What happened when you gave birth?

Gift - posted on 12/31/2009

I planned on having a natural birth with my son in May. But upon arriving at the hospital, I was still convince until the doctor broke my water. I asked for epidural when the pain engulfed me but I was too late. In forty minutes, my precious treasure was here. He is my life child after three delivery and the easiest. I think eveyone should have a plan B just incase the original plan does not take place.

Kimberley - posted on 12/17/2009

Thank goodness for happy hormones. I had back labor the whole time. Something I do not wish on anyone. My daughter was turned sideways (oblique). We did not know that at the time. I went to the hospital after about 12 hrs of contractions (births are fast in my family) when my contractions were consistentaly 5-7 min apart. They checked me when I got there and I was 1-2 cm. They checked me about 2 hrs later and I was 6-7 cm. They finally admitted me and I got an epidural when I was around 8 cm because I couldn't handle the pain in my back any longer. Within 2 hrs I was pushing. I pushed for about 2 and half hrs with no success. Plus, I got an epidural hot spot (a spot where the epidural stops working and you feel all the pain there) in my groan area. They finally figured out that she was turned wrong and was basically stuck. I had 3 options: keep trying, try to have her turned, or c-section. I voted for the c-section. So 23 hrs after starting to have contractions, my beautiful and healthy 8 lb 11 oz daughter was born. 9 on the apgar. I am glad I had the c-section - she had bruises on her arms where she was stuck. I tried to breastfeed, but that ended badly. She wouldn't stop turning her upper lip under and I wasn't producing enough. Pumped what I could for about 8 months but it was never very much. Figured some was better than none. All lessons learned if I have another. And everything has been so worth it.

Krista - posted on 12/17/2009

My birthplan was complete and utter FAIL, almost to the point of being laughable. I wanted a natural birth, wanted to walk around, did not want continual fetal monitoring, etc. etc. Instead, I wound up being induced, stuck in a hospital bed with about 40 different tubes and wires stuck into me, and after the Pitocin-Induced Contractions From The Deepest Bowels Of Hell, wound up with an epidural. Oh, and I got an episiotomy too -- also not in the birth plan.

At one point, when they were going to do internal fetal monitoring (the external monitor wouldn't stay on), the nurse mentioned that my birth plan said I didn't want internal monitoring. I proclaimed quite loudly, "F**K my birth plan!"

I don't think my obstetrician's eyebrows have ever come quite that close to his hairline.

Sharon - posted on 12/17/2009

A baby came out.

It was like a scene out of Alien w/sigourney weaver with painkillers.

Casey - posted on 12/17/2009

I had a C-section at 42 weeks. Had an epidural didn't work.Was in labor for 25 hours. I would do it all over again. I wasn't really expecting to have a C-section i thought I was going to deliver vaginally but the birth canal was to narrow for her to pass through. I was dilated 2cm when I went in on Friday and around 11am on Saturday I was dilated 7cm so they had no choice but to cut me. I had a healthy baby girl 8lbs 20.5 inches. I was stitched in the inside but they closed me up with surgical glue. You can barely tell that I had a C-section. No scar visible.

Claire - posted on 12/07/2009

i had my son in a birth centre and everything went well and i was only in labour for 4hrs 27 mins. i didn't really do a birth plan as wasnt sure how the pain was going to be due it being my 1st child. when i got to the birth centre i had a birthing pool set up for me i was also given gas and air both which neither helped much. when it came to pushing i had to get out of pool as soon as the head appeared due to the cord being round his neck "that was only down side" i was hoping to stay in the pool. i had a little tear but i didnt need stitches. he is now 15 months and healthy. if i go on to have another i would def do a birth plan. but as they say laobour can b different for eveyone and not so straight forward.

Iysha - posted on 12/05/2009

Quoting Betsy:

I have delivered 6 children in 5 births, and my birth plan is that every birth is different to be flexible and don't expect to predict birth. All 5 of my births were completely different. I personally wouldn't have a home birth. Our second child was stillborn. That couldn't have been prevented. During our 4th birth, the placenta ripped so badly that they had minutes to get him out by emergency c/s. If I was at home, I wouldn't have made it to the car, nevermind the hospital to save him. By the 4th birth, having all others naturally, I couldn't have predicted needing a c/s and almost losing us both, but having lost a child, I can't imagine losing Luke due to a choice I made, going through that grief again but with guilt added to it. So, for me, that's not an option that appeals to me. Many do fine, but there are times when things go horribly wrong so not for me.

I go in, knowing what I prefer and how I labor, but then go with the flow with what circumstances come about. I have long, hard labors and have had 2 completely drug-free births. I personally preferred my epidural vaginal birth. I felt great after and more aware, more aware than days of hard labor with unbearable pain and no sleep. I can see a woman with shorter labors not seeing a need for meds. Know what you like and prefer in many different scenarios, and then go by the circumstances given to you in that individual birth.

I chose to have my baby in a hospital setting because I knew that not all pregnancies go well and wanted to be in a place that dealt with emergencies often. I didn't like the idea of not being hooked up to a moniter and not really knowing what was going on.... I can't imagine having a home birth, and I don't even think i would be considered a good candidate for it.

Iysha - posted on 12/05/2009

I didn't have a plan...I guess I thought if I had a plan, I was likely to be dissapointed since, well, births are not all the same or perfect. I was OK with that. Good thing I didn't have a plan. lol. I was having an absolutely wonderful pregnancy...I don't think my body could have been more perfect and I was happy, healthy and I wish I was still in my pregnant body. lol. It was fine until I hit 32 weeks. i had sex one morning and I started to bleed...a lot. It was like hemmoraging. I went to the nearest hospital, not the one I was registered at, and my bleeding stopped, but I was left with a whole lot of questions that nobody answered....no wonder I didn't like the hospital. They didn't hook me up to a moniter, no ultrasound was done, it was horrible. They just asked if the baby was moving and if the bleeding stopped then I can go home.



The next week, I had a little spotting and a chunk of ...something came out while I was at work. It was 4pm and I couldn't get ahold of the doctor's office and it was 30 min away and they close at 5pm. I drove and called my mom who works down the street from my doctors office to let her know what was going on and to tell them I'm coming. lol. They called me and told me to go to the hospital. I got there and I was in labor. ...didn't even know it...contracting every 3 minutes. They stopped my labor and I spent the next 9 days in a hospital bed, getting woken up every 6 hours to take nifedipine to not have a baby. Not very fun, but the food was great =] Turned out, I had an aging placenta, common in drug abusers, smokers, and older women...didn't fit the criteria, but I had it. i got 4 ultrasounds in my stay there and all said my baby was going to be 3 pounds if I had her in the next week.



4 days later, at 35 weeks, I went back to the hospital. I was in labor, I could feel it and I wasn't scared....I was very calm...that surprises me. lol. Turns out my water had been leaking...I thought I had a weak bladder, but nope...I was getting ready to have a baby. Since my baby was going to be a preemie, my nurse had to tell me everything that could go wrong with my baby. I cried. I cried a lot. .. I was scared. I got an epidural at 6cm and I had my baby vaginally...I really wanted a c-section ( I work in a surgical setting and can handle the thought of being cut and sutured, not of being stretched to 10 cm). As soon as I heard her cry, I cried....I knew she was ok. She was 5lbs 6oz...not 3 pounds and was healthy, just had a feeding problem. I got to hold her for a minute then she was taken to the NICU where she was checked out and fed. She stayed there for 17 days learning to eat...she was formula fed which was great...she got everything she needed without too much of a struggle...sometimes she was tube fed. It was hard and sad but we got through it.



NOTHING went as I would have planned it. I would have liked to keep my baby in for the full 40 weeks, not have had to be on bedrest, not to have to be in the hospital for a long time, and I would have liked to have been able to take my baby home with me when was discharged. The breastfed/bottle fed, the having the baby natural or medicated part didn't matter...it seemed trivial. The important part for me was just to keep my baby in me as long as I could and try to do everything I could to make sure she was born healthy...not if I should breastfeed or ask for medications.

Talia - posted on 12/05/2009

I have one child, she'll be two this january -- two days after my birthday! I've breastfed her from the start (and still am -- which is both a blessing and a curse!). The nurses in the hospital scared me after she was first born and made me supplement with formula before my milk came in because she was losing weight. I later found out it's normal for them to lose up to 10% of their body weight up to four days after they're born! And she was 7.5 lbs at the start so I don't think there should have been any worry.

I gave birth completely naturally, which was what I had wanted and planned, and am glad of -- but if I had gotten to the hospital sooner I might have opted for that epidural. My labour was very strange--I couldn't feel any of the contractions. I just woke up with *really* bad pain in my lower back. It wasn't till I lost my plug and was doubling over in pain that my mom decided, ok, you're going to the hospital. Baby was born about 1/2 hour after I got there! At least maybe I'll know what to expect next time. And hopefully I'll be able to get a midwife and have a home-birth!

Betsy - posted on 11/30/2009

I have delivered 6 children in 5 births, and my birth plan is that every birth is different to be flexible and don't expect to predict birth. All 5 of my births were completely different. I personally wouldn't have a home birth. Our second child was stillborn. That couldn't have been prevented. During our 4th birth, the placenta ripped so badly that they had minutes to get him out by emergency c/s. If I was at home, I wouldn't have made it to the car, nevermind the hospital to save him. By the 4th birth, having all others naturally, I couldn't have predicted needing a c/s and almost losing us both, but having lost a child, I can't imagine losing Luke due to a choice I made, going through that grief again but with guilt added to it. So, for me, that's not an option that appeals to me. Many do fine, but there are times when things go horribly wrong so not for me.

I go in, knowing what I prefer and how I labor, but then go with the flow with what circumstances come about. I have long, hard labors and have had 2 completely drug-free births. I personally preferred my epidural vaginal birth. I felt great after and more aware, more aware than days of hard labor with unbearable pain and no sleep. I can see a woman with shorter labors not seeing a need for meds. Know what you like and prefer in many different scenarios, and then go by the circumstances given to you in that individual birth.

Hannah - posted on 11/30/2009

I had a all natural child birth in a hospital. My husband and I used the Bradley Method. He coached me through the contractions. During the labor I hit the point where I thought I could take it no longer but he coached me through it. We had a beautiful healthy baby girl! I decided to go with the hospital in the off chance there was a complication. I am very happy with my experience! My doctor and the nurses really worked well with me! Having said that, if for any reason the doctor said the baby was in distress and he wanted to me to have an epidural/c-section I would have done whatever it took to have a healthy baby.

Traci - posted on 11/30/2009

I planned a home birth myself and I ended up going to the hospital after 2 days of labor and pushing for 3 hours. I really enjoyed being at home and being able to walk around and having freedom. It was a lot of work for me and I was exhausted by the time I got to the hospital. I had an epidural so that I can rest before pushing more. I really didn't get much rest. My baby's head came out cock-eyed so he kind of got stuck and they ended up using a vacuum to get him out. Sometimes things don't happen the way you want them with child birth, and every child birth is different no matter how many times you've given birth. At the hospital I wanted the doctor to prolong the cutting of the cord, but they didn't honor my request. I think they need to follow protocol, so you're freedom is restricted at the hospital. I was able to breastfeed my child right away. He never left the room which was nice. I think it just depends on what kind of hospital you go to and if you have a midwife. Even then if you have a mid-wife at a hospital setting I think there's always some sort of protocol. You'll have the most freedom doing a home birth. I would just do as much research as you can I decide from there. I would probably talk to a mid-wife that does home birth and get some phone numbers of past clients and talk to them about their experiences. I sure all of them had great experiences doing home births. Good luck with you decision.

Julie - posted on 11/30/2009

I have one son, I gave birth with out any drugs in a birthing tub, using a midwife. I was able to walk around, as I didn't have an IV or constant fetal monitoring, I took hot showers, sat on a birthing ball, walked the floor of the hospital, etc. I loved being able to move around. I had thought about a home birth, but I will still have my future children in the hospital, as long as I am using a midwife. They are usually low intervention. And I felt comfortable laboring and birthing in the hospital I chose.

Pam - posted on 11/29/2009

Both of my older girls were induced, therefore, I had the epidural both times. When I had my son, I got to the hospital at 1 a.m. and he was born at 2:28 a.m. There was no time for drugs or an epidural. It wasn't that bad. I just had to push through the pain. 18 years later, my son is still a pain. LOL. I love him dearly. He ripped me bad. 65 stitches inside and out. And he reminds me of it daily. LOL. Do your homework but be prepared for anything.

Marypaz Sioco - posted on 11/29/2009

The best thing in the the world that can never be bought anywhere is to be a MOTHER! everyone does want to experience it but not everybody have can benefit on it. First thing u will think after birth, that if u can be a good mother to your baby. Or you are thinking what will be the next task after giving birth. First of all, congratulation for having two kids. Just like me i got 2 girls, which is a 2yrs old and a 17 yrs old teenager. I gave birth to them on a normal way delivery. Planning is so much to do after you gave birth. And planning to have another one was an option. Just do it as simple as natural too. From the food you eat at the start of your pregnancy, vegetables, meat, fruits anf fruit juices and your vitamin supplements you can do it naturally as possible. in God'S hand nothing is impossible. He will guide and help you to overcome the pains. Breastfeeding, iheard so much about it, for me No Mom can say"i have no milk" thats impossible! Every Mom has it especially after giving birth.After 17 yrs, i gave birth to my child and after an hour of rooming in. i start stimulating her to my nipples, meaning i introduce her how to suck a little bit. Never introduce a bottle feed if you are jsut by your side of your baby. patience is the key to succeed with this task.You can breastpump for the start to stimulate milk to come out, and let the baby suck the rest. Its is very important that the baby can get the thick yellowish milk from your body which is the Colostrum. It is is an antibody for their immune system which serves to combat any type of illness while growing up. Even you are busy, make it a habit to drink water , fruit juices to nourish your body and to your baby too.

Joanne - posted on 11/29/2009

I 've had four pregancies so far. My first pregancy was fine, but when it was time for labor, she was a week early, water broke, no contractions and 12 hrs later after trying inducing and no dilating or contractions and her heartrate started dropping they decided to to do a c-section. it was difficult because i did not get to see my girl till the next day and recovery took so long and hurt a lot. when i found out i was pregnant the second time it was really close to the first but my doc said we'd try as far as possible to stay natural and it was short and natural. the next two were also very short but the mid-wife had to burst the waterbag and they just slipped right out. i'm hoping that this last one, due in March (again!!! lol) would follow the same pattern. i am contemplating an at home birth and i think with how our healthcare system is i might have better odds at home since i was able to pay for private care for the others. you can't plan anything really when it comes to your body and how it works but i found that once you keep in mind that things change you will be more at peace with yourself if your ideal doesn't work out. Keep praying for what you want to happen during labour and afterwards and it will happen.

Sian - posted on 11/29/2009

I loved the birth of my baby and would love it to be the same for my 2nd. I was 2wks overdue so got induced. This gave me mild contractions thru the night, but they soon went away. So they induced me again the next day. I was in labour for 4hrs, I loved the gas and air and had pethidine for the pain going down my thighs with each contraction. Whilst pushing out my baby, I patted hubby on hand and told him that we could have another as it wasn't as scary as I was expecting! Baby was 8lb 1oz and I had 4 superfical stitches. Baby latched on straight away and I breast fed for 5months (when I stopped as I'd caught a virus and didn't want to pass it on!) I'm pegnant now and midwife wants me to have a home birth, however, I myself, would feel more comfortable in hospital coz if anything did go wrong I'm a 30min ride from hospital. If I was 10mins away I would most probably have a home birth.

Genalin - posted on 11/28/2009

I gave birth to a healthy boy 3 years ago (june 4, 2006). It was something i didn't expect; it was very quick. I went for a check up in the morning and was told that I am already 2cm. So I dragged my husband to walk with with me in the mall all day, literally, since i want my son to be born before June 6 since I don't want his birthday to be 06/06/06 ( silly superstitions!) Anyway, I was rushed to the hospital at around 12 midnight and gave birth 2:37 am to be exact. It was a natural birth by the way..

Lee - posted on 11/28/2009

I have two beautiful children a 16 yr old daughter and a 7 mth old son. My daughter was born when I was 18 I had a dream pregnancy, a 20 labour and gave birth vaginally had one shot of pethadine and ended up with 3rd degree tear, my birth plan was followed fairly closely, breastfed for 6 mths and I thought it was awful. My son on the other hand I had gestational diabetes & was on 130 units of insulin a day. The pregnancy was awful, I was then induced a week early because of the complications. Went in the night before was gelled - nothing, broke my water next morning - nothing, put in the drip and contractions started straightaway. Four hours later I was 2 cms 8 hours later they said I was 4 cms and had to have an epidural 2 hours after that my son's heart stopped and he was a code 1 emergency caesar, he then went into respiratory distress and placed in ICU. 24 hours later I had my perfect son back. Took much longer to recover and I would never choose to have a caesar it was awful. I breastfed for 6 mths but it took 9 days for my milk to come through. I would never have a home birth because from experience I know how quickly things can go wrong and I wouldn't want to risk my child's life I don't care how they got here as long as they are happy and healthy now they are here.

Natalie - posted on 11/28/2009

Look into home birth or a birth center with a midwife if you have those options available to you.

Kristen - posted on 11/28/2009

i have one boy and he was due september 15th. around september 5th i was three centimeters dilated and 70% effaced. september 10th at 4 in the morning i started getting contractions. my fiance told me to wait to go to the hospital intil you cant talk through contractions because thats what they told us at our birthing class. they hurt pretty bad but i could still talk through them so he said how about we watch a movie and then we will go. so at around 8 in the morning we went to the hospital and i was 6 cm!! so the dr broke my water and contractions got way worse. i didnt have an epidural but i did have statol to help relax me when i wasnt having contractions. i had contractions for about 3 hours and then starting pushing. 15 minutes later i had my beautiful baby boy. i was ecstatic. i was very calm during the whole thing it didnt hurt as bad as everyone told me it would. my advice would be to expect the worst that way when it actually happens you will be surprised. i was anyways.

Melissa - posted on 11/28/2009

My first was pretty easy. No meds, post-term induction (pitocin), hospital birth, 6 hours of labour. .... and a whole lot of stitches. LoL. She was born not breathing, due to the cord being wrapped around her neck 3 times. They were able to revive her and she was under oxygen for 6 hours before I saw her.

Second wasn't as easy ... but I blame the doctors. Another hospital birth, no meds, post-term induction (pitocin). 23 hours and 45 minutes of labour. 5 hours of that was spent at 9 cm, while they tried to figure out why the hold up. They finally figured out her head was cocked crooked, ear first. They got me up on my knees and within a few minutes her head turned and 15 minutes later, she was here.

My third was SUPER easy!!! Hospital birth, no meds, post-term induction. 2 hours of labour and he was here.

My fourth was interesting. I had an external version scheduled for 37 weeks. Went in and he had flipped. So I went home. A few days later, I went back into my OB and he had flipped again. He immediately sent me to the hospital for an external version with the plan of inducing me right away once the version was done. I went in and he refused to turn. I was having some issues with pregnancy induced hypertension, so they decided to do a c-section. I was given a spinal and a c-section. After it was done and over with, the pediatrician team that attended to his birth told me that they assessed him at 34 weeks ... at EIGHT POUNDS, TWELVE OUNCES. A full pound heavier than my third (who was my heaviest at the time.) He was healthy and huge.

A couple years ago, my next door neighbours decided to have a homebirth. Something went wrong and the ambulance took too long to get there, her son has Cerebral Palsy. Makes me leary of homebirths (although I have heard of several successful ones) and glad I chose the hospital, just in case.

Jillian - posted on 11/28/2009

I actually considered going to a birthing center instead of a hospital, but I never did. I think a home birth can be a very calming birth, too. The only thing about a home birth that scares me isn't the pain -- its that what if something is wrong with the baby? My son was completely healthy no problems in the womb..then 6 minutes after he was born his lungs started failing. Turns out he had tiny holes in the lining of his lungs that wasn't detected before birth because, well, babies don't breathe air in the womb. If we wern't at a hospital things would have not turned out well at all....after a week in the hospital he made a full recovery.

Ashlee - posted on 11/28/2009

I have one son (and a little girl I have raised from birth, but did not carry and deliver myself). I had an awesome experience with labor and delivery. I can honestly say I would not do one thing different. Except maybe keep him in there a bit longer. I used a midwife, the only one was about an hour from my house. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. I did deliver at a hospital, since I was not comfortable being away from medical treatment, even before I knew he was coming early.



He was born at 36 weeks, 6 days and was technically considered a preemie (by one day!). All was good except he did have some breathing problems and had to spend a night in the NICU unit. We got to visit and I even got to nurse him while he was being monitored. I was really glad I still got to go ahead with nursing even though he had to be monitored. My labor was really easy...I didn't get to the hospital until about three hours before he was born. I had no pain meds at all (not something I necessarily planned on) and was up and around less than an hour after he was born. He was a vaginal birth.



I got so lucky because it was just how I would have chosen to do a birth if I could have picked everything. I def want to have more children, probably two or three (more). But I have to see how things go and when we decide to stop. I am still happily breastfeeding my son and plan to continue until he is around a year old.



Thanks for letting me share :)

Jamie - posted on 11/28/2009

I have 3 kids. All were c-sections. Due to small pelvic bones and large babies. I loved my c-sections and couldn't imagine it any other way! I hear way to often negative comments about c-sections. Mine were necessary! My middle child was the smallest at 8lbs 12oz. My first was 9lbs 7oz. My third was 9lbs 9oz. They had formula along with breast milk in the hospital until my milk came in. I never had any issues during pregnancy. I loved having c-sections!

Bree - posted on 11/28/2009

i had the labor from hell. I was 2 weeks late, induced, in labor for 26 hours, only to get to 6 cm and have an emergency C section. The epidural didnt take, i could feel half the procedure, until i couldnt take it anymore and demanded they stop. They gave me more medication, i threw up everywhere and was sick for 2 days. My daughter was healthy as a horse, but i was very ill for awhile after wards. I wasnt able to breast feed due to how bad my body was doing following the delivery, my milk never came in. My daughter is now 14 months, has never been sick and is ahead on all milestones, so i can say, as bad as it was, she was healthy and smart. I would always suggest against c sections, they are risky, and away from epidurals, go for a spinal.

Deborah - posted on 11/28/2009

I have two boys now 4 and 21 months. My first birth was induced at 42 weeks and the pain was controlled with gas and air. There was no real break between contractions (would start, build, peak, go down and start again straight away) so every breath was gas and air. Did mean I felt no pain, but I was sick and had memory loss (was in my own little world) but I was aware enough when things were not quite right (eg babies heart beat didn't match contractions and needed monitoring and poo in the waters when they broke). Was not allowed to use the gas and air to push him out as I needed to concentrate more. All was done in 6 hours. Did have stitches (damage inside) as babies hand was up by his shoulder making that part the widest to birth. My birth plan was followed as much as possible and was avery pleasant experience. Breastfed for the first 6 weeks.
My second birth was also induced at 42 weeks (my choice as pregnancy was getting very uncomfortable and the signs indicated a larger baby). Progress was slow. My waters were broken which increased the pain tenfold. Gas and air didn't work. Contractions were the same as with my first and after about 20 hours of this I was only 5cm dilated. My husband and I had had enough. Was offered pethadine but was given to late as the remaining 5 cm dilation happened in about 1 hour the baby number two was pushed out in 9 minutes. Again his hand was by his shoulder but this time I did not need stitches. It was a releaf when it was over. Felt regret at the way this labour had gone as we did not plan on having any more. Was un-able to breastfeed as my baby couldn't suckle, another regret. On the bright side though he slept 6 + hours from 3 weeks old. My first boy was 8lb 4oz and my second boy was 8lb 13oz. It hurt my stomache to hold my second boy straight after the birth, had to rest him in my lap.
Even though the second birth did not go as I would have liked, it has not put me off having any more. The reason for not planning on having more is that I have started getting my career back on track. I would not even consider having a home birth as my experience in hospital was good and I was more relaxed knowing that if something did go wrong, special help and care was on hand, rather than a journey away.

Kris - posted on 11/28/2009

I had planned on trying to have a natural birth, but due to kidney complications the week before they ending up having to induce me, and giving me an epidural. Although in my head it was not the plan I had in my head, I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl which was most important. The only negative for me was due to being sick that last week, and being hospitalized and medicated I feel like I missed out on the thrill/anticipation of going into labor on my own. I spent that week in a hospital bed instead and before I got induced I was starting to get a little depressed. Once it was all done, she breastfed wonderfully and had been an absolute joy.

CHERYL - posted on 11/28/2009

I was lucky after losing 3 babies to have my first one. My son I lost when I was 7 months pregnant and I had to have a c'section, I was scared when I got pregnant within 3 months with my oldest one now. I didnt want another c'section. After being pregnant a few months I went into early labor with her. I was placed on bedrest until she was born. I had her natural, she got stuck on the way out and had jaundice also. I was able to breastfeed her once she got done with a bottle of water. Then I lost another one a year later, and got pregnant about 6 months later, she was born natural also. Then 3 years later I got another son again, and was done, he was born natural . I risked my life after the last 2 I had I was never to get pregnant again due to losing so many babies.. Each one I was in labor differant times. The first daughter was 5 hours long, then my second one was 2 1/2 hard labor, then my son it was 5 hours also. Each one I didnt not get anything for the pain. It was hard pain but with worth it.
My son I had back labor for about 2 hours while in the hospital. I didnt want any medication to harm my babies.
Sorry none born at home.
My oldest one was breastfeed until she was 13 months old
my next daughter was breastfeed until she was 19 monhts old
then my son was 23 months old and 24 days.
all are very healthy now, Oldest is 20, the 18, then 15.
Then I adopted my baby girl.

Jessica - posted on 11/27/2009

I never had a plan with my 1st child. I was really young at the age of 18 and I had only planned on getting the epidural. That I did. They also had to give me pitocin cause I wasn't in full labor. My doctor was going on vacation the next day and I only wanted him to deliver. When I went in I was only spotting and having maybe 3 contractions over a 30 minute time period. I asked the nurse if they would get me something so that I could sleep. I slept through all of my labor. I only remember the nurse coming in and telling me that I would be pushing soon. I was in labor for 8 hours and didn't feel anything. I was over medicated to the point where I was white as a ghost! We went home the next day.



I did want to have a natural birth with my second but, it didn't end up that way. I started having contractions around 4:30 on Dec 5th. My body was craving water so I went and ran a bath. I was in the bath for 4 hours until I couldn't stand it and my contractions were about 3-5 minutes apart. I got out and went and laid in bed, 10 minutes later I felt a gush! I got up and looked to find out that it was all blood! We headed for the hospital. I got to the hospital and they made me stand at the front desk for 25 minutes before I got a room. I stood there telling the lady everytime I gushed out blood! She went and asked all these other nurses that was just around the corner if 1 would room me and they all said that they were too busy! (They were back there laughing!) I finally got a nurse to room me and she made me WALK from the desk all the way to my room. I ended up doubling over the bedside when I got into my room. The nurse and my bf undressed me with the door wide opened! (someone saw my backend!) I was put on the monitor and they checked me and I was only dilated to a 1. (But, still loosing a lot of blood!) She called my midwife with in 10 minutes. My midwife came and she demanded I get the epidural and they started me on pitocin. ( The pads that they put underneath you.) They kept taking out into the hallway to weigh to see how much blood I was loosing. My midwife said that if I didn't deliver soon then I would have to have a c-section. They did move me to a bigger room and 10 minutes later I delivered my little girl. She did quit breathing for 9 minutes before I pushed her out. They had to get her breathing again. She was born with the diagnosis of Semi-Lobar Holoprosencephaly. She weighed 4lbs 9 oz. I got to hold her for a few seconds before they rushed her off to the nicu. I don't remember much after that cause I pasted out from all the blood loss. I had to have 2 blood transfusions cause of me hemoraging. My placenta was not in tact, it was all in pieces! It had became touch and go for me the next few hours. It had became touch and go for my baby for the next 3 weeks! ( My mom describes my delivery as "A CRIME SCENE!" I'm so greatful that we pulled it through and I have my baby home after 9 weeks in the nicu.



I'm now pregnant again and I have 2 more months left. I'm hoping that I can have a natural water birth. We will see! I have all girls, no boys.

Jennifer - posted on 11/27/2009

I gave birth to twins 9 weeks early. One was born with an apgar rating of 0. They both spent months in the hospital and one came home earlier (2 weeks) then the other. I had planned a completely natural childbirth and looked forward to it. Instead I have a "lazy uterus" and felt absolutely nothing when I went into labor at 28 weeks. I was made to stay in the hospital on complete bed rest. I was 8 cm dilated when they took the boys by c-section at 31 weeks. Up until the c-section I felt nothing. I never saw the boys when they took them away from me. (For obvious reasons.) I plan to have more children and look forward to it...Hopefully next time completely natural!

Katt - posted on 11/27/2009

With my daughter I was in labor for 7 hours (I count from when it actually started to hurt which was when my water broke). I planned on doing it all natural but ended up getting an epidural. It started out in the morning I just didn't feel well so all day I stayed in bed and watched some TV just relaxed then at about 5pm I started cramping mildly I tried going for a walk and having a hot bath to ease the pain but both just made it worse so we went to the hospital at 8pm we got there and I was 2cm and 50% effaced, since I lived 45mins from the hospital the made me walk around for 2 hours to see if I would make any more progress, after walking up and down stairs for 2 hours, they checked me and I was 2cm but 100% effaced, so they decided to keep me. At about mid night (2hours later) I was 4cm so they decided to break my water which intensified my labor tremendously, I wanted to try it with no medication but they checked me 2 hours later and no progress mainly because I would tense up and hold my breath every contraction which were 2 mins apart lasting 1 min and the nurse told me usually an epidural slows down labor but since I was tensing up she said it may speed it up so I got an epidural at 4 1/2 cm and it all went down hill from there I went from 4 1/2cm to 8cm in 2 hours then from 8cm to 10cm in 20 mins! Then I pushed for 2 1/2 hours and my baby girl was born at 9:13 am at 8lbs 5oz, very healthy. I wanted to breast feed but had problems with milk production and I didn't have a birth plan nor any problems with the birth not even any stiches :) I hope the rest of my babies go that smoothly!!

Lisa - posted on 11/27/2009

With my first daughter I was in labor for 9 hours. I had planned on doing it without drugs and wish I would have stuck to that. My water broke in the morning and I headed to the hospital. As the pain increased I didn't think I could handle it and I did not want an epideral. I had demerol (sp?) through my IV which pretty much stopped everything so they had to induce me. They gave me pitocin to start the labor up again and by that time the drugs had wore off. It was a pointless attempt to ease the pain. At that point they told me I couldn't have anything else.

With my youngest daughter, I did it completely natural....she's 4 1/2 now and I still remember the pain like it was yesterday. The first was just as painful, but I had forgotten about it by the time I had my second. I went into labor with her 7 weeks early and they were able to stop it. I was on bed rest for the next 4 weeks and 4 cm. dilated the whole time. I ended up having both of them 3 weeks early. I called the hospital that morning when I went into labor and they said not to come in until I couldn't walk or talk through my contractions....I will never listen to that again! After 2 hours of labor at home, I went to the hospital. They spent about 30-45 minutes registering me. I kept telling the nurse I was in a lot of pain. She just took her time. When she finally checked me I was 9 cm. dilated....I have never seen people move so fast in my life. They were scrambling around trying to get the room ready for a baby. I was there less then 2 hours when I had her.

I am now 10 weeks pregnant with my third....and terrified of the end of the pregnancy. I told my husband that if there are any problems at all this will def. be our last! I am psyching myself out over the labor and delivery part. If I don't stop I won't enjoy being pregnant at all, but I can't help it. It doesn't help that I feel sick ALL the time.

I hope this didn't scare you to much. Good Luck with everything!!!!!

Dezi - posted on 11/27/2009

from what i remember i had to have my arms strapped down and because i couldnt keep them down cause of the stuff they had me on and they broke my water and i passed out and when i woke up my mom had amber in her arms

Sharon - posted on 11/27/2009

I had 3 perfect births. Epidural worked great, doctors were great, nurses were great. Babies were all born healthy - except my first who had fluid in his lungs and needed to be hospitalised to avoid pneumonia.

My doctors totally respected my wishes, listened to me and returned my phone calls.

Yes I had a birthplan, yes it was followed.

My only drawback was dealing with the bitch from the la leche league breastfeeding group. She came in, manhandled my boobs, flinging them up & down and pinching me without much comment, then nastily says that breastfeeding is natural it shouldn't be an issue, and the shit went downhill from there. I tuned her out and prayed for the situation to end quickly. I never called them again. To this day I hate breastfeeding nazis.

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

I had awesome pregnancys until my 34th week with both kids. At that time I developed pre-eclamsia and was put on bedrest. With the first one I never went into labor and at 42 weeks was induced with cervadil and pitocin . A vaccum extraction was required. Had an episitomy and still tore. With my second son knowing how my body reacted,increasing blood pressure and that is appeared I was having a large baby my doctor induced me at 38 weeks. No vacumm no episiotomy and no tearing. I wanted to breastfeed but never made enough milk even with feeding constantly

Anna - posted on 11/27/2009

I wanted an all-natural water birth but ended up being induced because my water broke and almost 24 hours later contractions were still very mild and unproductive. Plus, baby's heart rate was elevated between 180-190 bpm. I ended up laboring hard and fast - dilating from 5 to 8 cm in an hour and in constant motion. I did squats during contractions for two hours and rested on the birthing ball. When I got in the tub, I was in transition and got so friggin claustrophobic I knocked the monitors off jumping out. I was on my hands and knees for the last half hour before pushing on the birthing stool. My mother was supporting my from behind and my husband assisted our midwife in delivering our daughter. He actually got to catch her after her head and shoulders came out. My mom cut her cord while I held her and my husband cradled me. From the start the pitocin to delivery, I labored for five hours with no pain relief medicine. It was the most amazing, empowering experience and even though it didn't go like I had planned, I got my beautiful daughter!

Holly - posted on 11/27/2009

Hi Jaime,
My name is Holly and I have an 18 month old son!! He's my first and only for now, I do plan on having more though because I just love big families and I love kids!! I didn't have any problems with my pregnancy I mean besides some swelling near the end and stuff. I delivered vaginally and I did have an epidural but only b/c I was kinda scared about my first baby... But I've also decided that with my next one I want to go all natural with it too. I have a friend who just had her baby recently and she went completely natural and labor and pushing i think was only a total of 3 or four hours. I have heard and seen on the birthing channels that the labor and pushing process is definitely shortened and you can do all kinds of things to relax yourself for example: a doula. They help you through natural births, someone that is there with you helping you with breathing techniques and supporting you along with your husband or whoever else you have in the room with you. I plan on finding a doula b/c I know I will need the help if i'm gonna do it natural, she can give tips to how you can be more comfortable. I think it would be great to have a home birth... the only thing that would be recommended is that you haven't had any major problems through your pregnancy and that you need about two midwives there helping you, I've definitely considered home birth too and I think it's a great idea. My labor and birth lasted for 14 hours and I had an epidural but they took it out before I started pushing so I could feel what I was doing. When he was born he had a mild case of jaundice and his blood sugar was a little low which they told me wasn't unusual in newborns but that they wanted it at a certain level by the next day!! I had already planned to breastfeed and was determined to do it despite them wanting to supplement him and I wasn't about to have that lol. so I nursed as much as I could and my mom helped too. She had a baby later in life(one of those surprises) and so I got a baby sister two years ago and my mom was breastfeeding her, she was six months old at the time when I had Roman and my mom helped by pumping and we finger fed my son with her breast milk b/c my milk hadn't come in yet i just had the colostrum. So we did that the whole day and by the next day his blood sugar was where it needed to be without any supplementing. His jaundice also went away all on it's own after a couple weeks without him having to be put under the biliruben lights which was a blessing and without any formula. I was just so determined to nurse the jaundice out lol and it worked of course it may not work all the time depending on how bad the jaundice is but I was just thankful that I didn't have to give him anything but breast milk. I did have a birth plan and it was followed... I wanted Roman in the room with me the whole time unless there was a medical emergency. He got to stay with me the whole time. The only time he had to leave the room was when they took him to be weighed and my husband went with him b/c some nurses are sneaky and will try to sneak the babies bottles any chance they get(that has happened to some people I know who were dead set on breastfeeding) and that's not right. It's your baby and you get to say what goes and the doctors work for you your paying them so it's their job to please you. I'm grateful I had a doctor who did what i said, the only thing he did do was try to plan my pregnancy and have me induced before my time but i told him no and he said ok lol. You just have to be firm sometimes with doctors b/c they will try to boss you around. It was kinda hard for me to be firm b/c I'm not a mean person and I don't like starting trouble but I thought to myself I don't want them thinking they can do whatever to MY baby I've got to stand up and be firm if they try to push me around so when I made my birth plan I made copies and each nurse got one and so did my doctor. We reviewed it and I made sure he knew what I wanted and it was followed. I'm so sorry that I wrote so much!! If you do plan on having another one I wish you the best and go for it if you want to have a home birth and go natural you're the mommy and you know what's best and you have the right to let them know what you want and they should respect you enough to follow your birth plan( a great tool to have) and I'm so glad to hear that breastfeeding went well. I encourage breastfeeding to everyone I know that is pregnant b/c it's the best for your baby and it's free lol!! Anyway I'm glad that I got to hear your story and reply back best wishes to you and your family!!

Alyssa - posted on 11/27/2009

I have had 1 homebirth and 3 hospital births...i was birth raped in the hospital so it was a very traumatizing experience and one i will never ever repeat. Homebirth is the way it should be.

Liz - posted on 11/27/2009

Congratulations to you and your family! And kudos to you for seeking out alternatives. I birthed my 2 older boys at a birth center, it was a very, very good experience, but I didn't get exactly the birth I wanted. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter I decided to go another way. My daughter was born at home in a water birth with a very skilled midwife and her apprentices and of course my supportive husband! :) I can't imagine birthing another way now, it was on our terms without intervention. The birth of my daughter was so gentle for her that she didn't even cry when she was born, just kinda looked around. My husband and I attribute much of her laid back personality on her water birth. Do your research and find a midwife that you are comfortable with and go for it! I truly believe births are not meant to happen in hospitals. Hospitals are for sick people and there is nothing sick about giving birth naturally, quite the contrary. The most empowering experience of my life! I wish more women would see the beauty and power within themselves to give birth without unneeded medical intervention.

Good luck on your quest for knowledge!

Rebecca - posted on 11/27/2009

i have two kids and one on the way due this jan. my first was a girl and being my first i didnt know what to expect but she came very quikly 4 1/2 hrs from start to finish so i had no time for epideral or pain meds of any kind. her birth was a wonderful experience no complications of any kind i named har jadyn lyne and she was 5 pounds 15 ounces she was a week early. my second child was also a girl and she came just as quik 4 1/2 hrs from start to finish all natural once again but at the end of my labour her heart rate kept droping and when i pushed her out she was blue they whisked her away and thank god she pinked up right away and started breathing. thats when everything went bad for me my uterus stoped contracting and the placented wouldnt come out so the doctor had to tug and the placenta tore. so there was placenta left in me and i was hemerging realy bad they had to go inside and scrape me clean to get it out . they had trouble stoping the bleeding and worked on me for over an hour and let me tell you all that hurt way more then the labour and birth.but we made it through and i named my girl raine victoria she was 7 pounds 5 ounces. im worried about this time around now because im anemic and my doctor told me that the chances of me hemerging and having placenta problems are high so im not sure what my plans are going to be but i wouldnt even consider having a baby anywhere but the hospital because things can go wrong so quikly. i breast fed both my daughters till they were about 14-15 mnths and i will breast feed this one aswell.

Nicole - posted on 11/27/2009

Hi, Jaime. I chose to do a homebirth with my first (and only, so far) child, and it was absolutely everything I wanted in a birth experience. We did rent a tub, and I ended up delivering in there, which was wonderful. If you are interested in homebirth, I would suggest 3 great resources: "The Business of Being Born" (a documentary on birth practices in the USA & around the world) and "Orgasmic Birth" (a documentary that chronicled 8 different births, some at home & some in the hospital). And read "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin. I don't know where you are located, but homebirth midwives are usually willing to meet with potential patients at no cost to answer any of your questions and find out some of your health history to determine if you are a good candidate for homebirth. They may also be able to refer you to natural-friendly hospitals in your area. I know in Minneapolis, there are some hospitals that have only a 13% c-section rate, offer doula services and birth tubs, while some have over 30% c-section rate and don't allow doulas, and those different philosophies make all the difference in the world for births. Feel free to contact me to talk more! I am so passionate about moms having the best birth experience possible!

Amanda - posted on 11/27/2009

With being so far away from family and my husband in the Navy and scheduled to be out to sea doing workups, I was scared that I was going to deliver my baby with just the medical personel. So I aranged to have a doula. I wasstill worried about being home alone so I called up one of my sisters and she was able to come be with me before and after my baby was born.

I ended up going a week over my due date so my hubby was able to be there for the birth of our first baby.

I was able to do just about everything that was on my birth plan. But since I was induced I was confined to the bed while trying to go natural. Here is were I am so greatful that I had arranged for a doula. She seemed to know just what I wanted there during the first stages of labor and what I needed during the finial stage. I was able to deliver naturally. It is the greatest thing in the world I think. But I did get a 3rd degree tear and since I didn't have an eidural I had to go back to the OR to get sown up, the area anaesthetic wasn't working right on me to allow them to do it in the delivery room while I held my baby.

Since I didn't have the epidural and area anaesthetic hadn't worked, in the OR the decided to give me a spinal! I was ticked! I'd gone through over 12 hours of natural labor just to have a spinal afterwords. And to make it worse before they had even fnished sowing me up I was feeling them again. Talk about pain worse than childbirth! So they put me completly under to finish the job.

But all in all I did have a great birth experance and I will still do my future ones without drugs. My next I'm hoping to not even need the pit.

Katja - posted on 11/27/2009

I too have two boys. My first pregnancy was induced and i found that it was very excausting since the contractions came right one after another. After trying to push for 2 hours we decided that i wanted help. And my son was delivered with forcepts, and we found out that he wasn't coming on his own because he had shoulder distocia. (where his shoulders got stuck). Then with my second baby we were concerned that he too might have shoulder distocia...but this delivery was completely different. I was in labor at home thinking not much of it, but my husband insisted that we go to the hopsital. And i am glad he did, because as soon as we got to the hospital my water broke and within the hour my baby was born with no complications. (and my second baby was 9lbs 6oz, 1 pound and 1 oz heavier then his older brother) So i guess from my experience i can say that you just never know and i would say that you must have an open mind to all possibilites. If you do this you can't be disappointed. Besides, the point to a birth is to have a good outcome, and how can someone be disappointed anyway when you care holding your little baby all healthy in your arms, regardless of how he or she was born:)

Belinda - posted on 11/27/2009

Thanks for asking I love sharing my birth stories!!

My first labor was pretty text book for a first labor. I had been experiencing good pre-labor for a couple of weeks (period pain/braxton hicks stuff) and finally had a show (pinkish mucous) at 3 am on a Monday morning. I was still working full-time, I am a teacher, and as I wasn't anywhere near active labor I decided to go to work. Contractions started to become present about 9am, and by 11am, I had to ask the kids to hold on a minute, while a contraction was passing, before I could answer questions. At that stage I decided to head home (about a 25 min drive) and settle in and wait for some active labor. Although, at the time, it was a week before Xmas and I had a Xmas pressie to post to my Godson. I knew if I didn't do it on the way home now, it wouldn't arrive on time. I can still remember vividly sitting in the car outside the post office, breathing through a contraction saying 'you can do it, you can do it!' Lining up was a challenge but you'll be happy to know the present arrived in time! Got home, called my sister (my birth partner) and my husband. Sis came up straight away but I told hubby to finish work as I still felt there was a long way to go. By 7pm that night contractions were cracking on pretty regular and intense. I had chosen to birth in a 'low risk' natural birth unit so when I arrived about 7pm they didn’t bother doing an examination as the philosophy is NO intervention unless other signs show a need. Laboured heavily all night, by about 3am I was getting tired and decided to have my waters broken to help things speed along. Ivy was born 7.30am on Tuesday morning, her due date, 100% drug free. She had her arm stuck up alongside her head and the cord was wrapped around her neck and arm. The midwife had to cut the cord after her head was out but before the rest of her body. I have the greatest photo (courtesy of my sis) of Ivy's head out, blood everywhere because the cord was cut, with two clamps, holding each side of the cut cord, hanging out of my nether regions!! Because Ivy was stuck there a little longer than usual, she had swallowed a bit of fluid on the way out and spent the first 24hours brining it all back up. Poor little thing. We breastfeed straightaway (and even now as she is turning two in a few weeks are continuing to breastfeed) and I required active management (Syntocinon injection) for my placenta delivery as I had lost too much blood. I had a few stitches, (Ivy was 3.4 kg’s or 7.4 lbs) nothing too bad. We went home the next morning to start our new lives together.

My second labor was completely different. I experienced so much false labor/Braxton hick’s action for 5 weeks before Donovan was born it was ridiculous. At least every second day, if not every day I would spend a few consecutive hours in what felt like ‘real’ labour only it wasn’t real because it kept stopping. Not a lot of fun with an 18 month old nipping at my heels! Finally 16 days overdue at 1 am in the morning, in bed of course, my waters broke. My doctor (our local GP who delivers at the local ‘low risk birth unit) was really great about letting me take my time and letting my body do its thing. I guess that’s why I was able to avoid being induced. At this stage I was having no contractions at all. I went to my birth unit that morning and was put on IV antibiotics (I was Group Strep B positive) which needed to be administered every 4 hours. They put me on day release which meant I could leave ensuring I was back for the four hourly antibiotic top up. By that night, after breastfeeding my 18 month old before bed, we decided to stay at the birth unit so we weren’t travelling back and forth over the night. I started to get regular, but far apart contractions by 3am, and by 9am it was looking like I was going to need some intervention. I was already tired and active labor hadn’t even really started yet. We ended up making the decision to leave our beautiful birth unit which has no facilities or drugs for any intervention and head up to the local ‘big hospital’ about a 45 minute car trip. We insisted on driving ourselves (my husband and I) as I didn’t want to get strapped into an ambulance. By the time I got to the car to head off, it was on!!! The car ride was unbelievable! Really heavy, hard contractions a few minutes apart. I arrived at the hospital at 10am and to this day, (it was only 3 and a half months ago) I can’t remember how I walked into that hospital. The midwife at the hospital insisted on monitoring my baby so within 5 minutes of arriving I was hooked up to every machine (IV fluids as well!). Just what I didn’t want. We spoke to the midwife very clearly about our thoughts and preferences in labor. She agreed that when, she could confirm that our baby was in no distress, she would unhook me, and let me do my thing. Which is exactly what happened. Four hours later Donovan was born 100% intervention and drug free. We breastfed straightaway. He fed for 50 minutes non-stop. I was dieing to get up and move around! I had suffered a third degree tear (a tear all the way from vagina to anus) and required many stitches. The patch up work was pretty unpleasant!! Donovan was 4.3kg’s or 9.9lbs. We went home four hours later!

Yep, two of the best experiences of my life. I look forward to doing it again one day hopefully  Good luck with your next labor. I hope you get what you are looking for.

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

It has been interesting to read everyones birthing experiences! I am unable to have more kids and i love my babies so much! My first daughter was just over 3 weeks overdue(she was gonna come when she was ready right!) and weighed 9lbs and i had to b induced anyways and it took 52 hours! Although i didnt want the epidural i finally gave in after 18 hours of labor and i had stitches form one end to the other! I did breastfeed for 6 months! Needless to say my body will b the same! lol My second which was a boy, was a very difficult pregnancy! He was 2 weeks overdue and i again had to b induced and weighed almost 7lbs! My labor was 21 hours! I didnt breastfeed with him cause he had no interest in it at all! My third and final was a girl and only 7 hours of labor but was about 3 weeks overdue and was 7lbs 11oz! I had back labor with all mine and ended up with epidural with all of them! My last ones heart stopped when the nurse came into check me and said i was 10cm and she called a code blue so it was very scary as they didnt tell me what was going on and i had all these people rushing in....she ended up just fine thank god! Although my experiences were not the ideal ones i wouldnt trade it for anything! None of my lbors went as i had planned them.....there r so many things that r unprodictable that a plan is just as it says "a plan" and if things dont go as u hoped its just a fact of life and as everyone knows once it is over u dont really have time to think about how u hoped it would go and u forget all about the "plan"! Good luck in making ur decision!

Fiona - posted on 11/27/2009

I had my first child just 7 weeks ago, so it's all still pretty fresh in my mind :)

I was very relaxed about a 'birth plan'. I'm so scared of needles, but I decided that if it was best for me and our baby to need an epidural or a c-section, then it would just have to be done.

My partner was very involved throughout our entire pregnancy - he attended every doctors appointment, scan, etc. So he decided that he wanted to be actively involved in the delivery if possible. We discussed it with our midwife and she agreed that if everything was okay with me and the baby, when the time came my partner would be able to 'catch' her when she came out :)

Our daughter must've been comfy in my belly because I had to be induced once we got to 10 days overdue. I had been told so many horror stories (no-one seems to tell you good experience when you are pregnant, only horrific ones!) so I was mentally prepared for the worst. It was nowhere near as bad as I was imagining! I guess we were lucky because everything went smoothly. They used progesterone gel to induce the labour - this was applied at 7am and then I was sent up to the maternity ward. By 1.30pm I was having fairly regular, mild contractions and was 4cm dialated. So they took us back down to the labour ward and monitored us for an hour or so and then broke my waters at around 3.00pm. At 3.30pm I was hooked up to the oxytocin drip (my partner says that I complained more about the needle in my hand than I did about the contractions or birth! - I hate needles lol). After the drip went in my contractions became more intense and closer together so I asked for the gas. It didn't really get rid of the pain, just kind of took my mind of it a little and made my face feel a little tingly. While I was sucking in the gas it was sort of like the room was spinning, maybe like when you're a little bit tipsy :) At 4.45pm I asked the midwife how much longer and she said that it was likely it would go on for hours and that baby wouldn't be born until the morning and she told me not to push. I said that if it was going to be hours more of the pain then I wouldn't be able to handle it. She said that they would do another internal at 5.30pm and discuss whether I needed anymore pain relief. Well, by 5.15pm I HAD to push, I couldn't just breath through it, I was trying not to, but just felt that I had no other choice but to start pushing. The midwife did another internal and I was 9cm dialated. She told me it was time to start pushing. Our daughter was born at 6.26pm - it took 3 contractions to push her head out - I was worried that it was stuck and she would never come out - it felt like such a long time! By that stage I wasn't really worried about the pain, I was just concentrating so hard on pushing! My partner was told to 'glove up' at around 6.20pm and he held her head as she slid out. We are both so happy that he was the first person to touch our daughter and that he was able to be involved in the birth. He was there with me the entire time, held my hand, brought me drinks and ice, washed my face and told me how much he loved me. :)

Once Emylee was born I was given an oxytocin injection in the leg (wasn't worried about the needle while I was holding our new baby) to help deliver the placenta. A couple of contractions later and it was out too.

Next the doctor came in (hadn't seen him at all throughout the labour and delivery), he said that I needed some stiches - ended up being 12! The gas didn't come out of my mouth during the stitching! To me that was the worst part, purely because of all the needles. 3 lots of anaesthetic 'down there' isn't pleasant!

After the stitching was over Emylee was placed on my chest for skin-to-skin contact where she found my breast and had a little feed. The midwife said she was a natural :)

Then I had a shower, they weighed and measured Emylee - 9 pounds and 20.4 inches long (4.08 kg/52 cm). Next we went up to the maternity ward and my partner and I just stared at her and hugged each other while she had a sleep.

It was really a great experience - well, as great as that much pain can be - as I said, it's still all pretty fresh in my mind! The hospital staff were fantastic and my partner was absolutely amazing! He doesn't think he really did much, but just being there was all I needed :)

We went home after a day and a half. Emylee breastfeed really well, but my nipples got cracked. I used a few different creams and the healed up after about a week. After 4 weeks my milk just dried up, I tried to express and NOTHING came out, not even a drop, so we put her on formula. She took to it really well.

Emylee is now a thriving little baby she's up to 11.75 pounds and 23.03 inches (5.33kg/58.5cm).

I know that a lot of women are upset if everything doesn't go according to plan, but I think the best thing is to just go with the flow and be relaxed about everything. As long as you have a happy and healthy baby then nothing else should matter. A few people asked me if I was upset that I couldn't breastfeed my baby anymore, but as long as she is getting the food that she needs, then it doesn't bother me. I tried to feed her and it didn't work, there is no point getting upset about it, there is nothing you can do to change it. She's healthy and it's actually much easier, because my partner can help with feeding so that I can get some extra sleep :)

Nira - posted on 11/27/2009

I had the opposite experience to yours Jamie. My first (and so far only) birth was completely natural and very fast (5 hours in total) although I was sure that I will need an epidural and it really scared me as I have a back condition which makes epidural a bit more risky for me. Both my mom and older sister have had very difficult births so I was sure I was heading towards one. I think what really helped me (besides luck) was taking a natural birth class which focused on the whole process and on knowing what each choice you and your partner make while you give birth can lead to. I was told that in most cases the first time is between 17 and 36 hours and although they fully supported natural home births they saw the epidural as a way for exhausted moms to have as close a natural birth as they can. Home births (as long as you're healthy and the pregnancy is healthy and past week 37) are a great way to give birth and as I know a few who went through it successfully I can recommend it (although I had mine in a regular hospital). They say it gets easier from one child to the next (my sister in law's second birth took 1 hour after the first took 17) but there are not guarantees. A good friend of mine had her first with an epi after 22 hours and the second natural (took only 6 hours) and she's all for an epi for the next one, so you never know... I think the most important thing is to go with the flow - accept what you get and listen to what your body needs. Our bodies are different and so are our babies and the way we experience life so why should child birth be the same? I hope for you that you get what you want – maybe third time’s a charm? Whatever happens you are right – you are lucky just the way things are! Good luck!

Julie - posted on 11/26/2009

Quoting Courtney:

I have a friend who had a home birth and it went exactly as she wanted- except for the 36 hours of labor. She did a water birth with a doula and everything went great. As you already know, things don't always go as planned- especially with labor! You have to be ready to change your plans for your helath and the health of the baby when necessary. I've seen hings where the couple really wanted a natural delivery but the baby's heart rate was decelling and the mother was doing poorly. The drs. had to do an emergency c-section and the couple said it was the worst thing they could imagine. That's a little riddiculous. the worst thing would be a dead baby. The cord ended up being triple wrapped around the neck. No way was that baby coming out vaginally. I had twins at 27 weeks via c-ection and was in denial that my planned delivery wasn't happening pretty much until they took the babies out. We're mothers. We dowhat we have to do for our kids. If you can do a home birth, great. but don't beat yourself up if you can't for some reason. good luck!

I have 2 friends who've done home births. One had great experiences and the other one always had complications and wound up being rushed by ambulance to the hospital leaving baby at home to be cared for by her mother-in-law. I was always to scared to ever consider that option, but get referrals for a really good midwife and see if you're a candidate and learn all you can before you decide.

Julie - posted on 11/26/2009

Quoting Kimberly:

i have four children and all of them were natural births as in NO DRUGS! honestly it wasnt that bad of course all types of births come with risks so i suggest doing your homework and here is a good place to start. good luck

My hat's off to you. I had 2 of my 6 natural, not by choice. When contractions are so strong you're vomiting on yourself that was too much for me.