Birthing plan and positions for birth.

[Willowburn]

Hi violet- had my gorgeous little baby boy 10 days ago and thought I'd give you my experience in case it helps you at all. I wanted a water birth at the birthing centre with gas and air right through my pregnancy but was prepared to do what was necessary should the need arise as long as my baby was safe. I laboured mostly at home and only did the last couple of hours if that at the centre. I paced with every contraction and I mean stormed round! Only thing I could do- you couldn't have made me lie down for anything! My body just wouldn't let me. Had a really fast labour with gas and air and just managed to get into the pool in time to deliver him on all fours! Water was fab. Don't be put off being active as I'm certain it kept me right. Didn't have any tearing either so for me personally it really worked. Good luck! X

 

[violet13]

Wow willow that's amazing so glad you had a great labour and birth. I've been told staying active is the best thing to do I fully intend to stay active as possible xxx

 

[hayes]

Fx I can have a home birth this time, just got to pass my next glucose test at 28wks. First birth was very quick n pain free till the end. Only had paracetamol, but only because I ran out of time lol. I don't think u can ever really plan for these things as u just don't know wats around the corner!!

Michelle.x

 

[Bunnykins]

I had a rough plan but made sure to keep it flexible as you really don't know how it will go down on the day so you have to be prepared to change your mind. That being said the one thing I refused to change was the hypnobirthing, at the time it was not as widely accepted as it is now, my mw and the hospital hadn't heard of it. I made sure I explained it to my mw and that my hubby was well versed in it too so he could communicate to the hospital as during labour you can't really talk or express yourself! I did the CD at home everyday and it was great I knew that things might go wrong on the day but I was so chilled out and relaxed about it I knew I could handle it
My birth story link is in my signature with all the gory details but I was so in control from the hypnobirthing techniques I got fully dilated at home. Hubby explained to mw at the hospital I didn't want too much intervention and we just wanted to be left alone unless something went wrong. She was great and only checked me once to confirm I was fully dilated, in fact she was too good as she didn't come back in until I'd already pushed his head out lol she barely caught him as he shot out!!!!!
I wanted to be active but I did end up on my back as once I got on the bed to be checked I couldn't move again as I literally went completely into myself ready to push. Although to be fair I had been active through the whole dilation stage at home, pushing wise I barely noticed as I was so in the moment so I don't think it harmed me being on my back! I also think the raspberry leaf tea helped my pushing stage be as quick as it was!

This time round my birth plan will simply be hypnobirthing, raspberry leaf tea and that is it!!! that way I'll be prepared for anything that gets thrown at us! After such a perfect birth first time I'm fully expecting this one to try come out sideways and need help Lol!!!!!

 

[Bunnykins]

I genuinely love the idea that yes okay it'll hurt but I'll get to hold and see my boy I've got 16 week to go and it's flown by!!! I'm huge will attempt to post a bump pic hehe I'm glad I've got all of you to talk to about it as well not many of my friends seem to A care or B give me distainful looks when I talk about baby things. I hope I get the pool it's my ideal.... Second time mums quick question what do you do when you go into labour? As in who do I talk to on arrival etc xxx

I didn't talk to anyone lol I was too busy breathing through back to back contractions, after we were led to our room my hubby was the one who told them what we wanted, so make sure you have someone with you who can talk for you also a short handwritten note stapled to your green notes with a few bullet points of things you want. I'm assuming if you want water then you let your mw know so it can be booked, but in terms of using a ball and being active most labour wards will have the balls and won't mind you using them and wandering around, at least that's what I was told, even though I had no time to find out if that was the case lol x

 

[LaceyKeo]

Skimmed replies so apologies if I'm repeating, but figured I may as well throw in my own two cents.

I had an idea of labor in my head for DS.

Water birth, G&A, no epidural unless absolutely necessary.

DS ended up with some unknown spot things in his abdomen, and I ended up having to go for a hospital delivery rather than birthing centre.

When I went into labor, I turned up at the hospital after just 20 mins of contractions (apparently DS didn't feel like teasing his way out, he decided he was coming and that was that).
By the time I was at the hospital I was already asking for drugs.

They had to hook me up to monitors for 30 mins first, and said I couldn't have anything until I went round to delivery.

At the end of the 30 mins I was checked and at 4cm dialated, so wheeled straight through to delivery.

They offered G&A.
I took two puffs and threw it at ex's head cause it made me feel sick.

They asked me if I wanted to try Pethadine before an Epidural.
I didn't really know anything about Peth, all I heard was "way to maybe avoid Epi", so I took the opportunity.

Pethadine is amazing.

Once they got me shot up, I instantly felt a lot calmer, a lot less pain, and a lot more able to focus on safely delivering baby, rather than "get this thing OUT IT HURTS!!!".

Nothing on Earth was getting me off that bed. I think if I'd tried I'd have just flopped on the floor.

I alternated between being on my back and on all fours.

I seriously hope this one goes in a similar fashion as it was a beautiful birth for me.


All that being said...

I didn't go through the "uncomfortable contractions" labor stages.
I went from laying on the couch at home, fat and heavy and wondering if baby was ever gonna appear, to full-blown contractions within ten minutes, to holding my son four hours later. I therefore can't give an opinion on what helps as contractions "build", cause I didn't experience that. Xx

 

[MysticTeen]

I am planning the easy way out - epidural. I dont want to feel anything. I just want to have my baby here, hopefully no stitches. My mother laughs at me when I tell her this. But i would rather hope it goes smoothly than worry and stress. I am terrified of stitches though.

 

[Bunnykins]

I am planning the easy way out - epidural. I dont want to feel anything. I just want to have my baby here, hopefully no stitches. My mother laughs at me when I tell her this. But i would rather hope it goes smoothly than worry and stress. I am terrified of stitches though.

I had to have stitches, I didn't feel the tear happen and to be honest I didn't even notice her doing the stitches I was still spaced out from the birth and trying to take in this tiny amazing baby in my hubby's arms! The Dr who stitched me up chatted away to me and I asked her when she was starting and she said she was almost finished!! Others might have different experiences and it could well be down to me being so chilled out from the hypnobirthing but I'd definitely say dont worry and be terrified because honestly you will be more caught up in the baby and what just happened to notice

 

[H16]

Don't worry about the stitches, they numb the area and honestly the most you would feel is a slight tugging x