Previous Labor and Delivery Experience

[Paulett]

All this talk about labor buddys got me thinking about other people's experiences. I was wondering if some of you moms could share what you've gone through for us FTMs.

How long was your labor? How much of that period was hard labor? What was the pain like (I know subjective)? Did you take childbirth classes and did they help? Anything else that would be insightful.

[HisWifeHerMom]

I was in labor for 3 days before the hospital considered me in "active labor" labor once they broke my water (contractions seemed to get harder and more intense) was a breeze it lasted about 8 hours after that, the worst part was not pushing while they suction out the mouth and in my case Katrina had her cord around her neck which they have to remove...mind you they are no hurry... After the head, shoulders honestly was EASY....Labor is different for everyone and it depends on your pain tolerance... I loved the birthing ball and hot showers.

[CamaLamaMama]

My labor was only 12 hours from start to finish. I was in hard labor for like 15 minutes. I only pushed 3 times. Once to ten, then I got to 5 and they told me to stop they needed the doctor and the last time at three I was done. The dr said he hadn't ever had someone push so little. I don't know how to explain the pain, it felt hot to me. I had an epidural about 45 minutes before my daughter was born. I never took a class or read about labor. I went in blind.

It has been almost 6 years now. I think my memory of the pain had dissipated. I am looking at a Feb birth, ill get back to you then.

Not much help! Sorry!

[Paulett]

Thank you for sharing. It helps to know what others go through.

[Brittany_Dawn]

well, since you're a first timer I will share my first labor because the second was way different and much easier. I do natural labor and birthing. We watched the Shari Bayles movie around 35weeks along to prepare. That helped me control my breathing and focus. I cried a lot. I didn't care, it hurt and it felt better to release the energy that way. I have major back labor and vaginal/rectal pressure. I refuse to lay on my back for labor except for brief moments of monitoring baby's HB. I am on my feet or knees or squatting, anything to keep the gravity helping (something I learned after Tristan, so try to voice what you want!). I was in Labor with Tristan for 19 hours. Because I was a first timer about 6 hours in I went into L&D. They checked me. I was a two. They monitored the baby for 30 mins and I was so miserable laying on my back that I requested to go home. They let me. I went back in to L&D 14 hours into my labor....I really didn't think I could last any longer. They told me I was still a 2!!!!! That was it for me. I broke down into hysterics but Shaun talked me out of them and kept me on my Natural goal (I wasn't happy with my nursing staff because kept forcing me to lie flat on my back) . The rest went by fast but I contribute all the lying on my back to the length of pushing which was an hour.

Everyone's Labor is different, even your next labor will be somewhat different from your first. This is just my experience. Hope this helps.

[GrowinSchuhs]

My labor with DD was fast! I was going on 5 days past my due date so we set an induction date for my 41st wk. I was scheduled to be in at either 6 or 7am and ended up goin in at 2:45am. They broke my water at 8 am and had my epi by noon. Afrer that it was all a blur ( i had nubain via my IV and that was horrible for me) I slept mostly up til about 730pm when the nurse had me start pushing i pushed for like 23 min and out came the best thing that ever happened to me!!! Thank God for my hubbie, who wrote everthing down and the times they happened at I dont remember too much about the pain part I just know I wanted to enjoy the experience as much as possible without pain. As soon as the dr could get up to give me the epi, I got it. This next time Ill be induced (at 39wks) also b/c of my blood clot so Ill get my epi as soon as I can and NOT get the nubain haha. I hope you get to fully enjoy your experience like you deserve to!!!

[Paulett]

I'm a little scared about it, which is natural. I'm afraid that I won't have enough stamina or good pain tolerance. I've kinda become a whimp in my old age. I want to do this without an epi if I can.

[babybluesash]

Paula, Check out a couple of great site that will help you with pain management as well as birthing stories of other momma. The birthing site, bringing birth home... I'll try to remember the rest and post them, but those are a great start.

[Brittany_Dawn]

Just remember it doesn't last forever! Your body was literally created to do this.... plus don't be afraid of being too exhausted afterward to enjoy baby. You'll get an energy kick.

[Paulett]

Paula, Check out a couple of great site that will help you with pain management as well as birthing stories of other momma. The birthing site, bringing birth home... I'll try to remember the rest and post them, but those are a great start.

Thanks, I'll check them out.