anyone had a good labour with their first?

[Midnight_Fairy]

My first labour was perfect. 2hrs 10mins, no pain relief or tears x

 

[cbass929]

My first labor was very easy! I had to push slightly longer then i did with my second, but overall not a bad experience at all. Second delivery was even easier!!

 

[Seity]

I went into labor out of the blue at 38+3. I felt great my entire pregnancy. I started having contractions in the morning just before waking up. They weren't at all painful and about 10 min apart, so I showered and went to work as usual. The contractions never went away, got closer together and were getting more intense, so I decided around noon that it must be the real deal. Finished up the project I was working on as quick as I could and left the office around 2:30. Called the midwife and told them I was in labor with contractions 4 min apart and that I was headed to the hospital.
Got there around 3pm and the did a check and Yes, I was in labor and 3cm. No bloody show or waters breaking at this point. Sat on a birthing ball enduring the contractions as they started to come one on top of the other with no break and decided to get the intrathecal shot since clearly I wasn't going to be at this long. Waited 30 min for the anesthesiologist to drive to the hospital (This was the only part that really sucked!). Got the shot and instant pain free bliss!!! Watched TV for 2 hours. Just as the pain meds wore off I was checked and at 10 cm. Felt the urge to push, and got him out on the 3rd push (5 min pushing). No crowing, he popped out head and body all in one push like a champagne cork. He was born at 7:20pm, so not that long a labor. I did drink RLT.
This time around I'm going straight for the intrathecal shot because it was so amazing and I figure labor will be faster this time since it's a 2nd baby.
Recovery from my 1st was a breeze as well. I was up and walking about straight away and other than being tender down below I didn't feel like I was in any other pain.

 

[x_WelshGirl_x]

I woke at 2am with what were like period pains, and I couldnt get back to sleep, so I went downstairs and watched tv. Even though they got slightly worse I sent my mum and OH to work as I didnt really think I was in labour. By 7.30am they got worse, was sat in the bath for almost 2hours (I rang OH in tears to come home, he drives the bin lorries and rang his supervisor who said no one can come and relieve him, he said ok then he'll park the bin lorry outside the hospital lol, funny how someone was free then). I got out the bath and rang the hospital who told me I could go in and get checked out or ring back in an hour. We were at the hospital by 11am and I was 6cm dilated, couldn't believe I got to that stage on my own! Said to OH and mum I can do another 2hours possibly of this pain. Well 1.10pm he was born. The contractions were the worst bit for me (midwife said with every contraction he kept turning back to back.
OH had gone to meet his mum (forgot money lol) and he had a cup of tea in the cafe with her. My mum had to ring him to run back up as I'd be pushing soon. He got there just before midwife was going to break my waters (didn't have to in the end as when she was about to do it they had gone, is it wierd of me to say I'm a bit gutted I didn't feel it?) anyway she told me the urge to push would go and then got back to doing her notes, well it didnt and I told her I was pushing lol, wasn't pushing for long at all.
We were home by 6pm! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, I didn't have no pain relief (couldn't use the gas and air, it kept making farting noises lol). It really was the best thing in the entire world. I really wouldn't worry. The worst thing I did was panic during the contractions.
Just relax and enjoy the experience x

 

[ayh78]

I haven't read all the replies, so sorry if I've missed anything.

Yes, labour and birth really hurts, but I managed a water birth with just a little gas and air, lasting 8hours from start to finish, so not all doom and gloom. I started contractions with DS at about 8pm in the evening and managed fine at home, getting to hospital at around 1.30am to find I was 7cm. I was in the pool around 2am and that really helped me feel more comfortable. Look out for transition (last bit of dilation) - it doesn't last too long, but I found that the worst bit. DS was a fairly big baby (9lb 6oz) and I think that's why I pushed for 1hr 10, but it really didn't feel as long as that at the time!

I think my full birth story is still in my signature if you're interested.

Good luck!

 

[x Helen x]

I had a great labour (first baby). Went from 1cm to giving birth in just 3 hours with about 3 or 4 mins of pushing. I would say DEFINITELY have the water birth if you can. I was in pain for the first two hours (my contractions were hardcore right from the get go), but as soon as I went in the water it was absolute bliss. I was even nodding off in the water between contractions, hubby had to keep waking me up!

I had a labial tear which didn't hurt at all at the time and wasn't stitched, but I will admit it was agony in the weeks following. Recovery was difficult for me, my tear became very badly infected and I could barely get out of bed for a week or two. My doctor later told me that I should have been stitched at the time of the birth as it was such an open wound. All that pain during recovery could have been easily avoided if they had sorted me out properly at the time.

 

[solitaire89]

hi
so im expecting my first baby, and i i really am expecting it to be an absolute nightmare (labour and birth that is) im 34 weeks now and i want my baby here so much but all i can think about is how hard and painful labour is going to be. im oppting for a water birth all being well.
my sister tells me of her labour with her daughter and it was absolutely hurrendous for her really long and slow.. we are similar size shape and build and obviously we are sisters.. do u think this may mean my labour will be similar? and are there any things i can d to speed labour along or anything i can do now to help labour be easier? if anyone has anything to share please do xxxxx

Me! I did I had a completely pain free and drug free labour and home birth using Natal Hypnotherapy and a birth pool. Birth story link in my siggy if you're interested.

Studies have shown that perception of pain in labour is closely linked to your expectations before labour (i.e. if you expect labour to be excruciating, you will tend to perceive it as excruciating). So, start reading those positive stories now, and let the negative ones go. And whilst you're at it, start thinking positive thoughts, it will get you into a better mindset for the journey ahead. So, instead of thinking about "how hard and painful labour is going to be. im oppting for a water birth all being well." Shift it round in your head. "I am preparing for a waterbirth, as I know water will help me to cope in labour". Subtle changes can make all the difference.

You sister's experience will not be yours, that's a guaranteed fact, as all women labour differently, and by asking for advice to make labour easier you are straight away likely to be doing things differently.

Keep active in labour, and wherever possible, upright - no point in working against gravity, it will always win , or on all fours. If you must lie down, then lie on your side, not your back. Lying on your back can close your pelvis up hugely (not good when your body is pushing your baby through the space), and means you have to push your baby up and over your coxis (tail bone). Other positions mean it will flex out of the way to make more room for baby.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to get to the hospital/birth centre, as labouring in your own environment is much better - you will be more relaxed and able to listen to what your body is telling you to do. As they say in the Natal Hypnotherapy book - if someone takes your pic and you're grinning like a cheshire cat, then it's too early to go in Take with a pinch of salt (I mean, I was smiling right at the end of my labour), but you get the drift of it.

You can have a good birth experience, and its not about how you achieve it. It's about you staying calm, focused and in control, whatever happens.

HTH

 

[jades91]

Thank u so much for all the advice I feel loooaads better after reading all your stories!xxxx

 

[solitaire89]

Thank u so much for all the advice I feel loooaads better after reading all your stories!xxxx

no worries!

 

[gizmodo]

Too add to the positive stories...

My first labour was amazing. 22 hours in total. Got to 8cm using just TENS at home. At hospital I used the birthing pool and gas and air which was amazing. Admittedly the pushing stage for me was quite tough - took an hour, but I'm not convinced I pushed very well! I remember changing positions after 45 minutes and really noticed a difference and got the hang of it then The bit where the head comes out it a little bit ouch. But literally just that bit. That said I did have a straight forward labour with the baby being in the right position.

 

[Helenlydia]

My labour was ok too, I didn't realise I was in labour until about 4pm, by the time we got to the hospital I was only 2cm but an hour later i was 6. Similar to Eleanor there was no let up in contractions for me and she was born very quickly, a total of about 6 hours I think Dont let other people's horror stories scare you, equally dont expect your birth to run as smoothly as others. Everybody is different so just go with it Good luck!

 

[Feronia]

I had a fantastic labour with my first!
(Birth story is in my sig.) I just posted in another thread about the things that helped make my labour easy, so I'm going to just link to that instead of posting it again, ha.
(https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/labour-birth/1665093-childbirth-bad-6.html#post24683077)