How Scary Is The Birth Process? THANK YOU POST #51

[AnaheimGirl]

But what I remember most about that birth is slow dancing with my husband alone in the delivery room between contractions. I felt more comfortable standing up with him supporting me, and we got into a rhythm of swaying together between the pains. It was one of the most romantic experiences of my life .

Aww! Sniff. This made me teary.

 

[m&m's mom]

GO FOR THE DRUGS!!!
My 1st DD was 1 pound - very easy to birth. 1 push and she was out crying, sounding just like a baby bird.
2nd DD was 8 lbs 13 ozs 5 weeks early! She would have been huge.
For me the pain was the contractions and not the actual birth. Of couse with both DD's I was in labor for 3 weeks prior. I was so sick of those dang contractions!
I have a very high pain tolerance. I broke my foot in 5 places and still waited until the next day to go to the Dr. (THAT is the definition of cheap, let me tell ya). Did not want an emergency room bill. But... contractions were a whole nother ballgame. Not a constant pain but a rising and declining kind of pain.
W/ 2nd DD they said I was too far along to have the epidural but fortunately Anestheologist was just next door and popped in right in. I could care less about needles, catheters, or IV's but those contractions - a whole nother story.
Bottom line - the epidural made a scary painful experience enjoyable and memorable for a beautiful event and not because of the pain.

 

[lclark0621]

DON'T LISTEN TO THE HORRO STORIES!

If labor was that bad, there would be no more kids.

Once I found out I was pregnant, EVERYONE & ANYONE who saw me had a horror story about labor to tell me.

I finally started telling people "If you cant be positive about labor & delivery, please dont tell me anything". I think people finally got it & stopped.

Labor is different for everyone. But in the end, no matter how "bad" your labor is, or how you deliver, it is all worth it in the end.

 

[MAKmom]

Disclaimer: I am a big baby & feel pain more than the average human female.

I found the birth process to be horrible. I still had 3 children...St Patrick's Day & a blizzard helped.

1 & 2 I had an epidural & it was easy. 3rd child no time for the epidural & it was horrible. After a non cesarean birth it is very uncomfortable for a week or so.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Get an epidural and take a nap! You'll be fine!

Excellent advice....I couldn't have said it better myself!


AllyandJack - don't worry for one second about a catheter. They place it after the epidural and removed it before it wore off....I NEVER felt it.

 

[camreesmom]

The BIGGEST thing for me was the IV. I have a horrid phobia of needles. I can't handle them and I get physically shaky/sick when put near them.

This is so me!!! I end up throwing up and almost passing out every time I've had an IV. The epidural is nothing. If you can handle an IV, you will be fine.

I've had a birth "smorgasbord":

Me too:

DS14/DS14: twin boys born 5 1/2 weeks early.......emergency c-section after I went into early labor, one son 3 lbs. 14 oz., the other 5 lbs. 45 minutes total from start to finish!

DD9: went into labor early Sunday morning, was in labor ALL day long, pushed for about 4 hours straight, the dr. finally told me if you don't get her out in the next 15 minutes, you are having another c-section. Out she came, all 9 lbs, 8 ozs. at 4am the next day. I had actually thought I wanted another c-section because I too couldn't stand the thought of the episiotomy but the VBAC was wonderful too. Mom, Dad, friends, step dad, everyone but the dog was in the delivery room with us.

DD7/DD3: was induced both times since DD9 was so big, totally different experiences both times. Just DH and I with the last two.

The point is, you never know what kind of experience you personally will have but it is all definitely worth it when you have that little baby in your arms! My OB/GYN told me not to watch Maternity Ward but to go ahead and watch Baby Story.

 

[sunnishine]

No catheter here..in fact no epidural either. LOL

As a new mom to be you will be concerned about the pain, but right about the 8th month you stop worrying about the pain. You don't care how much it is going to hurt you just want it out!!!! LOL!!!

You will be fine don't worry.

Sunni

 

[bellacam]

How is the Birth process??? For me it was three days of on and off labor that ended with an emergency c-section! My son weighed 10lbs 12oz and there was no way he was going to come out on his own. I was so scared! But as soon as i held him I knew it was the best thing I ever did and was ready to do it again. NO KIDDING! Aidan is 9.5 months now, and #2 will be born by planned c-section on 12/1!!!!!!!

As for the catheder, I actually loved having it. I had been peeing every hour for the last month even through the night. I asked them to leave it in overnight for me so I could enjoy a night of no pee runs!

 

[3princesses4us]

For me, the first one was scariest because I thought it would never end! Begged for a C-section but ended up surviving with a ******l birth. The other two practically flew out compared to her!

 

[kpk89]

The best advice/explanation anyone gave me before labor was that it hurts a lot, but it's the sort of pain you get from hard hard work -- not like an injury or something. For me, it turned out to be true, and remembering her words gave me a lot of comfort.

The scariest thing is the unknown ... so being as informed as possible about potential scenarios is the best antidote. IMO.

 

[lovinwdw]

I would just like to thank everyone for their stories. it really helps to hear things like this when you're taking that next big step in your life...I am so excited to start our family and you all have really set my mind at ease...thank you for your kind words...

Tracy

 

[Stacey2grls]

Yes, the birth process can be incredibly painful, but, with proper pain management it really isn't that bad. I found with my first pregnancy I was scared in the beginning but, decided to calm down and enjoy my pregnancy. Really, the pain is only for a relatively short amount of time in the grand spectrum of things, so don't stress, and enjoy your pregnancy! Good luck!