I've really enjoyed reading this thread!
I have a horrible memory normally but I really feel like my mind is blank when I try to remember what it felt like giving birth to my son. I have been asking DH lately what he remembers to try and jog my memory. It's strange- I can remember all these details but not the sensations and how I actually physically felt. I don't remember a lot of pain- just being uncomfortable and so, so tired. (It was a loooong birth and I had many sleepless nights with cramps before the night I actually went into real labour.)
I do remember the cramps being so annoying- they just kept coming and I wanted them to be over with. But I don't think I ever had any strong contractions. (Interestingly, my mom describes her first birthing experience like this, and my sister just had her first baby in December and had much of the same experience) I remember pushing being hard sweaty work and the feeling of my baby's head coming out was kind of shocking but that's it. I never even thought once about pain meds- I just wanted it to be over so I could go to sleep!
Come to think of it, the only REAL awful pain that made me shudder was when they either gave me the numbing agent needle for stitches or were doing the actual stitches for my 2nd degree tear. And sex afterwards for a while was more painful than I remember the birth being!
Maybe I'm just experiencing that phenomenon they say happens- women forget what giving birth feels like. Hmmm...
Anyway, just remember it being tiring and uncomfortable. I hope this one is like that because I don't like pain, and since I didn't really have to deal with pain before I don't know how I will react this time if I experience lots of pain... I'm a little concerned about that.
(If this was the case, I would have absolutely said something!) More like everyone had cycled through by the time I was ready to push. Same hospital this time around, because of baby's heart issues we get the chief resident and the on call MFM OB. Still will never have met either of them in advance, but this will be the best place for baby to get the care he/she needs.
Follow Mothering