Pleasurable Birth Experiences?

[rparker]

This is kind of a weird question, but I'm curious... has anyone had a birth experience that you would describe as physically pleasurable? Not necessarily orgasmic, but a vaginal labor and delivery which you experienced as enjoyable without the use of drugs, hypnosis, or other pain management techniques to mitigate or avoid pain? A sensual experience for which you were fully "present" and not just relaxed?

I've had one natural vaginal birth that I would describe as mostly pain-free, but large parts of it were uncomfortable and it wasn't a sensually positive experience. I realize that even this--having a first birth that was quick and relatively painless--is unusual, which makes me wonder if there isn't an even better experience possible.

Thanks in advance for any shared experiences and/or insights

[Mountaingirl79]

I'm not a usual poster on this forum, so sorry for butting in. LOL

My second birth sounds a lot like yours except I did feel orgasmic when he came thru the birth canal and I felt like my recovery was excellent as well. As soon as he was out, and the placenta came out ( also a wonderful feeling for me) I got cleaned up and all of that and got out of bed and took some pictures.


I had a four hour labor, counting from when I got up with mild contractions in the early morning hours, to when he was born at 7:20 am. It was quick, I had few dicey moments ( nothing horrible) during transition and then he was here. I arrived at the hospital in transition, and so getting me in a room and settled was kinda like " whoa!" but then he was here, 30 minutes later.

( I didn't plan on having a homebirth or anything, or even arriving at the hospital at 8 cms, it just happened that way. His was a surprisingly short labor, considering I labored for 22 hours with my first. I thought I had plenty of time. Plus, my pain was manageable.)

[honeybee]

You should watch the movie Orgasmic Birth!

I haven't had a "pleasurable" labor myself, although mine were all great births. I certainly felt the euphoria after baby was born... just not during.

[amrijane128]

While my daughter's birth was definitely painful, it was also so incredibly powerful/spiritual/generally amazing for me. When all was said and done, a few hours later I wanted to do it again, I truly wanted nothing more than to give birth again!

I felt fully present, but also in my own world, and hope to feel the same way with this little one due any day.

They talk about this a lot in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, it's a really great read for anyone who hasn't read it already. Through this book I hope to go into my labor and birth with a positive attitude, which I think can make all of the difference as far as a birth goes. With my DD I wasn't afraid, or prepared in any way. I just went with it, moment by moment, and had an amazing experience.

[maryeb]

With my first, I found the experience pleasurable in general, but not necessarily during the pushing phase. Of course, euphoric immediately after. With my second, a much faster and intense birth, the pushing phase actually felt really, really good. Definitely pleasurable, not orgasmic though...that would be nice!!! I was in a standing squat with my second, and it was easier in a way and I felt stronger. Maybe that had something to do with it. Mary

[Right of Passage]

You can read my about my accidental UBAC in birth stories, but it was painless, and I will say pleasurable. Not orgasmic, but I certianly felt sensual during the contractions and surrendering to the birth process. I think I felt most sensual during pushing.

[zoebird]

i had a pleasurable birth for which i was completely present.

[Belle]

Yes. I don't have time to elaborate now, but while it was not pain-free or orgasmic, I would definately describe it as pleasurable.

[rparker]

It's great that so many women on here have had such positive birth experiences. I'm looking forward to my next one even more now that I know firsthand (rather than just intellectually) that birth doesn't have to be scary or painful. I will definitely check out Orgasmic Birth; it's already in my Netflix queue.

[gcgirl]

Originally Posted by Belle

Yes. I don't have time to elaborate now, but while it was not pain-free or orgasmic, I would definately describe it as pleasurable.

I feel the same. The pain (which was significant) did not detract from the experience. I think the mental effort required to handle the pain increased my clarity, actually. And the endorphins made for some pleasurable moments as well.

[mamallama]

I had a pleasurable birth. It was hard work, but I like working hard. I didn't do hypnoanything. I prepared prenatally by systematically relaxing myself to sleep at night and at naptime (I had a 2yo at the time.) No special technique--just noticing tension in mind and body and letting it go.

I expected something similar for my 3rd. It wasn't the same. His labor wasn't painful, but my focus was different (due to a couple of specific things that were unavoidable.) Laboring with him, I kept thinking I would fall into the pleasure groove at any moment. I didn't. He came anyway.

[CookieMonsterMommy]

While the contractions were very painful and intense, the pushing part of labor felt GREAT. Wonderful. Not orgasmic, but very pleasurable (not necessarily in a sexual way).