https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:08:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396486 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 05:57:47 +0000 lamariniere 2396486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My goal was healthy baby, healthy mama, and that's what happened both times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396482 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 05:36:58 +0000 Pumuckl 2396482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I had two extremely fast and uncomplicated med-free deliveries - just like I hoped I'd have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396475 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:45:08 +0000 erinpye 2396475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kind of.</p> <p>Baby 1: Had to be induced which I was sad about, and my epidural wore off too soon, but overall it was smooth and relatively fast for a first baby, and for an induction. Baby and I were both healthy, even though she had the cord loosely around her neck, she was ok, and I managed to get her out without a vacuum assist. Her apgar was a 9 and she had the pipes to prove it.</p> <p>Baby 2: Had to be induced due to failing health (Hyperemesis), was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia in labor. Pitocin was not a part of the original plan, my OB wanted to break my water (I was already at a 4 when I went in), and have me walk a bit and then labor naturally, but because of my unbelievably high blood pressure, they recommended an epidural and then gave me pitocin to speed things along. My epidural was administered by someone being taught by the actual anesthesiologist, and it failed. Because of the high levels of pitocin, I went from a 6 to a 10, in 45 minutes, confined to the bed from the useless epidural, feeling every single thing, escalated by the pit. I was really out of it, and whimpering because I couldn't even scream. I thought I was going to die. After I delivered, I can barely remember anything, but I hemorrhaged, clotted, shook like a leaf for hours, and felt extreme nausea. They kept me in the delivery room for hours longer than normal. Then, I had a fever and they were concerned I had an infection. My mom was there in the delivery room, and she cries when we talk about it, she thought she was going to watch me die. It was very traumatizing. I don't minimize my trauma, but I do feel grateful to be here, and grateful that my baby is here, and we're both healthy. My OB was calm, on top of everything, and took really good care of me. I'm so glad I delivered in a hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396430 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 00:05:18 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2396430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. Absolutely nothing went as planned (induction due to pre-e, needed magnesium so stuck laying in bed, failed induction after 36 hours leads to c-section), but it was exactly what DD and I needed for both of us to be safe and healthy. So what can be wrong with that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396381 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:24:55 +0000 avivoca 2396381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a great experience. The nurses were wonderful and my midwives were so encouraging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396361 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:59:14 +0000 chopsuey 2396361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had a great experience both times! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396355 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:53:32 +0000 californiadreams 2396355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no. the only i vehemently did not want was a c section and that's what i had after induction didn't work and i developed other risk factors. I am hoping for a VBAC with #2, but feel more realistic with the possibility of another c section, so if it happens, i hopefully will be less disappointed than the first time. In the end, i am of course grateful that my son turned out perfect and he himself had zero complications post partum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396345 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:37:00 +0000 littlejoy 2396345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an amazing home birth ... It was exactly what I hoped for (in regards to intervention and med free). I did feel super out of control, because it went so fast, and it took me a few days to wrap my head around it. It was what I wanted, but it completely rocked my world. Recovery &amp; breastfeeding were a lot harder than I expected ... I wish I had gotten advice about how hard those things could have been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396165 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:48:16 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2396165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm happy that we're both OK but I had envisioned something very different. 57 hour failed induction to c-section with no sleep for three days prior was very difficult. The nursing and care I received was wonderful and DD1 would not be here if we hadn't been there.<br /> My RCS with DD2 was so smooth and easy, but my after care was awful and resulted in me demanding to leave at the 24 hour mark. For a while I had some guilt that I didn't try harder for a VBAC but now knowing #3 will have to be a RCS I'm feeling better about it.<br /> Hopefully the nurses are nicer with DD3 in a few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396152 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:39:10 +0000 BeachMama 2396152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first ended in 3 days without sleep before a C-section, which set me up badly for PPD. My second was a VBAC with an episiotomy. There were some things I didn't like (2 blood transfusions) but overall I am very happy with my 2nd experience. The hospital, nurses, and overall experience were so much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396148 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:36:11 +0000 youboots 2396148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: nope. I had an unplanned/emergency induction due to pre e at 39 weeks, my on was out of town. I was in labor for 43 hours. I pushed for 2 hours then my epi failed, had to get fixed then pushed another 2 before she was born. So that was not fun but recovery was easier than I expected. The reason I was unhappy is that I have 4 shift changes and I felt that communication/ nursing styles were so different each time especially is a birthing area with only 8 rooms. And the nurses on shift insisted my epi did not fail and to took hours to fix it, they caused me a lot of literal pain (and possibly could have caused a section or worse if DH had not gone over their heads and figured it out). I won't deliver at that hospital again, and I will use a midwife. We gave really honest feedback to the manager of maternity at the hospital. It may not sound upsetting to some but it was and is still traumatic for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396136 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:20:55 +0000 lady baltimore 2396136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Overall, yes, I am happy. It wasn't what I'd imagined, but my OB was so supportive and laid back, and the rest of the staff was great as well. My water broke before labor started, so I wasn't up and walking around like I'd expected, but with fluid gushing out with every contraction, I didn't want to be. I intended to try to go med free, but I ended up consenting to a low dose of Pitocin, and even requesting a sedative at one point so that I could get some rest. Pushing was awesome, and only took about ten minutes. Definitely the hardest thing I've ever done, but I felt like such a rock star afterward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery/page/2#post-2396127 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:11:29 +0000 HLK208 2396127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I loved my L&amp;D experience all three times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396113 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:58:24 +0000 ldh112 2396113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB had terrible bedside manner. This made labor a really self conscious time for me but thankfully my doula was amazing. My OB just sat at my feet and looked around, bored out of his mind, when I was pushing. He never encouraged me or said anything that I can remember. I started feeling bad and apologized profusely- like I was failing at my job of delivering this baby. </p> <p>Ugh! At any rate, I had her naturally and without any complications. If there's a next time I will have a different OB that has a much warmer personality. I second guessed my referral to him at times along the way and should've listened to my gut feeling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396111 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:55:02 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2396111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: we had meconium too and they were gonna let dh cut the cord but when lo came out they took him away pretty quickly and no time for dh to cut the cord and he wasn't crying (even though they warned me they wouldn't stimulate him to cry right away) and I was bleeding a lot. It was scary. I think the first words with lo1 were "omg!" But with lo2 were "is he ok? Is he ok? Is he ok?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396108 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:51:07 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2396108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo1 took over two days and it was exhausting and very painful (I know, a given, but I thought I'd have an epi for most of the pain and had to go through over a day of under 5 mins aprt contractions without it) and I was just shell shocked.</p> <p>Lo2 I woke up with contractions at 3am, could sleep through/between them for 2-3 hours, and lo was born by 530 pm. Was not happy with the hour I got to feel transition on one side (was it really just one side?) and passed some large clots at delivery and in the few hours afterward, but overall I thought it was pretty good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396086 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:34:05 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2396086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1--not really, but it wasnt terrible. I was induced for preeclampsia on my due date. I didn't want to be stuck in bed and attached to monitors and an IV, but with sky high BP I didn't have a choice. It was 16 hours, and pushing was pretty awful (almost 2 hours), but I left healthy and so did my babe. The nurses were great and so was my doctor.</p> <p>#2--my dream experience. It went so smoothly and was probably the best day of my life. Went med free, labored in tub the whole time, felt great afterwards. It was super peaceful and almost felt like a spiritual experience.</p> <p>#3--probably one of my worst days. I had a placental abruption which was pretty traumatic, so my delivery focused on keeping me and baby alive, rather than having a "positive birth experience." It was chaotic and messy and terrifying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396081 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:28:50 +0000 BSB 2396081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I knew that I had a high chance of a c-section with my twins. When we started the induction, both twins were head down so a vaginal delivery looked very possible... but I knew I had to prepare for a c-section. I also got an epidural because I didn't want to be put under if a emergency c-section was needed. In the end, I didn't progress past 6 cm so a c-section was scheduled. I knew this all was a possibility all along. I was hoping for a vaginal birth but it is what it is. My c-section wasn't an emergency so it was very calming getting everything ready. I was super tired during the c-section and had trouble staying awake. I was hoping to see the babies (above the curtain) but I also knew that since they were both premature that they could both be immediately whisked away to the nicu. I did hear both babies cry.</p> <p>Oh, DS was raised above the curtain. I think DH didn't look (on purpose) and I think my Doula saw him. I was so tired and sick that I didn't see anything. DD cried once and was immediately sent to the nicu.</p> <p>I would say I was happy with my delivery. Before I got my epidural at 6 cm, I had no pain. So if we have a 3rd, I wonder if I'll have pain. They do think that since my water broke 6 weeks earlier that maybe my uterus was tired and that's why my induction failed and I failed to progress past 6 cm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396069 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:13:04 +0000 Cherrybee 2396069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: That was exactly how I felt after my super fast, out of control experience. I remember telling people that I felt like I was walking in a fog, as though I didn't really belong in my environment any more. I said that it must be how people feel when they return from a kidnap experience - like everything looks the same but they are changed forever. It took about a month for the shock to fully wear off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2396058 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:06:39 +0000 DillonLion 2396058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It didn't go exactly as planned (induction, tearing, hemorrhage after delivery, milk took forever to come in and then never really did at a full supply), but I'm glad that she came out 100% healthy and I was able to deliver vaginally. I think if I hadn't and also had all the problems nursing that it would have been really challenging for me emotionally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395969 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:08:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2395969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: I had a vacuum assist with my first and for a few weeks I felt guilty about it, like I should have pushed better and she wouldn't have had a bump on her head. But I do still feel positive about the whole thing. </p> <p>@hilsy85: I do wonder what it's like birthing with an epidural. The one thing I didn't like was how out of control I felt at the very end. Recovery has been so great with both and I have no regrets but I do wonder how it's different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395940 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:55:56 +0000 MrsStar 2395940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great experience with both. I do regret being induced with lo1 but everything went smoothly thankfully. I managed to have 2 pain-med free births. Lo2's birth was awesome, normal labor contractions were so much easier for me to deal with then the awful pit contractions I had with lo1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395926 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:50:23 +0000 pastemoo 2395926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, expletive no! I'm terrified of having this next baby. My first one was similar to your friends. It still makes me uncomfortable 3.5 yrs later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395922 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:49:24 +0000 Ms. RV 2395922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't push hard enough because LO was sunny side up and stuck on my pubic bone. We had a vacuum delivery. I felt really disappointed for a few weeks because I felt like somehow I should've done better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395913 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:47:02 +0000 artsyfartsy 2395913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Overall and now that it's been two years, yes. </p> <p>I was so disappointed and upset that I had to have a c-section, but now that I've had time to process it and realize that because I stood up and made the decisions, it turned out well with no complications. I also feel like I was very much in control. So yes, I'm happy with how it turned out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395891 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:36:36 +0000 Keybee 2395891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wasn't the peaceful hypnobirth I had imagined, but it was still a good experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395875 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:23:33 +0000 autumnlove 2395875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Over the moon about my 3rd delivery by csection. No major complications, great surgeon and assisting drs, nice nurses! And I still have my uterus. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395871 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:22:01 +0000 skipra 2395871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not totally with either, I guess. With my first I was induced at 39 weeks and it took a loooong time because he was just not ready to come out. Something showed on the monitor during a shift change, I still have no idea what but it was scary and no one was really telling me what was happening. I loved the midwife who came on the following morning and delivered the baby. She and the nurses were amazing so it was not all bad.<br /> With my second I was just disappointed that I wasn't able to make it to the hospital where I was supposed to deliver. It was just really stressful having to rush to the hospital like I did and not having any time to get ready and comfortable. Definitely could have been a lot worse, just was not the most ideal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395869 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:20:54 +0000 Finfan 2395869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a great experience with my first and a not so great one with my second. I'm still processing everything but it felt out of control and scary even though we were not in immediate danger. It ended in an unplanned C-section after 3 hours of pushing with no progress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-happy-with-your-labordelivery#post-2395868 Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:19:34 +0000 PawPrints 2395868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hard to answer straight up happy or not. Everything went just about perfectly and all of my preparation seriously paid off - my Bradley relaxation exercises helped me get so into the zone that the nurses/midwives had no idea how fast and intense my labor was until they did a cervix check and found out I had dilated to 8 cm in 90 minutes. But it was so fast that I was left with a lot of psychological trauma about it that left me very shaken for weeks afterward. Like getting hit by a bus. It feels like I shouldn't complain at all since every single individual thing went perfectly, the nurses/midwife were effusively kind, compassionate, and supportive, and I got skin to skin with her and breastfeeding immediately which is all I really wanted. But the trauma was a big surprise and pretty awful. </p>