.

For me getting to 4 was tough, but once the epidural was in place labor was a breeze. My husband and I just hung out and tried to get a little rest until I was fully dilated. Once I started pushing it took 2 hours to finally meet my 9.5lb bundle of joy.

I didn't have the fastest labor or the shortest delivery, but looking back I wouldn't change the experience one bit. It was so stress-free and relaxing (if you can believe it) hanging out with my husband before our son arrived.

I think DH was more anxious than I was and he was so cute because when it was time for me to start pushing he changed out of his PJs and got cleaned up so he looked presentable for the arrival of his son. *swoon*

SydneyBxo

I was induced at 39 weeks due to high bp.. had heard horror stories about induction so needless to say, I was a little worried. However, when they checked me I was only 1cm & 50 % effaced, so they gave me Cervidil (which is like a little IUD shaped thing they inserted into my cervix to help it dilate) instead of just hooking me up to Pitocin. By the time they took the Cervidil out 12 hours later it only took me another 2 hours before I was in active labor & at 4cm. The Cervidil worked! I got in the jacuzzi tub that was in my hospital room for awhile & that helped a lot, but I still went ahead & told them to get me the epi. & that process was a breeze. I felt no pain during insertion whatsoever. After that it was pretty mellow to be honest. They started the Pitocin and I progressed fairly quickly. After an hour & a half of pushing (my son had a huge head) I was holding my precious baby boy! It was peaceful.. no yelling, no pain, just a little grunting now & then. I tell people all the time that I actually enjoyed birthing him. I can only hope this time around goes just as smoothly as the first!

Edited for spelling errors*

hrossi253

I had to be induced for medical reasons...so I ended up going into the hospital on a Tuesday and had my son Thursday morning. But, my mom and MIL were both there and my friends came and visited us while we were just waiting for labor to kick in. It was a blast! Kinda like a little party, we had a biiiiig room, so everyone was able to just hang out and talk, which was nice. I got an epidural REALLY early, because it was 12/12/12, so of course there were 20 million c-sections scheduled. The Dr said, if you want an epidural, we need to do it now, otherwise, I may not get back to you in time. So I was confined to bed and hungry for like 3 days, but I had my epidural through pushing, which was intense, but not painful due to the epidural. My Dr was so calm throughout and our nurse was hilarious and so great. We had skin to skin right after he came out and breastfed right away. My hubby, mom, and MIL were all in the room and were all so helpful/respectful of my needs/wants. One of my girlfriends was in the room taking pics for us. Our moms left after the birth so my hubby and I could spend the night with the baby alone. I only tore a little. I think the worst part of labor was the soreness afterwards! They don't tell you about that! The nurses were great, they gave me packed baby diaper diapers of ice...saved my life! lol. I am hoping to have the same kind of delivery this time!!! Super relaxing with family and friends.

bpv101283

My first birth was fairly easy. My husband and I were watching Chelsea play when my contractions started. They were a few minutes apart and lasting the usual 30-40 seconds. It wasn't too painful. My husband wanted to leave but I wanted to shower and blo dry my hair bc I didn't know how long it would be. I used an app to time and when it told me to call the doctor I did. They told me to come in. When I got there I was 6 cm but still very high up. They admitted me and broke my water. Then contractions got REAL. I requested an epi and got one about an hour later. Instant relief. My mom visited and my husband and I talked and laughed. About 4 hours later I was fully dialated. I pushed for almost an hour and my son was born! He was perfect and his APGAR scores were 10's. He nursed a bit in the first hour during skin to skin. Then they took us to our room. It was about 8 hours from start to finish.

Edit to add something weird/funny. I could feel his face coming out. I don't know how to describe it. You don't lose all sensation with the epi, at least in my experience.

Elizabeth043086

Well, I know, people only like to tell horror stories.  I will say both mine were AMAZING!  I had awful pregnancies.  I am a total wimp when it comes to pregnancy, but I birthed my kiddos like a pro.  It was really a natural process.  You really don't need an explanation or whatever, your body just does what it does.  I had not epidurals or pain medicine either time and they both truly were positive experiences. 

WDDCH

Check the blog Birth Without Fear and the blog Mama Birth for mostly uplifting birth stories.

My last little guy was born at home. I went to bed really early one night. I woke around 11pm to do dishes and make hubby clean the litter. I had no inkling "it was time" but I've noticed a pattern of doing spontaneous cleaning right before I have a baby.

Well when I woke my husband was just going to bed. He went to sleep after doing the litterbox. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. I noticed my stomach kept tightening up at the same intervals. I started timing. And I was in DENIAL but I was in labor.

Woke hubby and told him to fill the birth tub. It was starting to get intense. I called the midwife and told her I probably wasn't in labor (denial) but my husband took over the phone and told her to come.

I got in the tub and things went beyond intense. I hit transition and was vomiting in a bowl when the midwives came in (it's normal to puke in labor; don't be alarmed).

No one ever checked me for dilation (you can actually use other methods to determine dilation without internal examination and I could hear the student midwives talking softly about noting how far along I was behind me).

I started grunting and bearing down on my own. I was squatting in the birth tub still. And in, what seemed like seconds, I was pushing my baby's head into my own hand and then the rest of him slid out and I pulled him up. We found out it was a boy!

After the placenta was birthed, still holding baby (he was SO peaceful and looking around) we cut the cord and I got out of the tub to get into bed. I was immediately handed back baby, skin-to-skin, with warmed blankets over us. We tried breastfeeding and my midwife made food while the student midwives made notes and cleaned everything up.

Siblings woke up (they surprisingly didn't hear me moaning and grunting and carrying on) to a new brother!!! It was awesome.

Boobopgirl

thinkpink101 said:

With my first I was one day past my due date, feeling totally fine. As a matter of fact, just the evening before I had been on a ladder finishing some painting in the house we had just bought. I left work to go to my doctor's appointment, fully expecting to come back, only to be told I was 10cm dilated and effaced, and that the only thing keeping the baby in was the bag of water. I went straight to the hospital, dh met me there, they broke my water and 1 hour and 20min later our son was born.

With our twins I was 33.5 weeks and at the hospital for a non stress test. They said they'd see if anyone from my practice was there, and if so they might as well do a quick exam. When they did they found I was at a 5. They tried to stop labor but quickly realized that wasn't happening. I called dh, he arrived, they made me get an epidural, then they broke my water and 27 min later both twins were born.

Honestly, I'm a little scared for this one given that I've never realized I was in labor on my own. I couldn't feel any contractions until they broke my water either time.

I have 2 friends with a history of very quick labors as well.  One of them often doesn't know she is in labor until very close to delivery (obviously, she has a fairly large number of kids).  Hopefully this birth will be like your last two and they'll happen to check something and be like "Oh, woah." and it won't matter, lol.

bouncypigeon

Read this, it is really funny. You never know, this could be you!

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/2/6/easiest-births-ever.html

eyewalls

My sis in law had first in Jan. Labour started at 10 am. Baby in arms at 2 pm. Textbook delivery and home next morning. She is 39 and little baby Chase is 3 months and super healthy! Feeling optimistic that as FTM at 43 with twins it could be that easy for me too! Yaay!

mrscate88

bouncypigeon said:

Read this, it is really funny. You never know, this could be you!

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/2/6/easiest-births-ever.html

What an awesome story!!!

WDDCH

bouncypigeon said:

Read this, it is really funny. You never know, this could be you!

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/2/6/easiest-births-ever.html

Sign me up! I was wondering if they'd just stay home by the second or third baby lol!

amylou512

bouncypigeon said:

Read this, it is really funny. You never know, this could be you!

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/2/6/easiest-births-ever.html

This is my favorite post ever!

kehags

I love reading the Birth Without Fear blog & Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth for positive birth stories!

My first ended up being a super medicated/ intervention happy birth BUT I only pushed for like 15 minutes so that was pretty awesome. And I was able to nap through transition

My second was awesome! I had a home birth, was totally comfortable in my environment. And same thing, I napped for a while, the midwives actually left to grab lunch, and I woke up and knew I was close. My mom was there & so nervous--she asked if I had paged my midwife since apparently we were back in the 80s They came just in time, I had just started pushing. My son was born a few minutes later. The whole labor was 7 hours from the time I woke up crampy to birth. It was amazing!

kajordan09

I'm not one to typically talk about my birth stories, because I find them very personal, but what I will say is that both of my births went very smoothly, and I hope that when I birth #3 I will have the same experience as with #1 and #2! I will add that I was so afraid when I had my first, but after having #1 and #2 without drama or incident, I am really relaxed (and weirdly excited) about having #3.

PhoenixJewels

With my daughter from first contraction and water breaking to delivery - 3hr 13 min. 3 pushes...she came so fast I didn't have pain meds...and while it was a bit painful (kidney stones are way worse) the pain ceases soon as your eyes land on your little one.

Just remember that we are women, we were made to do this (can you image a man in labor? They barely function with a cold lol)

monicaP

I worked on Friday and Baby was born on Sunday both times.  Very different labors, but it was so nice of my DDs to come on a Sunday two weeks before my due date  I had wonderful doctors and nurses who were so encouraging (especially during the non-epidural delivery when I was a bit more nervous). Best of all, between my two darlings I only had one stitch!  

It was not all pretty, but the minute DD1 was placed in my arms I turned to my husband and asked how soon could we make another.  That little baby is the best push present of all.

quincysmommy

I developed pre eclampsia around 37 weeks. Went to the hospital for an induction, we started with the gel, then cervidil, then the Foley balloon, and lastly we tried pitocin to try and jump start labor. My contractions were crazy on the charts but I didn't feel a thing and sadly i wasnt dialating on my own. The foley balloon forced me to a 3 but that was it. After 57 hours of nothing my OB declared it as a failed induction. She then told me the only option was to do a c section. At the point, I didn't care how he came out. I was tired of being in the hospital and getting no where. I was prepped for the c section, and went into the OR. They gave me a spinal block (the shot only hurt for a second) and then my husband came in the room. My blood pressure started to drop rapidly so i felt very sick and started to gag ( thank god i didnt have anything to eat). Let me tell you how weird it was to start to gag but I could only feel my throat moving, the rest of my body was numb. Anyways, back to the story lol... The guy gave me some medicine in my IV that made me feel better. My husband and I were talking about how excited we were to meet our son and all of the sudden I hear my OB say congratulations and a little cry follows after that. It was so quick, my OB got him out within 5 minutes of being on the table. I felt no tugging or pulling like everyone said. It was a very easy labor on my eyes. I wasn't scared of anything and my c section went very well, even the recovery went well.