Share your labour experience
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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......
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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? -
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. -
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. -
thebusybee:
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 possiblyI think most men just can't bear to see wife in pain and the LONG labour process??....
puke and black out from seeing the bloody mess. :faint: :faint: :faint: I am someone who puke easily :oops: :laugh:
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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: ) -
schellen:
Suddenly, I felt the urge to go to the toilet but I thought it was not possible since I had the enema.
Actually the final moment feels exactly like passing motion, except it's huge.
For the sewing part, I used to find it so yucky when I was younger. Even during 1st pregnancy, I cannot imagine how people (esp mother's time) when they had no epidural or other painkiller that they can simply allow the gynae to sew them up :?
Finally get to experience it for the 3rd child when it was all natural. You can feel the gynae sewing (in and out) but it's not excruciating pain. I realised that's just not the most painful moment. We had experienced so much more prior to that, that the sewing is actually manageable.
I have a phobia visiting the dentist (due to fierce dental nurse during primary school). Till this age, I still fear visiting the dentist. Sometimes I had to tell myself... if I can give birth 3 times, what could be worse??? Dental treatment is nothing. With that, I summon the courage :lol: -
MMM:
Finally get to experience it for the 3rd child when it was all natural. You can feel the gynae sewing (in and out) but it's not excruciating pain.
:? Strange...my first delivery was natural birth and no epidural, but I didn't feel any sewing leh?? I just laid on the bed and waited for the doctor to finish off whatever that was needed to be done, didn't even feel the sewing. Probably too exhausted after all the screaming. Ha...ha... -
Talk about screaming…
My 3rd was at TMC and their walls are just so thin.
I had a 16 hour ahead of me. Feeling nervous because I can’t have a epidural and it was my 1st natural delivery. Totally confined to bed due to drip. I could hear other mummies giving birth in the other rooms,etc… The worst was a lady who was screaming in mandarin (this seems drama but it’s true)… "Wo bu yao sheng le AHHHHHHHHHHH!" many times. I always feel that it’s too late to change your mind at that stage so just do it.
Though I am "experienced" but hearing her screams was really scary for me. -
MMM:
I could hear other mummies giving birth in the other rooms,etc... The worst was a lady who was screaming in mandarin (this seems drama but it's true)... \"Wo bu yao sheng le AHHHHHHHHHHH!\" many times.
:rotflmao: That's really funny. Hee...lucky mine not at TMC, else everyone can hear liao. I didn't hear any screaming for both my deliveries so probably the walls are quite thick and solid over at Mt Alvernia.
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