Birth stories- do you like them, read them, etc?

thatgirlang · July 2009

What are you the most interested in when you read them?

I have to admit- I scan over most of them. So many of them are SO long! And I admit- MY birth story was long when I had DS. I c&p'ed the detailed birth story that I'd typed up for my pregnancy scrapbook and posted it on the nest.

Now I look back and realize that I could have seriously shortened it down for the purpose of the boards. Did anyone really care about all the times I was checked and what time I dilated to a new cm? My story was really good (at least I think so! LOL)- there was drama and also some really sweet stuff... but now I think that only my mom, a few close family members and a couple of friends really cared about ALL of it.

I know some people love birth stories though. I don't dislike them- I just prefer the shorter ones. Or someone recently posted a long one but then she went back and put all of the main points in bold which I loved. I only read the bold! LOL

I have no idea how my delivery will go this time but I've already decided that whatever I post here is going to be short and sweet! I'll probably spend more time uploading pics! Smile

EDIT: Someone mentioned this below and yeah, paragraphs would help A LOT!!!! That goes for any long post. When I see one long "paragraph" I tend to go right back out no matter how good the post is.

mags2144 · July 2009

i read them all-- I love the long ones!

CalinsBride · July 2009

In early third tri I was only interested in seeing the pictures lol. Now I generally do read them all, even though I don't really care about how many times ppl were checked, etc.

irys09 · July 2009

If I've got the time I'll usually read through them. Long or short.

For me it gives me an idea of what things (good or bad) might happen, and there's always a happy ending! It gives me hope! lol

JCM083009 · July 2009

I honestly only really like and continue to read the natural birth stories. It's not b/c I don't care about the others, but at this point in time I am trying to keep positive and I don't want "negative" (to me) energy and thoughts about birth entering my head which for me are things like scary stories and/or interventions. Everyone who educates about natural birth says to surround yourself with positive birth stories in regards to that experience so I feel like it's doing a disservice to me to read ones that don't fit that bill, plus they are just not as helpful to me obviously.

SAMANTHAGP · July 2009

I like reading them, love the pictures. But I agree with how long some of them are. I usually will read all of the story, but ones without paragraphs are brutal!!!

Just space down and start a new paragraph and then it won't seem so mashed up!

Jen&Joe06 · July 2009

I used to read them but as I get closer to the end I find I open it for pics and then close it without reading. At this point I don't want to hear any horror stories.

afg · July 2009

Yes, I read them with interest.

Maybe it's different because you've been through it yourself and know what to expect, but as a first time Mom, I like to read about just how different every L&D can be, and gives me a feel for what could possibly happen.

AllisonLeigh · July 2009

I like them all. I do like the ones with a little more detail than I had my baby here are the stats. That said I don't like the long ones that include useless non pertinent info. I do prefer the ones with pics to.

aly401 · July 2009

I do read them and I like them- even the long ones. It may be because this is my first child and I like to read what I think it may be like. I think that's a great idea if you're going to post a long story to bold the important stuff for the people who dont want to read through all of it.

Jenny3 · July 2009

I scan through them. It depends on how they are written, to be honest. There are some that just make me want to scream to 'make a new paragraph!' LOL

I do enjoy reading them, but for the most part, I zip right through them. Maybe it's because this is my 3rd child, I don't know, but some of them I find a little boring. (sorry!)

sare_bear · July 2009

I read them and don't mind how long they are.

SWB110307 · July 2009

I always read them, every birthing experience is different, and I want to be aware and I want to know what I could possibly be in for! Embarrassed

aroberts7106 · July 2009

I open almost all of them....and read many of them, although i will admit I do skip over the long ones a lot! Paragraphs help as well

Many of them kind of scare me though.....I never realized how common it is to end up needing a c-section until I started reading the birth stories on the bump! I do think they provide a lot of useful information...even though everyone's experience will be different...

jenn11980 · July 2009

I like to read them, I can't always read the really long ones when I am at work though. I really like the pics though, they are all so adorable.

Vixey529 · July 2009

I like to read them. I prefer reading about the ones that go really smoothly! (sets my mind at ease). As long as they are pretty well written and have paragraphs, I'll usually make it through the whole thing.

ChrissyK88 · July 2009

i read them all Stick out tongue

sandollar · July 2009

I like reading them all, even the long ones!

BeeLove · July 2009

Nope...I don't read them. I open them to see the new babe and that's it. I don't want to know what it's like for everyone else...I know my experience will be individual and i don't see a point. I hope everyone's stories are good, with smooth outcomes and for those that aren't, I just can't always bear to read!!

I do LOVE seeing new baby pics, though. DUH.

thatgirlang · July 2009

I see I'm in the minority! Maybe I'll post a long birth story after all since you all like them so much. I'll use paragraphs! LOL

kimsy · July 2009

I give them a good scan. It usually piques my interest and I pay more attention if someone is able to go pain med-free, since that is what I am trying to do.

And I loooove the pictures.

pinkbride2008 · July 2009

the pics and a short story

mrsmel · July 2009

i like them and read them, but if they get too long, they loose me.

NKufferman · July 2009

Short to the point and with pictures.

Hotomale · July 2009

I read them - I just wish people would say what week they were when they delivered!!

SteffaniO · July 2009

JCM083009:
I honestly only really like and continue to read the natural birth stories. It's not b/c I don't care about the others, but at this point in time I am trying to keep positive and I don't want "negative" (to me) energy and thoughts about birth entering my head which for me are things like scary stories and/or interventions. Everyone who educates about natural birth says to surround yourself with positive birth stories in regards to that experience so I feel like it's doing a disservice to me to read ones that don't fit that bill, plus they are just not as helpful to me obviously.

This, exactly. If something looks like it's turning into a birth horror story, I don't finish reading it.

DanielsWife · July 2009

thatgirlang: Yes Smile

I completely agree! I scan them mostly, and, really, breaking things up into paragraphs would be AWESOME.

I pretty much check them all out - even though I'm going to try and go natural - just be more mentally prepared if anything was to go differently. This is mainly due to panic disorder - I have to have the different scenarios planned in my mind to keep me calm, LOL. I would be more panicky if something DID lead to a non-natural birth and I had not read about or watched those scenarios (like Baby Story, Maternity Ward, Birth Day, etc.). That's just me.?

ttmccoot · July 2009

like afg said above, i read them all to see what all the different scenarios are. i feel like if i hear all the birth stories i can, i will at least have an idea of what may happen.

shindylahoe · July 2009

I come on over from 1st tri just to read them! ^_^

mrsblt · July 2009

I like to read them.

sam19 · July 2009

It depends on my mood. Sometimes I just scan them and sometimes I read them all the way through. Other times I just open the post to see if someone posted a pic with it. I definitely don't like when they are one giant paragraph and the bolded stuff is good. It also depends on how good of a writer the person is and if they can keep me interested in their story.

sam19 · July 2009

I also wanted to add that I'm more likely to read a birth story if I recognize the posters SN.

katiefyd84 · July 2009

JCM083009:
I honestly only really like and continue to read the natural birth stories.? It's not b/c I don't care about the others, but at this point in time I am trying to keep positive and I don't want "negative" (to me) energy and thoughts about birth entering my head which for me are things like scary stories and/or interventions. Everyone who educates about natural birth says to surround yourself with positive birth stories in regards to that experience so I feel like it's doing a disservice to me to read ones that don't fit that bill, plus they are just not as helpful to me obviously.

This?

dottymobo · July 2009

Depends. I really have no interest in stories that don't apply to me, so planned sections or scheduled inductions or get to hospital get epidural types don't get read (though this would change if I developed a need for one of them, of course). Big blocks of text also don't get read. My "perfect" birth story would be a positive Bradley birth with paragraphs

Mrs_W_Pookie · July 2009

I'm not reading them right now because Hypnobabies says not to. I'm also avoiding the pregnancy shows on TLC which I used to love to watch!

Want a personalized experience?

Birth stories- do you like them, read them, etc?

Re: Birth stories- do you like them, read them, etc?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards