What was the worst part of Labor and Delivery??

Michelle - posted on 04/16/2010

oh baby. please don't worry about the pain. it hurts. breath. breath

Candice - posted on 04/16/2010

Labour was easy. I was drug free for about 12 hrs and then I had to go for an emergency c-section (the cord was wrapped around her and her heart rate dropped). That was the worst part. They had to get me to hold still long enough to give me an epidural and then they had to wait for me to be frozen enough to do a c-section. By the time all the freezing finally kicked in I was in recovery frozen up to my eyeballs unable to feel my hands to hold my baby. Basically the c-section was the worst part! I still maintain that if they had given me another hour I would have pushed that baby out naturally but it is the Canadian way to go for a c-section.

Kate CP - posted on 04/16/2010

Thank you ladies for all your help and insight!

Tiffany, please let us know how everything goes. I know we're all wishing you the best of luck with a happy, healthy (easy) birth.



Kate Capehart

CoM Moderator

Carrie - posted on 04/16/2010

my lil boy is 2 now but i had really bad back labor for about 5 hours and then i got the epidural...i fell asleep about 30 minutes after i got it...i slept for 2 hours then the doc woke me up and checked me and said i was ready to push...i pushed him out within 10 min...the worst part of the whole thing for me was probably getting the epidural itself..it hurt but my nurse was very helpful in distracting me and stuff...they got it on the 3rd try but it was worth it...i didnt even feel pressure while pushing...i couldnt feel anything..they had to tell me when i was having a contraction...but i wish u all the luck in the world and congratulations on the lil one

Megan - posted on 04/16/2010

recovery.

Brandi - posted on 04/16/2010

Personaly, i think the worst thing about it all was the stories everyone told about their horrible experiences. It will hurt, but I can tell you that as a mom of 2 who had an epidural the first time and not the second time, the epidural did its job. The second time hurt a lot, I'm not going to lie. She was in too big a hurry to get here that there wasn't time. Just relax and focus on your new baby and you'll forget about everything else. I hope this helps.

Robin - posted on 04/16/2010

May I suggest you watch The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake.

Tension makes all of labor more difficult, find things that relax you. Water, music, massaging, talking... Your attitude about birthing will be your greatest asset and fear your greatest liability. There are actually some birthing videos on youtube a number of water births too.

Every person is different but inducing labor is one of the worst things OB's can do to you, it forces your body to go into labor even if your body and baby are not ready. Remember always you can say NO.

Giving birth is such a natural beautiful process, your body was created to birth babies, don't let anyone steal that from you.

I have had two babies both born at home, first when I was 25 (8 hours of labor) and the second at 40 he took a little longer because his shoulders were stuck.

Don't wait to research and calm yourself because that baby could come any day now.

Deanna - posted on 04/16/2010

hmmm well. My answer is probably very unusual...but the worst part for me was the fact that I missed it all! I had a situation develop and before labour started ended up under a general anesthetic having my daughter by c-section. everyone tells me I didn't miss anything, but I will always wonder what it would have been like...

Laura - posted on 04/16/2010

I was in labor for 38 hours (with my first child) ... and only took the epidural after about 30 hours had passed. The pain was not that bad, I just was worn out by that point - and the epidural allowed me to sleep and relax a little bit. The nurse woke me up when I was almost fully dilated and ready to push, and the baby arrived about 45 minutes later with no problems :-) I have to say, though, that the point at which the head crowns (and stretches everything to the max) was the most excruciating thing I have ever felt - even with the epidural! But it was over in about 2 seconds, so not a big deal at all ...

Laura - posted on 04/16/2010

I didn't use any pain killers and for me the contractions were the most painful; but as soon as they got to where I didn't think I could handle it if it got any worse, it never got worse - that was it. Delivery was freaky because it feels like you have to poo all of a sudden (I'm betting that's what your friend is talking about with her butt) and I didn't realize what was going on because she came so fast I didn't realize that she was on her way already. Anyways, delivery was easy because my little girl was pushing herself out. I only had to push her head and then she came out on her own. I was having some placenta and water issues and I don't think it was a very good environment for her anymore and she wanted OUT.



Just remember that your body is meant for giving birth and you can do it! :)

Shannon - posted on 04/16/2010

First of all you need to have confidence in yourself! Going into it w/ my first I thought I would rely on my husband's support more. But when it came down to it, it was something only I could control. Very much a mental state of mind. Both of my boys were delivered naturally @ a birth center. The 1st was born in the water, a great experience. The 2nd there just wasn't enough time, in fact the midwifes thought I wasn't in hard labor because I was to calm. I was a pro by the 2nd child. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I was medicated, it helped to feel what I needed to do.....The worst part for me (which wasn't really that bad) was pushing w/ my first. I pushed for 2.5 hours, at least 30 min. in which he was crowning. As hard as it is you need to not tense up and just go w/ what our amazing bodies can do!

Fear of the unknown is very scary. Good luck, you will be amazing!

Kellie - posted on 04/16/2010

Why do we all need so much intervention? My labour was the worst and the push was much better. Nitrous oxide.

Michelle - posted on 04/16/2010

Each of my kids kept getting bigger. 1st kid was 6lbs 3 3/4oz --2nd kid was 7lb 13oz--3rd kid was 8lb 2oz, which I spent most of my pregnancy in bed with. All 3 were healthy when they were born.

Alexis - posted on 04/16/2010

i had a reaction to my epidural,my heart rate and oxygen level dropped dangerously low,to the point i was in and out of it for a while,my unborn sons heart rate also dropped and set off alarms in my room,they gave me oxygen and after like an hour or 2 i was ok,till i had to start pushing,i had to put the oxygen mask back on because i coulndt breathe on my pushes,my chest felt like it was caving in,despite all this if i were to have another baby i would do the epidural all over again.to heck with the pain of natural labor

Michelle - posted on 04/16/2010

For em the worst part of Labour was when my cervix swelled up and I was told not to push even though my little boy was keen to make his way, I found it impossible to stop so I had an epi too and I was so glad, it worked wonders for me as I still felt the contractions without pain and the urge to push. I was in labour for about 30hrs and only had to push for about an hour......it is amazing what your body can do:)

Erica - posted on 04/16/2010

The worst part is realizing. . . it's not up to you! Your body takes over and does what it needs to do. I had hard and fast labors and didn't have the option to have any drugs (for two pregnancies!) When the baby is in your arms, it's all worth it. Realizing you can't plan is tough, but trust yourself, your body and the staff. Pain is temporary and I was amazed at the healing process.

Valery - posted on 04/16/2010

The contractions were the worst part. I got an epidural and it made everything much better and more relaxing. I walked a lot when i was pregnant so it helped me a lot in delivering my baby. Only 10 hours in labor. Piece of cake. Nothing to worry about. I think that the hardest part was when i was sore and with stitches down there. =/ but giving birth was nothing to me. =) just walk a lot.

Jill - posted on 04/16/2010

Breathe through the pain and know that every woman thoughout history has done this - so can you. With every contraction you come closer to meeting your baby. I just said that over and over through the contractions and my husband told me that each one was "the last one." You can do it!

Jessica - posted on 04/16/2010

my first was induced bt it was longer took 7 hrs gas didnt do anything for me just made me sleepy just had my second in january and she was natural tho because i was induced the first time i wasnt sure what to xpect and wasnt sure if i was in labour but when my waters broke i knew and took me an hour and half gave birth standing up was soo much easier and comfortable tho i didnt have time for painkillrers cos by the time i got to the hospital i was already 9cm dilated but the pain was alot more intense then the first one but at least it was over quickly you just don't kno wich way it will go good lucknand it is all worth it in the end i wouldnt change anything with my 2 angels.

Sally - posted on 04/16/2010

I had 4 deliveries and each was different. Don't worry so much about the worst, it will soon be over and you'll be surprised how fast you'll forget it. Concentrate on your breathing,, it makes a world of difference. The worst for me was having a miscarriage. I knew for a few months that the fetus had died but it took forever to miscarry. Going through all that pain and having nothing to show for it really hurt. That was the worst for me.

Teresa - posted on 04/16/2010

The WORST part of the labor and delivery was the delivery nurse NOT believing me when I told her that I had the urge to push.



The story--

My water broke at ten after four in the morning and my husband and I arrived at the hospital at around five in the morning. When they checked my cervix in triage I was a five, and right before we walked over to delivery I was at a six. While walking from triage to delivery I had this HUGE contraction. No nurse or dr checked my cervix when I arrived at delivery. After about a half hour in delivery I told the nurse that I had the urge to push. She told me that it was too soon to push and that I hadn't dilated far enough, even though she didn't check me then. A half hour after I told her I had the urge to push my body began pushing my son out ALL by ITSELF. I had my husband get the nurse, and I told her that I WAS pushing. She proceeded to tell me not to push because pushing would swell my cervix (and again she did NOT check my cervix). I finally decided to try and get into a crouching position on the bed, and the nurse and my husband pulled me down on the bed which caused me to be diagonal on the bed with my feet hanging off, and this is when the nurse decided to check my cervix. My son had ALREADY crowned. The nurse not listening to me and not checking my cervix was the worst part for me because it caused my personal dr to almost NOT make it. Had I not told the nurse and the nurse told the dr on my dr's residency team that I had the urge to push, (the dr kept mine updated with anything I said or did) my dr would not have made it at all.



I did this with NO medication and NO epidural. The pain was minimal for me because I was able to do the Bradley Method successfully. I have three children and can attest to the fact that medication plays a part in the difficulties many women have with their babies after they're born as well as postpartum depression and slower healing time. My first child I had both pain meds and an epidural and he ended up with jaundice so high he almost had to have a surgery. My daughter I had with just an epidural and she was on the verge of jaundicing, but my last child (which I had just under nine weeks ago) is the picture of health. With my first two I suffered postpartum depression and took a long time to heal, but this last one I had the baby blues for no more than a week and I was up and walking around within a couple hours of having him.



That's just my experience. My only advice for you is to just remain calm and relaxed. The deeper you relax and concentrate on getting through the contractions, the less pain you will be in.

Mary - posted on 04/16/2010

why worry about the worst part? I had totally pain free un-medicated deliveries... 3 of them! The more you worry and obsess the worse it will go because you will tense up. Relax... women have been doing this for thousands of years...



But if you really wanna know what the worst was.... not knowing that my legs were gonna shake uncontrollably after giving birth or the overwhelming hunger after giving birth.... one of those two.

Kimrose - posted on 04/16/2010

Please, please - if you haven't already done so, watch "The Business of Being Born" - especially if you're not the type to read or research extensively on your own. The very important truth in my opinion is that you should absolutely have done your research and know what your "ideal birth" would be and really shoot for that!! Knowing that in truth it can all change in minutes. That's no reason not to plan or hope - most births are not - or do not have to be - complicated. Don't be scared -I know, I know - truth is EVERYONE must be scared at some point simply b/c it's BIG and unknown - only natural. YOU ARE STRONG AND YOUR BODY WAS MADE TO GIVE BIRTH. Barring something that you can't control (breech position, etc.), you CAN DO IT! Good luck to you and welcome to Mommy-hood :)

Amy - posted on 04/16/2010

Jennifer Weston had a very good perspective...

Heather - posted on 04/16/2010

I was planning to have my baby completely natural and made it through 2 days of "pre-labor" and 24 hours of horrible back labor until I was up to 9cm, then they told me they would have to flip my baby around so he was face down. I opted for the epidural when I found out the doctor was going to be up to his wrist. Most excruciating pain I've ever felt, even more so than my most intense contractions with back labor. But even that seems like nothing when considering the reward. I would definitely do it all over again. :) And remember that when it is done, it is done. You'll forget the pain the moment you see your little one.

Amy - posted on 04/16/2010

I have 2 children. Both no meds, and both under 9 hrs. I've always thought getting a shot while having contractions sounded more difficult than having the pain...although if I had labor for over 10 hrs. I would HIGHLY recommend an epidural. I've seen a friend get one, and it hurt her but was a godsend for her.



1) be open to what might happen in your delivery (literally and figuratively)...don't be stuck on a birth plan

2) 3 R's!!! Rest, Relaxation, and RYTHM!!! My nurse told me that for my 2nd child, and it is seriously true. Rest between contractions as much as you can, try to relax your body, and you MUST get into a rythm to get through the contractions. It's not called labor for nothing!

Kimberly - posted on 04/16/2010

I had my first baby 8 months ago. I ended up having to have a c-section because i had pregnancy induced hypertension, etc so my blood pressure was very high. I was in active labor for about 2-3 days- but it was NOT as bad as I thought it was going to be. Really! I was able to stay pretty relaxed and focused so I could ride out the contractions without becoming overwhelmed. I think the key is to try to stay relaxed and go with the flow. Your body will know what to do- just follow the lead. I was afraid too but I found that I felt very strong and empowered after having my son. I was actually disappointed when the doctors said I needed to have a c-section because I was feeling so good about handling labor. However, I wanted to do what was best for me and the baby so I didn't dwell on it at all. I'm sure you'll be surprised at how well you do. Congrats!!!

Catherine - posted on 04/16/2010

Labor is hard. But, the worst part of it is anticipating and fearing what might happen. This is one of the few times in your life that the more you can let go and "let it happen" the quicker and easier your labor can go. There are no guarantees, but if you can get to a place where you are not afraid it can go smoother. Don't fight it. You know you can do this. You have prepared, you have waited for this for 9 months. You have supportive people around you to help. It will be hard but you can make it through. You will meet this incredible little baby and your life change forever.



My wish for women is that we can begin to believe in our own strength again. We were made to give birth. We can do it.

Dawn - posted on 04/16/2010

The worst part of my 1st son's labor was the fact that he was breech, water broke days before hand, came out doing the splits and oh yeah, knew for 24 hours that he had already died.

With Ezekiel, the worst part was the fact that I was in Indianapolis, an hour away from anyone, when they told me that they were going to go ahead and take him 16 weeks early and I had a matter of minutes before I would go for my c-section. I had to do it by myself. I was also dying so it was hard to think straight.

Lynette - posted on 04/16/2010

had an EPI with both of my first 2 children but w/ my 3rd I went all natural, I loved it!!!! I did hypnobabies for pain management and had a waterbirth for my 3rd.

Terry - posted on 04/16/2010

GO FOR THE EPIDURAL!!!! It helps the pain of contractions and calms you down so you can concentrate on breathing and pushing when it comes to that! i had horrible hemmorroids so that was the worst part. All the pushing makes them worse and after the baby, it was , to be really honest, worse than labor. Just know that alot of ice and sitz baths... warm water to the anal area... helped and within a week after birth it was livable. No matter how hard it is, know that your body will heal. I was told by my doctor delivering my second child that he thought my hemmoroids were bigger than my baby! When I looked in the mirror when pushing, I saw he was right! Now 14, when I look at my beautiful daughter, I can only laugh at this statement. Everything will be ok if you focus on the fact that women have been doing this since the beginning of time and we are in such a wonderful century to be having children... there is little that they can't deal with!! Best of luck and just let nature take over... you will experience a moment of a lifetime when you finally meet that little one that has been growing inside you for 9 months!

Jennifer - posted on 04/16/2010

my first & only baby was 9lbs and i was105lbs before being pregnant- so i think the bigger the baby the harder the delivery can be-especially if you are small ~i had third degree tears all the way to the cervix and still a forcepts delivery- but i got that epidural at 4 cm dilation!- i had no trouble getting the epidural it didn't hurt-just felt like a thump-and it took ALL sensation away period- i didn't even know if i was pushing or not-when they told me to push! it was great. i wouldn't want to feel when my tail bone broke and the doctor had to reach in and pull out the placenta to stop the hemoraging! whew! After delivery i felt fine, but had to have a catheter for a day. I was so jealous of my sister who is small too and her first baby was only 5 lbs and she was up walking around like 30 minutes after delivery!! "Piece of cake" she said! grrrrr!

Dalila - posted on 04/16/2010

my worst part was pushing a 8lbs 9oz baby naturally

Kelly - posted on 04/16/2010

I honestly felt NOTHING; I was 6 weeks premature, they induced contractions and I didn't like that, I asked for Tylenol, they giggled and gave me the epidural, may I say WONDERFUL? 16 hours in labor later I was dialated to 9.75cm, 3 pushes later my son was out. It wasn't too bad.

Ashley - posted on 04/16/2010

i would have too say in my case gettin the epidural was the worst ever it hurt so bad nothing else really bothered me but everyone is different

Michelle - posted on 04/16/2010

I have had 3 kids all natural. NO drug, no epidural. My water had to be broke on all 3. Relax, breath, focus and listen to the doc. Screaming won't help. Labor pains do hurt but no as bad as gettting the baby out. As least I don't think so. My daughter just had her first baby and I was there. She did great and no epidural. My grandson was even stuck. The worst is what you make of it. Everyone is different. Congrat and best wishes.

Jennifer - posted on 04/16/2010

Hi Tiffany! First of all let me say congratulations. Second, let me say your not alone. I am a childbirth educator and doula and your nervousness is so perfectly normal for a first time mom. Next let me say that i feel a great deal of sadness that it seems that many of the people who are trying to help with their comments are saying that getting rid of pain is the most important thing. Let me challange your thinking and say that the most important thing, (besides safe mom, safe baby- That's a given!) is being able to know that you made fully informed decisions that you feel good about. I think the worst thing I hear after a birth is often "I wish I would've known.. I would've done it differently." Before you jump on the epidural ASAP train, take the time to understand the risks. Yes, there ARE risks. Epidurals do a great job or reducing pain, most of the time, but they also can stall labor, causing you to need more interventions, like pitocin, or an assisted delivery (forcepts or vaccume extraction). Because you will not be able to feel, you will be cutting off communication with your baby. Pain, although not fun, is the way your baby communicates with you during labor. If something is hurting your right hip, for example, you will move and rock and shift to make it better, and doing that helps your baby wiggle down. Contractions hurt. They do, but they will not kill you, and I promise, c-section recovery is much much worse. Having an epidural increases the chance of you having a c-section. If you have an Epidural you have to realize that it means that you will be hooked up to at least 6 other things. You will need a foley catheter (one that stays in place) or need to be cathiterized every 1-2 hours. You will have to have an IV. Epidurals cause a drop in your blood pressure. so you will need IV fluids. You will need to be on constant fetal monitoring, and have a blood pressure cuff that will go off every 15 minutes. You will need to be on a heart monitor as well.

I am NOT saying these things to scare you. I am saying these things because i believe in the power of FULLY INFORMED DECISION MAKING! If you go into it knowing the risks, and weighing them against what you want, and make the decision to get the Epidural, then good for youl You will be making an empowered choice. But please, please take the time to really learn about this stuff before you blindly follow Doctors orders or let fear make decisions for you. Tiffany, this is one of the first trials of motherhood you will go through. Go through it from a place of knolege and power, and not of fear. Focus on the POSITIVE. I dare you to ask the question "What was the BEST part about bringing your baby into the world and meeting him/her for the first time?" Then soak in those responces. You can do this. This amazing, powerful, miraculous, challenging, primal and life/mind/heart altering thing. You can do this, beautifully and with great strength. Blessings! Jennifer

PS For really really good EVIDENCE based research, go to www.childbirthconnection.com They are a terrific website and you can look things up by topic or by trimester.

Crystal - posted on 04/16/2010

I've had 2 kids, both boys. My labor was not normal. I delivered both boys naturally, but my contractions were NOT symmetrical. I had to rely on my husband to let me know when the contractions would start due to the monitor showing it spiking or not. Also, my contractions went way off the chart. I had troubles with my uterus not dilating properly so I was not able to get the epidural either time. The first child took 12 hours with 2 hours of pushing. The second child took 18 hours with only 2 pushes! Both turned out fine and now the oldest will be 12 next month and the youngest just turned 9 last month... God's blessings!

Chas - posted on 04/16/2010

the pain,from the contractions was alwfal!!!

Katie - posted on 04/16/2010

I had my first 9 months ago.. and the pressure was very intense.. but I had a great support team, my husband and his mom and my mom kept me distracted with Hot, then cold washcloths on my head, arms, legs.. The nurse's knew just how to keep me sane.

The one thing that was my saving grace was a friend of mine said to me "Your body is a machine, it knows how to do this.. it will make it happen, go for the ride, but hang on tight.

I also watched a Documentary on birth called "The Business of being born" it is amazing and it allowed me to go into more informed.. and I tell you what.. knowledge is power in this instance. Good luck, have fun and give that baby kisses.. just think of kissing a sweet little nose.. that helped keep me sane too!!

Ria - posted on 04/16/2010

I thought the worst part was having an IV in my hand. I couldn't even look at the plastic tube sticking into my hand bone. I'm getting induced on monday and that is my biggest concern right now.. pretty strange!

Stacey - posted on 04/16/2010

Well, I had a natural birth(mostly natural, at 7cm I used the IV drug, Nubain, it didn't take away the pain, just took away the panic and helped me relax. I think I'll try to go completely natural next time. Anyway, if you are using an epidural, I don't have much advice except that you'll feel like you don't know what's going on and will need everyone around you to tell you what to do, push, etc, because from what I've heard, epidurals make it so you can't really feel much of what's going on, but it's different for every woman. I gotta say, as unfortunate as it was to have to feel pain, I think I'd rather feel the pain than not feel anything at all until afterwards. After my my baby's birth, I felt tired and a little sore from the stitches I needed for the tearing, otherwise I felt great! By day 5 my stitches pain was gone and I was back to normal, except the bleeding! I also loved that my risk of a cesarean was way low without all of the hospital interventions. My birth was a lot different than a hospital birth though. I had mine in a birthing center, not a hospital. I wish you luck, and just remember, no matter how much you prepare for birth, it's like nothing you've ever experienced, so just relax and trust that your body is going to do what it was made to do!

De Lyn - posted on 04/16/2010

The waiting is the worst. The pushing and feeling like you're accomplishing nothing is frustrating. But then you hear that cry, you see the face, you snuggle that little body...and you forget it mostly because it was all worth it.



You have to convince yourself to stop worrying about it. Think about how many women have been through it and have survived. Keep telling yourself how it will be over soon with a wonderful reward at the end. There is truly a miracle awaiting your participation. :-)

Marianne - posted on 04/16/2010

Anticipation is the worst part because when you're already on it all you think about is to do the right job on delivering the baby so everything will be okay. I had an induced labor when i had my first baby and i was on it for 13 hours only to end up having a cesarean section. Anyway while I was in the labor all I can think of was that tomorrow this will be over and the pain history. Which of course was true! You can do it Tiffany. Think about it as the most miraculous thing that can ever happen to you.
And here's something I want to share with you. On Monday (day after tomorrow) I'm gonna have my 2nd child thru CS. I still have this anxiety but I know I'm gonna be okay.
So good luck to both of us. =)

Amanda - posted on 04/16/2010

Get an epidural, like you said. The worst part, is what you are experiencing now, the unknown. I've had two children, and each labor and delivery was very different. Make sure that you have called and checked at the hospital that you are at, to make sure that they have all of your records ready to go, so that when you do want an epideral, they will give you one because they have you on file. Even though there is pain, it's not enough to say that you wouldn't do it again. It's all very exciting and the excitment far out measures any discomfort or pain that you will have. Thank goodness for the doctors and nurses that will help you through the entire process...they will keep your breathing on track while you are pushing, which will keep your mind off the pain and on to your real job, pushing out a beautiful baby. Take care and enjoy...

Jonna - posted on 04/16/2010

I was like that too. The worst part, honestly, is the worrying. I watched TLC's "A Baby Story" all the time trying to get an idea of what it would be like because I was so focused on the birth. Now I know every birth is different and there is just no way to predict how it will be for you. Now to honestly answer your question, the worst pain for me was the "ring of fire" trying to get the head out. I was afraid to push because it made it hurt more. Now, I wish I would have just pushed harder to get it over with because I ripped anyway. I had an epidural, but it didn't work. Best advice that worked for me was, try to think of it as "productive pain." It hurts a lot, and you have to work for it, but you know you are going get something great in the end. If you are hurting, ask the nurses/doctor how the baby is doing. As long as the baby is doing good, you know it's just "productive pain" and you are getting closer and closer too delivering and the pain being over. The birth itself is so insignificant compared to everything that happens afterward when you bond with your precious baby. Oh, I forgot, trying to the placenta out was bad too. Again, I think I held back on pushing so then the doctor had to go in and get it. Very uncomfortable. Push with all your might so you don't have to go through that. Good luck.

Charlie - posted on 04/16/2010

Try not to focus on the negatives , you will only make it worse for yourself , YES giving birth is painful but i guarantee it will be the quickest forgotten pain you will ever experience with the best outcome EVER !

Good luck with it .

Jocelyn - posted on 04/16/2010

I just had my first baby 7.5 months ago. She was 5 weeks early. I woke-up one morning to a small gush of water. I thought I had just peed my pains. I was wrong. I got to the hospital 2 hours after the fact. Not thinking it was my water that broke, I decided to skip breakfast. Once I arrived at the hospital, mind you staving from not eating since 9 the night before and without my husband there, the nurse told me that my water had broken and that my little girl would be here within 24 hours. I then asked if I could call my husband and have him bring me something to eat, since I was starving. She said no, that I was not allowed to eat until the baby was born. This was for me the worst part of the labor and delivery. They started to induce me and after being in the hospital for only 3 hours, I was given the epidural even thought I was barely 1 cm. I asked if this was okay to do, because I had heard that you had to be 3 to 4 cm before getting one. The nurse said that they knew the baby would be born within 24 hours that it was ok. I only felt about 30 minutes to an hour of contractions, and they were pretty mild. Not very painful at all. Around 10pm, over 25 hours without food, I began to start to throw-up from being so hungry. This was the second worst part for me. Finally after 17 hours of labor, which I did not really feel at all, my little girl was born. I did not feel a thing. I remember begging the nurses during labor to give me a little food. They said no and that when my daughter was born that it would be the last thing on my mind. Boy were they wrong. Once my daughter was taken to the NICU, only 10 minutes after her birth, the first thing out of my mouth was feed me!!



So my advice to you is don't go to the hospital on an empty stomach. It will be your biggest mistake, trust me!

Lisa - posted on 04/16/2010

yeah i had back labour with my second child it was painful but it was worth it but on the second hand i wouldn,t want any more thank u lisa wyant

K Nelson - posted on 04/16/2010

for me it was waiting for it to get over with and i got to hold my babies. I had a epidural with the first and the second iw as crazy enough to try natural no med. If there had been a third i would have been numb