Question for new mums

Was the birth of your first child as bad as you expected it to be??? Whether you had a c-section or a VBAC.

Just thought I'd see what you all thought in hindsight. It's so hard to know when it's your first time how things will go - so was it better or worse than you thought it'd be?

I know some joked (in the August thread anyway) that you'd just cough & bub would pop out! Yes they did have a funny sense of humour.

My first experience was worse than I thought it would be. Rico was sitting positerior & after an hour of pushing he wasn't coming, so ended up with a forcep delivery after they turned him.

I remember thinking in ante-natal classes that I wouldn't need any of "that pain relief stuff". Well I tried it all!! Gas wasn't good, pethidene - CRAP! So epidural it was, & OMG greatest thing invented!

I'm nosey too

My first birth was far worse than I thought it would be. I thought I'd go into labour, it would hurt but I'd be able to go into the bath and still maintain 'control' of the pain. And then the baby would be born! Unfortunately I only got to the in the bath stage and then my waters broke, I started haemorraging (the placenta pulled away), I entered transition, and I got really scared. I was so relieved when I had the epidural and then it was all over (c/s) but it took me quite a bit to recover, especially cause of the blood loss.

So baby #2 comes around and I try for VBAC. Was in early labour for over a day (posterior baby) and pushing seemed to take forever and wasn't comfy even with the epi lol. And I needed an episiotomy.

Baby #3 comes around and I prepare myself for a birth and labour like #2 but actually, it went far, far better. Finally a birth that went better than I expected!

When Sam turned breech and I knew I was going to have a c/s, I made sure I was fully informed and went in knowing exactly what was going to happen but trying to keep in mind that it sometimes doesn't happen the way we plan it. It went really well, my recovery was alright except for excessive bleeding, then vommiting after my surgery which was probably the worst pain of my entire life and I was convinced that my stitches had ripped open. (after much convincing, I could safely see that they were infact fine!)

But before Sam turned breech I was absolutely dreading giving birth naturally.

I thought Jacks labour was pretty well although it took about 6 hours to get from 9cm to 10 cm but I'm glad i was allowed to do it on my own without intervention. I was really proud of myself for managing such a long labour with only gas

Capreces was a lot faster and straight forward but way more intense and I feel kinda disappointed in myself cos I really wanted to go no drugs but asked for gas. As far as babies falling out tho Caprece nearly did it was only 6 mins of pushing

My waters broke a month too early so I gave birth way before I expected to. And it went better than I had thought - I was ready to take drugs and have c/s if needed but managed OK on gas and it was vb. I'm hoping the next one will be even better

Well Andrew was kinda what I wanted - at the antenatal class we were asked to describe our ideal birth - mine was fast (about 5 hours) no issues and no problems and no pain relief. I kinda got it apart from the no issues (I had pre eclampsia), and it was 4 hours long start to finish (once it started). Josh I was expecting the same (as it was an induction again) but it was a little different and I was a little disapointed.

Im preparing for the worst! lol

I had planned a lovely homebirth for our first haha how wrong i was!!

Annoying midwife who at 10 days overdue after a NST at the hospital said we have to get the OB to book you in to be induced, because baby still isnt engaged there is a high chance of an emergency c/s. I refused i didnt want it and she basically told me i had no choice about it. Well waters got broken, epidural in and laboured on my back, posterior baby and she got distressed then c/s. It was an ok recovery i hated the hospital and was glad when home, then my milk didnt come in and DD screamed constantly for 3wks until she was put on formula.

#2 born 13mths later, long labour which consisted of constant monitoring (and internal monitoring) because of previous c/s. Wanted so badly to get in the pool wasnt allowed. Baby posterior, stalled at 5cms for 6hrs got the epidural at 3pm and was going to having another c/s at 5pm, i had to wait because baby wasnt distressed and there was heaps of ladies waiting to have c/s. Got to the operating theate and OB checked me i was progressing so they all left me to it and had dinner, epidural wore off i went into transition and it was agony as they wouldnt let me stand to push. 2nd degree tear and episitomy and 9lbs baby!

#3 changed midwife, 18 days overdue, 7hr labour at home in a birth pool with only doppler used for monitoring, born on our bed, easy as!

Wow that was long sorry

Edited by fadeless

Italiah wrote: I know some joked (in the August thread anyway) that you'd just cough & bub would pop out! Yes they did have a funny sense of humour.

my mum has always told me "there's nothing to it, a cough, grunt and a fart and it's all over!"

Well not a new mommy anymore. But will still tell you my story. (suppose to be studying for that learners drivers test to get my NZ one. )

I wanted a natural waterbirth but got scared during the pregnancy. So wanted an elective cecear which my gynae didnt wanted for us. She didnt even talk about it and said only when she deems it neccesary will we talk about it. So yeah. I thought it might be painfull and I will be tired afterwards but it cant be that bad otherwise you will only see moms go through this once.

I did ended up having a cecear due to all kinds of other circumstances. I was so scared of having draining pipes ect which I never had. I am getting scared for the next one hearing people getting staples and stitches as I didnt have any of that.

I really wasnt in much pain afterwards. My back was sore from the failed spinal attempts and that was all. My FIL didnt believe anyone that I had a cecear as I was walking quite well the next day. He didnt even believe that I given birth at all.