https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:47:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745135 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:36:33 +0000 MrsStar 745135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Penny Lane - Have a bleeding disorder so having an epidural was too dangerous since I could have bled out etc. It made it easier since I knew I wasn't allowed one so I knew I had to deal with the pain in other ways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745096 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:28:48 +0000 oliviaoblivia 745096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Got a healthy baby and that's all I really wanted. I didn't anticipate induction, 47 hours of labor, and a csection; but little girl is here and is our perfect ten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745065 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:22:18 +0000 Penny Lane 745065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mummystar: why weren't you allowed an epi? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745063 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:21:47 +0000 Penny Lane 745063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>really close! went into labour naturally, did it without pain meds, only tore a tiny bit and was basically only at the hospital<br /> for the pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745045 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:17:31 +0000 mrsjyw 745045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>pretty close. all i wanted was to avoid a c-section, because i've never been around hospitals/drs so just the entire concept was daunting. </p> <p>i had a long labor (24 hours) and had an epi that wore off and 2 hours of excruciating pain during pushing.</p> <p>but avoided c-section :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-745035 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:16:17 +0000 MrsStar 745035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wasn't too close since I was wanting to go into labor naturally, labor at home as long as possible, use the shower for pain relief etc. But I ended up getting induced at 38+5 which meant being hooked up to wires. Had horrible back labor and wasn't allowed an epidural. Went from 5-10cms in about 10 minutes and she was out with one small push (I pushed more for the placenta) and didn't tear, only a small labial graze. So it turned out well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744452 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:57:29 +0000 sunny 744452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not close at all. I had an emergency C sec and a 7 day hospital stay afterwards. Thankfully we were ok and we ended up getting a lot of help in the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744450 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:57:26 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 744450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't have hoped for anything better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744440 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:56:27 +0000 SugarplumsMom 744440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have an ideal birth in mind. Sure, I was terrified about her cord being wrapped around her neck and of tearing, but as for everything else, I wanted to be open (it's my first time and I had nothing to go by). </p> <p>If ideal means a healthy baby and me being alive to tell the tale, then mine was ideal. But at 10 months pp, I can still describe it as traumatizing. I honestly thought I was going to die. So I guess it's far from ideal, but honestly, all I care about is my healthy baby and being alive to tell the tale :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744434 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:55:06 +0000 bpcmarj 744434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Beside the fact that I was induced at 42 weeks, it was exactly what I imagined and hoped for. Quick, intense, and not nearly as terrifying as I had psyched myself out to make it! Plus, I was able to labor in the tub and avoid pain meds (although I was still totally out of it when she was born...my body was plain worn out!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744410 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:51:08 +0000 MsMini 744410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All I wanted was to have a healthy baby, in whatever way was necessary to make that happen.</p> <p>It is good I didn't go in with any romanticized birth ideas, because I had a medical induction as I had reverse cord flows, fetal distress at the first hint of contractions, and a midnight emergency c-section. </p> <p>Now, S did require resuscitation (ventilation for several minutes), but after he transitioned he was healthy. I have no negative feelings or regrets at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744384 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:47:13 +0000 Bao 744384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretty darn close. I went into labor naturally at 8am, contractions were 3 minutes apart by 9:30am, headed to the hospital got my epi, was dilated to a 5, got to a 6 and stalled so I got pitocin (which I didn't want), but then dilated to a 10 within an hour. I was in labor barely 9 hours but did have a 3rd degree tear which was a bummer. All in all though, I would do it all again the same way...it could have been much worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744343 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:42:36 +0000 Tidybee 744343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never really had a birth plan or ideal birth...I was just hoping for a smooth, uneventful L&amp;D and a healthy baby.<br /> I went into labor naturally when my water broke on my due date, got to the hospital and was 4cm, labored until 9 cm without an epi (even though I asked for one at 7cm!), felt enough to push, pushed for 55 minutes, and delivered a healthy baby girl 11 hours after my water broke.<br /> ETA: Bonus - no tearing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744166 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:14:20 +0000 ladyfingers 744166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got the labor I wanted: went into labor naturally 2 days before my due date, was 7 cm within an hour (water broke so packed and went straight to hospital), got an epidural at 8 cm, got pitocin but was already 10 cm (contractions were no longer strong enough to push baby down), no episiotomy, minimal interventions, no c-section. In labor for 11 hours, pushed for an hour, and had a beautiful, healthy baby.</p> <p>I had GD so I was especially concerned about being induced/needing a c section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-744093 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:58:17 +0000 sarac 744093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to natural birth and I ended up with an induction due to low fluid, and a baby in the nicu for a week. I consider it a win because I delivered vaginally and avoided a csecton, but that's it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743953 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:34:36 +0000 yellowbird 743953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not close at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743936 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:31:38 +0000 Dandelion 743936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was a total 180 from anything I expected. Besides the *actual* outcome of the loss, it was a total night and day difference from everything I expected in my plan. It's WAY too long to put the whole thing on this comment, though. Just the actual labor in itself was a nightmare...nevermind going home empty handed.</p> <p>I think if I get pregnant again, I'll be lowering my expectations a lot more. All I care about is bringing home a healthy baby at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743847 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:10:54 +0000 JerricaBenton 743847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted an all natural, med-free birth and to labor at home as long as possible. I ended up with an induction (due to high blood pressure) that didn't work and a c-section so I was in the hospital for 5 nights. Honestly though, it ended up fine, and other that being in the hospital for longer than I wanted I can't complain about the way things went. I actually think the anxiety and guilt I put myself through beforehand about not getting my 'ideal birth' was the worst part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743741 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:54:57 +0000 mrskc 743741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was pretty close to ideal. I went medication free, not too long labor (15 hours), healthy baby. I only wish I would not have torn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743734 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:54:09 +0000 hilsy85 743734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't really have an ideal birth...I kinda wanted to go med free but didn't feel strongly about it. I think my birth was pretty great, short, easy, no complications, smooth recovery, and most important healthy baby and mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743726 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:52:40 +0000 aprk 743726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sort of close, until the end ...</p> <p>I wanted to labor naturally at home as long as possible, no interventions once we got to the hospital. I had a doula and we were really prepared for a med-free experience. My biggest want was to be able to move around and not be stuck in bed</p> <p>I ended up having to be induced for high BP/protein in urine, and was able to labor until 8 cm without any drugs, even with horrendous back labor and shattering hip pain, got a quick dose of fentanyl, kept laboring until 9 3/4 cm, tried pushing but the back pain was so intense and I was so exhausted I got an epidural to rest.</p> <p>It ended up stalling my contractions a bit, and the nurse let me alone for too long (in my opinion) so then they hooked me up to pitocin, and by the time we were ready to push HOURS later, the epidural had worn off. So I pushed for two hours with the back labor and crazy hip pain, on my back, begging for relief, which never came. </p> <p>The best laid plans ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743724 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:52:27 +0000 Lindsay05 743724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to try for no epidural but would take it should I really need it. Well, I reached that 7 inches mark and wow...I went for the epi! So I would say it was pretty close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743712 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:50:33 +0000 mediagirl 743712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right there. The only thing I missed was immediate skin to skin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743658 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:32:34 +0000 Silva 743658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FutureMrsMcK: back labor is no joke. </p> <p>I was pretty far off, I was admitted one night at only 1cm, and given morphine to help me sleep/ relax, then sent home the next day. Made it to 4 cm before going back in. Got an epi, started pintocin. </p> <p>I had planned on med free, and laboring at home until I was much further along. Ultimately I feel extremely positive about the decisions I made, and felt empowered walking away from the birth process.</p> <p>I have no idea what I will do next time, but my perspective on medication during delivery has definitely shifted </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743593 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:21:15 +0000 heffalump 743593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very close. The only thing I would change is no pain what so ever.... But I'm pretty sure that can't happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743591 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:20:42 +0000 prettylizy 743591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretty close to what I wanted since my main goals were to avoid induction and no epi. I did both, but ended up on Pitocin and had to have an IV and internal monitor </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743585 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:19:37 +0000 sorrycharlie 743585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>pretty much exactly what I anticipated! </p> <p>all I cared about was getting an epidural! my mom delivered us really fast, too fast to get an epi, so I was paranoid. I was convinced I wouldn't have time for one. </p> <p>well..my water broke (on my original due date), contractions started 20 minutes later, and she was born about 4 hours later. I was 3 cm before my water broke, 6 cm by the time they checked me in triage, and 10 and a +3 station when they got me into a room. luckily they still gave me an epidural! I was so happy.</p> <p>A few pushes later (she was pretty much cruising out on her own, someone was in a rush) she was here.</p> <p>Cons - really bad tearing. even with the epi, she came so fast I couldn't avoid it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743556 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:11:50 +0000 lovehoneybee 743556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm. Well ideally I would have been able to labor at home longer, would have labored on the yoga ball/in the shower/walking around at the hospital and hold off on the epidural as long as possible, but was completely open to it. I wanted to deliver vaginally and tear naturally. </p> <p>In reality I had awful back labor that I wasn't prepared for. I think I would have had an easier time of it had I been dedicated to the idea of a drug-free birth. I was throwing up constantly, and I just couldn't get ahead of/around the pain. I actually went into the hospital and was sent home because I was just in early labor and not dilated/ing enough to be admitted. I lasted for 2 hours at home before I went in (and had progressed to 5cm). I asked for an epidural almost immediately, which meant I was constrained to the bed (although I truly didn't mind--by the time the epidural kicked in I had been awake and laboring for 22 hours. I was exhausted and desperately needed to rest.) </p> <p>Unfortunately my epidural kept failing so I had to figure out how to breathe around/through the pain. So that part sucked, and was definitely not planned. They also ended up giving me an episiotomy, even though it's no longer standard practice at my hospital. The on-call OB did everything he could before he cut, though....oil, massage, oil, massage, hot compress...but my heart rate and BP were erratic, as was LO's (and the OB was trying to turn his head) so they wanted to get him out ASAP. DH and I trust that he tried everything he could before cutting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743541 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:08:34 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 743541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I got my ideal birth. 7h labor, not one bit painful since I got my epi early &amp; most of all : healthy, happy baby!</p> <p>Cons:<br /> I tore<br /> I was 3 days overdue and so uncomfortable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-close-did-you-get-to-your-ideal-birth#post-743537 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:07:25 +0000 runsyellowlites 743537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With P, very close! Aside from the hospital transfer at the very end I still got my natural vbac with practically zero intervention. I hope next time I can delivery at home like we planned!</p> <p>My first birth couldn't have been farther than what I had wanted!</p> <p>ETA: Ideally my labor wouldn't have been 2 days long! Hopefully next time I'll progress a bit faster &amp; NOT have days of prodromal labor! </p>