Moms what was your labour like?

[NicoleLJ]

With a gorgeous new baby girl joining th ePT crew today and me being due in 2 weeks I thought this would be a great thread idea.

This will be my 3rd baby. And as all moms know each experience is different. With my daughter, who is my first born, She went 2 weeks past her due date. And even then I had to go in and get teh docotr to stretch me to induce labout. I was in labour for 21 hours. Yup you read right. lol. Adn for 20 1/2 hours of that I was at 2cm's the whole time. Because of my disabilities I could not relax in any way. So my doctor wanted to do a C-section. I opted for the epidural. By this point I was exhausted but within 15 - 20 minutes of recieving it I dialated to 10 cm and was able to push her out into the world.

With my son I had a plan since I knew that there was a chance of the same thing happening with me not being able to relax. Agian I went 2 weeks passed my due date adn the doctor has to agian stretch me to induce labour. So when I went into labour I decided that I would labour without drugs for 10 hours and if I didn't dialate past 2 or 3 cm's then I would get teh epidural. Well that is exactly what happened. So I got the epidural and was able to rest for 3 hours as I dialated up to 10 cm's. Then with 20 minutes of pushing he was born. This time I had a lot more energy. Big difference between 21 hours and 13. Sadly though he had swollowed some of the birth fluid and his potty fluids. So when he was born he could not make any sounds. Scared me to death. For a month he couldn't make more then a whispering noise. But now at almost 3 you would never know it. He has very healthy and strong lungs. lol

I have a plan for this one also. I will go without the epidural for 8 hours and if I don't dialate then I will get teh epidural. That is the plan anyway.


So what is your story? Would love to see the varieties.
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[caseysmom]

You don't want to hear!

[NicoleLJ]

You don't want to hear!

Sure do or else I wouldn't ask. But that is ok if you don't want to.
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[cassiesmom]

Years ago when I was born ... I was born on the Wednesday after Labor Day. My mom's water had broken during the holiday weekend. I'm the third in my family so she knew what to expect. She and my dad went to the hospital and when her labor was not progressing -- They sent her home! AFTER rupture of membranes, mind you. [That's not done any more!] Things moved along slowly and they went back for delivery. I suspect I was a few weeks premature. I told this story to my GYN and he just laughed and said, "Back in the day..." As far as I know undelivered patients with ruptured membranes stay in the hospital now until they deliver, because of infection risk.

[NicoleLJ]

They sent her home! AFTER rupture of membranes, mind you. [That's not done any more!] .

I am so glad they didn't send me home then. Luckily Isabeau was born almost 9 yrs ago and that policy had been long gone.
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[caseysmom]

I was joking, I had a very hard labor the first time that finally resulted in a c section. My second was a vbac but still 24 hours of hard labor. My husband thought he would lose us both with my first, it was pretty scary.

[NicoleLJ]

I was joking, I had a very hard labor the first time that finally resulted in a c section. My second was a vbac but still 24 hours of hard labor. My husband thought he would lose us both with my first, it was pretty scary.

Scary. I am so glad you all made it through safe and sound and ok. Thanks so much for sharing.
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[cassiesmom]

I'm glad things now are different from the way they were in the 60s when I was born!

[AdoreMyDogs]

I loved my labor and delivery. I loved it. All of it. Next go, we may try going totally natural. I was told they have Bradley instructors here in this town, and had I known that before Quinn was born I would have taken a Bradley birthing course. I did take a labor and delivery class with hubby, but they didn't teach Bradley in that class.

I hope yours is easy. I hear they get easier with every birth.

[NicoleLJ]

Bradley in that class.
.

Could I ask what the difference is between an Bradly birthing class and a regular one that they teach at a clinic or hospital?
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax

[Cookiebaker]

I loved my labor and delivery. I loved it. All of it. Next go, we may try going totally natural. I was told they have Bradley instructors here in this town, and had I known that before Quinn was born I would have taken a Bradley birthing course. I did take a labor and delivery class with hubby, but they didn't teach Bradley in that class.

I hope yours is easy. I hear they get easier with every birth.

Yea, me too. I was only in labor for 4 hours plus 1 hour to push. I didn't think the pain was so bad at all, rather a dull ache, not acute. In fact, I felt *no* pain until they broke my water at 5 centimeters. The hardest and most painful part was getting the IV in (7 tries). Next time, I do NOT want them to break my water. I went completely natural (outside of them breaking my water); and just when I thought I couldn't do it anymore, it was time to push.

[carole]

Well it is 15 years since i had my last baby, but us women never ever forget our labours now do we ? lol, mine were completely different, my first was not natural and was induced, i found this to be particularly painful and not pleasant,I had spent a month in hospital prior due to placenta previa (sp) and toxemia,infact the whole experience was traumatic for both my son and I and one that brings me to tears easily even today,I do blame lack of hospital care and bad judgement on their part.I was never offered an epidural with either of my children, and with my first had forceps and then the ventouse cap tell you something funny my son kept putting both his hands over his ears, so even though the doc kept pushing them off, he kept putting them back, i just missed out on an emergency caesarian,NOTE WELL, this does not mean anyone else will have to go through a bad time if you are induced, i was just unlucky.

However on a brighter note, my last child, the treatment i received was excellent, the labour was quick,about six hours,less painful, only needed some gas, and the birth was so much better too.,so you wanted to know there you have it.

[critter crazy]

I didnt have any labor pains, I never realy felt anything, except for an aching in my back. After my water broke, I packed all my things woke up hubby, and we drove to the hospital, once we got there, they did an exam, relized my son was breech, and rushed me in for an Emergency C-Section. Next thing I know, my son was born, and I was very sleepy! Easy as Pie!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I woke up in the morning and got a bowl of cereal. My water broke as I sitting down to eat the cereal. My husband then called our midwife. He then went to the grocery store to stock up our refrigerator. I went around and gave all the animals their breakfast. My midwife, Karen, came over to check me and assured me it'd be awhile, that was no surprise though since I wasn't having contractions yet. She left to take care of a few things and then came back a couple hours later. Justin and I ate lunch and then my contractions started so we sat and watched a movie. By the early evening my contractions were getting really strong and I decided to sit in a tub of warm water for the last bit of labor. I got out of the tub and into my bed. I started to push and about 45 minutes later Nathan was born. Karen laid him on my chest and I just got to kiss and cuddle him for a few minutes before she took him to clean him up. I loved having a home birth.

[NicoleLJ]

I loved having a home birth.

Now that is the way I wish all my labours went. Sounds like a very relaxd adn wonderful experience.
Nicole & Sheena & Ajax