What is your ideal labor?
By abkinsey
@abkinsey (173)
United States
May 18, 2009 4:06pm CST
What would your ideal labor and delivery look like? If you've already given birth, would you labor be different from or similar to your past experience(s)?
My 19-month-old's labor was quite traumatic, in that the doctors lied to us and did many unnecessary interventions that put both my life and his at risk. It was very medicalized and the epidural was the worst experience of my life.
Almost a year later, I became pregnant again. I give birth to that baby at 18 weeks pregnant. He was stillborn, which was quite traumatic for us. At the same time, we were able to deal with everything peacefully at home with our midwife.
My ideal labor and delivery would be natural, at home, and with my midwife. I wouldn't have any pain medication and would be able to feel everything. It would be full-term and the baby would be healthy and alive at the end of it all.
I know we can't control what happens in life, let alone in labor and delivery, but I think it's healthy to dream and think about beautiful experiences. The mind is very powerful and the mind-body connection can't be underestimated.
3 responses
@kezabelle (2974)
•
4 Sep 09
Firstly im very sorry for the loss of your little boy.
I have given birth twice and have two little girls. My first labour was ok lasted 2 hours 45 minutes (after being induced) my baby was back to back I had 45 minutes of contractions then 2 HOURS of pushing but soon as she turned round she popped right out no problems, however due to how fast the labour was she was in total shock and not breathing she actually had to spend 3 days in intensive care and scbu before being allowed home. The birth was fine I am one of a lucky few who once pushing do not feel any pain just that urge to push so I didnt require any pain relief for her labour and I think i sailed thorugh it
My second daughter her labour was amazing lasted 1 hour 23 minutes (again after being induced) I did require pain relief because the pushing part was only 15 minutes this time so I had longer period of pain but I ended up stood over the back of the chair my midwife was amazing and let me do it my way soon as they moved me onto the bed I started pushing and she was born 15 minutes later, again struggling to breath due to the quick nature of the birth but she was fine after a puff of oxygen and required no further treatment. I also delivered her myself I pulled her up on to my tummy and it was dull lights and very quiet in there which was exactly what I wanted.
My first born was born at 40+1 weeks and weighed 7lb 12oz my second daughter was born at 38 weeks and weighed 8lb 2oz, I think I have had my ideal birth with my second daughter, we plan to have one more baby and im hoping to have the same again as with my second daughter, I could never have a home birth though due to a life long kidney condition i require a lot of monitering and probably require inducing early again as it can cause growth problems (although my second daughter had no problems there lol) mostly tho all I want is a healthy baby born as close to full term as possible because while my labours/births were amazing the pregnancys were horrific and I nearly lost my second daughter twice.
@macel19 (202)
• Philippines
22 May 09
I am pregnant right now and my due will be next month, honestly i am really afraid of giving birth. I went to the doctor a week ago and she said that the baby's position is breech and it added my misery and fears. Everynight I always talk to my baby about moving in the right directions and sometimes i just awake in the middle of the night thinking about the labor. I always pray for normal delivery and I am always thinking for positive things to ease my fears.
I am praying hard that it would be a postive experienced.
Im sorry for what happened to you and I hope for your full recovery.
