Positive birth stories

To start my water broke naturally which kick started contractions. from there I dialated one cm every hour. This is my 1st birth and it was only 10 hours which I think is pretty good. I was able to get in the shower while I was laboring which helped with the pain a lot. I also gave birth on my side with my 1 leg up and that helped tremendously with the pushing. After 30 minutes of pushing the baby came out no problem. My recovery was about 2 weeks. I had no tearing and was healed fast. I will say I didn't get an epidural so I pushed with every contraction. This might be too much information but when his head was halfway out I still waited for every contraction, this slowly stretched me instead of forcefully pushing him out which will cause a tear. I was terrified about labor and birth as well but over all it went very smooth and this is coming from someone who has very little pain tolerance. Just remember your body was made to do this, you got this!!💕

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Can you explain a bit more how you knew when to push? Is it during a contraction, after, are there and signs I will know when in the moment 😅 haha sorry I'm sorta lost with it all and terrified to tear.

When i was 9 cm I was not able to push but during every contraction I could feel him pushing down further into my pelvis. That was the worse pain having to hold him in during contractions whe he was ready to come out! I hate to say you'll know when to push but honestly you just do.😂 Your body will have a major urge to push. Whenever you are contracting that is the best time to push because your body is also helping push them down. So Even though he was part of the way out and I could just push, it honestly felt a lot harder to push in between contractions cause I wasn't having the help.

Mine was fine. Its true they dont call it labour for nothing but its manageable look at how many people do it. I was 13 days over which was the most sucky bit waiting to have my waters broken at hospital and went into labour naturally. 9 hour labour 8 of it just using tens machine and the bath. Last hour used gas and air as my partners family have the big head gene so he got a little stuck and I did have to have an episiotomy but even that I didnt feel them do it. More than anything I would do it 10 times over for my little boy. Remember that every birth is different and just try and take it as it comes x

I loved my birth with my first! 😂💙 my waters went on the Saturday late at night, I started getting pains the Sunday and gave birth 2pm on the Monday with just gas and air pushed for about 30 minutes! I didn’t feel totally uncomfortable until I hate to push but it was still fine, I’m hoping my second is the same 🤞🏻🙈

I had a very quick and moderately easy labour! Called my mum at 7 in the morning because I 'thought' I might be having contractions, but wasn't sure as they weren't painful, just uncomfortable. By 9.47 that same morning I was holding my baby! Only had gas and air as by the time I got to hospital and was taken to the delivery room there wasn't time for anything else! 🙈😂 it does hurt, don't get me wrong, but the worst of it was over fairly quickly in my personal experience and as soon as baby is out your whole body relaxes! Only downside to it being so quick was I felt really sick after as my body went into shock basically, but one stay overnight and then I was home 😊 I only had one small stitch (internal, nothing external) and didn't feel too uncomfortable after a few days, back in my old jeans by day 5 postpartum! Not everyone has a horror story 😊 although women who are in labour for days on end are absolute superheroes in my eyes!!! 😂

When I had my daughter in 2018, the Sunday after Thanksgiving we went Christmas tree shopping so I was 9 months pregnant and walking through a Christmas tree farm. I even said if I go into labor because of this I will laugh. We got home and I went up to my inlaws I started to feel something I wasn’t sure what it was. I was trying to figure out how to tell my husbands aunt to leave because I thought we had to go to the hospital. She left I sat in a chair and had what I call a cramp like a period cramp only worse. I stood up had them again. My husband had to drive me home. I had it again. My doctor told me 10 in an hour or my water break neither of which happen. Tuesday came and I had a non stress test in the morning at the hospital. I got home took a nap and got up went to the bathroom pulled up my pants and they were soaked. When I got to the hospital they said they weren’t comfortable sending me home. I had my daughter the next day at 10:55am so I was only in labor for about 15 hours

Thanks so much ladies. Love hearing all your birth stories. Fingers crossed mine goes as smoothly. Hoping for a water birth but to be honest I'm going going to go with whatever happens on the day 🥰

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There’s a page on insta called @badassmotherbirther which I think is run by a doula. She posts loads of vids of water births and honestly, all of them are incredible to watch and make me feel totally empowered (I’m pregnant with my first and also wanting a water birth). You might enjoy watching too. Also- the positive birthing company also on insta regularly posts positive birth stories so another good one to follow!

Oh amazing I'll follow her insta! Thank you sweetie

Don’t be petrified!! I know so many women who have had wonderful & quite easy deliveries. Everyone is so different, also no matter what you will COMPLETELY forget about your birthing experience as soon as you get to hold your baby!! Then you’ll feel silly for ever being scared although it’s completely normal to be :) I personally was & my labour wasn’t a “positive” one but it didn’t matter at all once I got to see my baby!! & I’m not scared to have another baby because it is SO worth it! You got this!

I actually enjoyed giving birth ... contractions and water broke at midnight, 6 hours at home, then went to baby unit, 2 hours later my baby was born... I just let my body do what it needed to, when you need to push your body will just do it you can’t stop yourself, I did a birth plan and the Midwives did everything on it (I was lucky that it did go to plan) except for he came to quick for me to have a water birth.

Pretty pic! My 2nd birth was a water birth in NJ. We went with midwives and there were 2 midwives and an assistant present. My older son and vat where in his bedroom and slept in as I labored all night. My water broke at about 11, right when hubby was serving me some chocolate cake so he dropped everything and filled the tub! The lights were dimmed and candles lit. As long as I was in the tub, i felt at ease, and at about 5 in the morning it was time to push. I turned around, doggy style. My hubby was outside the tub and pressed his fore head to mine. I was calm and pushed baby out without a peep!!! It was soooo magical ❤❤❤❤

You look stunning! I hope when I have my bump I look that good, so far I can’t even face brushing my hair & ive literally only just got out of bed from a nap 😂 x good luck with your pregnancy x

I was sent into hospital after my 38 week midwife appt for my blood pressure being too high and my babies growth being less than it should. I went alone (because of COVID) and after a few hours of monitoring and trying some medication to get it under control it didn’t really improve. However whilst being monitored, it was noticed I was having contractions without feeling them. The doctor checked to see if I was at all dilated, and it turned out I was 3cm so they decided to break my waters to get things going. At this point my partner joined me. I spent pretty much the whole labour bouncing on the birthing ball and sucking on the gas and air during each contraction. When I was fully dilated I spent 30 minutes pushing and out popped our little girl. Genuinely the best thing I have ever done! And although it is painful, it’s manageable because you know what you’re working towards. I would have a baby everyday if I could after our first birth... I could go on about it all day. I LOVED IT!

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How much did baby weight when she was born that day ? They want to induce me because baby is measuring smaller so I’m just curious how yours turned out !!

She was 7 lbs 4 👍

Water broke at 00:30 had first contraction at 2am and he was born at 12:45pm. Had no pain relief at all! Obviously it’s painful but wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be! X

I had a long labour but a wonderful water birth. The contractions were hard but I managed without pain relief and love remembering it. I'm having my second in December and looking forward to having that moment of bringing them into the world ❤️

I have a bit of a different story, but still positive. I had an emergency c-section after 17 hours of labor. It was not what we had planned, but everything turned out perfect. (Not wishing this on anyone, just wanted to say that even if things don't go as planned they still aren't horrible) wishing you all the best!

Awe hey lovely. I loved my birth experience was actucally the best thing I've ever experienced. I had one of the most active births, went for walk with my mum birthing partner, along a river near my apartment, then mum said to go back, i was reluctant and wanted to continue though my leg gave way, got to my lift waters broke, 1 hour later I'm panting up and down on my birthing ball at home, go to birthing centre and within 10 mins they filled the pool i was in and a few pushes and a very loud scream and a huge hug squeeze to the midwife my beautiful son was born. All stories are unique to their own my first was still positive though i learnt loads and took what i learnt into my second birth

Hey, You're absolutely right to focus on the positive stories only. I totally did the same and I'm sure it creates a better mindset for your birth!! I had a lovely day meeting my son I must say, Water broke around 4.30AM (felt like I wet the bed lol) went to hospital, they confirmed but I wasn't having contractions yet so went back home to catch up a bit of extra sleep. Start to have the firsts contractions around 10AM, was out in the garden cutting the roses trying to stay in constant movement. By 1.30/2PM I called the birth center as my contraction were getting very close and very intense. At around 2.30pm we got there, got given a room. Had a very active labour on a ball then a bit in the water too. Had a 1h15 push and baby finally showed up at 9PM! Didn't use any pain relief.. The midwifes were fantastic and the birth center too so we had a private room with double bed to cuddle together with baby and daddy! Next day at 12pm we went back home :) Hope you'll have a great experience too xx

1st that’s a beautiful maternity photo!!! 2nd the birth of my son was awesome!! My first child, contractions were intense but not unreal (in my opinion) water broke at 9pm got to the hospital around 1030pm had my son at 8:11am. 15 min of pushes and he was here prefect as imagined! Don’t let people freak you out every birth is different just enjoy the experience every second is worth it

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Thank you sweetheart 💓

Gorgeous pic! I would say I’m pretty lucky with easy (as it can be), uncomplicated births. First was 9 hours and had a water birth (highly recommend!) and second was just under 2 hours and he fell out as I was trying to get to the hospital bed. No tearing or stitches and left the hospital after 5-7 hours with each. Focus on the positive stories as you’ve said, people love to tell horror stories but there are some good birth stories! x

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Thank you 💕

I’m a midwife and have seen thousands of beautiful births, the normal and positive far outweighs the negative/scary stuff. Trust in yourself and those looking after you, don’t be afraid to ask for what you feel you need. Remember you are the only person who has the power to bring your baby into the world - you’ve got this 💪🏻

Contractions started at 8:50. Went hosp at 12. Sent home as only 1.5cm. Had a mackies in the bath haha. Contractions got loads stronger!! Went back to hosp at 5. Checked and only 2cm!! Got into birthing pool. Felt I needed to push, midwife checked me and said she could see my waters bulging, hence why I prob wanted to push. She then went n fetched another midwife. Turns out my baby’s head was there!! I pushed 5 times with gas and air to get her body out. Then one big push and her head was out!! She was actually born inside her sac in the water at 8:29pm. My labour was an hour n 4 mins. It was beautiful. The midwife didn’t interfere once. My baby kicked herself free out of her sac and the midwife asked me to reach down and pick my baby up. She didn’t even cry. Not once. Truly magical. It was perfect xx

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Oh and I was allowed home at 1:30am. Total of 7.5 hours in hospital lol.

After having hypnobirthing course and reading about it I felt so much more confident then my first birth. The second birth I had this year was so good. I was 2 weeks overdue and a sweep got my contractions going. I breathed through them and felt in control. And when contractions were at their peak I held onto the thought that it wasn’t bad pain, it was strong surges bringing my baby closer. Gas and air kept me upbeat and plenty of drink and food in active labour kept my energy up. I had my son in the birth pool and it was so empowering and amazing. Yes it’s hard work but it’s amazing to feel what your body can do and it’s so worth it 🥰

I had a lovely labour 3 weeks ago! I was 5 days over due and went to walk my in laws dog. I felt like I had trapped wind at 1.30pm. By 4pm I had period pain feelings every 8-10 mins so took 2 paracetamol and rang the birthing centre. They said ring back when it's every 4-5 mins. So I watched tv and bounced on my birthing ball. Until 6pm when they were getting abit achyer. So I went to the birthing centre and was checked and was actually 5cm dilated at 6.45. I got in the birthing pool at 7pm and got on the gas and air at 7.30. by 8.54pm my baby was born in her sack (which means good luck) and I got to look and see that she was a girl as we didn't know what we were having. Best feeling ever! X

Check out the positive birth company!

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I've downloaded the course. I'm working my way through it now 🙌

Great! It helped me so much. I wound up with an induction due to high blood pressure but still used the hypnobirthing strategies to make it a positive experience. My labor ended in forceps delivery and episiotomy, and I was really scared about this possibility proior but it really wasn’t bad, you’re so focused on the end goal at that point. I can honestly say it was the best day of my Life, and in a weird way looking forward to giving birth again. No matter what happens, you get to meet your baby at the end!

I was 5 days early. My contractions started at 10pm, we’re instantly 5 mins apart. I showered and packed up and got to the hospital about 11.30. My water didn’t break until I started pushing and I had LO at 2.58am. The pain of the contractions goes away when you start pushing. I had no epidural, just gas and air and it was totally manageable. You got this! It’s literally what your body was made for!

No matter how your labor & baby's birth goes, easy or hard - you'll forget any negative aspects the minute you hold your baby.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. There is one thing I could suggest it’s Hypnobirthing. Someone suggested it to me and thank God. It explains everything about labor and how your body is designed to do this! It also gives you breathing and calming exercises . I practiced it with my husband from week 29 and when it got to the day I had to give birth I was calm and ready. I had to be induced due to reduced movement (my decision). So I had 2 gels inserted and after 24hrs they were able to break my waters. Contractions started thick and fast but I used Freya app for breathing and no other pain killers. I explained my birth preferences to midwife prior to breaking waters and one of the requirements was to just leave me in peace unless medically something is wrong. I labor es like this just with breathing and listening to calm music (headphones) for about 6hrs. I then asked for epidural because all of a sudden pain ramped up. By the time they administered epidural I was too far gone and

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So beautiful 😍

Australian birth stories podcast have some good stories... the Holly Macaulay episode was a really positive one which I found helpful

39 weeks And waters broke around 1am. Contractions started straight away. Quite intense and I had a lovely relaxing bath. Took gas and air and decided to have pethadine but didn’t really do anything so I carried on with gas and air. Contractions were manageable. Around 7:50 am I was exMined and told to be 6cm. 7.56 I said I feel him coming out and then pushed. 7.57 he was here! No tearing and very happy!

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Oh and went home that afternoon

I had an easy labour by the time I got to the hospital and they examined me and confirmed I was in labour at midnight. My son was born 1.56 am with just gas and air 😊x

I gave birth 2 weeks ago at home. My labour went quite fast so the midwife was still on her way when baby arrived so my husband caught him instead. Obviously I would have loved the midwife to be there, but at the same time it just goes to show what we're capable of. I used the epi-no pelvic floor balloon from 37 weeks to stretch my perineum so I didn't tear. I also collected collostrum from 36 weeks so I think that kept my oxytocin high. I did hypnobirthing from 25 weeks. Best of luck, trust your body and instincts and make all your choices around what will make you feel deeply safe and happy so you're oxytocin will be high.

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It's a little balloon to stretch your perineum in advance of the birth, you stretch a little more each day and aim to get to 8-10cm which is roughly the baby's head size. There is another product called aniball that looks the same. I got to 8.5cm before baby arrived and he just slipped out when it got to crowning. It doesn't stretch you permanently either, not any more than birth itself, as you are full of relaxin hormone especially at the end of pregnancy.

Remember you always have the choice of an epidural if you can’t cope with the intense feelings of contractions. I try to think of the contractions as intense feelings and not pain! First Birth I won’t go into, but second birth was a dream..... intense but no pain relief, quicker, faster recovery and felt like superwoman. Remember breathing and visualise baby moving down ready to meet you. Remember intense not pain..... we teach ourselves it is painful and then we become scared, it should the opposite! X

I love this post !! We need positivity some times!!

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Thanks sweetie 😘

I had an amazing experience with my first, I never liked the idea of going to a hospital (in my experience, watching my sister have 3 kids in that setting, they just traumatize the whole experience), so i decided to go with midwives. I took a hypno birthing class before the baby was due and felt 0 pain when i went into labor. I was in my own little world listening to my body. I also had a water birth and being in the water took a lot of pressure off my body. I was in labor for 2 hours and the birth was a very spiritual experience. It felt as if the baby and i were the only ones in the room. Just remember child birth is a natural thing for woman and it doesn't have to be painful. Listen to your body and do what feels right.