What do you look for in birth stories?

haleymay18 · November 2011

I always look for how far along the mom was. It doesn't really matter but it feels important to me when I am reading.

Any particulars you try to jump to right away?

NoodleM · November 2011

How far along they were, and if there is a picture. Then I leave the post, haha.

I guess I'm not too interested in birth stories, I don't know if I'll write one up myself either or if I'll just do a quick 'She's here' announcement on here.

MissBHaven1024 · November 2011

I look for how far along the mom was, probably more so because all of the birth announcements so far have been from people due several days or even a couple of weeks after me.

I also look at how long the labor was from start to finish.

Nessie82 · November 2011

I always skim to see how long they pushed for. Weird, I know.

I think its because thats the part I'm the most nervous about.

CountingUp · November 2011

I scan for how far along, size of baby, length of pushing, and degree of tears.

emd2887 · November 2011

Honestly, the first thing I look at is if it's broken into multiple paragraphs or one big block of text. If it's the latter, I skip reading it- I don't have patience for that.

I also look for how far along the mom was, how long she was in labor for, if she tore/had an episiotomy (one of my biggest labor fears), and how she says the recovery process has been.

cutcopypaste · November 2011

I don't read a birth story if it's too long. One paragraph summarizing the whole thing should suffice. It's just the same thing over and over in most birth stories, "then the contractions got worse, then they checked me, then I got the epidural, then they checked me again, then I felt the urge to push" ... and so on and so on. They tend to get super boring. I could have told one heck of a 20 page birth story because a lot happened but I just wrote a paragraph on here. There's a longer one in my blog. But then I always look for pictures of course.

beka0404 · November 2011

I look for a picture. Because nom nom nom delicious babies nom nom. If there's no picture, I might read the birth story if it's from someone to whom I feel somewhat connected. But after the first few that were posted, I kind of lost interest. They're mostly redundant, and I agree with being turned off by big blocks of text. I need paragraphs.

Fletcha · November 2011

Flame away, but I will totally admit I tend to skim over high-intervention birth stories... I'm planning and preparing and dedicated to trying for a med-free birth and it just discourages me to read about epidural/pitocin/then sometimes forcep/vacuum/c-section deliveries or the "I was totally going to go natural but it hurt like hell so I totally caved>got the drugs>the angels sang>life was wonderful>took a nap>woke up to push>baby was born!!!!!! Kudos to those who want to go natural, there is NO WAY I'd EVER be able to do that...."

It's not that I'm judging or deeming their experience any less special, but it's just discouraging... it makes me doubt myself a little bit and they always talk about the epi like it was their saving grace and is a total miracle, etc, etc... and I sometimes wonder how prepared they really were to go natural and if my preparation and dedication has been enough to resist the temptation. And no one ever seems to acknowledge when their epi doesn't really turn out to be as awesome as they thought or when it causes prolonged labor/need for pit and the other usual complications.

So yeah.. I tend to seek out birth stories more similar to the kind of experience I hope to be blessed with. Oh, and pics are always very much enjoyed!

MrsT2008 · November 2011

Nessie82:
I always skim to see how long they pushed for. Weird, I know.

I think its because thats the part I'm the most nervous about.

haha this!

I also look for stats, a picture, and how far along the mom was (since I'm due early in the month, I like to know since there aren't a ton of people due before me).

If the story is 2 reasonably sized paragraphs or less, I'll usually read it. If it's long, I won't.

lilwildthing · November 2011

I like to know how far along they were, pictures, and interventions. I like to read the ones that are encouraging, ones who had a short labor!

To be honest, I haven't been bored by any of them yet. I imagine I will continue to read them until I have LO, and possibly after.

karaknr · November 2011

It always drives me nuts if they dont post how far along they were when they went in to labor, idk why though.

In any case other than looking for that, I also look for pics and whether they had interventions or not. Like other PP I tend to stay away from the stories that talk about wanting to go natural but not being able to and how amazed they are at the women that can do it without meds. Not that their story isnt valid, but I also find it discouraging. I LOVE the stories of women who were able to do it med free and admit that it was intense, but doable.

To each their own though, I will still read them all until I go into labor myself Im sure haha.

indomesticbliss · November 2011

Meh, I'll read them unless they are one LONG paragraph or full of spelling issues or text speak (if you can't write our "you" or "two/too" I won't read it).

I like to see stats, medicated or not medicated, etc... Admittedly, I also like to see the immediate PP and BF truths-did you get skin to skin, was there a NICU called, did LO bf or was there trouble-not the "everything is super duper perfect!" comment. I had an easyish L&D, and a really rough immediate PP that I am hoping not to repeat. Birth stories that talk about how the mom really handled PP, especially if there was an issue, really help to calm my nerves about pp this time.

The little angel/prince/princess stuff is a skip over for me.

HazelBee22 · November 2011

I love reading birth stories and I think I am the opposite of most people on here - I am usually disappointed if they are super short, lol. There is something so special about delivery that I love hearing different stories - the flavor of the delivery doesn't matter.

My favorite parts are if there are mom stats included (how far along, was mom dilated before labor, etc) and if mom compares her original plan to what actually happened in labor.

Mine was on the long and probably boring side and I still haven't gotten around to uploading a picture. Sorry Stick out tongue .

Tussie Mussie · November 2011

I like to read all of the birth stories that are posted, even if they seem the same. It really makes this whole pregnancy thing seem real. As excited as I am to be a mom, the thought of bringing home a newborn is somewhat terrifying. The pictures definitely help me remember how worth it the experience will be. I do tend to focus on the intervention-free stories for my own personal encouragement. I think that reading other women's true experiences with natural birth will truly help me accomplish that goal when my time comes.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · November 2011

If it's long, bad grammar, or bad punctuation I skip it completely. If it's about one paragraph, I'll read it and I like to see pictures. I'm amazed at how many people I've seen on these boards who I have to wonder how they passed high school English classes.

[Deleted User] · November 2011

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Jessie888 · November 2011

Fletcha:
Flame away, but I will totally admit I tend to skim over high-intervention birth stories... I'm planning and preparing and dedicated to trying for a med-free birth and it just discourages me to read about epidural/pitocin/then sometimes forcep/vacuum/c-section deliveries or the "I was totally going to go natural but it hurt like hell so I totally caved>got the drugs>the angels sang>life was wonderful>took a nap>woke up to push>baby was born!!!!!! Kudos to those who want to go natural, there is NO WAY I'd EVER be able to do that...."
It's not that I'm judging or deeming their experience any less special, but it's just discouraging... it makes me doubt myself a little bit and they always talk about the epi like it was their saving grace and is a total miracle, etc, etc... and I sometimes wonder how prepared they really were to go natural and if my preparation and dedication has been enough to resist the temptation. And no one ever seems to acknowledge when their epi doesn't really turn out to be as awesome as they thought or when it causes prolonged labor/need for pit and the other usual complications.
So yeah.. I tend to seek out birth stories more similar to the kind of experience I hope to be blessed with. Oh, and pics are always very much enjoyed!

I feel the same way. I do not look down upon women who get epidurals... its jut that I am looking for a med-free birth. Everyone is different, but I look for people who have a birth like I want. I have researched, watched videos, taken classes, prepared myself with mantras and soothing exercises. I believe that I can do this and I believe it is the best way for me to birth. I feel so prepared and my DH knows everything I want and how to keep me focused. When I read "I wanted to go natural..." I want to know what they did before hand to prepare and did they have supportive people around them.

OurJellybean · November 2011

Yep, how far, name and sex, realistic details... No sugar coating it! Pics, I don't like when they are too short... I want long and details

rtittle · November 2011

PICTURES!

chantico23 · November 2011

HazelBee22:
I love reading birth stories and I think I am the opposite of most people on here - I am usually disappointed if they are super short, lol. There is something so special about delivery that I love hearing different stories - the flavor of the delivery doesn't matter.
My favorite parts are if there are mom stats included (how far along, was mom dilated before labor, etc) and if mom compares her original plan to what actually happened in labor.
Mine was on the long and probably boring side and I still haven't gotten around to uploading a picture. Sorry .

I'm the same way. I love the detailed stories. If they are too short then I think they are kind of boring and pointless.

I do love pictures! And I look for how labor got started, how things progressed, if there were any complications, and then the baby stats (height/weight).

Want a personalized experience?

What do you look for in birth stories?

Re: What do you look for in birth stories?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards