Some labour questions from a first timer!

[Gillyboos]

Sweeps are uncomfortable but not painful. I had 3 but none worked, sadly.

 

[tinselcat]

I had an epidural which was brilliant for taking the pain away. It also slowed the contractions down and I couldn't really feel them, so I had to really strain and push every time we noticed them coming (I was on a monitor). After 1.5 hours of pushing with no success they attached the ventouse and baby came out right away (his head was fine too).

 

[MysticTeen]

If you don't get the epidural, some women actually can't not push. When you reach that stage your body sort of takes over and you just do it regardless of how much it hurts. If you do get the epidural, you will feel something coming out but it will be totally painless. And when the baby is out you will actually feel so much lighter despite being numb. It's was an amazing experience for me. My epidural worked fine and I actually felt the head just sitting there and when I told my mum she didn't believe me and said I am numb I wouldn't be able to feel it so I put my hand down there and there was my baby's head! So you don't feel any pain but you still know what's going on. I had no problems pushing either.

 

[MysticTeen]

I had two sweeps. The first one was quite painful. I was barely a finger tip dilated though and I think that's why. I got another sweep around 15 hours later and I was 2cm then and that was just uncomfortable. I bled after both sweeps and later that day after the second sweep I started loosing my mucus plug. The next morning my waters broke and 10 hours later I was holding my now two week old

 

[sunflower87]

Two deliveries with epidurals both times, perfect deliveries, nice and calm, literally sitting upright chatting away eating crisps and chocolate and the midwife decided to check me and my babys head was being delivered, no pushing just relaxed and no tears on both deliveries, up and walking about quite soon afterwards x

 

[MrsP42]

I had an epidural for my first as I had high blood pressure - this time I am going to avoid if I can as I found it meant I was confined to the bed and couldn't move around.

I was pushing for an hour but I found with an epidural I couldn't "feel" what I was pushing....the midwife asked me to push into my bottom and I said I would love to but I am not entirely sure where it is (due to bottom half being numb!)

I agree with the others that pushing is the most satisfying part as you are going to deliver your baby - midwives are wonderful people - caring, calm, encouraging and they have seen it all before....trust your midwife and your own body relax and tick the experience off your bucket list! xxx

 

[Rose83]

Firstly I just want to say that for me I found the whole labour experience the most exciting day of my life and I cannot wait to do it again in 6 months!

And I speak as someone who had a pretty difficult time. Waters broke naturally and I had grade 3 meconium in them (I'm told that's the worst level) so was out straight on labour ward. Turns out baby was also back to back. They thought I might end up with a section so I was banned from eating or drinking immediately. Went 8 hours before I took the gas and air, then about an hour later I had the diamorphine and then gave in to the epidural when they seemed more certain it was going to end in section. Baby started to turn but was still distressed so monitored constantly. Had epidural topped up 3 times as it kept wearing off (apparently it does on some people). 17 hours after my waters broke I was fully dilated and baby had turned so they told me to push - couldn't feel a thing but was exhausted and starving/thirsty. An hour of pushing and they got worried as baby was showing more signs of distress so I was taken to theatre, given a spinal block and my little girl was born with forceps.

So yeah, it can be scary but it's still exciting and you get your baby at the end of it and I honestly barely felt a thing once the epidural was in x

 

[Rainbow1234]

Thanks everyone. I had my daughter on 1st September. I ended up with episiotomy and forceps but felt nothing at that point due to my epidural. She's here and she's fine so that's the main thing x

 

[BunnyN]

Congratulations!

I hope the experience was not too traumatic and that you have been recovering well. Recovering from an episiotomy takes a bit longer.

 

[goodishka]

great information