Help Needed from Mamas!
Hello to you wise women and mothers!
I am working my way (slowly) through Birthing From Within in my preparation for labor and childbirth. One of the exercises is to ask mothers in one's life the following questions. If you have a moment, please answer one or all of them in the comments section. Your input is greatly appreciated as I get ready for this huge gigantic life event.
I am working my way (slowly) through Birthing From Within in my preparation for labor and childbirth. One of the exercises is to ask mothers in one's life the following questions. If you have a moment, please answer one or all of them in the comments section. Your input is greatly appreciated as I get ready for this huge gigantic life event.
- What helped you most when you gave birth?
- What was your spiritual experience of giving birth?
- If you could do it over again, what would you do the same/differently?
- What do you wish you had known?
Thank you, thank you, thank you to those moms who I know and those I don't. This information will certainly be invaluable to me.
what helped me most was scott rubbing my back through the contractions... my spiritual experience was that I was overwhelmed and so touched in the feeling that I had just witnessed a miracle. It was the most amazing and powerful experience of my life. I was bed-ridden at the time, so if I could have changed anything, I wish I could have walked around, sat on the exercise ball, etc during contractions, but that wasn't an option for me at the time.... hope that helps... SOOOO excited for U! T
Reply to this
I think having a focal point and taking deep breaths helped me the most. When I had Ben, both mothers were also in the delivery room, but I was able to block everyone out and just focus on my doctor. Also, I had an epidural, which I believe made me dilate more quickly because I was able to relax. It is a very overwhelming and emotional experience. Both of my labors were long 16 and 9 hours, but I was able to relax, read magazines, and enjoy the experience. I Iearned from my first to second labors not to wait so long to get the epidural, because once I got it, things progressed very quickly.
Reply to this
Ah, while the memories and pain are still fresh in my mind..
* What helped you most when you gave birth? The knowledge that I could eat food when it was all over. Not kidding. I was starving.
* What was your spiritual experience of giving birth? Is this a joke question? I questioned why any sort of higher power would put a woman through such pain and torture when all she was endeavoring to do is bring a beautiful baby into this world. Spiritual experience? HA.
* If you could do it over again, what would you do the same/differently? I would be completely tranquilized and unconscious.
* What do you wish you had known? That even if you have all of the drugs in the world, you will still feel pain like you have never, ever known and could never, ever anticipate.
Reply to this
Thank you to all you guys! Just between the first three comments there are such interesting insights and differences!! I hope I get more comments. THANK YOU!!!
Reply to this
1. What helped me was having supportive people around me. My mom and hubby kept me calm.
3. What worked well- I had an open mind and just went with the flow. Also, I didnt feel guilty when I asked for pain meds.
4. Honestly, I really enjoyed the whole birthing process. I didnt have a perfect labor, but I was sooo excited to meet my son and nothing else really mattered. It's an amazing experience!
Reply to this
Every moment was AMAZING!! I was SO SCARED about the pain, and as it was all upon me...I realized this is about to be the most INCREDIBLE experience of my life! Your adrenaline kicks in like an intense breaking news story and every detail is unbelieveable! I figured you'd appreciate the news reference.
Reply to this
What helped you most when you gave birth? Knowing my husband was at my side, and a wonderful obgyn on the other end!
What was your spiritual experience of giving birth?: spiritual... huh, promise that was the last thing on my mind at the very moment of the contractions.... the second time around, I had a mantra for the final stage of the labor, and Eve thought I was going crazy when I said it.. jajajaja
If you could do it over again, what would you do the same/differently? everything the same....
What do you wish you had known? even thought they told us about it in the labor class... the last part.. the cleaning of the inside with NO pain killers.. the joys of doing it all with out any pain killers.. you asked.. I answer! (but the second time around, Annie was less, misses clean so it hardly was "uncomfortable"!)....
Reply to this
What helped me the most, literally was an Epidural. I was trying to "go natural" and it just slowed everything down. Don't try to be a hero, the drugs really help..and don't hurt the baby. Having a new baby is such joy but also so overwhelming. Rely on anyone you can AFTER the birth. You'll be tired and unsure of what you're doing so rely on your network of friends and family HEAVILY. And know that when the going gets tough YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH IT. Each day gets better and better. And try to keep your great sense of humor. Blogging will probably help you and others too. Good luck Sloane. You'll be a great mom.
Reply to this
I am not a mommy but my sister is. She is in the choir and while she was pregnant and she always sang to her tummy. When she delivered, she told me afterward that the thing that helped her was a reoccurring hymn in her mind; it helped her 1) get through it, 2) block out the million people who were in the room (UCLA- teaching hospital, FYI), 3)and have this spiritual assurance (feeling) from God helping her through it, assuring it would all be okay. Hope this was helpful!
Reply to this