Advice for a smoother delivery?

Re: Advice for a smoother delivery?

• pnwlover12 member

  September 2014

  For me, contractions were more painful than the actual pushing. Once you get to the pushing stage (at least for me), you get in a zone and just want it done. But when you are facing hours of very painful cx, it is awful.

  
  
  
  
  
                
  
  
  

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• BabyBsOven member

  September 2014

  pnwlover12 said:

  For me, contractions were more painful than the actual pushing. Once you get to the pushing stage (at least for me), you get in a zone and just want it done. But when you are facing hours of very painful cx, it is awful.

  This exactly

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• Syllessa member

  September 2014

  I was alright with the contractions and pushing, but the ring of fire is a whole different story.
  

  
  
  

  

  

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• Liss1481 member

  September 2014

  Syllessa said:

  I was alright with the contractions and pushing, but the ring of fire is a whole different story.
  

  This! That was the worst part
  

  

  

  
  

                

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• [Deleted User] member

  September 2014

  The user and all related content has been deleted.

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• Nichole7041 member

  September 2014

  Everyone labores differently. My advice is just try and not worry about the pain (crazy I know lol) and just remind yourself each contraction is one step closer to meeting your new baby!
  Your body is made to do this
  

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• KingsDaughter76 member

  September 2014 edited September 2014

  I haven't had this baby yet- but she is coming really soon.... but from my previous births I can highly suggest staying out of the bed and moving around as much as possible as this helps baby get into good birthing position and speeds up labor (unless you are planning an epidural because then they will make you stay in bed) and also highly recommend not giving birth laying on your back or semi-sitting if at all possible. Doing this puts extra stress on your perineum skin and will cause increase tears down there or the need to be cut. It also pushes your tailbone forward and can make your birthing space less for baby and lead to a broken tailbone if baby's head is tipped wrong (ask me how I know this...ugh). The best position to give birth in is laying on one of your sides with your top leg supported by someone. My midwife taught me this with my second birth and he was a big baby boy with a big ol head...thanks to her I have never torn with any birth or had to ever get an episiotomy.  My first birth I got some "skid marks" or abrasions that required a few stitches due to pushing her out semi-sitting and I am very lucky I didn't tear! 

  
  

  Now I do have to warn you that most regular doctors will want you on your back with your legs splayed out wide and pulled back (this is for their ease and not yours!) or they will push for a semi reclining position- again for their ease. 

  
  

  Anyways- this is my best multi-birthing momma advice for you newer mommies. :-) 

   Christian Homeschooling Mama to 9 kids and Grandma to 1 (so far!) YES we would love to have more! 

  Baby #9- It's a GIRL!!  Born Oct 1st 2014!!

  
  

  Forever missing my 7 m/c babies now safe in the arms of Jesus!

  
  

  
  

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• Syllessa member

  September 2014

  mrswelsh3 said:

  I was alright with the contractions and pushing, but the ring of fire is a whole different story.
  

  With or without an epidural? Lol!

  With.
  

  
  
  

  

  

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• MrsTinMKE member

  September 2014

  Syllessa said:

  I was alright with the contractions and pushing, but the ring of fire is a whole different story.
  

  Oh man did I miss something? what the hell is the ring of fire??

  

  
  

  
  

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• Syllessa member

  September 2014

  
  

  MrsTinMKE said:

  Syllessa said:

  I was alright with the contractions and pushing, but the ring of fire is a whole different story.
  

  Oh man did I miss something? what the hell is the ring of fire??

  Crowning.  When the widest part of baby's head has your vag stretched to the max.
  

  
  
  

  

  

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• MrsTinMKE member

  September 2014

  carriedaway19 said:

  I am starting to feel a lot of anxiety about the actual birthing process. I thought the cervical check hurt so now I'm really freaking out. I do like to know what to expect, though, so keep the advice coming.

  I am with you here.... I am a big baby when it comes to the stuff. I don't know why the hell I thought I would be A. O.K going all natural no epidural .... the last cervical check made me think a little more. 

  

  
  

  
  

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• 2goingon3 member

  September 2014

  I found pushing to be a relief from the contractions. I never had an epi, just the gas, which I thought was great considering.
  
  There's no easy answer to this question, the process is so different for everyone!! I'd say for me what made the difference between labor 1 and labor 2 was not having to be induced with 2, and no Demerol. Just the gas, being able to walk around, enjoy the shower.... that's about it!

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• Emerald27 member

  September 2014

  I would say that if you try to think of the pain of labor as productive or as pain with purpose, that can help you through it. It's different from pain from an injury, because it's not "bad" pain, not an indication that something is wrong.
  
  I'd also say that for a smoother labor with less likelihood of stalled labor or requiring interventions, planning to hold off on getting an epidural for as long as you possibly can is a good approach.

  
  

  
  

  

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• ariel06 member

  September 2014

  Take it one moment at a time and ask lots of questions.   

  

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• [Deleted User] member

  September 2014

  The user and all related content has been deleted.

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• pinkshades05 member

  September 2014

  For me, I got through transition with DD because I was able to labor in the birth tub and move about as I needed. I got the hang of managing contractions early on but the sensation of pushing freaked me out. It was at that point that I thought I was going to lose control because labor stalled and my body started shaking. First experience is such an eye opener!
  
  But just realize that it's going to be what you make of it. If you tell yourself that you can't do it, then you won't. If you go in understanding that labor is work, you understand the stages, and that there WILL be an ending--you can do it! Having an encouraging partner there is key as well. I give my DH a lot of credit for being super supportive and making sure my needs were taken care of.

  
  
  

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• MorganWP member

  September 2014

  I agree with PPs, contractions were the worst part. But also. after having a labour without an epidural and one with one. I will say that even though the pain was still there it was milder and I felt way more relaxed. Which I think really made the delivery a lot smoother than with my daughter. 
  

  
  

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• BreandMikewedding member

  September 2014

  I labored for several hours without an epidural and the contractions were rough. Once I got my epidural I had zero pain. No contractions, no ring of fire and I was able to push her out in two pushes. Every labor is different and everyone's pain tolerance is different. My only advice is to be open to other options if your plan doesn't go exactly how you envisioned.

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• megaroo64 member

  September 2014

  I agree that contractions were probably worse. Pushing, for me at least, was very regimented- they had me do three pushes for ten seconds each- so in my mind I could just think- "oh- 30 seconds- you got this". And really, I kinda thought about my whole labor like that. I treated they whole thing like a workout set- intense for a minute or so, then relax in between. That helped.

   

  Bennett Andrew- 6/4/13      Nora Elizabeth - 10/3/14

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• enginurse member

  September 2014

  My last 2 births were all natural. Water in a tub or shower is very helpful. Also, I read that your mouth (lips especially) are directly related to your vagina. So every time you feel yourself tensing up, try to relax by doing the loose lip blowing. You may feel silly, but it really helped.
  
  My midwife also supported my perineum at crowning and delivery, and that really helped! No tearing for either natural birth!
  
  I also second the suggestion of reading birth stories, but ONLY good ones. Ina May Gaskin has some books of beautiful birth stories that your local library probably has. These are so encouraging.
  
  Blessings on your upcoming adventure! Take lots of photos (DH can do that) and treasure the final product: your beautiful baby.

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• lrobi13 member

  September 2014

  Once I got the hang of pushing it was kind of amazing! I did have an epidural so I didn't feel any contractions once it was placed.
  
  But the three hours I labored with potocin and the Foley bulb before the epi were pretty tough. I did find that laboring while standing was helpful.

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