To all you super fast birthers.... - Page 2

[flminivanmama]

ps on't be too jealous... it would have been nice to have been able to really feel like I "experienced" my labor and birth, I definitely do not feel like I did!

[Maggi315]

Well, I am a fast birther and I always go from 5 to 10 cm in less than one hour. After just doing it again on Tuesday, I don't always think it is the better thing. Lots of the labors I have been at, mom progesses nice and even and slow. Mine are so unbelievably painful at the end because not only am I dilating so quickly, but I usually bring baby down from 0 station or so to push-out. I also have painful BH for weeks and weeks before labor. That really sucks and really tires you out. I haven't been able to do anything because I "go into labor" each night for past two weeks! I couldn't tell if this was real or not until my water actually broke!

I have no secrets, my first birth I took no herbals and didn't know a thing about what I was doing. No one believed me that I was much further along than they thought. I almost didn't make it to hospital because doc thought I had plenty of time left in my labor. as a midwife, I never doubt the moms and always err on the side of caution.

One thing I do that others may not...once I start feeling the pressure and the "i'm going to die" pain, I start bearing down with the contractions. I don't wait to be checked or anything but I work with the pain and try to bring down the baby. Once I start pushing and I can feel baby moving down, I don't stop until they are out! My husband and midwife almost didn't catch this last one because there was no real warning, but I wasn't about to stop!

[Metasequoia]

Originally Posted by flminivanmama

ps on't be too jealous... it would have been nice to have been able to really feel like I "experienced" my labor and birth, I definitely do not feel like I did!

That's how I feel! I *almost* wish my labors were longer so I could embrace them more. Dd1 was 3.5 hours total & Dd2 was 1 hour total. I did have *a lot* of BH & they were mighty painful! I was 4-5 cm both times for 2-3 wks prior to birth. I DEFINITELY think that genetics plays a role. My sis & I were both born in about 4 hours.

I really wonder if it's possible that this one will come in less than an hour....

[loon13]

I had nausea off and on for the first trimester, but I never vomited, thank goodness. Other than that, the only thing I had from your list was lots of Braxton-Hicks. Doc put me on bed rest from 28-36 weeks. I was allowed to get up at 36 weeks, but dd didn't arrive until the day before her due date.

My labor was quick. I woke up at 2 in the morning with cramps. (Definitely different from BH!). Woke up again at 4 with bloody show. Water broke at 7:30 a.m. Got to hospital at 9 a.m. I was already 6 cm dilated. I started pushing at 10 a.m. and dd was born in 20 minutes. Doc was most impressed because he said he'd never seen such an easy quick birth in a first-time mother.

I'd like to feel proud, but really, I think I was just lucky! So don't feel bad!!!!

[gothmommy]

My fast birth was a big baby (9lb 9oz), born at home, intervention free. He was also baby #3, VBAC (my 2nd child was a c-s performed when I was 9.5 cm dilated, because of his presentation) and my labour kicked into high gear after I ate a nice lite lunch. I kept active throughout labour (only stopping my laundry-doing about 40 minutes before his birth). Most of labour was spent either completely alone or with my then-4 yr old son casually watching TV and talking.

IME as a birthing mama and as an OB nurse, I can tell you a few hints for faster easier birthing (in general)...

1) Let nature do it! Don't rush to induce and don't try to jump the gun. When baby and you are ready IT WILL HAPPEN and happen nicely.

2) Avoid drugs (same reason as #1)

3) Be in a comfortable environment (ie stay away from the hospital or birth center if you can)

4) Do what feels right to you at the time. Don't think that you HAVE to have things a certain way. If you do have concrete plans you are most likely setting yourself up for disappointment. Also, be willing to LISTEN to your body and your mind. If it feels right to transfer to the hospital, then listen to that inner voice. Don't force yourself to stay at home if it makes you uncomfortable (seriously, some ladies DO feel more comfy in a hospital. I can't personally understand that mindset, but likewise those ladies have a tough time understanding MY mindset!) If it feels right to romp naked around your backyard, then by all means romp away!

5) EAT, and not just the hospital standard "ice chips diet", but whatever you desire. See #4.

Good luck and happy birthing!!

[Stacymom]

Interesting thread. My second dd was born after abut an hour of active labor- I had had a few contractions leading up to that, but figured they must have been braxton hick contractions because they didn't hurt, and realy contractions are supposed to hurt, right? It was a relatively easy pregnancy, with very little morning sickness, and a lot of time spent chasing around a toddler. I did take EPO orally for the last three weeks or so, and took castor oil and 39 weeks. (Long story... : ) She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz, and there's no family history of fast labors. We were all pretty shocked!

I agree with the others about intense labors though- it was terrifying in a way to have things go so quickly and not be able to get a handle on things. I basically started labor in transition, and never did cope very well. And I wished I would have been planning on a homebirth, or at least read more about UC or "emergency" childbirth, because we left for the hospital, and five minutes later, she was born. In our minivan, on the side of the freeway, with my husband catching her. (We should have stayed home! :LOL )

Next time, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a little bit longer, little bit more calm experience. I think four hours would be just about right. Good luck with your birth!

[Mama to 4]

Wow, so many responses !!!
Thanks to everyone for all the thought-provoking stuff..........I definately have morning sickness, bad, all 4 babies, so maybe that is something........

See I was induced for all three labors, even the homebirth, 'cuz my midwife was SO spazzed about my water being broken..........but this time I will just let it be and hopefully it will be of a decent duration.

I also want to say that I never really realized how stressful and scary (?) it would be to have it go so fast and you have opened my eyes to that, as well.

thanks Mamas!!!!!!!

[amyjeans]

Lots of pregnancy sickness in the first trimester seems to somewhat correlate to fast labors. I think it may indicate strong hormone producers. Anyone agree?

well if this is the case...boy am I in a whole heap of trouble! This baby is coming in 30 min!
I'm not discounting this theory...infact I am going to live by it!
my morning sickness is absolutely unbearable, all day long, too.

Funny, my 2nd dd (uc) was born in 5 hours and my morning sickness was nowhere near as bad as this one.
my first dd was hospital- so her birth can't be included in this because of the interventions.

I did have tons of chiropractic work done with all my babies. That helped loosen me up I am sure.

[gr8fulmom]

I think genetics for me... no morning sickness really to speak of...

1st baby 8lb 2oz 4 hours including 20 minutes pushing
2nd baby 7lb 1oz 6 hours 5 minutes pushing
3rd baby 8lb 91/2oz 3 hours 2 minutes pushing

and I am small small small 5'2" 105lb but I come from eastern european peasant stock... I have 3 aunts and my mom with 20 children between them and all have similar births... my aunt says we were the ones who had their baby in the fields... put them on our backs... and went back to work :LOL

gentle birthing vibes to you mama! I am jealous of your

Jen