How did you give birth?

Question

Hello, I am 20 weeks with my first child and I am not sure how I want to give birth. I don’t want a c-section (unless needed) but I want to know my options from a mother’s in sight of what they did. Did you regret it? Was it comfortable (despite pain)? How did you prepare? What to expect? Or anything else that may be useful.

Answer

Went into labor naturally and got an epidural and it was amazing to take away the pain then i chose Elected c section because I was at risk of complications to my baby and myself and i would do it again just to know he came into the world safely and healthy. I might be the odd one out but I personally wouldn’t go in with a strict birth plan. I didn’t want a c section but i went in with an open mind and i think that helped me accept the c section and still find joy in it. You definitely should advocate for yourself and your needs/wants but if you go in and it ends up different, you don’t want to be disappointed because that might ruin your experience.
Hope you have a safe delivery!

Answer

Water broke at 41.5 weeks, first pregnancy and from the beginning had a very open expectation on what I wanted my labour to be. I told my support people that I wanted to see how I coped with the contractions and make the decisions on the fly. My mindset the entire time was do whatever it took to get him out healthy. 
I lasted about 30 hours on gas and a bit of morphine to help me sleep, then I couldn’t take it anymore and opted for the epidural. Another 5 hours and I was told it was go time, but bub hadn’t dropped enough and they possibly needed to use forceps and if that didn’t work then it would’ve been a c-section. Thankfully the forceps worked, and a few stitches and I had my lil man all safe and healthy on my chest. At the time I was thankful for the epidural as it took the pain away, but now I’m super thankful that I took the epidural when I did, because if I hadn’t I may have needed to be knocked out for the potential c-section. So thankful I didn’t miss those first few moments with my son.

Answer

All natural vaginal. It was a beautiful and amazing experience to do it without an pain medicine or an epidural. My entire induction only lasted 5 hours and I never felt pain until the very end. I was doing lunges during contractions and sitting on the yoga ball. Laying in the bed was not comfortable to me until it was time to push. I focused on breathing and knowing each contraction was closer to my baby. You can do whatever you set your mind to if it’s medically safe.

Answer

I had an incredible unmedicated home birth that I'm so grateful for. It was loooooong, but time was weird when I was in labor. I think the most important things are making sure you're birthing where you feel safe and having a strong support team.

Answer

I think it’s good to hear other experiences but just remember that birth and labour are sometimes completely unpredictable and it’s good to go into it with an idea of what you would like but know that things can and do go a different way. 
I had two natural births, one with an epidural and one just gas and air. The epidural is obviously great from a pain point of view however I found that it did make it harder to push and my second labour my body just kind of took over and I was pushing involuntarily. Xx

Answer

Waters broke naturally, contractions at home for 5 hours, hospital for 9am. Went from 2cm to 9cm in less than an hour. Laboured for 2 hours in the water. They slowed my contractions so i got out. And actively pushed for 2 hours. I had gas and air but didn't use it as you're meant to as i hated the fuzzy feeling. Violet was born vaginally with no assistance at 15:21. Two stage 1 tears but no stitches. I liked my experience. I did get very worried at one point but everything went ok

Answer

Unmedicated natural vaginal. I hope to be able to do it again this time! I’m 20 weeks pregnant. I felt so amazing afterwards!

Answer

I was defintely go with the flow. I knew going into it not get set on anything as so much doesn't go according to plan. I wanted vaginal birth, but whatever happens, happens attitude.  
My water broke while having sex. I was 38 weeks 6 days. But I had a feeling labor was near. I went in. Was admitted.  Was told if by 12 hours of my water breaking if contractions werent moving along I'd need pitocin.  I was put on pitocin.  Contractions picked up about 5 hours after I got on it and I needed the epidural. Was planning on having one anyways. Best advice I was given. "You dont get an award for waiting an extra hour for the epidrual. Get it when you need it. " 
Anyways. Fast forward I gave birth, all was well. 
I did get a spinal headache from the epidural due to a nurse ripping it out of my back after I got moved to recovery. 
So for 2 weeks after my labor I was miserable. Couldn't take care of my own child. I had to go in for a blood patch to fix it. But after that. All was well!! 😁

Answer

My only advice is have an idea of what you want but be fully prepared to not do it. 
I wanted a water birth but never got what I wanted.

Answer

Unmedicated natural vaginal (two times).

How did you give birth?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey