Can labour actually feel "exciting"?

alisonmoose · April 2014

I'm pregnant for the first time and I'm just about to come into my 3rd trimester, and i'm freaking out about giving birth. I watched One born every minute last night which documents 2 womens stories each week as they go into labour and give birth, I've never managed to watch a whole episode because i'm too scared but I thought I should give it ago to try and put my mind at rest... it did, up until the point where the babies were actually imminent in coming out and it was a that point i decided mines staying right where he is!

It got me thinking though, do any women actually feel excited? We've waitied for this moment for 9 months, and when it starts we should have our babies within the next 12 hours (hopefuly alot less!), so when you realise it's actually going to happen now is there any excitement or is it just taken over by anxiety and pain?

kassidybl · April 2014

I'm a FTM @ 31wks4d, and honestly...I'm so excited! I won't lie I do feel a little anxious. I know that my body can do it because, well, it's what it was made for. I've been using the Hypnobabies home course and listening to the Birthing Affirmations helps me so much as I'm heading to sleep.

As far as any other feelings...I am feeling a bit petty with this birth. My MIL thinks I'm crazy for doing a natural birth. I want to do it just so I can stick my tongue at her and tell her she doesn't know everything.

Funny part is...I think my DH and coworkers/boss are more anxious and worried about labor than I am!

*LrCg* · April 2014

I have always blocked out when women talk about how horrific their births are/were. Birth can be fun, loving and beautiful! Prior to having my first, I read a lot of Ina May's birth stories in her books and they were all positive and beautiful stories. I've had 2 homebirths (with a CNM and her assistant) and they were beautiful and fun. Maybe because of where I birthed at it was very relaxing to me- everything was catered to me and I was very comfortable with the whole process and location. But I always tell expectant mother's birth isn't something you have to dread. I love birth and I'm excited about it again this time around.

awc1986 · April 2014

I'm a FTM and at 37+2 I can honestly say I'm just excited to get this little critter out of me. I'm excited at the prospect of having my body back and being able to move freely! Of course meeting my daughter is going to be indescribably amazing, but I'm genuinely excited at the prospect of evicting her! Every contraction will be a step closer to holding her in my arms rather than in my belly.

Oh and FTR - I flat out REFUSE to watch that show. I don't need to see someone else go through it. It'll only stress me out!

tjkdlhb · April 2014

I avoided watching any shows like that.

I absolutely loved my birthing experience. I can honestly say it was the best day of my life.

WashingtonQueen · April 2014

You need to stop watching those shows. They are there for entertainment not eduction. They want viewers so they put on the drama not the reality. Lets be honest, no one wants to watch a nice and calm complication free birth, it's too boring for TV.

Yes, I get very excited for labor and birth.

cMichelle0423 · April 2014

I'm a STM and I'm pretty excited. Even though I've gone through labor and delivery before, I imagine it all being so different than the first time. So I'm definitely looking forward to this experience.

ililheatheri · April 2014

I think you have to keep in mind that no matter what your ideal birth plan is, anything can happen, so as long as your prepared to have to change some of your plans if medically necessary, then you will have a much calmer experience, in my opinion of course. If you have your hopes set on a specific birth plan, it could cause you to be disappointed if it doesn't work.

For instance, my first delivery was so unlike anything I had imagined. I had pre eclampsia and had to be induced, I wasn't progressing so an epidural was recommended, and even though everything was different than my initial expectations...it was still a great experience that ended with an amazing little person!

Even though my last experience turned out great, I'm still super anxious for the second one!!! I have high blood pressure so I am being induced again... which I didn't want but I also don't want to jeopardize the health of me or the baby so I'm nervous and excited at the same time!!

spacepotatoes · April 2014

Read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Child Birth. The first half is birth stories from women who delivered naturally. It is much more empowering than those shows.

I was afraid of labour and birth before getting pregnant. Since our BFP, I've been reading and researching and now, I'm not exactly excited about it but I feel much more prepared and confident that I can do it.

Remember, your body is designed to do this and it's only temporary.

awc1986 · April 2014

WashingtonQueen said:
You need to stop watching those shows. They are there for entertainment not eduction. They want viewers so they put on the drama not the reality. Lets be honest, no one wants to watch a nice and calm complication free birth, it's too boring for TV.

Yes, I get very excited for labor and birth.

Exactly this. They only put the dramatic ones on tv. The super quick births where she's only just got her knickers off, or the traumatic ones where the baby is in distress and the mother is losing blood. They don't put the every day, average birth on there. Not to say that an average birth isn't tv worthy, but they want to show the sensationalist stuff.

Verstej2 · April 2014

I'm having my third unmedicated birth in June and I am super excited. As much as labour and delivery was hard work it was also extremely gratifying and empowering and I am really looking forward to doing it again! So yes, it can be exciting!

PrimRoseMama · April 2014

I was excited both times. Don't over think it, really. You'll psych yourself out.

beccam1230 · April 2014

I went in to be induced and I can honestly say I was scared going in. But that still didn't take away the ridiculous excitement! I knew that I was going to be able to hold and hug and kiss my sweet baby boy so soon! It really is a scary thought but I promise that it's also so exciting. Once I was checked in and everything was started, I was thrilled to be on my way :-) The thought of giving birth is daunting but there is no feeling in the world like knowing you're about to have your baby. Try not to watch things like that.. relax and think about the end result!

ElTrain5 · April 2014

As for the birthing shows...try googling "hypnobabies birth" or "relaxing water birth". For me, it helped to see women who handled labor and delivery seemingly without a ton of pain. We've all seen the crying and screaming and kicking-the-doctor-in-the-face-painful stuff before, it's just nice to see that there's a whole spectrum of experiences and helps me imagine that mine might not necessarily be all that unbearable.

I'm also excited to meet this little guy, and scared of having a baby to take care of at the same time, but I'm ready for this chapter of my life to be done so that I can move onto the next challenge. It's a combination of things, but excitement is definiltey in there.

jessig13826 · April 2014

With my first i was very excited when i realized i was into labor until the contractions starting getting real... the pain is manageable though, and when you see the baby coming out you forget everything.

Helenahhandbasket · April 2014

When my water broke, I felt a mixure of complete excitement, disbelief and panic.

I am guessing I am not alone in that.

Maladroit · April 2014

I'm just about 29 weeks and I am a little nervous, but definitely more excited! I am really aiming for a natural, unmedicated birth (w/ a midwife and doula). I've just about stopped stopped telling everyone how I plan to deliver because I get told that 1.)Things change and 2.)I won't be able to handle the pain and should keep an open mind. I am SO SICK of hearing about these negative comments. I am convinced that I can handle the labor pain for the few days/hours I'll be laboring. I just can't wait to meet my son!

veetveet · April 2014

I was crazy excited until the massive contractions kicked in. I got excited again after the epidural (which hurts like a bitch, btw) .... that was short lived when they busted out the forceps. There was excitement all throughout- just surpressed at certain times.

But.... my daughter was worth every single moment. I couldn't wait to meet her.

veetveet · April 2014

Maladroit said:
I'm just about 29 weeks and I am a little nervous, but definitely more excited! I am really aiming for a natural, unmedicated birth (w/ a midwife and doula). I've just about stopped stopped telling everyone how I plan to deliver because I get told that 1.)Things change and 2.)I won't be able to handle the pain and should keep an open mind. I am SO SICK of hearing about these negative comments. I am convinced that I can handle the labor pain for the few days/hours I'll be laboring. I just can't wait to meet my son!

It's not negative. They just don't want you to be disappointed if it all doesn't go to your birth plan. I didn't have a birth plan- I wanted to go with the flow. Still- it was NOTHING like I anticipated. I will never forget that one contraction that put me in tears and was my deciding factor for the epidural. If you can go natural- all the power to you.

ncbelle · April 2014

DON'T watch the birth shows!! Keep in mind they are edited to make things more "dramatic" than they really are - not what you need as a model of good birth!!

I was totally excited about both of my labors. Yes, I was nervous and, yes, it hurt - but it was also pretty damn cool!

jasrun80 · April 2014

with my first,, I was quite excited once I knew I was in labor. had diarrhea & was bashful because I had no idea what was going to happen then it turned into crazy pain & I was not able to consider my excitement through the pain but when it was time to push, I reminded myself that "that's what we came for" mentality & I had him in 10 minutes!!

Jwilliams777 · April 2014

I watched my sister give birth twice. Hers were very easy (compared to most) so my mother says I shouldn't base my future experience on them. BUT I think I should. You dont have any emotional connection with a stranger so that experience is not going to help you understand. In the moment you aren't thinking about it looking icky or painful.. you're so excited about whats coming. I will always remember that moment and everyone's face when my first nephew's head started coming out. Even looking at the pictures I took for her later down the road is harder to stomach than I remember being there was.

SGC29 · April 2014

I am very excited for labor this time around. I was excited both times prior as well. It was painful, long, and extremely tiring but I still loved it. Everyone's experience is different, but I was happy with both of mine previously and can't wait to do it again.

immakirstinn · April 2014

Hi! Typical lurker here but I figure I can put my 2 cents in here

I'm a FTM and am EXTREMELY excited for labor and delivery! I'm 36+3 right now and like another person said, am just excited to give my daughter her eviction notice! lol Every little twinge of pain "down there" that I'm not used to and every braxton hicks I get make my heart beat a little faster because I'm so excited and hope this might be the start even though 2 more weeks of her baking would be ideal lol Ya, it's gonna hurt, I'm expecting that especially since I'm planning an unmedicated birth. It's all about mind over matter. If you go into it expecting things to just suck and you're gonna be in agony the entire time, ya, you're gonna have a bad day. If you go into it open minded and happy, you're gonna be happy! Hope you feel better about things mama, you're gonna do great!

chloephoebecali · April 2014

I was excited, then in pain/nervous, got my epi and then I was excited again. I tried to rest/relax, but I was just excited and my mind wouldn't stop. Both experiences were great. The adrenaline rush I had after having my babies was like nothing else.

alisonmoose · April 2014

Thank you, some positive experiences to put my mind at ease, I know every birth is different, but i'm hoping once it starts I can try and focus on meeting my son.

To those who warned me to stay away from those types of shows, it was the first i've watched (and only) since being pregnant, my friend kept recommending i watch it and curiosity gave way.

I've tried to watch it a few times before i was pregnant, when we weren't trying to concieve, and it put me off ever having babies, so now i'm actually going to experience labour I thought I needed to be brave and try again, I won't be watching anything like that in future!

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