If You've Ever Given Birth...

[shay]

Okay, ladies...I have some questions here...

I'm an OB nurse. I deliver babies for a living. I have never personally given birth or ever been pregnant. So here's my question....in all honesty, what does labor really and truly FEEL like....other than painful?

I mean, is it crushing, stabbing, ripping, aching, WHAT? I can't exactly ask my labor patients these kinds of questions...so I want to hear from you.

Because I'm approaching 30, and although I want children very much, to be quite frank, labor scares the bejesus out of me...all of my friends, with the exception of ONE, had totally drug-free childbirth. I just want the lowdown....what does labor FEEL like???

[christinemj]

Birth is......

Exhilerating, gratifying, stimulating, the biggest natural HIGH you can get!! :)

I used an "alternative birth method" during my last birth and would be happy to discuss it with you in private mail.

It is because of this WONDERFUL birth experience that I decided to become a NURSE!!! (but NOT an L&D nurse!! LOL)

I think you're on the right track. You HAVE seen what birth is all about... and you can use that knowledge to avoid some of the "downfalls."

Christine

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by shay

And we all know if I write a friggin' birth plan I may as well just shave and prep myself before I even get to the hospital!!

:chuckle :chuckle You know, they'd probably be so short staffed, they'd make you do it too!

:chuckle Heather

[mario_ragucci]

Hey Heather, believe it or not, people were born before NICU. Birth is a natural thing, and sometimes it's not.

My old Italian friend named Caesar was said to have been cut out of his mom's uterus. Imagine giving birth before Caesarians? Many mothers must have died. Today, we don't think about it much.

I'd go ahead and have another baby if I were you, for the reasons you mentioned. My mom had my bro and sis, waited 9 years, and then GOT IT RIGHT by having me!!! Of course my bro and sis are okay, but I was my mom's best and most informed effort !! She said I came right out - the easiest birth.

[semstr]

State of mind, state of body, social-state etc. etc.

All these things count when in labor.

And your personal painlevel and tolerance.

I lost a baby in the 30th week and hardly noticed, because I was so shocked by everything. It should have hurt, because the babyboy was pretty big already (35 cm, 1500 gr), but it hardly did.

I am always amazed between the differences between Europe, well especially the Netherlands, and "overseas".

Women can have whatever painmedication they want and need, but it is very seldom used.

Same goes for the C-section-rate, very much lower here.

Hypothesis: Money?

I know for a fact, that in private-hospitals (you know the "Hilton" like ones) the C-section-rate is much, much higher as in "normal" hospitals here. Interesting, isn't it?

Take care, Renee

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by mario_ragucci

Hey Heather, believe it or not, people were born before NICU.

Hey Mario, believe it or not, infant mortality rates were higher then too. Would you take that chance with your child?

Heather

[Lausana]

a friend of mine told me her interpretation of delivery while i was pregnant, and boy did i laugh, note-that was before i delivered!

she said pushing the head out felt like "good diarrhea". i'm not sure any diarrhea is good, but i guess knowing the worst is out was where the "good" came from! but i love that analogy!

as far as birthing center vs. hospital, it it were me i'd choose a hospital-with a first baby you won't know how your body will do, quick delivery or not, ect and you'll have less to worry about if something would go wrong. i had a pretty comfortable stay in the hospital, but there's lots of things i'd choose differently the "next" time! i had tough back labor after being induced, but walking and sitting up helped a lot, but also caused my contractions to slow (?) so i struggled through them that was probably the worst pain. after i had a wonderful epidural:d it was more of a sharp pressure feeling. people who have completely natural childbirth are amazing, but i didn't care if i was one of them-i still got the same end result anyway-a healthy 8 pounder!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Did anyone see the episode of "Murphy Brown" where she had the baby?

That's how it was for me both times. This was before epidurals and most likely before MOST of you were born. My kids are 34 and 31 !!

The 2nd was a 42 week baby and I had the pit drip. Hmmmmmm.

Anyway like some one said, NO body's experience will be the same as yours. I encourage you to get connected with an OB you like and trust and make a plan that will work for you. Good luck when you do decide to have that baby.

P

[shay]

Originally posted by Lausana

She said pushing the head out felt like "good diarrhea".

Oh my God, in my years of birthin' babies, I have NEVER heard this one....

:roll :chuckle

[shay]

Originally posted by ERNurse752

There's a hospital in my city that has a separate birthing center up on the L/D floor. Pretty cool...all the benefits of a birthing center, midwife, jacuzzis, and all...

But with the advantages of being right there in the hospital at the same time.

Oh, MAN!!! That's reason enough for me to move to Indiana...

[Q.]

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

Hey Mario, believe it or not, infant mortality rates were higher then too. Would you take that chance with your child?

Heather

BAM!

Way to go Heather!

[shay]

Originally posted by Susy K

BAM!

Way to go Heather!

LOL!!! :chuckle :roll Rock on, Suz!!

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Yes, I want to have a level 3 NICU available BECAUSE I know what ugly things can happen!!!

Occupational hazard! That's the problem with us OB/Neoanatal types, we know too damn much and harp on it constantly!!:chuckle

If you can deliver at a hospital with a level III NICU *AND* a birthing suite, that would be excellent.

And like I do at baby showers, I am relatively mum when it comes to describing L & D pain.

You know just as well as anyone that every woman is different and will have a different experience and you won't necessarily have the birth you planned.

Well, I want to wish you luck, but I'm not sure what for. Conception maybe?