As a side note to my previous post, I am asking for comments from mothers of all ages. I need all the information I can get before my class in November. I am supposed to have a working knowledge of childbirth when I get there. Have I mentioned that I am somewhat naive and inexperienced in that area? I welcome all views of your birthing experience, as I know that I will face many different and exciting births as a doula. What stands out in your mind about your birthing experience?
P.S. Post anonymously if you are more comfortable with that.
Iceland
2 years ago
Posts
4 comments:
I can remember my very first birthing experience. Well, it wasn't exactly MY birthing experience; more correctly I guess I should say our birthing experience. We had been married for six years, and had been trying, unsuccessfully, for two or three years to conceive. We were very excited when we found we were expecting a baby in August of 1980.
It turned out to be the hottest summer in Kansas since the 30's, and that probably made it seem like it was taking forever to get this new baby. Finally, on August 27th, a ways past the expected due date, we went to the hospital to have a baby. It was a little disconcerting that the baby in the womb (that would be you), was upside down, and Mom was determined to have a birth canal delivery. Your mother, as usual, was very calm, quite brave, and a natural at childbirth, and after some tense moments,(and some nifty work with the forceps) our first baby was came safely into the world.
And that, as you know, was the most exciting day of my life.
Ok, that made me a little teary. Thanks for the imput father!
Ok, the story of your birth was so awesome! How sweet of your Dad to share it. :)
I just posted my birth story in my blog, it is long so I didn't want to post it here. My first two births were awesome as well, but much more "manipulated" I guess I could say. All three were unmedicated (though I had pitocin with my 2nd 33 hours after my membranes had released and labor hadn't started).
One thing I'd share is that labor/birth doesn't have to be some scary thing that women dread. It is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced and if you can work WITH your body vs. fighting it, it can also be incredibly comfortable (and not the horror stories of the worst pain ever, fighting through the pain, etc.)
The thing that stands out in all three births is the fact that it was a FAMILY experience where I bonded very deeply with my baby girls and with Scott. As it should be. :) Also, Scott was very anti-homebirth. He was all about me having a "homebirth at the hospital" so that is what we did. I had three really great experiences.
I think the thing that strikes me about my four birth experiences is how different they were. Just when you think you have it figured out, the next one is completely different. And my fourth had even less consistency than the first three!
Another thing I have learned (too late) is to trust your body and your instincts, not the doctors. This is routine for them and they treat them all the same. Going through four very different births, I know they are NOT all the same and should not be treated that way. I had great nurses, however, who did understand this. I often wished the doctors would just leave so we women could do the thing. I can definitely understand the appeal of a doula or midwife. The challenge, I would think, would be educating women BEFORE they have the baby so they can have a great experience from the beginning. Not everyone is so open to alternatives as you and Heidi and they are the poorer for it, as your 50% number well indicates.
If any first time expectant mothers are out there, one thing I will add is that while I did not particularly enjoy being pregnant, I very much enjoyed the process of giving birth. I know now that many if not all of the "side effects" and recovery from labor could have been prevented or at least lessoned significantly had I had a mid-wife/doula on site helping with the birth.
And by the way, don't let those doctors give any immunizations to that precious little one before you bring them home!
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