What was your favourite part of your birth experience?

[Raven]

Bar holding and seeing your baby that is :LOL


For my first it was getting into the water and falling asleep during my rushes :LOL

With my second it was definitely the pushing.

My third went SOOOO fast (all of 5 mins) so it would have to be the part where I got to stop shaking from the adrenalin :LOL


So what was your favourite part of your birth?

[jerawo]

I would say afterwards, having all these wonderful women (MW, MW's assistant, the nurse who came to stitch me up) and my DH care for me and my baby. I felt so special and loved! :love

[shelley4]

i'd have to say walking around my neighbourhood during labour and laughing at one particular yard that is full (literally.. there's no grass) of little gnomes and other figurines.. with my dh :love

and after.. realizing that i did it all at home!! so glad i didn't transfer like i did with my son :throb

[valeria_vi]

1. when she was crowning, I constantly held my hand at the top of her head, I felt her progesss that way. and then I caught her myself when she was born.
2. the fact that the mw didn't make it in time and that it was just dh and I for the whole experience.

I absolutely cannot pick a favourite between these 2.

[stafl]

my absolute favorite part? Knowing that my second child was indeed coming out of my vagina, the way her sister should have. ...or maybe it was the way my midwives respected my feelings and trusted me to trust my intuition instead of doubting and questioning anything and everything I had to say. ...or maybe it was the way I felt a strong spiritual connection to all other women who had ever given birth before. .......hmmm....
I think mostly my favorite part was that *I* did it, *I* gave birth to my daughter, without having to go to a hospital, without anyone's help (Two midwives were there, but they did not do anything I didn't ask them to do. Mostly they sat at the foot of the bed and quietly watched me do my own thing.), and most importantly for me, without some stupid doctor there!

[carriedaway]

my favorite part of my son's (home) birth was the people that were there with me... my AWESOME midwife, her apprentice and another assistant, my husband, and my mom and MIL. they were all wonderful and it was so good to have them surrounding me instead of doctors and nurses in scrubs.

another favorite part was being allowed to "sleep" for close to two hours while i was almost completely dilated but there was a lip on my cervix. i know i never could have done that in the hospital - so while i hope i never have to deal with that again, it was a favorite part. :)

carrie

[zinemama]

After it was over. The exhilaration of knowing I had done it.

[Meli65]

At the birth of my first son, it's my dh saying, in an awed voice, "Oh my God, honey" as the baby's head came out.

At my second birth, I enjoyed pushing (for all of five minutes) -- I was on my hands and knees and felt super-strong and animalistic -- it was awesome! I also enjoyed having a bowl of cereal in my very own bowl in my very own bed after he was born :thumb

[AmandaBL]

Pushing. I never feel as in control, focused, or powerful as I did at those moments. I just was in exactly the right place at the right time - I knew what to do & just felt fantastic (other than a little pain - hahahaha) I never have felt that in tune with my own mind and body. It sounds silly written out, but that is the best I can explain it.

[Mama Coltrane]

Spending most of the labor alone on all fours in the shower. there was something very special about this time for me.

[Raven]

At my second birth, I enjoyed pushing (for all of five minutes) -- I was on my hands and knees and felt super-strong and animalistic -- it was awesome!

I was on all fours with my son (second birth) and I agree - it feels VERY good to push in that position.

[Patchfire]

After ds' head came out, he was still partially inside me, and I could both feel him kicking inside and hear him crying on the outside. He was, in my mind, literally halfway between fetus status and newborn status, and expressing both halves quite well! :LOL

(Why was he crying? Well, judging by him since then, he was probably cold. He manages to get cold in the summer - and hates it!)

[WinterBaby]

I'd have to say the last part of pushing - so powerful and intense, like balancing on a unstoppable freight train speeding down a mountain and never once doubting your ability to ride it to the finish. - Feeling the baby descending through the birth canal, crowning, and finally, most intensely - the complete and shocking rush like pure energy (that word surge finally made sense to me in that moment, LOL) as she turned and slid from my body. I was so absorbed in processing the overwhelming intensity of that sensation that I swear it took a surprised moment for me to realize what I was taking that was being pressed into my arms, lol. Totally incredible.

[sevenkids]

when the baby came out and it stopped hurting!

[annakiss]

I did not have a favorite part. I guess when I got the baby out. :(

[wannabe]

There was a patch in the middle, when I could really feel contractions, and they kept coming regularly (a triumph) and I had to concentrate through them, and they were so intense, and I was doing all those labour things - rocking, etc. I really felt like a labouring woman - it was fun!

[timneh_mom]

Mine was when they put warm blankets on my tummy while I was pushing. (That was the start of the happiest memory I have to date!) I was thinking, oh my god it can't be the end of this!! (I labored for 50 hours, induction, high blood pressure) Then the doctor said, REACH DOWN AND GRAB YOUR BABY!!! And, I got my hands under his little arms and grabbed him, and the first thing I did was look at his sweet face. That was the best, it still makes my eyes well up when I think or talk about it!

[Artisan]

Aside from the incredible high afterward, I have very vivid memories of resting for a few minutes on the bed, looking out the second story window at the incredible day. Brilliant blue July skies, warm but not hot, the breeze blowing the trees. Knowing that I was going to meet my daughter very soon. I will never forget that.

[JBaxter]

My absolute favorite moment was when my (then) 9 yr old came over to me rubbed my leg ( while my ob was repairing a small tear) and said " you did a really good job mom I just wanted to let you know that". I think my OB about cried too!! FYI I had a hospital birth induced labor 21 hrs my older 2 sons were there for alot of the labor they have requested that they get to be present with "any more babies I decide to have".

[crunchymomof2]

My favorite part was that I actually did it at home. I still cant believe that some times. Its just awesome...

[annakiss]

Okay, I thought of something. I remember announcing during labor #2 how much I liked the feeling of NOT contracting. :LOL

I never felt during either of my labors like I was some kind of amazing, empowered thing. I was in pain pure and simple (and please no one try to tell me I got stuck in some fear-tension-pain cycle, I've heard that before). Labor was what I was doing at the time and I couldn't see the greater implications of it at all. In fact, during one of my fabulous pain-free breaks between contractions in labor #2 I recall wondering what the bloody hell I thought was so cool about giving birth.

[Mom2baldie]

With my 1st VBAC I have a couple of favorite parts: when I was laboring in my bathtub, every time I would have a contraction I said "I'm having another one!" like it was something that no one had ever done before - actually I never HAD had contractions before and I was so pleased with myself... My other favorite was right after her head came out, but her body was still inside of me - I looked down and could see her profile. I saw her eyes open for the 1st time and I felt NO pain at all during that short moment. :love

With my 2nd VBAC my favorite part was when I was in the tub pushing and being SO loud. My midwife told my 2 kids to put their hands over their ears and when I looked up at them I saw them like that. Pushing with this child hurt so bad, but when I saw them watching me intently, but with their ears covered I just had to laugh. Thinking about this still makes me smile. My other favorite was when I finally "realized" I had given birth in my bathtub, I thought that was really neat, I had not been planning a waterbirth.

[earthmama369]

I had a few favorite parts.

The moment I realized this was actually happening, and we were going to have a baby soon. (Although not as soon as I had optimistically hoped! :LOL )

Pushing. I had to wait for a cervical lip to clear before pushing, and that was SOOOO hard. When someone (I don't even remember who) finally popped the lip over and I felt like I could really push powerfully, it felt so good. Painful on a whole new level, but good.

The look on a nurse's face when we wandered back up to the birthing floor after an unofficial trip down to the cafeteria for some food. Come to think of it, the look on the people's faces in the cafeteria every time I had to lean against the wall to ride out a contraction. Apparently, when they said we could go get food, they meant my husband and/or my doula, not me. I had a great walk though. :wink

[KiwiZ]

The feeling of baby leaving my body. I couldn't believe she was finally coming out after all that work and it felt so overwhelming that I fell back (I birthed in a semi-sitting "C" type position) and started crying tears of joy and relief.

[LoveChild421]

I have 2 favorite parts:
1.) the 1-3 hour blur that was the "afterglow"- getting in bed with ds and nursing him for the first time, looking him over and taking in all the details and that awesome buttery popcorn baby smell, the amazing high I was buzzing on for the whole night (I've done a lot of stuff and NOTHING compares to the just having given birth high!)

I remember deciding beforehand that we didn't want anyone to come over that first night/day but then being so ecstatic and proud of my perfect little baby that I was on the phone with everyone telling them to hurry on over and party with me and my new babe! I remember MIL and FIL just showing up about 30 minutes after he was born (we had invited them to come over and have dinner with us the day before and forgot to call them to tell them I was in labor so instead of the dinner I was going to make for them they got a grandson! :LOL ) Champagne toasts all around! :champagne

I have never in my life felt so alive.

2.) getting in the warm birth pool when I was having some killer contractions and feeling them literally just flow away- the warmth engulfing the pain- it was HEAVEN!

[arimama]

I just had a home water birth 3 weeks ago so this topic is fresh in my mind and I love talking about it.

My favorite part was at the end when I realized my body was pushing and that labor was almost over after a very easy 6 hours! I was laughing between contractions and going on and on about how easy the labor had been. My first labor was 37 hours, so 6 hours for the second was a dream!

Really the whole labor was my favorite part:) I actually would consider it fun.

[applejuice]

The split second when the baby is out, breathing, and I still do not know if it is a boy or a girl...

The whole process is a total wonderment. :happyt:

[henhao]

The fact that DH was so supportive during our surprise home birth.

Welcoming the surges and saying goodbye to them as they left.

[starbarrett]

My favorite part was at the end when I realized my body was pushing and that labor was almost over after a very easy 6 hours! I was laughing between contractions and going on and on about how easy the labor had been. My first labor was 37 hours, so 6 hours for the second was a dream!

I so hope this is my experience the second time (due date in t minus 5 days). My first labor was 45 hours long and I loved pushing simply because I knew it was the last stage and I was almost done! Even though I pushed for 3 hours, it felt like a blink of an eye. I just knew that labor was almost over, and I knew I could finish it 'cause I could see the finish line, so to speak.

If I have less than a 20hour labor this time I will be giddy, too! :LOL

[soulsistah]

The two - three hour lull I had to tuck in those who were sleeping, talk to my midwives/friends out on the porch in the dark in my jammies....and after I had been sutured and had eaten (Ummm avocado, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese gorditas!) and just all laid in bed and looked at this perfect little man...*misty eyed just thinking about it*

[USAmma]

Pulling her the rest of the way out with my own two hands! It was so neat to do that!!

I also have to admit, that after a long and very difficult and worrisome pregnancy, I was just glad it was over and she was in my arms and alive and well.

[Yummymummy74]

The relief when he was out! LOL he felt like the neverending baby coming out at 23 inches long..then the other nice part was when I buried myself in warm blankets to stop the shaking/shock process my body was in.. I had a pretty fast intense labour this time and lost a fair bit of blood so my body was dealing with all that immediate PP..otherwise the best part overall was not having to contend with other peoples ideas and biases about MY birth.. and not feeling like I was a science project being watched or something..

[Spark]

Oooh! This is such a great thread!!! :love

With my first baby, my favorite birth memory was listening to my husband sing a silly song that he made up as I marched during labor. It was just him and me and no one else just laughing and singing away.

With my second baby, it was laughing as she crowned. I was just so overcome with amazement that it struck me as funny, here I was just hanging out with a human coming out of me.

I'll let you know what my third birth memory is.

[JLav]

I spent that day laboring at my parents house...it was a beautiful fall day and I got to walk around the neighborhood with my dh. I remember this really special moment, my husband was asleep and I was going through transition and my mom came in and layed with me. She played with my hair and rubbed my back as I contracted and talked to me in a really soothing voice. I was really glad to have her there.
Once we were at the birth center my room was completely filled with family...I was really glad to have a lot of people there. I thought it was cool that my little brother and my cousins were able to be there, most men don't see a birth until it's one of their own kids being born.
The whole experience was just so special...I really loved all of it.

[ABand3]

Great thread - I can't pick just one, so I'll pick one from each birth -

#1 - I had specified that it was important to me to discover and announce the sex, and there was a space of a few seconds right after DS was born that I was just so thankful that he was out and excited I kept saying "it's a baby!" (like that was a surprise) and had to be reminded to take a peek to see if it was a boy or girl - I sooo didn't care at that point, I was just glad labor was over.

#2 - having back labor, on all fours on the bed with everyone in the room applying counterpressure on my back - DH, doula, midwife, nurse, student nurse, and feeling all these hands on my back made me feel very supported and somehow connected to every woman in the world who has given birth this way.

#3 - pushing in the tub, letting my body do the pushing and reaching down to feel the head and saying "what it that???!!! - DD was born in the caul and I was feeling the bulging bag of water - it was amazing.

[Undercover Hippie]

My favorite labor memory is from early labor with DD. DH and I went for a walk in the pre-dawn stillness while our doula stayed home with our sleeping DS. It was cool and dark and we were all alone, sharing this amazing event while everyone in the surrounding houses slumbered unaware. We stopped during contractions so I could lean against his warmth and he would circle my shoulders with one arm while supporting my belly with his other hand. Halfway through the walk we noticed a wonderful fragrance and tracked it to a gigantic honeysuckle bush in full bloom. We'd walked by that house so many times and never taken notice of that bush, but it was magical that night. It brings back lovely memories every time I walk by it now. :throb

[OliveGirl]

I had a horrible birth experience (induced with cytotec, reacted badly, lots of diarrhea/vomiting, epidural relief, epidural turned off, nearly three hours of pushing before vacuum extraction/episiotomy that left me with a 4th degree tear), but I will say that my son rooting for my breast shortly after he was placed in my arms was the most precious, priceless moment. He would vigorously shake his wee little head back in forth with his mouth open...searching instinctively for some nourishment.

[3daughters]

#1 - I had specified that it was important to me to discover and announce the sex, and there was a space of a few seconds right after DS was born that I was just so thankful that he was out and excited I kept saying "it's a baby!" (like that was a surprise) and had to be reminded to take a peek to see if it was a boy or girl - I sooo didn't care at that point, I was just glad labor was over.

That was also one on of my favorite parts. With my previous births the baby's gender was announced to me by the midwife. This time my baby was mine to discover myself. Since we already had 2 girls we were super curious what baby #3 was going to be. I checked her and saw female parts but kept rechecking since I wasn't sure I saw correctly in my post labour stupor :LOL .

Other favorite parts were:

-finding out that my favourite midwife was on call
-being checked upon arrival and finding out that I was a 7 cm!
-when the midwife checked the fetal heart tones in the tub and told me "that I had grown a healthy placenta"
-when the midwife checked on me laboring in the tub and told me that I was so relaxed "that I made it look so easy"
-knowing that I was in transition and telling the midwife "now I know why women say they are ready to pack up and go home"
-dd descended and crowned quickly and I was so uncomfortable on the birth stool so the midwife told me "gravity is not your friend right now, climb in the bed". Good suggestion, the pain disappeared the minute I lay back :thumb .

[mrsfatty]

The delivery of the placenta was such a RELIEF! It was like the rainbow after the torrential storm!

[nuhnuh]

I got in the tub shortly before pushing. That was a wonderful moment all by itself, but while I was in there I realized it was getting close and I wouldn't have this baby inside anymore. I knew I would miss that so I gave my belly a little hug and said goodbye. I do miss it...

[Aura_Kitten]

with my son: it was the hours i spent while i was still alone, just singing, praying, dancing, rocking my hips ~ completely tuning in to what my body needed.

with my daughter: my absolute favorite part was how FAST it was. :love and how absolutely.... transformative... the entire experience turned out to be. :throb

[choochymama]

the space in between contractions was absolutely blissful! i kept thinking, all i have to do is get through this contraction so i can go back to that place. it helped a lot.

[2+twins]

Hmm, this is going to sound strange b/c I really, really love the birth experience, but for the life of me I can't pinpoint any point of it that I loved. It was just such hard and intense work, from the get-go both times. So mostly I just had this huge feeling of relief both times once the baby was out. My fondess memory of birth though was just after the birth of my 2nd baby (we homebirth). She was born at night so I had had my dh light the candle sconces that we have above our bed - there are just 2 so we had a nice dim light for the birth and to sleep by afterwards. I figured this would be just enough light to help me see in the night to bf & diaper change. Anyway, we had just had this incredible unexpected UC waterbirth and were now snuggled in bed - just the 3 of us - with our newest dd in between. I don't think I could ever forget that - the peacefulness, serenity, and maybe even pride I felt in those moments. That was perhaps the greatest feeling of my entire life. So for me it's never been the birth b/c I'm just too consumed by it (and I've always felt bad that at the moment of birth I don't cry like I do for every other birth I see on tv, etc. - I just feel glad that it's over). It's just revelling in the wonder of it all after the fact that I love.

[cheeseRjedi]

During labor, I loved that I could almost fall asleep (granted it was because I was so delirious :nut ) inbetween contractions. I loved pushing, because I could finally be DOING SOMETHING to help my baby enter the world, rather than just waiting for my body to do its work. I LOVED feeling my baby's head as she was crowning. From then on, I was sooooooo motivated to get her out, and she came out after 3 more pushes. Then of course holding her and being so euphoric that I forgot to check the baby's gender for 10 minutes :LOL

[kate~mom]

i can't remember much i liked about my first birth, other than it being OVER.

this time around, at one point, i had just gotten home, was in the tub, waiting for dh to get home from work and picking up dd. i was on all fours, blowing bubbles into the water :flipped and had a moment of realization - these SUCK, but i am totally managing them by MYSELF! it was fabulous and very empowering for the remainder of labor.

my second favorite moment was right after pushing his head out, because at that moment, i knew i DID it - completely naturally.

my least favorite moment from both births is that sensation after the shoulders are out and the rest of the body just slurps out all at once. i felt so *empty.*

[sally Z]

Getting into the water, felt quite overwhelmed until I was in the water. Still painful But I felt contained
and afterwards all 3 of us getting into bed together.

[cheeseRjedi]

I just read this entire thread and I got chills numerous times :D