Share your labour experience

[thebusybee]

My birth story.....

Quick and No Suffering
- everything was too quick till I can't accept the fact, was kind of a 'blow' to me.

I carried BIG baby, was scheduled to induce (was told to prepare for C-section if can't deliver naturally) on a Wednesday. Few days before induction(Sunday), went for a swim at my sis' place, after which felt a bit weird as baby wasn't active, it remained that way till Monday afternoon while at work. I got worried so called the nurse to ask whether i should see the gynae, she told me to come in for a check up. After ultrasound, discovered my water level was low and advised to induce the same day.

At that stage, fear sets in, I was not ready to deliver yet!! Me and hubby decided to go home (had a choice of admission immediately or come back later), took dinner, shower then intended to check in after 11pm so as to save 1 night stay (as advised by dr before).

And so we dilly-dally till the nurse made a few calls to ask why I have not admitted yet.....then...we reluctantly checked in around 10pm +

After the nurse hooked some monitor machine up, discovered that baby was inactive, reported to my gynae and he RUSHED down within 1/2 an hour, gave quick explanation that baby might be in distress, need emergency C-section, then HURRIEDLY moved me to the OT.... at that moment....i realised it's for REAL, shivered and din have the chance to say long goodbye to hubby....as he was on the phone with family members.....

It was like, Snap Snap Snap, into theatre, ( i shivered even more, the OT is very cold and i had only a thin layer of rope on, every staff seemed so busy and rushing to cut me open, i worried more and tell them i have a lot of phlegm stuck in my throat, i worried i'll get choked to death while sleeping, they said will suck them out ), while continuing to hook me on tubes, needles etc, put the gas mask on then..zzz....

Around 30 min later, i was woken up by doc, first thing i feel was GREAT PAIN in the entire tummy area - like intestines and other organs not in the right place.

My first word was 'pain....' then asked about baby, doc said bb fine, then i went back to sleep.... (I had thoughts that maybe baby din make it and doc's trying to console me...)

Hubby actually went off to do some things in the work place while i was in the OT, thought that it's kinda silly to wait outside and let the imagination run wild. His phone happened to malfunction, after making several calls then doc/nurse managed to tell hub the news - mum and bb safe. DH was like :shock: - so fast come out already?

When he came back, the staff told him I'm in the delivery suite, but he only found my DS there alone for half an hour. (I was already in the ward) Can imagine how DS feels - arriving in a strange place without anyone he knows

So I was there in the hospital bed alone, can't accept the fact that I've delivered, DH then came, showed me videos of bb. Strangely there's no excitement seeing the video, even when holding him later, i just felt unbelievable as everything was too FAST.

By the way, DS weight 3.8kg, would not have make it to the world if i delayed few more hours as due to low water level, he's in distress and passed motion, he's soak in his own sh*t till chest level, would have inhaled the meconium and caused lungs problem. DH asked the PD if there's some resuscitation done to DS, he din answered directly but just said DS safe and fine. So till this day we think that DS wasn't responding when born and that was really a close shave. Glad that I made the right decision to see the gynae that afternoon.

If the god decides to bless me with another one or two more child, I very much want to go through a real labour if body permits. (Delivered 1st at 36, knowing that body needs longer time to jump start, so to have chance to experience natural birth )

for me, PAIN only came after birth of DS.

It's either 先苦後甜 OR 先甜後苦, which do you prefer?

[ankhlet.06013gmail.06013com]

Went to hospital at 3am cos was having regular cramps. Finally discovered what an enema was :shock: Still could take shower after that and got bundled into delivery room.


Wanted natural delivery so went on gas first. Gynae broke water bag. Then the jab on the thigh (can't remember the name).

Told my DH I needed epi after all. In the midst of numbed lips, pain and giddiness, my DH read out the T&Cs of taking an epi. Duh. Couldn't the nurses have told me BEFORE the pain got worse? DH got chased out midway cos somebody (head nurse? gynae?) decided it was time for me to give birth. No epi!

After that the typical hospital tv/movie scene. Gynae in front leading the charge, nurse on my left, DH on my right, my feet up on the stirrups. Moment of enlightenment came when gynae told me once the kiddo's out, there'd be no more pain. But gotta follow gynae's instructions. So I did. And DD came whooshing out (at least that was how it felt like). Bliss. No more pain.

[sunflower]

insider:

The most disastrous delivery happened to a teacher of mine. Her gynae cut too deep and slit her rectum. After delivery, she couldn't contain her bowel and her stool would flow out automically as and when it was formed. The hospital side tried to give many explanations. After discharged, she had to carry a stool bag connected to her internal.

I had a friend that had similar experience. I was very shocked when she told me abt it. Cldn't remember the details as that was many years back, but I think the cut to the rectum wasn't as deep.

[sunflower]

winth:

While feeding, I was looking at him to make sure he's 'normal', then noticed that I could only see his one eye opening up to look at me, so I pierced his other 'closed' eye to make sure there is an eyeball there and it's normal. :oops:

Hee...that's funny. My 2 children also had one eye opened right after birth. In fact, my DD1 opened her eyes alternately, first the left opened, right closed. A few minutes later, it was left closed, right opened!

[MLR]

My delivery experience quite routine, which DH thought that we paid too much for a senior consultant as my gynae.


At week 37, there were signs of my BP going up, so gynae suggested induced at week 38 if dilation started. On the 38 week check-up, gynae said 1 cm dilation, so can induced and told to check in at 12 am. We went home, checked the bag, called our moms to break the news and took it easy, went to bed at 8 pm, me of course couldn't sleep, DH after 15 mins went snoring away ZZZZZ

Checked in at 12 am at KKH delivery suite and was given a prostaglandin suppository to ripen the cervix and its supposed to work in 2 hours. The mid wife was super nice after knowing that its our first delivery. She took great care in explaining each step and was trying to ease our anxieties (especially DH). At 4 am still no signs of action, so after consulting with gynae, I was brought up to ward to rest till gynae did his rounds in the morning. We were thinking so, now what? She assured us that it was normal procedure and most probably baby was not ready. She then told DH that he should go back home and get a good nite sleep so that he can be useful when needed.

After being pushed up to ward, told DH to go back home so that he can sleep comfortably, I went back to sleep too. Around 7am, gynae came to examine me and ordered for another dose of prostaglandin suppository to be given at 10 am in the delivery suite. But I wasn't allow b'fast for fear of emergency c-section. So I decided to take a walk, instead of just lying there and wait. After an hour, my phone rang and the ward sister told me to get back to the ward. The ward sister was most upset with me and told me that I shouldn't just get up and disappeared, I was pretty mad and told her that no one told me that I had to inform anyone should I decide to leave my bed. At 9 am, got wheeled down to delivery suite again and after being examined by the same midwife, she said I was already 3 cm dilated, don't need another dose. I then asked her when should DH be around, she said not so fast, and if I decided to hv epidural then he can come later. She told me to rest as much as possible, but stomach growling, how to rest :roll: .

She was really kind and brought me some milo and biscuits w/o me asking at all :love: which I wolfed down like in 5 mins :oops: . Then decided to call DH, just to know that he was already on his way to KKH. When he arrived, already 4cm dilated. Midwife then told me that if I wanted to hv epiural, that was the time. I had already signed my consent, so she got the anaesthetist to come. Right after epidural, gynae came to break the water bag and the waiting began. I tried to sleep, DH was getting restless and got chased out by midwife to go for lunch.

After 6 hrs, 10 cm dilated, but DS head still not engaged (not in position of cervix) the midwife then was massaging my belly and pushing bb towards cervix, explaining to us that she was helping to speed things up. DH asked if it was necessary, she then said I was ready to deliver but bb don't want to come out, so she had to help. After 5 mins, gynae came and saw bb crowning and I was told to get ready to push.

Midwife then turn cheerleader, she was counting out loud and reminding DH to hold me up when I was pushing. After 2nd push, gynae was called away for an emergency. After 4th push, he came back and said that if I don't deliver in 15 mins, his associate will take over, cos he had to perform an emergency c-section. Thats when the epidural was wearing off and I could feel the contractions quite strongly. I was a little scared and wanted another epidural, the midwife said no need, don't waste your $ and told the gynae to stay put cos I will be able to do it within 10 mins. She then look at me straight in the eyes and told me that once bb delivered, pain will be gone, so push the pain away. That was really encouraging for me and after just one hard long push, DS head popped out and gynae told me to stop pushing. Thats when I heard DS's 1st cry, so I knew he was fine. I felt the gynae gave a small snip and out came DS screaming his head off. DH was totally overwhelmed and was torn between holding DS or stayed with me. I was like go checked if everything is fine with DS and he was like \"are you ok?\" \"you did great\" , dats when I had to pushed him away to take a look at DS.

Next thing gynae showed me the placenta, and gave a jab b4 stitching me up. Midwife announcing DS's weight, length and commented on his full head of curls and DS was on my chest. He opened one eye to take a peek at us and started crying again. We called his name and he stopped crying, which was really emotional for me. When gynae was done stitching, I sat up a little and tried to let DS suckle his first milk :love: DH was bz calling our moms to break the news, sending sms to family and friends..... 2 days later home sweet home.....

Sorry its such a long post ...... me first time so long winded rite......

[heutistmeintag]

My DS was delivered by C-section when the gynae discovered his heartbeat beating too fast just before the expected natural delivery. It was a "lucky" decision for us coz we realized later that he was BIG (4.29 kg) and may complicate a natural delivery (my wife is small build).


My DD was also delivered by C-section about 1+ yr later coz the gynae didnt want to risk tearing the previous wound in a natural delivery. Till today, my wife still complains about the missed chance for the experience of a natural delivery. This is what I cant really appreciate. If I were the mother, I certainly wont look forward to such a painful experience.

I believe that the strong desire and willingness to go thru so much pain for the baby could just be a natural but primitive motherly instinct. However over times, it has also become a transformational and perhaps even sacificial ritual that "promotes" girls to mothers. Hence, the strong urge in my wife to complete the ritual. WHat do you mothers think?

[MLR]

heutistmeintag:

I believe that the strong desire and willingness to go thru so much pain for the baby could just be a natural but primitive motherly instinct. However over times, it has also become a transformational and perhaps even sacificial ritual that \"promotes\" girls to mothers. Hence, the strong urge in my wife to complete the ritual. WHat do you mothers think?

The first thing when my mom knew that I was pregnant was \"now you will know about motherhood\".

I chose to have epidural was becos its the 1st delivery and would be long, DS was est to be around 3.8kg. I was/am no small build, but I wanted it to be an enjoyable experience and not so tired and sore after, so much so that I can't hold DS in arms.

As long as the labour is well managed, (thanks to the wonderful midwife that I met). It shouldn't be considered as a painful traumatic process. Also, many women only chose to do epidural when the pains start, which may be too late. I understand that most want to try first, but it should be the other way round. You managed the pain initially and save your strength for the final leg which is the pushing. I was able to feel the contractions and push with each one, which makes the pushing stage of delivery smooth and short.

Should I hv the 2nd child I will go for natural w/o epidural, as it would faster unless theres complications and in childbirth nothing is predictable.

[thebusybee]

My DH was trying to persuade me to go for planned C-Section as he din want me to suffer, but I wanted to feel the pain of giving birth (i din intend to have epidural either)


His reasoning : the fact that I’ve carried the bb for 9 months and suffered the water retention and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome already a great deal of experience… I think most men just can’t bear to see wife in pain and the LONG labour process??..

To me although totally no pain before & during childbirth, but post op is no joke. The pain’s really unbearable and given a choice I would not opt for C-section. On the other hand, like what MLR said, every childbirth is unpredictable…and sometimes beyond the mother’s control.

[heutistmeintag]

thebusybee:

I think most men just can't bear to see wife in pain and the LONG labour process??....

LOL, I cant agree more but I told her it's her decision and apologised that I wont be beside her during natural delivery coz I would felt extremely distressed by the feeling of helplessness from all the screaming. She agreed knowing that I could also possibly puke and black out from seeing the bloody mess. :faint: :faint: :faint: I am someone who puke easily :oops: :laugh:

[schellen]

Since DD is my first delivery, I was quite blur. If not for sashimi, I probably would've gone to the hospital later after enduring the contractions for many hours at home.


My appt with doc was always on Tuesdays and my DD's EDD was a Thursday. A week before the EDD, doc confirmed that DD was still not ready to come out and assured me that it was normal for firstborns to be late so I made appt to see him next Tuesday. A few days later, DD stopped being active but I didn't realise it, only thought that something felt weird. I attributed it to excessive gas and thought I was going to get gastric. I didn't tell sashimi since this happened in the early hours of the morning. If I was more aware, I would've realised that DD had engaged and would come out within the week. (Blur me.)

On Sunday, sashimi and I went to the supermarket in the afternoon and as usual, we would split up to make grocery shopping faster. While we were separated, I experienced contractions but they were irregular and mild. I thought they were false contractions since I could still walk and talk and breathe normally. After our shopping trip, we went home and started preparing dinner.

After dinner, we watched TV together until I decided to go read in bed. I was feeling uncomfortable and hoped that reading would help me to fall asleep. sashimi continued watching TV. I think throughout the day, he noticed that I was more tired than usual and kept asking me if I was okay, and I always said yes.

I eventually gave up reading and tried to sleep but the pains were getting more intense and frequent. I think sashimi saw me tossing and turning from the living room cos he came in to check on me. He was more aware and said that I was having the real contractions. He started timing them and I gave up trying to rest. Then, he called the hospital and they told him to call again when my contractions were 10 minutes apart.

Some minutes later, he called the hospital again and they got my doc to cal me back. I confirmed with him the symptoms and he said he'll be on hospital duty the next day anyway. We hung up the phone and started getting ready to leave. My bag was already packed ages ago. sashimi called my dad while I went to change. I noticed that I was \"bleeding\", actually the cervical plug just came out. By the time we got into my dad's car, it was already past 1 a.m.

My contractions were so painful that I had to stop walking to breathe once we got out of the car at the hospital. Luckily, the staff got me into a wheelchair and I was pushed to labour/delivery/recovery room. I was told to change and then given an enema. Since I looked exhausted (I hadn't slept for hours), the nurse suggested I have an epidural. I immediately agreed as I had already decided long ago to have pain relief, no matter what. I could finally rest a bit close to 3 a.m. I could still feel the contractions though not the pain.

However, rest was far and few in between as I was hungry, thirsty and very cold. I wasn't allowed to eat and could only sip water. The central air-con in that room was so cold that sashimi felt it (normally, he enjoys the cold air). Also, the nurse woke me up every hour to change my pad and get me to change my position. After sashimi came back from lunch, I had given up on resting and decided to chat with him instead.

Suddenly, I felt the urge to go to the toilet but I thought it was not possible since I had the enema. I tried to hold it in but gave up and when the nurse came to check on me, I told her. She was very pleased and confirmed that my cervix was fully dilated. The nurses helped me into position for delivery and my doc appeared.

By then, I was starving and exhausted so I barely had enough strength to push. It was taking forever so when doc saw my DD's crown, he said he would use the vacuum to suck her out. Immediately after he fitted the suction cup on her head, I had a contraction, pushed and according to sashimi, DD flew out. They put her on my lap but I was so tired I only stared at her. Then, she was taken away to be cleaned, weighed and checked.

sashimi went to see her and reported later that she had all her features intact (and no extras). After the placenta was delivered, I found out that I had an episiotomy so as the epidural was tapering off, doc sewed me up. I could actually feel the needle and if I wasn't so exhausted, I would've probably freaked out. The nurse came to check on me and pronounced that I was running a fever. No surprise there since I was tired, hungry, dehydrated and cold. She gave me some pills and told me to rest. An hour later, DD and I were wheeled up to a 2-bed ward. Then, she was taken away so that I could rest. Turns out that the epidural needle was a bit slanted during insertion so one of my legs went numb. Took me the rest of the day to recover. I was put on a drip till dinnertime and only went to toilet after that as the nurse was afraid that I would faint.

I think the pain I had to bear after delivery was worse since I had an episiotomy and piles (from pushing too much).

(Sorry for the extremely long post. :oops: )