https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:30:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978651 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:48:52 +0000 sera_87 1978651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having an open mind and open to flexibility. </p> <p>Also, drugs. Drugs are awesome. (And not just the epidural, I got some for pain relief beforehand both times). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978520 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:47:16 +0000 .twist. 1978520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Luck, epidural and an episiotomy. hahaha I had nothing to do with it and I was a terrible pusher! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978494 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:32:51 +0000 littlebittyhouse 1978494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Advocating for myself and asking questions about any interventions. I labored with pitocin until 6cm and then got an epidural which allowed me to rest a bit. I wouldn't say it was luck for me though, baby was head down but in an LOP position when I delivered with vac assistance. My care team was wonderful and I was pretty vocal about exhausting all avenues before having a section as long as the babe and I were doing ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978222 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:58:56 +0000 dagret 1978222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Without an epidural and pitocin, I wouldn't have had a successful vaginal delivery. L had meconium in his fluid,we were on a ticking timeline, and I stalled at 6 cm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978199 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:38:32 +0000 ElbieKay 1978199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You need a healthcare team that will be supportive of your goal. Personally, I changed hospitals and interviewed two midwives and an OB because I did not feel that my original hospital/OB practice would give me the best shot at my birth plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1978152 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:51:47 +0000 looch 1978152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not so sure I'd call it luck, but the fact that I had an uncomplicated pregnancy and that my son was in the correct position (head down) made me believe that my body knew what to do and I was just along for the ride. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973545 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:31:41 +0000 Ginabean3 1973545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think luck, epidural, and being in decent shape. I honestly didn't realize how hard pushing would be until I was actually doing it and I wished I was in a little better shape. (I didn't really exercise during my pregnancy). I was so out of breath and I thought I was going to burst a blood vessel in my eye or something! Next time around I want to be in better shape and have more stamina. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973522 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 10:56:21 +0000 Lindsay05 1973522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I just went along with what was going on. I don't think it was anything I personally did to have two successful vag births. The hospital staff were really amazing and my doctor was wonderful and just putting my mind at ease like telling me to just get an epidural rather than struggle through each contraction. Also they knew different strategies to help baby out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973390 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 08:02:54 +0000 Adira 1973390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that it's probably mostly luck. I've had two vaginal births now and they both just progressed smoothly and were very straight forward, but I didn't do anything special to prepare for them. I never even took a birthing class. No epidural for either of them, but that was more because I didn't have the option for one.</p> <p>Good luck to you! I hope your baby and your body cooperates to give you the birth you want! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973380 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 07:50:46 +0000 Tanjowen 1973380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mostly just sheer stubbornness and denial. I refused to think my back pain was labor, so I didn't show up to the hospital until I was 9 cm dilated, and then it all was just a fast blur from arrival to pushing with little time to think. I also had the good fortune to have the doctor on call who didn't have a problem letting me push for 3+ hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973361 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 07:27:34 +0000 lamariniere 1973361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that luck plays a major role. You can be so prepared mentally and physically and then all your plans go out the window when it's show time. Both of my babes were born vaginally, one medicated, one not. I just trusted my body and the process and was fortunate that all the factors aligned for problem-free births. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973306 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:42:49 +0000 Rocker2014 1973306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Luck, an epidural, and a hospital/doctor that were committed to vaginal births whenever possible. I was induced for low fluid levels and no one even mentioned a c-section even after 36+ hours. Baby girl's heart rate was fine so they stayed focused on the vaginal birth. I gave birth exactly 48 hours after the induction started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973301 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 01:43:02 +0000 littleblessings 1973301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's luck. It's how your body handles things and how the baby's body handles it too. I had possible c-sections with both my children but told the dr I wanted to avoid c-section if at all possible. My small pelvis makes vaginal really difficult but I was successful thanks to my OB and my SO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973279 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:29:43 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1973279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Advocating for myself and being very aware of each intervention. I had to be induced for medical reasons but labored on my own for a good while and didn't use pitocin. If I needed it I requested the lowest dose possible. In the end though I really do think it was luck as well. I know many people who have gone my route and just require surgery for reason. Good luck! I hope you get your VBAC but mostly I just hope you have a healthy delivery no matter what. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery/page/2#post-1973271 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:32:03 +0000 IcebergMom 1973271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Successful vbac for me almost a year ago! Just trusting the team worked for me and knowing that a trillion women did this before me made me feel strong. I tried not to have too many plans or promises to myself other than to get the baby out! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973270 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:31:55 +0000 avivoca 1973270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying home for early labor really helped me. I labored at home for 11 hours and had a lot of freedom to move as I pleased. Once I got to the hospital, I let the nurses know that I did not want an epidural. My husband and nurses were awesome. </p> <p>Also, pee after every contraction. Keeping your bladder empty helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973265 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:24:39 +0000 sarac 1973265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100% the team at my hospital. 24 hours in, I hadn't progressed, and I was just dying to give up and have a csection. They called in a surgeon to consult, and he told me that it just wasn't time, and that we had more things to try first. I even said, you know, shouldn't we just do the section? I'm exhausted here. And he said nope, we try to preserve vaginal birth here. And the further interventions worked, and I delivered vaginally. I'm really thankful to those people for encouraging me to keep going, even when I was ready to throw in the towel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973264 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:21:20 +0000 MrsStar 1973264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a seriously amazing support team (dh and my mum) plus my midwife. They were putting counter pressure on my back since I had back labor, and they kept reminding me to breath (since I would start to panic at different points of labor) and thinking "once I'm through this contraction it means one less contraction until I meet my baby". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973262 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:18:39 +0000 Maysprout 1973262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying at home during the early part of labor was good for me so I could just continue to do what I wanted. Labor with my first was really long, I would have gotten very antsy and nervous in a hospital room. </p> <p>Waiting on the epidural. I'm glad I had strong contractions for awhile and saw how baby and I responded. My labor stalled and baby got really sleepy after the epidural and I think that might have made me more anxious if that happened right after I went into the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973252 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:57:37 +0000 photojane 1973252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>EPIDURAL. I would've lost my mind without it. I only dilated one centimeter before my epi. I was so tense and miserable. After getting my epi, I went from 5-10 in just a few hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973250 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:53:21 +0000 aderyn 1973250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: Hehe no worries!! ;) I'm sure after I have a baby nothing will gross me out anymore either! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973246 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:50:52 +0000 Sophs Mama 1973246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I won't be incredibly helpful.. Both of my births were quick and virtually painless thanks to epidurals. I only pushed for 20 minutes with my first, and 5 with my second. Luck is a big factor. I had easy pregnancies, and babies who were head down and in the perfect position. </p> <p>Don't go nuts trying to control something you can't control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973233 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:33:14 +0000 Lilbear 1973233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying home for the first part of labor and the epidural! I had a 37 hour labor, and I stayed home for the first 24 hours, so the time pressure wasn't as big when I got to the hospital. ( I think that If I went in during early labor, I would have surely had a c section for failure to progress). Also, I only dilated 1.5 cumin that 1st 24 hours, but once I got the epidural, I was at 8 cm 2 hours later. Apparently I needed the epidural to finally relax and dilate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973227 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:26:53 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 1973227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbird: Hahaha, sorry! Nothing grosses me out anymore, whether or not I'm eating, so I've lost all sense of decency ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973225 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:25:29 +0000 LovelyPlum 1973225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being open to interventions when I was struggling. I didn't want an episiotomy or vacuum, but they were really helpful. Also, I think being calm helps. I wasn't always calm, and it got harder when I panicked.</p> <p>I agree, though, that a lot is luck. Hoping you have :goodluck: on your side! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973210 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:14:50 +0000 aderyn 1973210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: @keepcalmcarrie: I was just eating while reading your posts. *shudders* ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973191 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:51:16 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 1973191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: hahaha, I second the "good pooper" analogy. Again, everyone is different, a lot of it is luck/baby's position/etc, but I've had many friends and my MIL say that pushing was tough, or that their doctors said they weren't doing it right, and I just can't relate to that, because in my experience, it just felt like taking the world's largest poop. So, maybe envision that while you push ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973188 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:44:57 +0000 DillonLion 1973188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mostly, luck! I was induced but was 5 days overdue, so my body was really favorable to the induction. I progressed regularly the entire time (no stalls) even though it took about 18 hours total. </p> <p>Pushing took about 20 minutes. I did nothing to facilitate that (like regular exercise) except prenatal yoga. It felt like taking the biggest #2 of your life, so maybe I'm just a good pooper? Sorry if that is gross, but that is what it is going to feel like so there's something concrete to focus on. </p> <p>I also had a great doula that kept me relaxed and helped quell anxieties for both DH and I. DH was also great, of course, but I'm sure yours will be as well. </p> <p>I also had an epidural that was starting to wear off as it was time to push, so I felt plenty of pressure, but not a lot of pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973187 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:42:11 +0000 mediagirl 1973187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never thought I couldn't. Labor sucks but there is a means to an end. At the end of all that pain, you get something. I knew what I wanted (epidural) and let the doctors and nurses know I trusted them to help me. They've been through this a thousand times. I had not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-successful-vaginal-delivery#post-1973185 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:41:09 +0000 aderyn 1973185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom had me without pain killers vaginally at age 40. Had to have been serious luck/God's help on her part! Especially since my dad was annoying the crap out of her by saying "push push push push" really fast the whole time she was pushing LOL! </p>