Did I handle labor alright, or at least...normally?

Replies:

• 
• by
  • housefullofkidz
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:20 AM

• I think so. My 1st was drug free and I screamed my head off. The other's I had epidurals and Laughed and chatted ect. It was a totally different experience for sure.

   There are two ways to live your life - one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein  Join us in the Pregnancy Group Housefullofkidz, Pregnancy Group Mod 

• 
• by
  • andsoicrawl
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:22 AM

• I have to give you a high five because I was most definetly a sissy.. As soon as I started having contractions with my first .. I panicked and headed to the hospital. The contractions were so damn painful that idk how someone could handle themselves and not scream. I got an epidural and do not regret it one bit. Im not someone who can handle pain. You should definetly not be ashamed about screaming your head off. Feel proud that you did it without pain meds.. something I DEFINETLY could not handle.
  

• 
• by
  • SweetpeaAK
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:25 AM

• Whew! Thanks! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't acting totally unreasonably. Not that it should really matter in something as personal and unique as giving birth to your child...but I've always been one to be concerned about what others think of me :P

• 
• by
  • stacyemmy
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:27 AM

• I only screamed when my daughter crowned and they told me there was more of the baby to deliver..it wasn't because of the pain really it was because I was exhausted and could NOT believe that wasn't the whole baby!
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 
• by
  • cristina0709
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:29 AM

• i screamed throughout my whole labor (2 hours) except the ride to the hospital. lol. I was progressing so fast i couldnt get used to the little pain that was building.

  but i think you did fine. the thing is, with the first you dont know what to expect, so its different. now that you know what to expect it should be alot easyer. i mean all woman are different, but i beleive it will be better for you now. good luck!!
  

  
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• 
• by
  • SweetpeaAK
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:31 AM

• Oh I do hope so! My mom tells me that I can cut labor time at least in half, since this is my second :P I don't know whether or not that's factual, but I hope that my body will progress a little more smoothly. My dd won't even be 2 yet when her little brother arrives, so it won't have been too long since my last delivery.
  

  Quoting cristina0709:
  
  

  i screamed throughout my whole labor (2 hours) except the ride to the hospital. lol. I was progressing so fast i couldnt get used to the little pain that was building.

  but i think you did fine. the thing is, with the first you dont know what to expect, so its different. now that you know what to expect it should be alot easyer. i mean all woman are different, but i beleive it will be better for you now. good luck!!
  

  
  

• 
• by
  • mizmarymac
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:35 AM

• I love the fact that your so honest with the idea of not being able to handle natural labor. The truth is, almost no one even attempts to do it naturally anymore!  I find it upsetting at the reaction I get when I tell my friends I plan to do this without any pain medication. 

  This is my first pregnancy and I'm due in January.  I've been prepping myself for the reality that I may not be able to handle the pain, and that I may not be so pleasant during the labor.  I've been researching all kinds of ways to get through the labor pains such as hypnosis and visualization, but I feel like the best way for me is going to be grinning and bearing it.  I don't think it makes you less of a mother by completely screaming your head off, but understand you wanting to avoid it.  I've spoken to a few women who actually made it through, and although thier stories include pain and reacting to it, the overall helpful hints I've gotten are to push through the pain.  Although you can't push until your at the end, it may be a good idea for you to remember that your doing this in your child's best interest.  For me, I know reminding myself of how few do this now a days and how beneficial it will be in the long run would help me through.  Also, my mother used a rolling pin ( like you would use in the kitchen) to roll on her back to counter act some of the labor pain, even though this resulted in her threatening to shove it up someone's rear-end, lol.  Also, some ppl do pressure points to try and get the same result, like in the ear lobe and hand.  I'd research that if that interest you.  And remember also, this labor should progress quicker!!  I know you can do this again, and I commend you for going old-school!

  Good Luck, and keep in mind, 100 years ago women only had this option, and we've been doing this for centuries, we can do it now!!!!

• 
• by
  • SweetpeaAK
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:41 AM

• Thank you :) Your words were so encouraging! As I mentioned b4, I'm not the best at mental imaging, because of the self-control and focus it takes, but I suppose practice makes perfect! And I'll have to look into the pressure points.

  I think much of my "trapped" feeling came from not knowing how much longer labor would last. I think that this time I'll be able to tell myself that I'm getting close to the end when it gets that intense.
  

  Quoting mizmarymac:
  
  

  I love the fact that your so honest with the idea of not being able to handle natural labor. The truth is, almost no one even attempts to do it naturally anymore!  I find it upsetting at the reaction I get when I tell my friends I plan to do this without any pain medication. 

  This is my first pregnancy and I'm due in January.  I've been prepping myself for the reality that I may not be able to handle the pain, and that I may not be so pleasant during the labor.  I've been researching all kinds of ways to get through the labor pains such as hypnosis and visualization, but I feel like the best way for me is going to be grinning and bearing it.  I don't think it makes you less of a mother by completely screaming your head off, but understand you wanting to avoid it.  I've spoken to a few women who actually made it through, and although thier stories include pain and reacting to it, the overall helpful hints I've gotten are to push through the pain.  Although you can't push until your at the end, it may be a good idea for you to remember that your doing this in your child's best interest.  For me, I know reminding myself of how few do this now a days and how beneficial it will be in the long run would help me through.  Also, my mother used a rolling pin ( like you would use in the kitchen) to roll on her back to counter act some of the labor pain, even though this resulted in her threatening to shove it up someone's rear-end, lol.  Also, some ppl do pressure points to try and get the same result, like in the ear lobe and hand.  I'd research that if that interest you.  And remember also, this labor should progress quicker!!  I know you can do this again, and I commend you for going old-school!

  Good Luck, and keep in mind, 100 years ago women only had this option, and we've been doing this for centuries, we can do it now!!!!

  
  

• 
• by
  • doulala
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:42 AM

• Not really...    I think that screeming might happen when a mom doesn't have the help to support her into a more productive vocalization.   I've been to births where mom moans REALLY! loudly, but never have been around true screeming.   I think that you can get some help, maybe take classes, watch normal birth videos, etc., to have some exposure to options.
  Channeling that need to be big and loud into low, deep moans is much more effective.   The high-pitched sound tightens up the muscles, low "oooooohhhhh" sounds open mom up.

  ;-)

  
  

  
  

  

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  doulala, Pregnancy Group Mod
  

• 
• by
  • SweetpeaAK
  on Nov. 7, 2009 at 1:45 AM

• Yup, that's what my midwife said as well.

  That's actually what I did up until shortly after the time I got out of the birthing tub (lightheaded) and I think I just got overwhelmed and panicked.

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