My chilbirth expertience was good

by Gabbie
(Melbourne, AU)

My childbirth experience was good. As a first time mum I was quite terrified at the prospect of giving birth (pain is not my best friend!). My waters broke at home two days after the due date so my husband took me straight to the hospital where I was to give birth.

The midwives took a sample of the waters and found that our baby had already passed some meconium, and so this was potentially dangerous for him. They therefore said that since I wasn't yet dilated they were going to bring on the contractions and they advised me to have an epidural, which I accepted. The epidural didn't hurt and the sensation was strange because although I was numb I could feel what was happening me.

I felt the contractions, and later the delivery, but it didn't hurt. All in all from the moment I got to hospital to giving birth about 14 hours went by. But I can honestly say I didn't suffer at all. When the time came to deliver I didn't seem to be pushing right and the baby got into a bit of distress; when he came out they realized he had the umbilical cord twice round the neck, but they reacted very quickly and used forceps to get him out.

This all sounds dramatic, but it happened quickly and obviously the staff were very calm and all was well. They took the baby away almost straight away to flush out his nose and mouth due to the meconium, but he was fine. I think I may be lucky to have had such a good experience but at least it doesn't leave me afraid for my next pregnancy!