The second week of Channel 4’s One Born Every Minute focuses on pain. Seeing as my labour was a rather short affair I’m not too sure I’m best qualified to comment on the subject but I’ll give it a go.
A visit to the maternity assessment centre at Lincoln County Hospital enlightened me to the fact that despite only mild aching I was almost fully dilated and apparently had ‘done the hard work’ whatever that meant. I was immediately given an epidural as I was booked for an elective caesarean so they figured they’d do one at 34 weeks. However soon after it was decided that in order to give Boo the best possible chance I was going to give this birthing lark a bang. I’d attended no antenatal classes due to the booked caesarean and choosing to bottle feed, as my midwife said it was full of woman panting and discussing best latch techniques (I suppose I’ll never know now!).
The epidural was painless and the rest of the labour was although tense due to Boo being 6 weeks early, was completely pain free. Afterwards I was up and running around within 90 minutes of Boo being born – however I have to attribute some of my energetic nature to being told that once I could walk around I could visit Boo up in the Neonatal Unit.
Although pain free, the midwife and anaesthetist took great care to ensure that I was still able to feel the contractions which allowed me to initiate pushing, keeping me in control throughout.
Whilst my birth was positive in relation to pain, my pregnancy was another story. From the 24 week stage I was in what can only be described as agony. The professionals put it down to me being an ‘anxious’ first timer – yet on reflection Doctors now say that I was probably in early labour for 10 weeks! This would explain why I felt there was a chainsaw doing the can-can inside me for nearly three months!
Proof that the chainsaw aka baby accompanied me to visit Danny in Cyprus!
There are some women who feel a sense of guilt if they have pain relief. For somebody who was booked for an elective caesarean, I find this utterly ridiculous. I took the advice from the Doctors who had not only my health but that of Boo’s in mind. There is no prize for going cold turkey on the gas and air and it doesn’t make you a failure if you take every drug going. That’s not to say that no pain relief or alternative options aren’t for everybody. Pregnancy and in particular birth are personal and different for each woman – there is no mould or ‘perfect’ so let’s stop trying to find it!
The birth was a physical relief for me, as I will say now I never enjoyed being pregnant, choosing rather to view it as a means to an end – which in fact as I’m understanding now is only the beginning! Birth for me gave me the greatest gift of all, Boo. So why would it define me or the relationship between Mummy and Boo.
Lovely story & you are right about not feeling guilty if you take pain relief. So many women seem to get hung up on doing things in a particular way but it’s always important to remember the safety of you and your baby.
Thanks Charlotte! It seems to be a fear at many women develop. The pregnancy progresses. I think it’s an important topic to tackle if birth experiences are to be as positive as possible.
That’s a great message to other women. I am sorry you didn’t enjoy your pregnancy.
Thanks! Whilst I didn’t enjoy pregnancy I am most certainly enjoying being a Mummy! Totally worth it!
Sorry you didn’t enjoy being pregnant. Every woman has their own experience. The important thing is to look out for the health of mom and baby.
I completely agree. Health of Mummy and baby are the most important thing, but I think people sometimes forget that includes emotional well being.