Your ideal birth

If you could change anything about your birth what would it be? I’m due in February and I remember the pain all to well😂 last time I never considered pain relief until it was too late and this time I want to be more prepared iv been considering the epidural I know this will be my last baby and you certainly don’t get any awards for doing it any special way so iv decided I want all the drugs asap 😂😂 is there anything you would change about your experience or you wish to do differently next time?

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I would’ve definitely asked for more help from everyone around those first 6-8 weeks, and not just carried on by myself

The position I gave birth in, my birth was quick but intense and I lay on my back the entire time and tore really badly, I wish I’d of tried different positions

I would change everything 🤣 it couldn’t have gone further south! I would definitely take pain relief earlier on in the process, make sure I was really hydrated around the due date x

With this birth is was soo much better than my first. However I would have made my pain more known to midwives, they were in denial I was progressing and wouldn’t give me more than paracetamol (I declined diamorphine) even though I was having intense contractions and wailing for more pain relief. It was only when I demanded someone to examine me they realised I was 4cm, I literally got up and walked a few steps to get to the delivery room and nearly had him in the corridor. Managed to dash to a bed and they checked and I was 9cm and he was born 10 mins later!

I would try to labour for a bit longer at home - i ended up in the triage from 9am till 4pm waiting to be 4cm to go to delivery suite - i think home comforts may have helped! Id also give the birthing ball, sitting in the bath and walking around etc a go during labour- i didnt do any of this and not sure if it would have helped bring him down more - i ended up with a csection as he wouldnt come down xx

Next time I’d like to spend the time and money on pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy

My first I had a back to back experience. Before I was 4cms dilated I was having contractions that were as intense as being 6-7cms dilated at home for 2 days. It was horrendous. So once I reached 4cms I got an epidural the contractions where like being 8cms with my second. It was like being in a spa but did slow down the birth. They weren’t born for another day. I ended up with an emergency c-section and an 8 week recovery. My second I planned to have a c-section that turned into a VBAC. At one point I asked for an epidural but once the doctor came to administer it I said I feel the need to push… they checked and I was in fact 10 cms dilated 🤣 I only had gas and air and honestly I wonder if the epidural would have delayed the birth. Yes it was painful but my experience with my first was horrendous so having my second it was 1000% better. I did feel 100% myself after birth. They do say your second will be a lot quicker than your first because your body has went through it.

I would say do your research into epidurals and you have to remember you will not be able to get into a standing position that could help move things along. So it could slow your birth down and result in a c-section. Check to see if there is anything you can take that you could be in a good position to help move things along. Being in a sitting or lying position for me with my second I realised the contractions were more intense. When I was standing and walking about it was far more manageable.

I keep debating the same thing! I did just gas and air (begged for the epidural but I was too far along) and I regret how out of it I was as I hardly remember a thing. I think I’d ask for the epidural as early as I can next time, but then other Mum’s complaining of back pain puts me off🥲 I’d really love to labour whilst not being in such pain though so I’m still so undecided