Labour- didn't know what to do/what was going on with my body - anyone else the same?

candygirl

positivelymummy wrote: »

nice of em to invite everyone along for a look eh?:eek:

yeah i thought they were gonna get the miners lamps out...rofl:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

I am pregnant again, due in February. I had a fairly good labour back in November with our son. Waters broke at 1.30pm, contractions started at 2.15pm, went to hospital by 3.15pm, dilated 5cm in an hour, then he was out by 6.10pm. I considered that to be a fairly short and relatively easy labour. I realise it could have been complicated and a lot worse.

Does that mean that I am one of those 50%? If I have done it once, it "probably" will be the same next time. I am planning a home birth as the MW who delivered my son said next time would be quicker and a home birth might be an option.

I am scared that this one might be problamatic, my main fear at the moment is the placenta getting tied around the neck and the MW's not realising until its too late. I keep telling myself that its normal to worry, but i'm still only 10 weeks, so what will I be like in another 27+?

swimityswim

I didnt have the best experience with my first labour, i think mainly because i was induced. my first contraction was very strong and painful, and my next was only 4 mins later. this scared me as i remembered my midwife saying that when your contractions are 5 mins apart and you cant speak through them anymore to come into hospital, and this was how mine started out! It was a complete shock to my body as i didnt get the chance to build up my own natural pain relief, it was all over with in 7 hours, and fast isnt necessarily great! I managed on gas and air and 2 injections of meptid, which is like pethedin but supposedly without the woozy side effects. i cant really say either helped. I have found out since however, that as soon as you feel a contraction you should start to inhale the gas and air, and then as your contraction peaks to stop, as you will have inhaled enough to help you through the rest of the contraction. I didnt know this and was inhaling like mad only when it was painful, which meant that the effects would take place inbetween the contractions, which was of no use! I hope that makes sense and helps someone! Im expecting again, due in 2 weeks! Had been very anxious about the birth, the thought of it made me feel sick! and not just the labour pains but also pushing the baby out. I found this a very traumatic experience to say the least! I took a pregnancy yoga course however, which has certainly helped promote a more positive attitude towards it all. Its also helped me practice positions for labour and breathing techniques, something which i didnt have a clue about last time if Im honest! One piece of advise i would give to first timers is to take control! I was stuck laid flat to the bed, strapped to monitors, and pushed him out lying down...no wonder it was hard work! This time Im insisting that i get to change positions for labour and pushing, hopefully make use of a birthing pool or bath, and focus on relaxing! I must say though, that as horrid as it can be...and lets be honest it can be the most painful and hardest thing you will ever go through, it is only 1 day of your life, and at the end of it you'll have a son or daughter and how you feel when they hand them to you is the most amazing feeling ever! I certainly dont want to belittle anyones negative experiences and i can certainly see how a traumatic birth could lead to post natal depression, especially if there have been repurcussions for mother and baby as a result of a labour gone wrong...but i think you need to focus on what it will be like after the birth and hopefully that'll get you through the labour!
Ps...the comments made on page one about it being the most natural thing you'll go through...i can tell you that the feeling of your body tearing itself in two and then having to push something out of it is not the most natural of feelings!!

nzmegs

The most important thing is being prepared. Also have someone with you who had a birth experience which you would also like. If not the midwife then another family memeber or a friend. only they can keep you positive.
I had both my children in water with no pain relief and I am sooooooo proud of myself for doing it. it itruly was the best feeling to achieve the best possible labour and birth for myself and the babies.
Obviously it is not possible for everyone to go through all that without some pain relief but for me water really helped. if your hospital doesn't have a birthing pool I suggest hiring one even if only for the labour. the water supports you, and warms your whole body. I began to feel like I was floating on air and had mini dreams of flying - sounds weird I know but a wonderful calm and surreal experience.
If your baby is born into water don't panic - babies do not take a breath until they are exposed to the air.
The fact is that it hurts - alot! but you forget really quickly
If you want to try without pain relief then having a husband like mine helps. When i siad to him before giving birth "don't let me have any drugs" he took me at my word. He kept reminding me of what I had said and how determined I was and after a while i stopped asking. I hated him then, but thanked him later.....

liney

candygirl wrote: »

Yea even though it was over 20 years ago I still shudder at the memory of it.Basically 2 weeks late, went in to be induced, 36 hours later had a horrific forceps delivery and episiotomy.
Didn't want to put anyone off who hasn't experienced the joys yet, but in my experience some people are more made for it than others.Back in the dark ages both me and my daughter would have died, as I am in no way a natural at child birth. On the other hand my sis in law (who's had 2 kids in a year!!) had them both in under an hour from start to finish of labour.Now she is a natural at it;)

Times haven't changed much. The birth of my son was identical 3 years ago; along with a spinal block and Dr's arguing whether i needed a blood transfusion or not.

Are there any counselling facilities for women who have had undesirable birthing experiences? I know PND is taken seriously now days, but birthing really can be a disturbing experience.

candygirl

liney wrote: »

Times haven't changed much. The birth of my son was identical 3 years ago; along with a spinal block and Dr's arguing whether i needed a blood transfusion or not.

Are there any counselling facilities for women who have had undesirable birthing experiences? I know PND is taken seriously now days, but birthing really can be a disturbing experience.

Looking back i'm sure I had PND. at the time I thought it was just cos I was in a bad relationship.I'm sure the birth trauma had a lot to do with it, and the old midwife who dealt with me was horrid all the way through, telling me I was soft etc.How things change eh:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

tiamai_d

It depends on what HP you get. One doc told me that you simply do no9t get PTS (post Traumatic Stress) from giving birth, while another said that you most certainly do, especially in situations where life is at risk.

I found this website especially useful.

http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/

candygirl

tiamai_d wrote: »

It depends on what HP you get. One doc told me that you simply do no9t get PTS (post Traumatic Stress) from giving birth, while another said that you most certainly do, especially in situations where life is at risk.

I found this website especially useful.

http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/

Did you mean GP there?I suppose the one who said you can't get PTS from giving birth is either childless, male or an easy deliverer

tiamai_d

oooops, sorry, yes. One GP was very flippant. 'Oh well, yes, you had a shock, but you do not get PTS from having a baby'. Thanks to him, I spent another 10months hiding everything before I cracked.

Even now, I doubt its on my medical records. There will be a note of mild depression though, as they assume you only get PND straight away after having a baby.

I think I feel a bit bitter! :rotfl:

candygirl

tiamai_d wrote: »

oooops, sorry, yes. One GP was very flippant. 'Oh well, yes, you had a shock, but you do not get PTS from having a baby'. Thanks to him, I spent another 10months hiding everything before I cracked.

Even now, I doubt its on my medical records. There will be a note of mild depression though, as they assume you only get PND straight away after having a baby.

I think I feel a bit bitter! :rotfl:

I don't blame you for being bitter.As mine happened so long ago, things were different and we were just expected to get on with it and be grateful we had a healthy baby'I think most GPs are more enlightened these days:p